It's been rare to hear a showtunes in the Top 40 in recent years, but they have popped up in some very unexpected places, including rapper Jay-z's "Hard Knock Life," and a rave tune based on "Hernando's Hideway." Radio Playbill takes a look at Broadway in the Pop Charts this week. Our CD of the week is a timely re-release of the London The Boys From Syracuse cast album, and Playbill historian Louis Botto is on hand to recall some legendary opening nights.
"Radio Playbill," a weekly news and entertainment magazine show of theatrical interviews, features and music, is broadcast 12 times weekly on Sirius' A&E Channel, 154.
The 30-minute weekly show debuts each Tuesday, with airings at 5 AM, 11 AM, 5 PM and 11 PM (ET).
Rebroadcasts of the show will occur each Thursday at 1 AM, 7 AM, 1 PM and 10 PM and Saturday at 5 AM, 11 AM, 5 PM and 11 PM (ET).
All the excitement and glamour of the American theatre scene comes across in this, the first radio project from the creators of Broadway's distinctive programs, and Playbill On-Line, the home of theatre on the internet. The program reflects Playbill's unique access and knowledge of the world of Broadway, broadcasting from Sirius' midtown Manhattan studios overlooking Times Square. Upcoming "Radio Playbill" shows include a preview of the Broadway The Boys From Syracuse and Hairspray, interviews with I'm Not Rappaport star Ben Vereen, and Cabaret star Hal Linden, plus an advance peek at songs from the upcoming new Broadway season.
And don't miss Playbill's theatre news headlines, being broadcast throughout the day, seven days a week on Sirius Radio's "Broadway's Best," channel 67.
Host for both the news and the magazine show is Robert Viagas, founding editor of Playbill On-Line and Theatre.com, and author of several books on theatre, including "On the Line: The Creation of A Chorus Line" and "The Amazing Story of The Fantasticks."
The signal can be heard coast to coast on the Sirius system, currently available mainly in automobiles, and streamed through the company's website at www.siriusradio.com
Sirius Radio's 100-channel service of 60 commercial-free music channels and 40 news, sports and entertainment channels is now available across the continental United States. Call 1-888-539-SIRIUS (7474) to order full satellite service. Sirius receivers and antenna cost approximately $249. Listeners are charged a $12.95 monthly fee, similar to cable television, and receive a wide range of targeted music and talk channels, from country to classical. Sirius has a deal to install receivers in Ford, BMW and DaimlerChrysler cars, though the receivers can be installed in any car. Sirius-ready receivers can be purchased at national retail stores such as Circuit City and Best Buy, as well as local car and audio retailers.
