A Musical Theatre Podcast
Conversations revealing the cultural and emotional impact of our favorite musicals in theatre history.
All Episodes
PATREON! Preview- The Tony Awards with Eila Mell & Heather Hitchens
Once a year, we share a PATREON! preview on our main feed to showcase the amazing bonus content you might be missing by not being a subscriber! It may only be April, but today's episode was too good not to share.
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS with Sara Gettelfinger
We have a theme this month! Both of the musicals we're covering this April are powerful examples of "pastiche" in musical theatre. The way the composers of these shows reference styles and works of the past bring depth and context to their stories and characters.
STEEL PIER with Colden Lamb
STEEL PIER didn't win any of its eleven Tony nominations back in 1997, but it was the winner of our PATREON! poll earlier this year. That's why this week we're dedicating a full episode to this golden-aged, millennial musical.
KISS ME KATE with Lesli Margherita
In 1949, KISS ME KATE won the first ever Best Musical Tony Award. Now it's 2024... and we still love it! Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita (Broadway's MATILDA, DAMES AT SEA) joins us to celebrate women and Cole Porter (in that order) as we dive headfirst into this silly and often deeply romantic show.
NINE with Kim Criswell
NINE surprised Broadway in 1982 when it opened last minute and proved to be a formidable foe to the other big hit of the season, DREAMGIRLS. It was also a musical that couldn't seem to escape drama, whether onstage at the hands of lead character Guido Contini or off.
GROUNDHOG DAY with Ste Clough
Happy Groundhog Day! We're celebrating with a special Friday release about, you guessed it, the musical GROUNDHOG DAY. It's a show you've either enjoyed seeing in the West End, on Broadway, in Melbourne, or you missed it.
FINIAN'S RAINBOW with Joe Aaron Reid
Today we're ushering in Black History Month with an episode dedicated to FINIAN'S RAINBOW, a 1947 musical with a pitch perfect score ("Old Devil Moon," anyone?), zany satirical book, and surprisingly groundbreaking history.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with Kim Huber
It's a tale as old as "dressing like merchandise from Bed Bath & Beyond." This week we're looking at the blockbuster musical BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, a show that changed Broadway (to steal a line from another musical megahit with a strong female protagonist) "for good." Original cast member Kim Huber (SUNSET BOULEVARD, MARIE CHRISTINE) joins us to provide context, insight, and hilarious anecdotes to a show that rightfully deserves all three.
THE COLOR PURPLE with Angela Robinson
It's our last episode of 2023, just in time for Christmas, just like the new film version of the stage musical THE COLOR PURPLE. It's a piece that has only deepened in our cultural psyche since it premiered on Broadway in 2005, but for those who experienced "the purple effect" from the beginning, this has always been a monumental work.
THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD with Eila Mell
And now for this year's, "Musical You Didn't Know is Actually a Christmas Musical..." THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD. This 1985 crowd pleaser is maybe the first (if not only) Broadway musical who's ending depended completely on the audience (and we're not just talking about the length of the curtain call).
NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 with Act of Faith
If two's company and three's a crowd, then what's four? A party? Well then that's what we've got this week, and the party's theme is the musical NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812.
DEAR EVAN HANSEN with Robert Bannon
Coming in at a healthy 1 hour and 40 minutes, this match, I mean episode, on DEAR EVAN HANSEN explores it all. In one corner, a podcast host fighting for empathy. In another, a podcast host fighting for justice. Who will win?!
JEKYLL & HYDE with Rebecca Spencer
Time to celebrate (and modulate) this year's spooky season with an episode on the gothic pop musical sensation JEKYLL & HYDE. Not only is this listener request's road to Broadway an epic journey, so is our guest's relationship to it.
PIPPIN with Chris Adams & John Rubinstein
PIPPIN. It's a musical with a lot to discuss which is probably why so many of you have requested it! This week, we welcome two wonderful guests with "magic to do" that will help make it happen.
COME FROM AWAY (Maui Reissue) with Hōkū Pavao & Geno Carr
A great musical will often grow and change as its audience does, and as the people of Maui continue the long road of processing the recent devastation left by deadly wildfires, we realized it was time to relook at the musical COME FROM AWAY.
SWEET CHARITY with Dylis Croman
IMPORTANT: In the wake of the Maui fires this past month, thank you for your patience as Jeff prioritized his schedule. We hope you enjoy this new episode of "A Musical Theatre Podcast." In the year 1966, many iconic characters arrived on Broadway, among them: Mame Dennis, Don Quixote, and the focus of today's episode, Charity Hope Valentine.
BE MORE CHILL with Joe Iconis
In 2017, the original cast album of BE MORE CHILL was one of the most streamed cast recordings of the year, and it had yet to premiere on Broadway. In fact, it hadn't been performed since its world premiere in New Jersey two years earlier!
URINETOWN with Kikau Alvaro
Chances are if you're alive in 2023, you've been to Urinetown... the place not the musical. That's because despite being a hit back in 2001, the near apocalyptic state that URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL hilariously captures is somehow more relatable than ever: greedy corporate CEO's, environmental disasters, progressives with grand platitudes...
PASSION with Ben Rimalower
PASSION has maybe the most complex approach to exploring love in all of Musical Theatre, so of course the legends Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine were behind it.
CARNIVAL! with Debbie Gravitte
CARNIVAL! is a 1961 musical that is simultaneously beautiful, hopeful, sad, and a great exercise for us in 2023. Set those literal minds on standby as Tony-winner Debbie Gravitte (JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY, ZORBA, CHICAGO) joins us to remember this special piece from our musical theatre history and the 2002 Encores!
TICK, TICK... BOOM! with Taylor J. Williams
A brand new episode mid week?? What is happening? Short answer: The Tony Awards. This Sunday we celebrate the most recent Broadway season by honoring the best of the best, and it just so happens our guest this week is one of the nominees! Taylor J.
WAITRESS with Jessie Mueller
The musical WAITRESS emerged from the 2016 Broadway season (supposedly dominated by HAMILTON) as something similar to its protagonist's famous pies: a hit on the outside thanks to secret ingredients on the inside.
KIMBERLY AKIMBO with John Clancy
Today "A Musical Theatre Podcast" welcomes its first orchestrator! John Clancy (SHREK THE MUSICAL, MEAN GIRLS, THE PROM) has been a long time collaborator with composer Jeanine Tesori and was just nominated for a Tony Award for his work on their new musical KIMBERLY AKIMBO.
MACK & MABEL with Robert Viagas
In 1974, a teenage Robert Viagas (future founding editor of Playbill.com) entered a Broadway theatre and watched the brand new musical from the legendary team of HELLO, DOLLY!
THE PRODUCERS with Michael Kostroff and Julie Garnyè
Mel Brooks' valentine to musical theatre THE PRODUCERS broke all kinds of Broadway records offstage in 2001, while onstage its zany characters wrote the book on how one should not behave in professional theatre.
MAN OF LA MANCHA with Kiki Ball-Change
MAN OF LA MANCHA may be almost 60 years old, but get ready to hear it in a whole new light. New York's Broadway Bimbo Kiki Ball-Change joins us to discuss the "drag" of Don Quixote, and what the hope of "The Impossible Dream" can symbolize for each new generation, including the current queer one.
SHREK THE MUSICAL with Martín Acuña
To quote listener Casey in her request for us to cover SHREK THE MUSICAL, "This show has absolutely no right being as good as it is." And she's right. Even with two Pulitzer Prize winning writers behind it, you might be shocked to find how deep the psychology of "the first musical with a fart song" actually goes.
SHUFFLE ALONG with Caseen Gaines
How do a Jeffrey Scott Parsons, Caseen Gaines, and Audra McDonald all make it to adulthood without knowing SHUFFLE ALONG? This isn't the beginning of a comedic bit by Miller & Lyles; it's the beginning of a wonderful conversation about a game changing musical too few people know about.
COMPANY with Nikki Renee Daniels & Teri Ralston
Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY is often defined as the first "concept musical" in theatre history, but this week we explore how universal this legendary musical is.
SHOW BOAT with Thomas S. Hischak
There would be no OKLAHOMA! without SHOW BOAT. Hard stop. So why does the former get the glory of marking the beginning of modern musical theatre? Today, historian and author Thomas S.
THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK with Lucie Arnaz
If you've ever listened to "A Musical Theatre Podcast," you already know a little bit about THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK. Find out how by tuning into our first episode of 2023 featuring one of the original "West End Witches," Lucie Arnaz (Broadway's THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, PIPPIN).
MILK AND HONEY with David Armstrong
In the name of "Merry Christmas" and the holiday season, welcome to Israel! In 1961, MILK AND HONEY premiered on Broadway and brought with it the first major musical theatre representation of Jewish life as well as an introduction to a little, off-Broadway composer named Jerry Herman.
THE SECRET GARDEN with Daisy Eagan & John Cameron Mitchell
THE SECRET GARDEN is a timeless story with a lot of layers, just like our two guests who were gracious enough to discuss it with us this week.
DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES with Jake Saenz
While it may have flopped on Broadway, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES was a winner in Europe and our recent poll on PATREON! So if you're thinking you're too sophisticated for this episode, get ready to realize all the fun you've been missing while you've been rolling your eyes.
THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS with Josh Breckenridge
THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS ran for only two months on Broadway at the end of 2010, but in that short time it managed to spark controversy that not only brought protestors outside the theatre, but 12 Tony nominations the following Spring.
A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE with Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens
No need for cute introductory copy here. This week we are simply honored that Tony Award winning composing team Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (RAGTIME, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, ANASTASIA) stopped by to discuss their beautiful musical A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN with Jay Armstrong Johnson
The only thing more challenging than securing a big hit on Broadway is figuring out how to follow it up with another big hit. For the team of the juggernaut musical HAIRSPRAY, that follow up was a musical adaptation of Stephen Spielberg's hit film CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.
OLIVER! with Max Miller
Never has a child changed the world so much by asking for seconds. The musical OLIVER! is somewhat of an outlier in 1960s musical theatre that's as dark as it is joyful and filled to the brim with wonderful characters.
SOMETHING ROTTEN with Brad Oscar
How on earth do you name a brand new musical SOMETHING ROTTEN, open it cold on Broadway and somehow still have a hit? Short answer: magic. Long answer: listen to this week's episode with original Tony-nominated Nostradamus, Brad Oscar!
PATREON! Preview- "Attack of the Monster Musical" with Adam Abraham
Here's a little something to help you through the end of your week! Jeff brings you a mini episode spotlighting the latest offering on PATREON! in which author Adam Abraham drops by to talk about the release of his new book exploring the Cultural History of the musical Little Shop of Horrors.
BRIGADOON with Meg Bussert
Well, it didn't take 100 years, but today is finally the day BRIGADOON comes to life on the podcast! Here to discuss the magical beauty of this 1947 musical is a Tony nominee from the 1980 revival, actor and educator Meg Bussert (BRIGADOON, CAMELOT, DAMN YANKEES).
RAISIN with Jerrell L Henderson
RAISIN was named the Best Musical of 1974. Have you seen it? Can you sing a song from it? Here to argue why our answers to both of these questions should be "yes" is director, puppeteer, historian, and archivist Jerrell L Henderson.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE with Gina Morgano
It might be the oldest title we cover on "A Musical Theatre Podcast" thanks to some well written listener requests! THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE found incredible success on Broadway over a century after it premiered there in 1879.
A CHRISTMAS STORY with Ian Eisendrath
It's been a rough month, so we're taking a Christmas in July vacation this week to discuss one of the very few holiday musicals to be nominated for Best Musical at the Tony Awards: A CHRISTMAS STORY.
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES with David Engel
It's Pride month, and we're celebrating with the drag mother of musicals: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Joining us to explore this traditional yet groundbreaking milestone is original Broadway cast member David Engel (FOREVER PLAID, SEUSSICAL, PUTTING IT TOGETHER).
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN with Joshua Finkel & Richard Bermudez
Recently we chose five musicals from our listener request list that had all won the "Best Musical Tony Award" and allowed our social media followers to vote on which we should cover to celebrate next week's 2022 Tony Ceremony. The winner?
THE WHO'S TOMMY with Cricket Myers
A wisecracking sound designer once said, "The audience doesn't leave humming the lights." Whoever said it, they have a point. That's why this week's episode dedicated to the rock musical THE WHO'S TOMMY features a guest with one of the most important jobs in musical theatre!
THE KING AND I with Mark Eden Horowitz & Joan Almedilla
In 1951, THE KING AND I changed musical theatre, and now in 2022, the modern world has changed THE KING AND I. While everyone can (and should) have an opinion on this work of art, this week’s episode provides context for those opinions thanks to some incredible guests.
PASSING STRANGE with Todd Underwood
Whether you've already met or have yet to meet the genius creativity that is PASSING STRANGE, this episode invites you to truly come as you are.
SWEENEY TODD with Ethan Slater
Major masterwork SWEENEY TODD has made us all wince, laugh, and think since its bloody premiere in 1979. Joining us this week to discuss what makes this killer musical simmer and explode is Tony nominee (SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical), Sondheim star (the off Broadway Assassins), and all around "Sweeney Fan," the very smart and talented Ethan Slater!
THE BOY FROM OZ with Justin Clarke
The closest we've been to a new-old school "star vehicle" in modern musical theatre is unquestionably THE BOY FROM OZ which tells the story of the divinely flamboyant Peter Allen and probably wouldn't have been on Broadway, let alone a big hit, without the star wattage of Allen's Aussie countryman, Hugh Jackman.
RAGTIME with David Loud
"Giving the nation a new syncopation" requires many things, maybe most important... a conductor. Here this week to discuss the musical masterpiece RAGTIME (that's right, masterpiece!) is the musical director and conductor for the show's entire original Broadway run, David Loud.
BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL with Becky Birdsong
Today we're "crossing the line" and exploring the mega fun listener request BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL. Joining us to discuss this show's reach, ambition, and experimentation (not kidding) is someone who understands all three of those words very well.
THE WIZ with Ken Page
This week we're celebrating Black History Month with a musical so groundbreaking, it has a tornado! Broadway legend (AIN'T MISBEHAVIN, CATS), and Cowardly Lion, Ken Page joins us to discuss the history, artistry, and sheer belief that brought about the musical THE WIZ.
LADY IN THE DARK with Michael Van Duzer & Dr Alisa Hurwitz
Time for a deep dive into the most groundbreaking show most of us will never see. Thanks to listener Colden, this week we're covering LADY IN THE DARK with lifelong super fan (and director, writer, and actor) Michael Van Duzer!
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN with Klea Blackhurst
The moment you think you may know everything about musical theatre is the moment you should talk to Klea Blackhurst about ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.
LITTLE WOMEN with Gwen Hollander
Today we're celebrating "Women Power" with the 2005 musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's groundbreaking novel LITTLE WOMEN.
LITTLE ME with Mary Gordon Murray
The 1962 musical LITTLE ME has one of the great comedic scores of all time, and it just so happens our incredible guest Mary Gordon Murray was Tony nominated for singing it! Join us as this Broadway pro reflects on belly laughs, boob jokes, and her memories with legends like Cy Coleman, Bob Fosse, and yes, Stephen Sondheim.
THE BOOK OF MORMON with Candace Quarrels
The controversial musical THE BOOK OF MORMON has been a popular listener request for quite some time, and in this episode, we finally get to share those "mission stories" you've been craving.
TABOO with J Bailey Burcham and Sarah Uriarte Berry
After almost 20 years, it's time to look back with fresh eyes at the Boy George musical TABOO and realize how pioneering it was. Guest J Bailey Burcham joins us as we evoke the New Romantic Era, discuss queer identities in musical theatre, and express our undying love for Rosie O'Donnell.
CARRIE with Julia Lester
In the genre of horror musicals, there's nothing quite like CARRIE. In fact, to quote the original Broadway poster, "There's never been a musical like her." Here to celebrate Halloween 2021 and discuss the evolution of this flop turned cult classic turned high school musical is one of the stars of "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" Julia Lester!
MAMMA MIA! with Judy McLane
The moment has finally come for Jeff to recognize he began this entire podcast saying he wasn't a fan of MAMMA MIA! Who better, then, to help him through than the woman who performed the show on Broadway over 4,000 times!?
TITANIC with Jennifer Piech
To those convinced the Titanic couldn't sink and the stage musical version would, "You were spectacularly wrong." This week we're discussing the creation, tragedy, and hope within the Tony winning Best Musical TITANIC with the original Broadway Kate McGowen, and now Broadway producer, Jennifer Piech.
FLOWER DRUM SONG with Daniel May
Rodgers and Hammerstein's FLOWER DRUM SONG is a special breed of musical: one that was both revolutionary and problematic at the same time. So what does one do with a piece of history like that? Answer: hire David Henry Hwang.
THE PAJAMA GAME with Jonathan Chisolm and Doug Carfrae
THE PAJAMA GAME is a silly, melodic and "scandalous" musical that has one of the biggest cultural footprints in all of musical theatre! Skeptical? Join us to explore the stars, songs, and union rallies of this now rarely produced classic with actor Jonathan Chisolm as well as the Western Vice President of Actors Equity Association, Doug Carfrae.
EVITA with Javier Manente
EVITA features one of the most complex musical scores and real-life characters in all of theatre. But how much do we musical fans really know about Eva Duarte de Peron?
A CHORUS LINE with Caitlin Carter, Steven Hack, J Elaine Marcos, & Eddie Gutierrez
An epic show deserves an epic episode. To honor the groundbreaking musical A CHORUS LINE, we welcome four dancers, all with unique experiences "on the line" to continue the show's legacy of spotlighting what they do for love.
KINKY BOOTS with Sam Zeller
In honor of Pride Month, we're gonna "raise you up" with an inspiring conversation about the hit musical KINKY BOOTS. Longtime cast member Sam Zeller joins us to share his personal stories of how this show has brought about change, his pretty amazing Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein impressions, and what happens when you wear the kinky boots a little too often.
*Special Episode* COMMUNITY THEATRE with Nedra Pace
It's your one freebie! This very special episode on the importance of Community Theatre was originally intended to only be available on PATREON! (www.patreon.com/amusicalpodcast) While the entire conversation is still only available to PATREON!
ASSASSINS with Kila Packett
There is no country in the world quite like the United States of America, and there is no musical in theatre history quite like ASSASSINS, a show that manages to be scary, hilarious, critical, and patriotic all at the same time.
CAMELOT with Jenny Lockwood
"CAMELOT is not boring!" shouts this week's guest Jenny Lockwood on a daily basis. And you know, this episode proves her correct.
PATREON! by A Musical Theatre Podcast
A Musical Theatre Podcast finally has a patreon, and in the grand tradition of classic musicals, we're calling it PATREON! (because you gotta have the exclamation point..) Listen to this mini episode to find out how you can keep the podcast thriving and, as a special thank you, gain access to exclusive content, all for only $1 a month.
NEXT TO NORMAL with Ryan Leslie Fisher
The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical NEXT TO NORMAL is the perfect way to usher us into Mental Health Awareness Month. It also provides actor Ryan Leslie Fisher with the chance to join us and discuss its groundbreaking tone, his first time seeing it (drunk tears were involved), and his own "next to normal" family.
CITY OF ANGELS with Jill Gold and David Zippel
Not only do we get to celebrate one of the great musicals of the 1990s with someone who ran it, we also get to do it with someone who wrote it! Production Stage Manager Jill Gold and the musical's Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel join us this week to talk about the uber clever CITY OF ANGELS.
CHICAGO with Corey Wright
It's the musical that's on everybody's lips, and it only took 30 years for it to get there. This week we welcome performer, writer, and choreographer Corey Wright to discuss everything from his love of Fosse to meeting John Kander in Peru.
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE with Ken Werther
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is a love letter to musical theatre known for being sweet, goofy, and controversial. Joining us this week to discuss this listener request is someone proud to have been called all of those words at one point or another in his career...
PLAY ON! with Yvette Cason
This week we're celebrating Black artists in musical theatre, just like the delightful musical PLAY ON! Join us as we welcome original Broadway cast member (and "Beyonce's mom") Yvette Cason to discuss this gone too soon musical that not only introduced teenage Jeff to her incredible talents (this woman can SING!) but also the legendary work of Duke Ellington and many others.
BIG FISH with Jeff Whiting
BIG FISH is an American myth of a musical whose audience continues to grow just like the tall tales it celebrates. Joining us this week to discuss all things fathers, sons, and Susan Stroman is her "what if" guy: the original Associate Director for the Broadway production, Jeff Whiting!
WEST SIDE STORY with Hector Guerrero
WEST SIDE STORY might be the most important collaboration in all of musical theatre. There's no way to overstate its layers of storytelling and emotional relevance, but in this episode, we sure try.
SPECIAL 50TH EPISODE!
We're celebrating our 50th episode this week with never before heard conversations with past guests including Glenn Rosenblum (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF), Ryan O'Connor (SUNSET BOULEVARD), Barbara Dixon (ANYTHING GOES), and Terron Brooks (THE LION KING).
THE WILD PARTY & THE WILD PARTY with Julia Murney
More than likely this New Year's Eve won't see many wild parties, so we're giving you two! In 2000, two different composers were inspired by the same 1920s poem of excess and epiphany and gave birth to two different musicals that shared a title, characters, and theatre season.
THE FANTASTICKS with Madison Claire Parks
Deep in December it's nice to remember THE FANTASTICKS, an unusual little show that also happens to be the longest-running musical in the world. Join us as we talk to actress (and off-Broadway Luisa) Madison Claire Parks about musical allegories, musical families, and what it means to own our journeys and follow.
CINDERELLA with Sadie Bowman
The history of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA is a testament to taking musical theatre to new places and making the impossible possible. Who better then to discuss this musical than an innovator like musical theatre writer/performer/educator Sadie Bowman!
SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK with Andrew Madsen
The creative team of SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK often referred to their musical as a "rock & roll circus drama," but there's no way they knew how accurate a description that would become.
THE LION KING with Terron Brooks
Disney’s theatre landmark THE LION KING celebrates the great circle of life in all its ups and downs. This week we welcome recording artist, and Broadway Simba, Terron Brooks to celebrate the circle of life within this stunning show.
HAIRSPRAY with Sabrina Sloan
It's fun, irreverent, endlessly melodic, and more profound than you might think. HAIRSPRAY is a new classic in musical theatre, and our guest to discuss it this week is Broadway cast member Sabrina Sloan (CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, HAMILTON).
CHESS with Michael Gordon Shapiro
Wasn't it Oscar Hammerstein II who remarked, "Nothing says musical theatre quite like a quiet board game and the Cold War?" Maybe not, but this week composer Michael Gordon Shapiro joins us to discuss the musical that tried it anyway.
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN with Julie Cohen Theobald
This week's episode is dedicated to a musical about kids, so we have a guest who happens to be an expert on musical theatre and kids! Julie Cohen Theobald is the Executive Director of the Educational Theatre Association, a non-profit celebrating over 90 years of creating theatre curriculum for kids in their educational settings.
GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES with My Little Tonys Podcast
Few musicals have left a singular cultural imprint quite like the song "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" from the zany 1949 musical GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. Whether associated with Carol Channing, Marilyn Monroe, or anyone else, this iconic piece of musical theatre is a fascinating window into our history, both past and present.
MATILDA with Cassie Silva
MATILDA (aka the rubik's cube) is an intricately crafted show put together by geniuses about a genius. And once you hear this week's guest Cassie Silva (Broadway and 1st National Tour "Mrs Wormwood") explain why, you'll be a believer.
CONTACT with Karen Ziemba
The musical CONTACT may be one of the most controversial Tony Award winners of all time, but Karen Ziemba is one of the most gracious and deserving.
MY FAIR LADY with Bottomless Broadway
Ten years ago, we would have said MY FAIR LADY is a musical that will be produced forever: iconic characters, a legendary score and source material. But now has that all changed?
SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE with Travis Leland & Michael John LaChiusa
SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE may be a five person musical dealing with the existential crisis of objective truth, but it also has brought together one of our most exciting episodes.
CABARET with Richard Israel
"Wilkommen, bienvenue, and welcome" to the legendary musical that entertains you, slaps you across the face, and somehow makes you grateful for it. Award-winning director Richard Israel joins us to discuss the brilliance of Kander & Ebb's CABARET, the elegance of Joe Masteroff, and why this musical is a must in 2020.
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG with Jennifer Shelton
"How did you get to be here?" That single question has always been the success and struggle of Stephen Sondheim's 1981 musical MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. This week, actress and activist Jennifer Shelton joins us to discuss the musical's fascinating past, and what its unconventional style reveals about our past, present, and future.
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE with Jennifer Lin
Can you spell the word... podcast? Yeah, too easy. You know what's not easy, though? William Finn music! Here to discuss the brilliance of him and the delightful THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is the equally delightful music director, Jennifer Lin.
ANYTHING GOES with Barbara Dixon
ANYTHING GOES is a legendary madcap musical from the 1930s, and thanks to actress Leah Sprecher, our guest to celebrate it this week is the equally legendary and madcap icon Broadway Barbara Dixon. You don't want to miss Barbara's unique and infamous perspective on her first love: Broadway!
THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES with Jeff Rizzo
Hooray for our "favorite son!" It's an election year, so this week we're covering THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES with music director extraordinaire Jeff Rizzo. It's also a pretty great excuse for us to talk about musical theatre legends like Cy Coleman, Tommy Tune, and of course, the show stealing dogs in Act 1.
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS with Rena Strober
There's nothing "shy" about this episode! ;) Actress Rena Strober joins us to shed a little love on the summer camp musical to end all summer camp musicals: ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. Carol Burnett, the Rodgers Dynasty, golden age comedy, and champagne bought with your unemployment insurance...this episode has it all.
ALL SHOOK UP with Andre Myers
Anybody in the mood to fall in love? If so, try following the simple recipe from ALL SHOOK UP... add Elvis.
THE GRAND TOUR with Jason Graae
This week we take a ride through THE GRAND TOUR, ironically the biggest flop the king composer of optimism Jerry Herman ever had. Here to chat about it is the man Mr. Herman personally asked to star in it.
THE LITTLE MERMAID with Chelsea Morgan Stock
This week we get to be part of "her" world. Broadway Ariel, Chelsea Morgan Stock joins us for a conversation about the stage adaptation of Disney's game changing film THE LITTLE MERMAID. Tune in as Chelsea reveals the complexities of being an understudy, dancing in Heelys, and staging a certain villain's demise.
THE BAND'S VISIT with Marc Ginsburg
THE BAND'S VISIT is one of the most sophisticated musicals in our relatively short musical theatre history, and yet, despite winning pretty much every award imaginable, it isn't talked about nearly enough.
FUN HOME with guest Alyssa M Simmons
Happy Pride Month Everyone! This week we're celebrating by covering a listener request and all around great musical FUN HOME with special guest Alyssa M Simmons. Join us for a personal conversation about this groundbreaking musical that, believe it or not, is actually more fun than a funeral home.
SUNSET BOULEVARD with Ryan O'Connor
In any discussion of the musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, the central piece of the conversation is inevitable: "Who is playing Norma Desmond? And who should be playing Norma Desmond?" To explore the ups and downs of that musical theatre "tradition," Jeff is joined this week by guest Ryan O'Connor.
BLACK LIVES MATTER with Sharon Catherine Brown
Amid the events of this past week, we felt the need to dedicate an episode of our podcast to the BLACK LIVES MATTER movement and specifically how it relates to musical theatre.
THE PRINCE OF EGYPT with J Scott Lapp, Luke Brady, Christine Allado, and Philip LaZebnik
This week we're covering a musical to help us all look forward to the future! THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, the new stage adaptation of the famed animated musical film had recently opened in the West End and was playing to sold out houses before closing due to the global pandemic.
FINDING NEVERLAND with Jon Pernisek
What better time to delve into the musical FINDING NEVERLAND than when "the world is upside down?!" Guest, and host of "The Musical Man" podcast, Jon Pernisek joins us for a conversation about this unique show that has its heart in the right place...
HEATHERS with Rachel Flynn
Hate 'em or secretly wanna be 'em, this week we're talking about the HEATHERS with special guest and original cast member Rachel Flynn. Join us for a conversation about this dark and satirical take on the high school experience with plenty of laughs and brains to accompany all the murder.
GUYS AND DOLLS with Squigs Robertson
Who better to discuss the details of classic characters in a classic Broadway musical than a guy who draws them? Squigs, a superb actor and now famous caricaturist, is our guest this week to discuss GUYS AND DOLLS.
COME FROM AWAY with Geno Carr
On this week's special episode, original Broadway cast member Geno Carr joins us to discuss the musical journey of COME FROM AWAY, a perfect example of "good thing it happened, otherwise you'd never believe it." Be sure to follow Geno on Instagram and Twitter @genocarr.
SIDE SHOW with Sam Herbst
Who's in the mood for some high-quality diva worship? Guest Sam Herbst joins us this week for a conversation dedicated to SIDE SHOW, the cult musical phenom that wears its heart on its sleeve and creates screlting-based goose bumps in the process.
INTO THE WOODS with Sara Kapner
The cow, the cape, the hair, the slippers... whatever your reason may be, join us as we head INTO THE WOODS this week with our special guest Sara Kapner! Together, she and Jeff marvel at the current relevance of this show, reflect on the genius of Mr.
TUCK EVERLASTING with Jesse McAnally
It's musical podcasts unite as this week we discuss TUCK EVERLASTING, a musical requested by both listener Rachel (thank you Rachel!) and this week's guest Jesse McAnally (that's Mackinalley) from the podcast "Musicals with Cheese." Step into the world of immortality, REALLY old teenagers, and quite possibly the most effective dream ballet in musical history.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS with Michael J Willett
You guys, don't feed the plants. And while you're at it, wear a mask. As the world continues to fight a pandemic, Jeff and guest/actor/musician Michael J Willett (Faking It, GBF, Dolly's Parton's Heartstrings) discuss another threat all of humanity has endured: Audrey II.
SOUTH PACIFIC with Kirsten Chandler
It's one of the greatest scores in theatre history written by some of the most progressive minds of the time. We promise Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC isn't the total yawn you think it is.
AIDA with Brittany Campbell
AIDA. One name. All the feels. Guest Brittany Campbell (HAMILTON) talks with Jeff about this rock concert of a show that instantly earned Heather Headley goddess status, and in the process, brought us all the soapy drama we were craving.
ANNIE with Adam Wachter
We know you're gonna like it HEEERRRRRE! Why? Because this week we're talking about everyone's favorite curly redhead (after Gwen Verdon that is...), ANNIE! Jeff and guest Adam Wachter (Encore! on Disney+) explore this classic musical like never before.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND with Bryce Charles
Happy Black History Month! On this week's episode Jeff and guest Bryce Charles sit down for a "human heart to heart" on ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, making room along the way to discuss Quan La Chanze, Queen Audra, and even listen to a special message from original Broadway cast member Gerry McIntyre.
MINNIE'S BOYS, A DOLL'S LIFE, & GRIND with Larry Grossman
It's our first "Flop Episode," and we're starting out with a bang! This week we explore why the "f word" will not be a curse word on this podcast and do so with Tony-nominated composer Larry Grossman (now 81 years old).
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC with Tom Zohar
Welcome to "Casting Desiree- A Podcast." It's our first Stephen Sondheim episode, and this week it's all about A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, a very elegant musical about sex-crazed rich people.
PETER PAN with Katie DeShan
Time for a little visit to Neverland as Jeff and guest Katie DeShan talk about PETER PAN, the timeless musical of a boy (or girl playing a boy) who wouldn't grow up.
FROZEN with Bruce Merkle
Jeff sits down with guest (and good friend of Olaf the snowman) Bruce Merkle to discuss the famous Arendelle sisters, the commercialization of Broadway, and why audiences lose their minds when an actor changes their costume really quickly.
IN THE HEIGHTS with Debra Cardona
Happy 2020! We're back at it, and thanks to listener Sebastian, the first musical we're covering this year is IN THE HEIGHTS. Five time "Abuela" Debra Cardona stops by to talk about Lin-Manuel Miranda's 2005 "slice of life" musical featuring a story and characters that are as important to the Latinx community as they are relatable to any audience.
CATS with James Vasquez and John Treacy Egan
As the film version of CATS continues to cause the modern world to scream "What on earth is a Jellicle Cat?!" Jeff sits down with director/super fan James Vasquez and Broadway vet John Treacy Egan to discuss this anomaly of Musical Theatre.
THE MUSIC MAN with Teri Bibb
Broadway soprano Teri Bibb (SHE LOVES ME, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) joins Jeff to discuss the legacy of Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN and answer the questions: "Where do sopranos go after they turn 40?" "What exactly is a 'shipoopi?'" and "How similar is Harold Hill to a president named Donald Trump?" Check out current projects, video, and photos of Teri in her many gowns at www.TeriBibb.com.
HELLO, DOLLY! with Michael Betts and Mary Jo Catlett
In this week's episode, Jeff and guest Michael Betts discuss the glory of Jerry Herman's smash hit HELLO, DOLLY! and along the way, touch on musicals with exclamation points, the hallmarks of a good Carol Channing impression, and what's at the heart of this delightful comedy.
RENT with Kelley Dorney
On this week's episode, Jeff and guest Kelley Dorney discuss rated R musicals, the difference between "queens" and "kwans," and how a bohemian named Jonathan Larson forever changed the musical theatre landscape. Wanna hear how freakishly talented Kelley is?
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Glenn Rosenblum
On our very first full length episode, Jeff discusses his favorite (feminist) musical from 1964 with guest Glenn Rosenblum, finally gives Fruma Sarah the attention she deserves, and explores how FIDDLER ON THE ROOF became the Jewish musical that every culture has adopted as its own.
The Overture
Welcome to A Musical Theatre Podcast! Listen to host Jeffrey Scott Parsons introduce his love for musical theatre, how ANNIE helped him in school, and why his bias against MAMMA MIA won't stop him from giving it some love.
© Broadway Podcast Network, All Rights Reserved