82. Doug Besterman

After an unintentionally extended break (sorry) we are back....and back with a belter.

Episode 82 features true Broadway royalty. None other than orchestrator, arranger and producer Doug Besterman. Doug is a multiple Tony and Drama Desk award winner. His list of theatre and film credits is vast, including The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Aladdin, Fosse, Mary Poppins, Captain America, Chicago and co-orchestrations for a little known song named Let It Go...

Seb and Verity chatted with Doug on a sunny August day during his time at the Chichester Festival Theatre, where he had been co orchestrating the new 30th anniversary production of Crazy For You with Mark Cumberland. He talks about his process of re orchestrating and down sizing Bill Brohn's original work and dividing up the workload with Mark. It's a whirlwind process and competitive spreadsheeting helped keep up the note rate!

Doug talks about his early days in the industry including a dubious stint as a pianist in a Korean Theme park and a nerve jangling project for Alan Menken, with whom he has gone on to work with extensively. He also chats about working with legends such as Mel Brookes and Barbara Streisand.

As a fellow WSET certified wine buff (bore), Verity couldn't let this interview pass without quizzing Doug on his wine choices!

To find out more about Doug, visit his website; https://dougbesterman.com

Check out the trailer for Shmigadoon! on Apple TV - Doug is currently working on the second series; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKG0RodrzVo

If you want to catch Crazy For You at the Chichester Festival Theatre, grab one of the last remaining tickets here; https://www.cft.org.uk/whats-on/event/crazy-for-you

This episode is fuelled by Chimney Fire Coffee who have sponsored this podcast. Find out more about Chimney Fire Coffee at https://chimneyfirecoffee.com/

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