Rags – celebrating 40 years of Charles Strouse and Stephen Schwartz musical

Presented by Rob Morrison on 18th August 2026

Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 18th August will feature a 40th anniversary tribute to the Charles Strouse and Stephen Schwartz musical Rags, from the 1987 London–New York studio cast recording with members of the original 1986 Broadway cast starring Julia Migenes and Larry Kert, with Dick Latessa, Terrence Mann, Lonny Price, Judy Kuhn, Marcia Lewis and Josh Blake.

The programme will conclude with a selection of original cast recordings from Broadway musicals of 1910 (the year of Rags’ setting), starring Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth, Stella Mayhew, Billie Taylor, David Montgomery and Fred Stone, Chauncey Olcott, Blanche Ring, Bert Williams and Truly Shattuck.

Oh, Kay! – from The Gershwins in 1927

Presented by Rob Morrison on 11th August 2026

Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 11th August will feature a centenary tribute to the George and Ira Gershwin musical Oh, Kay! from the 1994 New York studio cast recording starring Dawn Upshaw, Kurt Ollmann, Patrick Cassidy, Adam Arkin, Robert Westenberg, Liz Larsen, Stacey A.Logan, Susan Lucci and Fritz Weaver.

The programme will conclude with recordings by the original 1927 London cast members Gertrude Lawrence, Harold French and Claude Hulbert; plus additional songs included in the 1960 off-Broadway revival with lyrics by P.G. Wodehouse, sung by Murray Matheson, Eddie Phillips, Bernie West, David Daniels and Marti Stevens.

LIZA OF LAMBETH – 1976 West End musical

Presented by Rob Morrison on 4th August 2026

Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 4th August will feature a 50th anniversary tribute to the Cliff Adams, William Rushton and Berny Stringle musical Liza of Lambeth (based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham) from the 1976 original London cast recording starring Michael Robbins, Patricia Hayes, Bryan Marshall, Kate Williams, Christopher Neil, Tina Martin and Angela Richards.

This will be preceded by an introduction by the British Musical Theatre historian, archivist and author – Rex Bunnett.

The programme will conclude with a tribute to the late Bill Oddie with songs and sketches from the 1963 “live” London cast recording of Cambridge Circus starring Tim Brooke-Taylor, Anthony Buffery, John Cleese, David Hatch, Jo Kendall, Bill Oddie and Chris Stuart-Clark.