Episode 172: THE ART & CRAFT of BROADWAY ORCHESTRATION with 3-Time Tony Winner DOUG BESTERMAN

My guest this week is the three-time Tony award-winning Broadway orchestrator Doug Besterman, whose 31 Broadway musicals include The Producers, Fosse, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and his very first show, the 1991 revival of Damn Yankees, to name only a few. During this current Broadway season, Besterman will achieve something unheard of in his field: he will have three big musicals — Death Becomes Her, Boop!, and Smash — all running simultaneously on Broadway. Making it even more remarkable, two of those shows began previews on the same night and now open on Broadway in the same week. Besterman’s film credits include the live-action version of Beauty and The Beast and Frozen. TV credits include the Marc Shaiman/Scott Witman compositions for Smash, ABC’s version of Annie, The Sound of Music Live, and Peter Pan Live. As Tony Award-winning choreographer Susan Stroman’s orchestrator of choice, his work has been heard on Little Dancer (co-orchestrator with Larry Hochman) at The 5th Avenue Theatre and the Kennedy Center and Crazy for You at Chichester Festival and on the West End. His most recent regional work was the World Premiere of Schmigadoon at the Kennedy Center and Midnight in The Garden of Good and Evil at the Goodman Theatre. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members such as Andy Wigginton. If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month you can receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussion that I have with my guests — in fact I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. And you will also have access to additional in-depth conversations with my frequent co-host Albert Evans that have not been featured on the podcast. And all patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgement of your vital support of this podcast. And If you are very enthusiastic about Broadway Nation there are additional PATRON levels that come with even more benefits. If you would like to support the work of Broadway Nation and receive these exclusive member benefits, please just click on this link: https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/ Thank you in advance for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices