Musician and composer Sam Nasar chatted about his new album “Sam & Company,” and the new musical “The Chef.” Nasar co-wrote the book with Alexander Robertson.
How did you approach the song selection process for your new album?
I’ve been developing the concept for this musical theatre album for nearly two years. At first, I explored countless ways to structure it—mapping out different themes, narratives, and through-lines.
As time went on, something unexpected happened: I began collaborating with an incredible group of lyricists, and the songs we created together quickly became some of my all-time favorites. That changed everything.
Rather than forcing the album into a traditional song cycle or trying to make each track fit a single storyline, I had a realization: What if we treated this like a musical theatre album that celebrates a wide range of genres—almost like a pop record, but for theatre lovers?
The through-line became the sound and spirit of the songs themselves, and we tied everything together with an overture. That shift opened the door to something that felt fresh, bold, and really fun.
What is your personal favorite song on there and why?
One of the standout tracks for me is The Shooting Star Interlude. From the moment I finalized the track list, it’s always held a special place. It’s the only piano solo I’ve written in nearly a decade, and I composed it all in one sitting.
The process was incredibly fast, but also deeply emotional — I felt completely immersed and inspired in that moment.
It captures something really specific about where I was in life when I wrote it, and that clarity and immediacy still resonates with me every time I hear it.
How did “The Chef” come about?
“The Chef” came about in such a brilliant and unexpected way. Broadway producer Alexander Robertson had seen one of my reels on Instagram and sent me a DM. Just a couple days later, we met up to talk about what excites us creatively and where we see the future of theatre heading — and it immediately felt like a perfect match.
We grabbed lunch to get to know each other, and two days after that, Alex had already booked us a rehearsal studio so we could start writing.
He pulled out a note on his phone with a list of show ideas — everything from full concepts to one-liners and song titles.
“The Chef” was on that note, with the show title (which we still use), a handful of potential song titles (some of which made it into the show), and a few scattered thoughts.
A little over a year later, we’ve written the first draft, developed songs that bring those early ideas to life, and were recently honored to present a piece of the show at Broadway Shark Tank at New 42 in front of industry professionals.
We’re now in the process of expanding our team as we move toward a workshop and fully mounted production.
How does it feel to be an artist and creator in the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology, and social media being so prevalent)
For me, it’s always been about striking a balance. On one hand, the digital age has created incredible opportunities for artists — we can share our work instantly, reach global audiences, and build communities around what we create.
On the other hand, the sheer volume of content out there makes it easy to feel like your work is getting lost in the noise.
Lately, I’ve been more intentional about building a presence on social media for my writing. But it’s a constant dance between creating something authentic and meaningful versus trying to fit a moment into a 30-second reel.
As someone who’s always working on long-form musical theatre, it’s not always easy — I can’t always pull out standalone moments that work in a short clip.
Still, I think there’s power in finding ways to share pieces of the process in a way that feels honest and not just optimized for the algorithm.
What do your plans for the future include?
There’s a lot on the horizon that I’m really excited about. The Chef is moving full steam ahead — we’re currently preparing for an industry workshop, with a full production planned not too far behind.
Beyond that, I’ve been developing two other original musicals, Still Connected and Unknown World, each with different collaborators and unique voices.
I’m also working on an adaptation of a well-known movie with Ted Bushman, who was one of the lyricists on Sam & Company. We’re hopeful that the project will move forward soon.
And in just a couple months, I’ll be back in the studio recording a brand-new original song — it’s a big, horn-filled track written specifically for a beloved veteran performer (soon to be announced).
It’s going to be another big, theatrical release, and I can’t wait to share more soon.
What is your advice for young and emerging artists?
My biggest advice is: don’t be afraid to reach out to the people you admire. Some of the artists on Sam & Company were close friends or past collaborators, but many were people I had looked up to for years — Broadway stars I was genuinely a fan of.
When I was casting the album, I made a “dream list” for each song, fully expecting that most of them would say no. But to my surprise, not only did they say yes — they were genuinely honored to be asked.
It was such a powerful reminder that people want to be part of something exciting and meaningful. So often, the only thing standing between you and a dream collaborator is the fear of asking.
My advice is: just ask. Be bold, be kind, and invite people into your vision. You never know who will say yes.
What does the word success mean to you?
To me, success is about impact. It’s not just about numbers or recognition — it’s about creating something that moves people, opens conversations, or makes someone feel seen.
I feel most successful when someone reaches out and says, “That song meant something to me,” or when collaborators tell me they felt joy and ownership in the process.
I have such a joy for working with and creating with people that even if only one person is touched, we’ve succeeded.
I’m a big proponent of building a warm and welcoming room for collaboration, and I think the sense of joy in that room — surrounded by brilliant, generous artists — is a huge part of what success looks like for me.
What would you like to tell our readers about your new album and “The Chef”?
This album has been a true labor of love. “Sam & Company” brings together a cast of Broadway stars and a live orchestra to celebrate original musical theatre across genres — from big band to contemporary ballads.
It’s a project built on collaboration and heart, and we’re thrilled that it also supports breast cancer research, which is deeply personal to many of us involved. I hope listeners can feel the joy and care that went into every track.
“The Chef” is another exciting step forward — a new musical that blends humor, ambition, and the messiness of life in the kitchen.
We’re in the midst of developing it further, with a workshop and full production on the way, and we’re so excited to announce public performances in the coming months.
To learn more about Sam Nasar, check out his official homepage, and follow him on Instagram.
