Broadway’s Greatest Living Jewish Composer: Musical Theater Icon Jason Robert Brown Sings the TRUTH

In this powerful episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years, 13) joins Jonah for a raw and thought-provoking conversation about what it means to be Jewish in American theater today. From the complexities of Jewish pride and representation to the discomfort he feels being labeled “America’s greatest Jewish composer,” Jason opens up like never before.

The two dive into Jason’s legendary career, exploring the cultural impact of his shows and how Jewish themes have shaped and challenged his work. Jason shares intimate reflections on his relationships with Broadway icons Hal Prince and Alfred Uhry, the artistic tension between creative integrity and commercial success, and how he’s always felt like an outsider, even within the institutions and communities where he “should” feel at home.

If you care about Broadway, authentic storytelling, identity, or what it means to stay rooted as an artist in turbulent times, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

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Mentioned in Episode

National Tour of Parade
https://paradebroadway.com/tour/

13! The Musical Movie
https://www.netflix.com/title/80222822

Watch Spread on Tubi
https://tubitv.com/movies/100008485/spread

Yiddish Theater in NYC
https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/language-literature-culture/heft-notebook/new-york-yiddish-theater

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:03 Early Career and Audition Stories
01:23 The Last Five Years on Broadway
02:25 Casting Controversies and Representation
06:05 The Schmuel Song and Jewish Cultural Influence
08:40 Parade: The Journey and Revival
19:00 13: The Musical and Its Impact
23:10 Personal Reflections and Discovering Talent
26:39 Discovering Ari's Talent
27:14 Challenges in the Broadway Industry
29:08 Musical Influences and Career Reflections
31:34 Creating Unique Musical Projects
34:21 Jewish Identity and Musical Theater
43:09 Career Beginnings and Advice for Aspiring Artists
47:53 Addressing Modern Challenges and Jewish Pride
51:04 Lightning Round and Closing Remarks

Host & Production Team
Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Creative Associate: Rachel Stern; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell

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Видео Broadway’s Greatest Living Jewish Composer: Musical Theater Icon Jason Robert Brown Sings the TRUTH канала Being Jewish with Jonah Platt