224: Stephen Oremus KNOWS Broadway, Music, Creativity, Collaboration, Dolly and Lots of Witches

Broadway audiences know the shows. Theater insiders know the name behind the music. In this inspiring episode of ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones, two-time Tony Award winner, two-time Grammy Award winner and Emmy-nominated music supervisor, arranger, orchestrator and conductor Stephen Oremus takes listeners behind the curtain of some of Broadway's most beloved productions, including “Wicked,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Frozen,” “Kinky Boots,” Avenue Q,” “9 to 5,” “Smash” and more.” But this conversation goes far beyond Broadway credits. Oremus shares how a childhood love of music, Barry Manilow and neighborhood sing-alongs led to an extraordinary career shaping some of the greatest musical theater productions of the past quarter century. He offers a fascinating look at what a Broadway music supervisor actually does, revealing how collaboration, creativity and commitment to serving both the composer and the story transform great musicals into unforgettable experiences. You'll also hear unforgettable stories from inside the theater world, including: The emotional compliment he received after opening night of “Wicked,” that remains one of the greatest moments of his career. Why Dolly Parton is every bit as generous, brilliant and endlessly creative as you've always hoped she would be. What it was like conducting an 85-piece orchestra for the “Wicked” films. How collaboration—not ego—is the secret ingredient behind Broadway's biggest successes. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Randy and Stephen pay tribute to beloved arts educator Bob Bohon—Stephen's father-in-law and Randall's former music teacher—celebrating the immeasurable impact teachers have on generations of artists, performers and dreamers. Their heartfelt discussion becomes a powerful reminder that the greatest legacies are often built far from the spotlight. Finally, Stephen reflects on family, fatherhood, lifelong learning and why the joy of not knowing what comes next has fueled one of Broadway's most remarkable careers. His closing answer to the signature question, "What do you know?" may be one of the most profound ever shared on the podcast. Whether you're a lifelong theater lover, an aspiring artist, or simply fascinated by the creative process, this is a masterclass in collaboration, humility and the transformative power of the arts. "It's a beautiful, beautiful thing to not know. Every new project is an incredible rush of excitement and joy at the not knowing." — Stephen Oremus Stephen Oremus: www.instagram.com/steoremus Randall Kenneth Jones: www.RandallKennethJones.com Susan Bennett: www.SusanCBennett.com Kevin Randall Jones: www.KevinRandallJones.com The 2025 cast members for Talking Horse Productions' Columbia, Missouri, presentation of “Working, A Musical” were Bob Bohon, Luca Freccia, David Hall, Ryan Deshyla Jordan, Brandon Moore, Dr. Joy Powell, Danielle Simpson, and Kate Wiegardt. The December 2025 production of “Tell Me on a Sunday” at Talking Horse Productions in Columbia, Missouri, featured Adriana Diaz and Catherine Sandstedt sharing the sole leading role of Emma in a split engagement. This episode is dedicated to the memory of G. Robert Bohon.