Now Playing: Cautionary Tales

Presenting "Cautionary Tales". Host Tim Harford tells tragic stories from the past, pointing out the valuable lessons in the greatest mistakes, disasters and fiascos.

On this episode, get a front row seat as an award winning choreographer and a rock legend come close to opening the worst Broadway musical of all time. When Billy Joel agreed to let dance legend Twyla Tharp turn his songs into a Broadway musical it seemed like a surefire hit. But in previews, Movin’ Out was panned by the critics. It was headed for Broadway and was set to be an expensive and embarrassing failure. So how could Twyla turn things around and avert disaster before opening night?
Find out in this episode. You can hear more Cautionary Tales wherever you get your podcasts.