The Motivation Show

Barry Manilow's music partner BRUCE SUSSMAN

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Episode notes

BRUCE SUSSMAN received the 2022 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical for the Broadway show Harmony.

With Jack Feldman, he co-authored the scores for Ted Tally’s Coming Attractions (Outer Critics Circle Award) and Wendy Wasserstein’s first musical, Miami, both produced by André Bishop at Playwrights Horizons. He also co-authored the score and book for Copacabana: The Musical, (Olivier Award nominee).

His half century-long collaboration with Barry Manilow has produced over 200 songs that have been featured in numerous films & have been recorded by an array of artists, earning Grammy Awards & multiple Gold & Platinum records.

We discuss: 

What is it like collaborating with Barry Manilow and how did that all unfold?

When did you first get the desire to write, score & produce music?  Who & what were your inspirations?

Does writing the book for a show & scoring the music come naturally to you?  What are the easy parts, what are the hard parts and what does it take to get it all done to your exacting standards?

Is there a secret to your success?   What advice would you offer someone else who needs a better roadmap to reach the same pinnacle of success that you have?

The show’s slogan is that HARMONY tells the extraordinary true story of the greatest entertainers the world would ever forget.  There were 6 Comedian Harmonists.   What made them so beloved at the time and why were they forgotten?

What does the Broadway musical Harmony mean to you and can you tell our listeners exactly your role in the show is as the maestro behind the book and lyrics and also Barry Manilow’s role with his original score in the show?

What would you like audiences to take away from the intended meaning & message of the show  & how you would like to see them feeling during & after the show?

How long did it take for Harmony to get to Broadway & why the long and winding road that finally landed the show there. 

What are you most proud of?  Anything you would change?