Scene to Song

Author: Shoshana Greenberg

Hosted by writer Shoshana Greenberg, Scene to Song brings on a guest to talk about a musical, musical theater writer, or a topic or trend in musical theater. Theme music by Julia Meinwald.
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Genres: Arts, Performing Arts

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Musicals Within Films: Waiting for Guffman with John Verderber Ep. 132
Episode 132
Thursday, 26 February, 2026

Shoshana is joined by writer and theater aficionado John Verderber, author of Harry Reams Goes to Hollywood and American Father, longtime Little Red Light Theater associate, and contributor to Time Out New York, New York Magazine, and Everything Sondheim. We deep dive into Christopher Guest's beloved mockumentary Waiting for Guffman and the musical within it Red, White, and Blaine. In honor of Catherine O’Hara we thought diving into Waiting for Guffman was timely. We explore what makes the film endure: its uncanny authenticity to the world of community theater, the emotional stakes bound up in the hope of Broadway recognition via the elusive Mort Guffman, and the genuine earnestness at the heart of its musical numbers. They also trace its influence on the wave of mockumentary-style comedies that followed. In the Why Is This So Good? segment, Verderber makes the case for "The Dream" from Fiddler on the Roof. Music featured: A Penny for Your Thoughts from Waiting for Guffman. Stool Boom from Waiting for Guffman The Dream from Fiddler on the Roof. You can write to scenetosong@gmail.com with a comment or question about an episode or about musical theater, or if you’d like to be a podcast guest. Follow on Instagram at @‌ScenetoSong and on Facebook at “Scene to Song with Shoshana Greenberg Podcast.” And be sure to sign up for the new monthly e-newsletter at scenetosong.substack.com. Contribute to the Patreon. The theme music is by Julia Meinwald.