listen to my episode of NPR's It's Been a Minute!

we're talking depictions of U.S. presidents in american musical theatre

hello! this is a short dispatch to do some self-promo — i was a guest on this week’s episode of NPR’s It’s Been a Minute!

i’m talking about the way we depict the president across the history of american musical theatre in commemoration of the Tony Awards alongside some really smart people talking about flag-burning in commemoration of Flag Day!

some of my favorite things we talked about:

• why are so many presidents depicted in american musical theatre?

• why are so many presidents depicted as especially virile in american musical theatre?

• why was annie’s plucky optimism enough to set the new deal in motion?

• is american history another kind of IP?

• what does it mean for american politicians to produce historical broadway musicals?

my other favorite thing was getting to say “Newsies” on the radio. iykyk.

i was asked to come on the show after tweeting this:

i unfortunately cannot say that stupid website has never given me anything. i’m also going to write an essay about this for the second issue of Broad Sound, coming soon, so if you’re here FROM NPR and you want to read more about this topic, don’t fret! there will be more soon!

if you’re new here, please consider subscribing, for free or for money! i hope you enjoy the episode — let me know what you think in the comments! my venmo is @Sarah-Leiber if you’d like to tip me.