By near-universal consensus, Stephen Sondheim was the greatest musical theater composer of his generation—celebrated, among other things, for the wit, sophistication, and intricacy of shows from West Side Story to Sunday in the Park with George. A less well-known avenue for his brilliant creativity was his lifelong fascination with designing and constructing intricate puzzles and games: from treasure hunts and crossword puzzles to parlor and board games.
Matching Minds with Sondheim is a journey into this rich but largely unmapped aspect of the composer’s creative life, illuminating how Sondheim’s playful designs delivered moments of clarity and connection for his friends and colleagues. For the first time, this book offers an enthralling tour of what Sondheim described as his “puzzler’s mind,” helping readers to better understand the man, his work, and—if they accept the challenge—themselves. Gaming expert and theatre fan Barry Joseph draws from over eighty years of Sondheim’s activities, collecting his extremely rare and never-publicly-seen puzzles and game designs, scores of original interviews with the celebrity friends who played them, deep dives into Sondheim-related archives from around the country, and analysis from both puzzle designers and theater professionals from around the world. Matching Minds will do more than describe Sondheim’s work: It will allow readers to match minds with the maestro by attempting to solve Sondheimian puzzles and bring Sondheimian games into their own homes.
Elphie, a new prequel novel exploring the childhood of Wicked's Elphaba Thropp, is now on shelves. In an interview with the Today Show, author Gregory Maguire talked about the long line of Elphaba performers and their influence on how he depicts the famed character. Watch the interview!
On Friday, Concord Theatricals Recordings celebrated the vinyl release of Jason Robert Brown and Stephen Sondheim: Live in Concert. Check out photos from the special day here.
KIM DAVID SMITH's new album Mostly Marlene, is available in streaming and digital formats now! This month, he was nominated for a 2025 MAC Award for “Major Artist.” Learn more and listen to the album.
AnnMarie Milazzo just released “The Shape of Things: Songs From Joy The Musical,” a concept album inspired by Joy, the powerful and uplifting new musical based on the life of trailblazing businesswoman and inventor Joy Mangano. Listen to a track from the album here!
The new single “Boom Boom,” featuring Michael Thurber and Austin Scott, from the genre-defying GODDESS is available to stream or download now! Learn more!
Concord Theatricals Recordings will digitally release the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the drop dead hilarious comedy DEATH BECOMES HER, in its entirety on Thursday, April 17. We have the complete release details here!
The new musical theatre-themed mystery novel, The Sound of Murder, is now available for pre-order at major online booksellers. Upcoming April 3rd release, as paperback and eBook.
Dramatists Play Service has announced the addition of McNeal, the bold and thought-provoking new play by Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar, to its distinguished catalog. The play is now available for licensing worldwide.
Earlier this week, HarperCollins released Wicked: The Graphic Novel Part 1, a new way to experience the novel that inspired the hit Broadway musical and two-part film adaptation.
The Criterion Collection has revealed the June 2025 lineup of Blu-ray titles, which includes the 1978 musical film adaptation of The Wiz, starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor, and Lena Horne.
The Original Broadway Cast Recording for the new Broadway musical, MAYBE HAPPY ENDING is available now via Ghostlight Records on streaming and digital platforms worldwide with a physical release to follow. Listen here!
Yusuf / Cat Stevens’ little known 1974 concert album, Saturnight: Live From Tokyo, will be released in the U.S. in multiple formats for the first time ever, more than 50 years after it was originally released only in Japan.
A new album featuring some of the best Miscast performances from years' past will be released this month! MCC Theater's Miscast: The Studio Sessions will be released on March 28.
Ray LaMontagne will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the release of his seminal debut album, Trouble, with a special remastered vinyl edition. Additionally, LaMontagne will embark on the Trouble 20th Anniversary Tour, performing the album in its entirety for the first time since its release.
Legendary musician, artist, record label executive, and philanthropist Herb Alpert will release a special 60th Anniversary Edition of his seminal album Whipped Cream & Other Delights on April 25th, 2025.
David Rothenberg, a theatre producer, playwright, and Broadway press agent, will release Manhattan Mayhem, a collection of short fiction, inspired by his nine decades in the entertainment industry. Manhattan Mayhem will be officially released April 2.
Music Theatre International (MTI) and Broadway Education Alliance Inc. has announced that the American Camp Association NY/NJ Conference, that MTI will begin offering The Camp Broadway Collection, an all-new, customizable, experiential learning program designed to teach children the fundamentals of musical theatre.
International conductor Dr. Elizabeth Askren has released the first volume of her new opera comic book series Volume One: The Magic Flute, available on Amazon.
KIM DAVID SMITH has released the new single from his upcoming album Mostly Marlene. “Illusions” – a studio duet with Tony-nominated playwright and performer Charles Busch. Listen now!
Thirty Saints Productions has announced the worldwide licensing release of The Holiday Songbook, the first installment of the company's highly acclaimed Songbook Series.
Clarinetist Sam Sadigursky and accordionist/multi-instrumentalist Nathan Koci have set the release of the next two volumes of The Solomon Diaries for April 11th.
On April 18, 2025, Mercury Studios will release a 3LP package of the South Park 25th Anniversary Concert. The album features performances of fan favorites from the South Park TV series and films created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Varèse Sarabande and Craft Recordings have announced the long-awaited vinyl debut of Lost: Season Two (Original Television Soundtrack), featuring Michael Giacchino’s score in its entirety.
Craft Recordings celebrates the enduring, 75-year legacy of PEANUTS, with an expanded reissue of Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown. Arriving April 4th, the collection features 11 never-before-heard outtakes plus the original album.
International Literary Properties, the global company that invests in, acquires, and manages literary estates, has acquired Ellen Raskin’s literary estate. Learn more!
The physical CD and two vinyl editions of the Swept Away album, titled “Rough Seas” and a limited edition “Devil’s In My Head” Blood Moon red pressing, will be released this spring. Learn more!
Pianist and composer Danny Wright has released his latest album, 'Stage To Screen,' featuring piano renditions of beloved movie and Broadway songs. Learn more about Wright and the album!
University Press of Kentucky plans to release a revised, third edition of 'Trapped! The Story of Floyd Collins' by the late historian Robert K. Murray and renowned cave explorer Roger W. Brucker, on April 15.
Stage and screen star Josh Gad has put pen to paper to tell his story. His new memoir, In Gad We Trust, is a heartfelt and hilarious collection of essays about his career highlights and all of the inbetweens. Watch in this video!