Stevie Wonder once ran at full speed through a college studio to join a student band rehearsing “Superstition”—one of the unforgettable stories Melissa Manchester shares with Julian Schlossberg. In part two of their conversation, Manchester recalls learning Ella Fitzgerald’s scat parts phonetically, Dolly Parton’s moving contribution to a reimagined “Midnight Blue,” and Bob Dylan’s offer to bring her a toothbrush if she went to jail over a record-company dispute. She also reflects on her years on Blossom, writing for Disney animation, and the diary she’s kept since age 14. A warm, revealing conversation full of music, star encounters, and vivid memories.

After Broadway audiences rejected Harold Pinter’s The Innocence and it closed in just ten days, Claire Bloom still remembers it as a wonderful production. In this candid conversation with Julian Schlossberg, Bloom also recalls the demanding exposure of playing Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire, working with Anthony Hopkins on A Doll’s Life, and the unusual distance Julie Harris kept from her fellow actors while filming The Haunting. She reflects on missed opportunities with Laurence Olivier, the directors who gave her freedom—and the strong criticism she wanted—and why she never thought of herself as a movie star.

Julian Schlossberg sits down with Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress Melissa Manchester. They explore her creative upbringing in the Bronx, influenced by her father's career at the Metropolitan Opera and her mother's fashion empire. Melissa discusses her journey from singing jingles alongside Barry Manilow to studying under Paul Simon, her seven-year pursuit of a record deal, and her acclaimed theatrical work, including 561 performances in Funny Girl. She also shares insights into her songwriting process, tribute albums honoring music legends, and her dream of originating a Broadway role.