Rigoletto's biting humor is lost in the extravaganza, to some extent evaporating that plotline and the reason for the anger of the Duke's toadies.

WSJ: Mayer's 'Rigoletto,' set in Vegas, opens at Met

In songs like "Political Science, " "The Great Nations of Europe" and others, he has skewered war, racism and greed in a style that combines biting humor with his unique piano playing.

NPR: Randy Newman, Live in Studio 4A