Broadway Breakdown: PASSION with Ali Gordon – Detailed Summary
Episode Release Date: November 28, 2024
Hosts: Matt Koplik and Guest Ali Gordon
1. Introduction
In this episode of Broadway Breakdown, host Matt Koplik welcomes theater enthusiast Ali Gordon to delve into the intricate world of Stephen Sondheim’s musical "Passion". Known for his candid and fiery commentary, Matt sets the stage for an engaging discussion about the show's history, characters, and its place within the Broadway canon.
2. Ali Gordon’s Journey with "Passion"
Timestamp: [05:08]
Ali Gordon shares her initial encounter with "Passion" during her teenage years. At 15, she became enamored with the character Fosca after watching the DVD box set of Sondheim’s works. Despite the complexity and her young age, Ali found a deep connection with Fosca's character, describing her fascination as “culture is for me” and an obsession that defied her teenage understanding.
Quote:
Ali Gordon: “I was like, this is the culture that makes me say culture is for me. I like identified with it and was obsessed with it in a way that makes absolutely no sense because I was 15 years old.”
[05:08]
3. Exploring the Characters: Giorgio, Fosca, and Clara
Timestamp: [27:38]
The conversation pivots to an in-depth analysis of the three central characters:
- Giorgio: A soldier engaged in the Risorgimento era of Italy, embodying both strength and sensitivity.
- Fosca: The colonel’s cousin, whose obsession with Giorgio drives the narrative. Ali discusses Fosca’s manipulative tendencies and her projection of genuine qualities that may not be entirely authentic.
- Clara: Giorgio’s lover back home, representing a more conventional and conditional form of love.
Quote:
Matt Koplik: “Giorgio needs somebody who will give him what he's giving. He has to be the center of it.”
[27:38]
4. Themes of Love vs. Passion
Timestamp: [33:41]
Ali and Matt delve into the core themes of "Passion," distinguishing between love and passion. They explore how the musical portrays love as multifaceted and conditional, contrasting Giorgio’s intense and somewhat unhealthy obsession with Fosca against his more stable relationship with Clara.
Quote:
Ali Gordon: “I think what the show is trying to say is, love is very multifaceted and complicated. It’s never easy all the time.”
[33:41]
5. Performance Highlights and Critical Reception
Timestamp: [49:36]
The discussion shifts to the performances, particularly highlighting Donna Murphy's iconic portrayal of Fosca. Ali compares different interpretations of Fosca, praising Jan Maxwell and Rebecca Luker for bringing depth and vulnerability to the role, unlike Murphy's more domineering performance.
Quote:
Ali Gordon: “She sounds like a dream. And I think Fosca's a hard role to sing because you think of her sort of being an alto.”
[78:47]
Matt critiques the original Broadway production's casting choices, suggesting that physical appearances sometimes overshadow character depth, particularly Giorgio’s portrayal.
6. Legacy and Impact of "Passion"
Timestamp: [93:00]
Ali and Matt reflect on "Passion’s" legacy within Sondheim’s body of work. They acknowledge that while it may not be as universally acclaimed as other Sondheim musicals, its complexity and unconventional approach to storytelling have cemented its status as a cult favorite among theater aficionados.
Quote:
Matt Koplik: “The legacy of Passion is still kind of growing. It is still the esoteric Sondheim fans' musical. It's still not universally accepted as one of his great works, which is why I don't think it's fair.”
[93:00]
7. Personal Anecdotes and Insights
Timestamp: [106:00]
Ali shares personal stories, including her interactions with Donna Murphy and her experiences in theater school. These anecdotes illustrate the challenges and triumphs of engaging deeply with complex characters like Fosca and navigating the demanding world of Broadway productions.
Quote:
Ali Gordon: “I just think I'm obsessed with her performance. It’s so borderline. Too much, but that's why I like it.”
[117:04]
8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Timestamp: [172:34]
As the episode wraps up, Ali and Matt emphasize the importance of understanding and appreciating the nuanced portrayals within "Passion." They encourage listeners to embrace the show's complexities and engage in conversations that explore its themes beyond surface-level interpretations.
Quote:
Ali Gordon: “Someone can either go be like, okay, well, I still don't like it. Or they can be like, oh, cool. I do see that and I do see how that song is, like, wow.”
[175:32]
Matt concludes by inviting listeners to join the Broadway Breakdown community on Discord for further discussions and to stay tuned for future episodes exploring more aspects of Broadway history and productions.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Ali Gordon on Fosca's Obsession:
“It's about passion, yes. And passion should never be conditional.”
[07:47] -
Matt Koplik on Love's Complexity:
“Love is the seed of the show, and everything that sprouts from it is what it's actually about.”
[33:38] -
Ali Gordon on Representation in "Passion":
“It's about getting swept up in the story and the authorial intent doesn't matter.”
[57:30] -
Matt Koplik on Critical Reception:
“In previews, Passion was a disaster. They talk about that in the commentary as well.”
[63:15] -
Ali Gordon on "Passion’s" Inclusivity:
“It's so good when people can create things that are just really not for everyone.”
[175:32]
Final Notes
This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of Stephen Sondheim’s "Passion," enriched by Ali Gordon’s personal connection and Matt Koplik’s insightful commentary. From character analyses to discussions on love and passion, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the musical’s intricate narrative and its enduring legacy on Broadway.
For more engaging discussions on Broadway history and productions, tune into Broadway Breakdown each week.
Disclaimer: This summary is based on the provided transcript and aims to capture the essence of the podcast episode. For the full experience, listening to the actual episode is recommended.