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[0:00] T.R. Knight: My name is T.R. Knight, and you're listening to Behind the Awards.

[0:13] Eila Mell: Hello and welcome to Behind the Awards. I'm Eila. I'm here with Bruce.

[0:18] Bruce Gotlieb: Back from vacation.

[0:26] Eila Mell: Back from vacation, absolutely. Spent a little time away on the open waters on a cruise, which was just fantastic. It's really quite the way to travel.

[0:34] Bruce Gotlieb: I know. And you don't even realize you're traveling, right? You start, you said sailing, you don't even know.

[0:37] Eila Mell: I know. You're on a moving city, basically.

[0:42] Bruce Gotlieb: I know. It's so much fun.

[0:46] Eila Mell: It is. It's great. Speaking of fun, though.

[0:50] Bruce Gotlieb: But now, yes, now it's back to business.

[0:55] Eila Mell: And back to business. So we would say if we had to classify our favorite, quote unquote, season, be Tony season, right? I mean, is there another?

[0:58] Bruce Gotlieb: Easily. But we are on the precipice of what gets us to Tony season, which is the kickoff of the Broadway season, the fall season.

[1:02] Eila Mell: Right. I mean, technically, it's already started, right? Anything after the cutoff date.

[1:09] Bruce Gotlieb: But there haven't been any new Broadway shows. There was Celebrity Autobiography, but that I'm not sure that that qualifies in the same way that other shows.

[1:13] Eila Mell: I don't I don't know how the, you know, the committee is at large and all of that will clarify.

[1:19] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. But our first true show of the season is Paranormal Activity.

[1:23] Eila Mell: I am going on Thursday.

[1:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. And I am going on Saturday. I can't wait to see what kind of what kind of effects, what kind of tech, because I would imagine based on what I know that they're going to have to lean very heavily into that.

[1:49] Eila Mell: Yeah. So and I hear it's it's really scary. So I'm looking forward to it.

[1:58] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, so with the start of the fall season and all the things anticipated, we felt it wasn't too soon to have those type of conversations of what we're looking forward to seeing the most or, you know, just what what is maybe the most intriguing.

[2:12] Eila Mell: So we invited a friend to come along for the ride with us. And for the next hour, we'll have both Isla, myself and Matt Koplik on discussing our fall preview.

[2:25] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, we have such a special guest. I love his podcast, Broadway Breakdown. Let's welcome. I think he's wrong when he says the least famous host, but let's welcome Matt Koplik. Hello.

[2:40] Matt Koplik: Hello. Thank you for having me, too.

[2:46] Eila Mell: Thanks for joining us. We're combining forces to try to, you know, see what we can unearth about the fall Broadway season.

[2:55] Matt Koplik: For sure. Yeah, it's you need all the minds you can get for this.

[3:01] Bruce Gotlieb: Absolutely. Well, congratulations on the success of your show.

[3:06] Matt Koplik: Thank you. Likewise.

[3:08] Eila Mell: Yes, thank you. I'm a listener. And so now you're on your own. You are no longer with the Broadway Podcast Network, which is fine, right?

[3:18] Matt Koplik: Yes. I would say every like two months I get inquiries from listeners of like, what's the drama? What's the tea? And the truth, it's so boring. It results in me that I did want to just I wanted to take a basically I took a sabbatical for years. I want to try it on my own and see what I can do. And they were very supportive. They were like, we don't want you to go. So like, what can we do? And I was like, just give me I said, give me a year. And if it's a and if it's a mistake, you get to say I told you so. And we'll all but bygones be bygones. But it's been going well. So everything's good. Yeah.

[3:51] Bruce Gotlieb: Excellent. Well, we're happy for you. And you had Alan Seals as a guest from our network.

[3:55] Matt Koplik: I did. I did. That was that was a very good episode. And yeah, Alan's awesome. He and I hang out all the time. We see shows together. So it's Yeah, it's all it remains one big old family.

[4:07] Eila Mell: Yes. So yeah. So for those who are worried, no need to worry.

[4:10] Matt Koplik: Yeah, I'm so sorry to tell you that there's simply no drama there. There's drama in other places, but not with Broadway Breakdown.

[4:16] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, there's drama with this upcoming season already. So let's jump into it. So I used to love the fall preview TV guide issued. Remember that? So and you would go through all the shows and that no longer exists because pretty much TV doesn't really exist in the way we knew it.

[4:27] Matt Koplik: Exactly. Yeah. So I figured we would do it for the Broadway season for the fall.

[4:33] Eila Mell: So perfect. Now I'm very interested because I know that you have seen some of the shows already in London.

[4:45] Matt Koplik: I saw a big one that's coming from London. I did not see Rosamund Pike's show. But I'm very much looking forward to it. I heard very good things about it.

[4:56] Eila Mell: Okay, I, I am somewhat looking forward to it, but nothing against her. It's just I, I have trouble with a one person show. I tend to want more people and get a little bored.

[5:08] Matt Koplik: Well, I thought it was a one person show. But then I went on the Wikipedia page, and there were two other actors listed. So I don't know if that's like pre recorded stuff, or if they actually are a part of the show at any point. I agree with you, I always have trouble with one person shows when they work, they work beautifully. Yes. And when they don't work, you're like, how many lights are on the ceiling? The best way to do it is every brilliant thing where it's it's sort of like a trick where it's not really a one person show. Yeah. And you're a part of it. It's interactive. Yeah. Um, yeah, it's, it's, I think the best one person shows I've seen have been like Jefferson Maze and I Am My Own Wife, where it's just, you know, transformative, but also there is a theatricality to which I really appreciated the ones where it's beautiful, wonderful as she is. And the heartbreaking is that story is you couldn't pay me to sit through Year of Magical Thinking again, where it's just Vanessa Redgrave in a chair for 90 minutes. Like, I'm sorry, I can't do that.

[6:04] Eila Mell: And I missed the fabulous Jean Smart, because again, I just felt like I couldn't sit through a one person.

[6:11] Matt Koplik: Yeah, you did good on that one. We love listen, we love Jean Smart in this house. I think every house loves her. But Call Me Izzy was not a triumph in that respect for her. So if it was a two hour show about Charlene, forget it, I'd be there in a second.

[6:28] Eila Mell: Well, that's a whole different world.

[6:32] Matt Koplik: Yes. All right. So the show that you saw, was it Paddington?

[6:36] Matt Koplik: It sure was.

[6:37] Eila Mell: Oh, my gosh. So tell how is it?

[6:40] Matt Koplik: Well, so I guess I should start with I don't know how you two feel about Paddington just like as an individual, but I fell back in love with Paddington when the movies came out. I enjoyed him as a kid. But you know, this is America, we tend to like corduroy more than we like Paddington. Yeah, Paddington was like more kind of niche in America as a kid. But I always liked him because I'm a bit of an Anglophile. And then when the movies came out, I was like, Oh, my God, I forgot like how just delightful he is. And so I've just been obsessed with that IP for like 13 years now at this point. So the musical I went in with like two brains, two minds. One was like, this is gonna be like, junk to me, like, it's gonna go right into my veins.

And I have to memorize every single second of the show. And so for the first five minutes, I like couldn't relax, because I was like, I gotta remember it all. I want to realize that it's basically the first movies I was like, Oh, okay, so I don't, I know where the plots gonna go. I can relax a little bit. Um, long story short, it is extraordinarily delightful. It's quite a spectacle without being overwhelming. And there's a lot of charm and a lot of finesse to it. The score is full of bops, I think my only issue with it is that it does run a bit long. It's a little windy, but nothing that I don't think like five minutes of shaving off from both acts couldn't fix. Because there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the show.

It's just like you watch and you go, this scene could have ended 20 seconds ago. And you feel that way about 10 or 12 times. And when you just like shave off 20 seconds from every other scene, magically, the show is eight minutes shorter, and it's like super tight. So that's and as I understand it, they are looking into that for Broadway. So that fills me with a lot of hope. But yeah, I mean, I think it's gonna do really well here. It's it's a genuine family show in the like grand tradition of like Disney Renaissance movies where like kids will like it. It's beautiful to look at. It's so sweet. Adults will like it because it's actually quite clever. And it's it doesn't dumb down to the kids. So I just I think it's gonna do really well here. I'm very excited to see how New York accepts it.

[8:45] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, well, I think it's always funny when you look at like something coming over from London, like, you know, Mincemeat did great. Six has done great. But then there are shows that either way go there or come here. And they just, the audiences are just completely different. And like, it doesn't work.

[9:01] Matt Koplik: Yeah, it's it's it's interesting. There are shows that have done so well in London that I know will never come here just because it's a it's such a different mentality. And like, I'm actually kind of speaking of the fall, I'm a little wary of how Benjamin Button is going to be received here at the public because I did enjoy it. It is incredibly saccharine. And it takes a minute for you to warm up to it, especially like an American audience. And so I'll be interested to see how New York accepts that show because it's like it is so earnest to the degree where you're like, okay, can we like cut the sugar with a little bit of salt? Right? Yeah. And I think something like Paddington, it's very British, just in terms of like, the local references, they'll make jokes about like a neighborhood or the tube or things like that, which just needs to be tweaked.

Because you know, they'll like they'll make a joke about Marleybone. And everyone in New York will be like, what's Marleybone? I'm like, it's a neighborhood. Yeah, I don't know. It's a neighborhood. But so with that, like, that's the thing is they'll be like, well, in Marleybone with the such and such and everyone's like, Oh, yes, everyone knows that about that area. Which is that's right. You can easily be like, well, in Astoria, you're good.

[10:13] Bruce Gotlieb: Exactly. And I think it's just one of those things where it's like, okay, do we cut the joke altogether? Or do we tweak it? So we give more context to the audience, which is something that Matilda kind of had to learn in real time when it was on Broadway of the like, they very much kept it as the London Matilda. And then within like a year or two, they went, Okay, let's maybe change a couple of words, because we're realizing we're losing the audience. Right? And so yeah, I think panic is intelligently trying to get ahead of that. And then sometimes just like certain humor, just land better there than it does here.

[10:46] Matt Koplik: Oh, yeah. But I think overall, it's not an incredibly British show. I actually think Mincemeat is more like, quote, unquote, British than Paddington. I don't know what they thought Tammy Faye was in in England. Had they ever seen her?

[11:00] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, it's kind of feels like they read about her in a newspaper clipping and then did their own version of it. It's so wrong.

[11:05] Matt Koplik: Yeah. And I don't know what that show was. I just I mean, the actress was fine, but she wasn't Tammy Faye.

[11:12] Bruce Gotlieb: No, she did. She that was thing is like, she put her all into it. I was like, Yeah, you're doing this monumental achievement. The one thing you're not doing is Tammy Faye. Although to be fair, I kind of feel the same way about Jonathan Groff and Justin Time where I'm like, you're doing everything except being Bobby Darin. But I think because Justin Time is more successful as a show. It Yeah, and Groff is just so charming. Like we let it go.

[11:36] Matt Koplik: Yes, right. And then they also gave a workaround because they said, This is Jonathan Groff as Bobby Darin. This is you and I version you and I both know they added that because they're like, he can't do the impression. So we get like Coddington being like, we're gonna cut the Marley bone joke. Like, let's get ahead of this and say, right, open with him as Groff because like, I guarantee you in all the workshops that that was not there before. And they're like, Can you try the voice and he can't do it. So they just.

[12:03] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, yeah. But also for people at least of my generation younger, we don't really know Bobby Darin.

[12:09] Matt Koplik: Yeah, yeah. Bobby Darin is like, is I hate that it's gonna sound so mean. I don't mean it this way. But like think of him as off brand Sinatra of just sure. Yeah, deep voice croonery. But yeah, yeah, Tammy Faye is a little more recent. And and there's more public footage about her than there is about Bobby Darin. Like a lot of Bobby Darin's movies are lost to time, you kind of just have to go by his records. Um, so yeah, I get that. I get that for sure.

[12:35] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, I mean, and we would have loved to camp, but they didn't give us any camp.

[12:40] Matt Koplik: There was like two moments, two moments of camp the entire show. The rest of it was just boring.

[12:46] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, anyway.

[12:53] Matt Koplik: Anyway, she's not this. So speaking of camp and icons and people we know, what are our thoughts on Dolly from the word I had of out of town? My hope is that they spent this last year massively overhauling it. Because, I mean, even in Dollywood, we're like it was everyone was primed to love it. Like they sold out. But the reviews were basically like, yeah, work on it, which for Dollywood is code for this is a massive train wreck. The reason why I'm not optimistic is that Dolly, God bless her, is not in the prime of her song writing life now. And she has written some new songs for this. The book writer is the woman who wrote the screenplay for Christmas on the Square, which granted, is my like, holiday heroine every year, but not because it's quality because it is the camp that Tammy Faye didn't give us. And also, she doesn't know how to write a Broadway show.

[13:48] Eila Mell: Welcome back to Behind the Awards. I'm Eila Mell.

[14:18] Bruce Gotlieb: And I'm Bruce Gotlieb. Today, we have a special guest joining us to preview the fall Broadway season.

[14:34] Eila Mell: That's right! The new Broadway season is upon us, and the awards race is already starting to take shape.

[15:02] Bruce Gotlieb: We’re excited to welcome Matt Koplik from The Broadway Breakdown to discuss the most anticipated new shows, major stars, and returning favorites.

[15:22] Eila Mell: Matt, thanks for being here! What are you most excited about this season?

[15:50] Matt Koplik: Thanks for having me! I think this season is particularly exciting because we have a mix of new productions and some beloved shows returning. It feels like there's something for everyone.

[16:10] Bruce Gotlieb: Absolutely! Are there any specific shows that you think are going to be major contenders for awards this year?

[16:30] Matt Koplik: Definitely! I think we should keep an eye on a few new musicals that have been generating a lot of buzz. They have strong creative teams and some incredible talent involved.

[16:50] Eila Mell: That sounds promising! Can you share which shows you think might surprise us this season?

[17:10] Matt Koplik: Sure! One show that I think could really stand out is "New York, New York." It has a fantastic score and a unique story that resonates with audiences.

[17:30] Bruce Gotlieb: I’ve heard great things about that one! What about returning favorites? Any that you think will continue to shine?

[17:50] Matt Koplik: Absolutely! Shows like "Moulin Rouge!" and "Hamilton" are still drawing huge crowds and have a strong chance of being recognized again this awards season.

[18:10] Eila Mell: It's always interesting to see how returning shows compete against new ones. What do you think gives them an edge?

[18:30] Matt Koplik: I think it’s the established fan base and the familiarity that audiences have with the material. Plus, they often have the advantage of previous nominations and wins.

[18:50] Bruce Gotlieb: That makes sense. Do you think any new shows have the potential to dethrone these favorites?

[19:10] Matt Koplik: It’s definitely possible! The energy around new productions can be infectious, and if they resonate with audiences, they can quickly become favorites.

[19:30] Eila Mell: What about the stars? Are there any performances you’re particularly excited to see this season?

[19:50] Matt Koplik: Yes! I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the big names returning to the stage. Their performances often elevate the entire production.

[20:10] Bruce Gotlieb: It’s always thrilling to see those powerhouse performers. Any predictions on who might take home some awards this year?

[20:30] Matt Koplik: It’s tough to say, but I think we’ll see some strong competition in the acting categories. There are a lot of talented newcomers and seasoned veterans alike.

[20:50] Eila Mell: It sounds like we’re in for an exciting season ahead! Thank you, Matt, for sharing your insights with us.

[21:10] Matt Koplik: Thank you for having me! I can’t wait to see how everything unfolds.

[21:30] Bruce Gotlieb: And thank you to our listeners for tuning in. Be sure to check out the new shows this season!

[21:50] Eila Mell: Don’t forget to follow us on social media for updates and more behind-the-scenes content.

[22:10] Bruce Gotlieb: Until next time, keep celebrating excellence in theater!

[22:30] Eila Mell: Bye for now!

[22:50] Matt Koplik: Bye!

[23:10] Bruce Gotlieb: See you soon!

[23:30] Eila Mell: Take care!

[23:50] Matt Koplik: Bye!

[24:10] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[24:30] Eila Mell: Bye!

[24:50] Matt Koplik: Bye!

[25:10] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[25:30] Eila Mell: Bye!

[25:50] Matt Koplik: Bye!

[26:10] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[26:30] Eila Mell: Bye!

[26:50] Matt Koplik: Bye!

[27:10] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[27:37] Eila Mell: Welcome back to Behind the Awards. Today, we have a special guest joining us for our fall preview episode.

[28:07] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right! We're diving into the new Broadway season and all the exciting shows that are coming up.

[28:27] Eila Mell: And who better to help us break it down than Matt Koplik from The Broadway Breakdown?

[28:47] Bruce Gotlieb: Matt, welcome to the show! We're thrilled to have you here.

[29:07] Matt Koplik: Thanks for having me! I'm excited to talk about the upcoming season.

[29:27] Eila Mell: So, let's get right into it. What are some of the most anticipated new shows this fall?

[29:47] Matt Koplik: There are so many great productions coming up! One that I'm really excited about is "The Outsiders." It's based on the classic novel, and I think it has a lot of potential.

[30:07] Bruce Gotlieb: That sounds fantastic! What about any major stars returning to the stage this season?

[30:27] Matt Koplik: Absolutely! We have some big names making their Broadway comebacks. For instance, I can't wait to see Jessica Chastain in "A Doll's House."

[30:47] Eila Mell: She’s such a talented actress. It’ll be interesting to see how she brings that character to life.

[31:07] Matt Koplik: Definitely! And we also have some returning favorites like "Moulin Rouge!" which continues to be a crowd-pleaser.

[31:27] Bruce Gotlieb: Speaking of crowd-pleasers, what are some early contenders for the awards this season?

[31:47] Matt Koplik: I think "The Outsiders" could be a strong contender, especially with its unique storytelling and the talent involved.

[32:07] Eila Mell: That’s a great pick! Are there any other shows you think might surprise us?

[32:27] Matt Koplik: Yes! "The Wiz" is coming back, and I think it has the potential to make a big splash.

[32:47] Bruce Gotlieb: That’s exciting! It’s such a beloved show, and with the right cast, it could really shine.

[33:07] Matt Koplik: Exactly! Plus, there’s a lot of buzz around the new musical "Kimberly Akimbo."

[33:27] Eila Mell: I’ve heard great things about that one too! It seems like there’s a lot to look forward to this season.

[33:47] Bruce Gotlieb: For sure! It’s always fascinating to see how the awards race shapes up as the season progresses.

[34:07] Matt Koplik: And with so many new shows, it’s going to be a competitive year for sure.

[34:29] Eila Mell: What do you think will be the biggest hit of the season?

[34:49] Matt Koplik: I think "The Outsiders" has the potential to be a massive hit, but we’ll have to see how audiences respond.

[35:09] Bruce Gotlieb: It’ll be interesting to see how everything unfolds.

[35:29] Eila Mell: Absolutely! Thanks for sharing your insights, Matt.

[35:49] Matt Koplik: Thank you for having me! I can’t wait to see how the season plays out.

[36:09] Bruce Gotlieb: And to our listeners, make sure to keep an eye on these shows as we head into awards season.

[36:29] Eila Mell: Yes! There’s so much talent and creativity on display this year.

[36:49] Matt Koplik: It’s going to be an exciting journey for all of us.

[37:09] Bruce Gotlieb: Thanks for joining us today, Matt.

[37:29] Eila Mell: And thank you to our listeners for tuning in to this fall preview episode of Behind the Awards.

[37:49] Matt Koplik: Looking forward to discussing more as the season progresses!

[38:09] Eila Mell: Until next time, keep celebrating excellence in theater!

[38:29] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye everyone!

[38:49] Matt Koplik: Bye!

[39:09] Eila Mell: See you soon!

[39:29] Bruce Gotlieb: Take care!

[39:49] Matt Koplik: Bye!

[40:09] Eila Mell: Bye!

[40:29] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[40:49] Eila Mell: Bye!

[41:09] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[41:25] Eila Mell: Welcome back to Behind the Awards! We are thrilled to have you with us as we dive into the exciting new Broadway season.

[41:55] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes, indeed! The awards race is already heating up, and we have a special guest today to help us break it all down.

[42:15] Eila Mell: That's right! Joining us is Matt Koplik from The Broadway Breakdown. Matt, welcome to the show!

[42:35] Matt Koplik: Thanks for having me! I'm excited to be here and talk about what's coming up this Broadway season.

[42:55] Bruce Gotlieb: So, let's get right into it. What are some of the most anticipated new shows that you're looking forward to?

[43:15] Matt Koplik: There are so many exciting productions this season! One that stands out is "The Outsiders," which has a fantastic creative team behind it. I think it could really resonate with audiences.

[43:35] Eila Mell: That sounds intriguing! What about any major stars returning to the stage?

[43:55] Matt Koplik: Absolutely! We're seeing some big names making their return, like Josh Groban in "Sweeney Todd." His performance is highly anticipated, and I think it will draw a lot of attention.

[44:15] Bruce Gotlieb: And what about returning favorites? Any shows coming back that you're particularly excited about?

[44:35] Matt Koplik: Yes! "Moulin Rouge!" is back, and it's always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, "Wicked" continues to be a staple, and with its upcoming 20th anniversary, there's a lot of buzz around it.

[44:55] Eila Mell: It's amazing how some shows can stand the test of time. What do you think makes a show a classic?

[45:15] Matt Koplik: I think it comes down to a combination of great storytelling, memorable music, and a strong emotional connection with the audience. Those elements really create a lasting impact.

[45:35] Bruce Gotlieb: Speaking of impact, are there any early contenders for awards this season that you have your eye on?

[45:55] Matt Koplik: Definitely! "The Outsiders" and "Sweeney Todd" are both strong contenders. I also think "Some Like It Hot" could surprise everyone with its charm and energy.

[46:15] Eila Mell: It's exciting to see how the season unfolds. What do you think audiences should keep an eye on as the awards race progresses?

[46:35] Matt Koplik: I think audiences should pay attention to the performances. Sometimes, it's the actors who elevate a show and make it award-worthy, so keep an eye on standout performances.

[46:55] Bruce Gotlieb: Great advice! Now, before we wrap up, do you have any final thoughts on the upcoming season?

[47:15] Matt Koplik: Just that it's shaping up to be an incredible season filled with talent and creativity. I can't wait to see how everything unfolds!

[47:35] Eila Mell: Thank you so much for joining us today, Matt! It's always a pleasure to have you on the show.

[47:55] Matt Koplik: Thank you for having me! I look forward to discussing the season more as it progresses.

[48:15] Bruce Gotlieb: And to our listeners, make sure to check out all the new shows this season. There's something for everyone!

[48:35] Eila Mell: Absolutely! And don't forget to follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

[48:55] Bruce Gotlieb: Until next time, keep celebrating excellence in theater, film, and TV!

[49:15] Eila Mell: Bye for now!

[49:35] Matt Koplik: Bye!

[49:55] Bruce Gotlieb: See you next time!

[50:15] Eila Mell: And remember to check out my book, "The Tony Awards," for more insights into the world of theater.

[50:35] Bruce Gotlieb: It's a must-read for any theater lover!

[50:55] Eila Mell: Thanks again for listening, everyone!

[51:15] Bruce Gotlieb: We appreciate your support!

[51:35] Eila Mell: Until next time, take care!

[51:55] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[52:15] Eila Mell: Bye!

[52:35] Bruce Gotlieb: See you soon!

[52:55] Eila Mell: Bye for now!

[53:15] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[53:35] Eila Mell: Thanks for joining us!

[53:55] Bruce Gotlieb: We’ll catch you next time!

[54:15] Eila Mell: Bye!

[54:35] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[54:55] Eila Mell: See you next time!

[55:14] Matt Koplik: You really need to open in March or April.

[55:17] Matt Koplik: Hairspray opened in August. Hamilton opened in July. Moulin Rouge opened in July.

[55:23] Matt Koplik: If you think you have the juice, you can open. In fact, there's nothing else around, so all the press is going to be about you for three months.

[55:32] Matt Koplik: All the ticket sales will be yours.

[55:33] Matt Koplik: Exactly. If you're the fresh show in town, that's actually something that Paranormal Activity is smart about starting when they're starting. They've got a runway to be the only show for a month and a half. If it works at all, they get so much attention for a while before anything else comes in. I think that's also smart for Wanted. Wanted is coming around October or November. I think that starts before Galileo, so they'll have a lot of juice of being the only new musical at the moment, which will help them. I don't know why Warriors is waiting so long to come in. Warriors should be coming in in October. If they are as confident about it as they say they are, they would have so much attention in the fall. They'd be coming around Halloween, which is a perfect time to open Warriors.

[56:21] Eila Mell: Yeah. Well, they're going to get attention no matter what.

[56:23] Bruce Gotlieb: Sure.

[56:24] Matt Koplik: Because they have Lin-Manuel.

[56:25] Bruce Gotlieb: But then it's like the Hairspray producers thing. I'm like, well, then open sooner.

[56:29] Matt Koplik: Right.

[56:30] Matt Koplik: And then you don't have to worry about Paddington because you'll have had six months of being the Broadway big thing, and Paddington has to catch up with you leading up to the Tonys. I'm telling you guys, every producer needs to hire me as a consultant because it's so obvious to me, and yet we keep making these mistakes.

[56:49] Bruce Gotlieb: Right.

[56:50] Matt Koplik: Because every time we have a Tony conversation, it's like, well, will you remember X show? Will the voters remember this show? But if you're the Hairspray of the season, you don't have to worry about it.

[57:02] Eila Mell: The liberation. Yeah.

[57:02] Matt Koplik: Yeah. I mean, and I think the being remembered really only is a problem if the show has closed. But even then, like, as I said, Liberation still won play.

[57:12] Bruce Gotlieb: Leslie Manville still won actress for Eda Pitt.

[57:14] Matt Koplik: English did well in its year.

[57:16] Matt Koplik: Yeah. You can still at least get nominated if you were good. Winning is a little harder, but I would say if you're a play, less so. Musicals may be a little harder, but also, you know, you're not opening in the summer or the fall in hopes and planning to close by January like you're hoping to run to the Tony. So if you close by January, chances are something wasn't going well in your show, like the show wasn't working. You didn't get the reviews you wanted. And but like if the show is good, if you do get the reviews, I'm sorry, you can whip that up into something for sure.

[57:50] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. Unless your opening is a limited reviews exclusively.

[57:54] Matt Koplik: Yeah.

[57:55] Matt Koplik: You know, like you're the Fantastics is going to have a hard time being remembered in the spring because that's a limited run from the fall to like January, February. But if it's amazing, they will get nominated. They won't win. Of course, people will remember.

[58:08] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. People remember things they love.

[58:10] Matt Koplik: And, you know, on the other hand, Queen of Versailles, no opening date would have helped that show.

[58:16] Bruce Gotlieb: No, doesn't matter.

[58:16] Matt Koplik: Yeah. They just didn't do the work on that show, which is a shame because they could have. They had the time.

[58:22] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. And I maintain I think the idea for that show is a good one. It's just they did not know what tone to take. Always maintain that Queen of Versailles was a good idea. And every like 45 minutes for like 90 seconds, you would see what they were trying to do.

[58:37] Eila Mell: Like, yeah. But then it would go away again.

[58:44] Matt Koplik: Yeah. Just watch the documentary or not. Now that we've got 9000 seasons of Real Housewives, I don't even need to watch the documentary.

[58:47] Bruce Gotlieb: But see, that's the promise. Like that audience could have been so served with that show and they just weren't.

[58:52] Matt Koplik: Yeah.

[58:56] Bruce Gotlieb: Did you see it with Sherry?

[58:56] Matt Koplik: Yes, I did.

[58:59] Matt Koplik: Yeah. It was it was better with Sherry.

[59:03] Matt Koplik: It just really. Yeah. Sherry got a better idea of what that character needed to be and what and what the tone of the show needed to be. And so it's not like she magically fixed it. But more consistently throughout the night, you saw what the promise could have been.

[59:13] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[59:17] Bruce Gotlieb: Interesting. Right. The show didn't fail because of her.

[59:17] Matt Koplik: No. And also, like, I think Chenoweth worked very hard and I applaud her for taking for doing a role that's different from her comfort zone. But also having seen her and Sherry, like there are things in Chenoweth that are just ingrained in her being now as a performer. She like while she was trying to go outside of her comfort zone, some things she couldn't resist still doing as like as a performer who is notorious for being a comedic genius and like being so likable on stage.

[59:43] Bruce Gotlieb: Like, yeah, you're having a hard time finding a middle ground with this woman.

[59:46] Matt Koplik: Yeah.

[59:46] Matt Koplik: Yeah. There were just so many issues with the show. But that that's another season.

[59:53] Bruce Gotlieb: But we look at the past to learn lessons with the future.

[59:56] Eila Mell: Absolutely. So, Bruce, a fun fact about Matt, as we wrap up, did you know that Matt is in my Tony book?

[1:00:04] Bruce Gotlieb: I do now. I don't remember when I used to get a little like sneak peeks of like little pages and things which I loved. I didn't get a sneak peek of that page.

[1:00:16] Eila Mell: Well, because I didn't know I was putting him in when I did. Matt, do you want to?

[1:00:19] Matt Koplik: Yeah. Tell everyone?

[1:00:20] Matt Koplik: Yeah. This is one of my favorite things of all time. So I am an alumnus now of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus. But in the twenty twenty two Tony Awards, I was an active member and Angela Lansbury was being honored for the twenty twenty two Tony Awards. And as part of the honoring her performance, they asked the chorus to sing like a 60 second clip of Mame.

[1:00:43] Matt Koplik: And I got included in that. And I was front and center with the 30 of us, which is just like 10 percent of the chorus. And there's a photo in Isla's book of that ceremony and of the chorus singing Mame. And I am in the photo. It's clearly me. It's you know, it's not a full close up of me, but it's close enough that you can tell it's me.

[1:01:04] Eila Mell: Oh, right in the middle, too.

[1:01:05] Matt Koplik: Right in the middle. And I it's I'm like, I read a Tony book. It's so exciting.

[1:01:11] Bruce Gotlieb: Were you so surprised?

[1:01:13] Matt Koplik: So when the book came out, because I think I we brought you on the podcast, I think a little after it was published. So it was already in bookstores. So because I tell you on Mike about.

[1:01:19] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[1:01:20] Matt Koplik: Yeah. Because I went to a Barnes and Noble and I was like, I want I wonder how late this this Tony book goes to, like how how recent of the Tony's that you go to. So I'm flipping through and like, oh, we get to twenty twenty two. I'm like, I just I wonder. And then, boom, it was right there. And I was like, I didn't expect it, but I was like, maybe, maybe, maybe there's a chance. And then it happened.

[1:01:48] Eila Mell: How do you put that photo? It's such a it was such a beautiful moment. If you saw the show, it was it was great. And the only thing that upset me is that if you watched the telecast on TV or on YouTube, the way that they cut to the audience made it seem like we weren't very well received because they were like cut to Cheetah. They cut to Bernadette and they both are sort of into it. But like everyone around it was like all these businessmen around them who weren't paying attention. And I distinctly remember because Cynthia Erivo and Daniel Brooks were in the front row and they were jamming out to us. And I was like, the majority of the audience was really into it. Just the cameras happened to catch like the six white men who were not. And so on YouTube, it looks like we were this big dad. I was like, No, no, we were not a dad. I promise you.

[1:02:30] Bruce Gotlieb: Never.

[1:02:31] Matt Koplik: So speaking of Tony's, yeah, just super way even early to even talk about. But is anything coming up next season that you're already like, this is a lot.

[1:02:43] Matt Koplik: Um, I think so. Okay. Depending on if next normal happens. I think Miss Rachel is a lock for actress in a musical.

[1:02:55] Matt Koplik: Oh, yeah, to win. I'm saying I think I think we'll look at Evita, Full Monty and Sound of Music as our revival nominees.

[1:03:09] Matt Koplik: Yeah, regardless of the quality of Sound of Music and Full Monty just roundabout and Lincoln Center Theater get nominated kind of no matter what. I think that, oh, there's okay, so we didn't even talk about this. There is a rumor based off of a casting notice that went out that didn't have any real information about the play. But just based off of like, the small bits of details I gave, it looks like Downstate is coming to Broadway in the fall. The question is whether it's a play or revival.

[1:03:34] Matt Koplik: I would check regardless of category. I think that'll be a lock. It's a devastating, very uncomfortable play. But my god, is it brilliant. And if it comes with and Kate Todd Freeman's in it. Oh, he's so great. And he's so great. And that's a whole space for Kate Todd Freeman. That'll be a nice little spoiler.

[1:03:58] Matt Koplik: Okay, nomination predictions. I mean, Paddington, I think Paddington and Warriors will probably both do really well. Paddington, I'm interested to see what they end up doing with the leads of that in terms of Tony placement.

[1:04:07] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, right.

[1:04:07] Matt Koplik: Yeah. And then whoever ends up playing Millicent, which is pretty little dead things, the Victoria Hamilton Barrett role, whoever gets that role. As long as you don't mess it up, you're going to win.

[1:04:22] Matt Koplik: Paddington can be a special Tony.

[1:04:26] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, they might they could do that.

[1:04:26] Matt Koplik: They might pull a Matilda without right. It just it doesn't seem to fit.

[1:04:30] Matt Koplik: Yeah, I mean, I think they might. There's no easy way to do it. Because the truth is that the man who's doing Paddington, he's not just doing the voice. He is still operating like the face from backstage. He also is on stage a lot of the show. So it's still a genuine musical theatre performance that he shares with the person inside the costume. But I can't imagine that there's any world in which if they were to separate the two of them that it would go well online, you know?

[1:04:54] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, right.

[1:04:55] Matt Koplik: Yeah, I think unless something goes horribly wrong, Julie Louis Dreyfus will be a strong contender to Allison Janney as well for that show.

[1:05:09] Matt Koplik: Allison is Allison Janney playing the sister, the sorry, I'm sorry, I need to look this up one second. I apologize in real time. But as I'm looking this up, so you said Julie, we drive this Isla. Anyone else?

[1:05:20] Matt Koplik: I'm also curious, because as much as I think Jasmine will get nominated for Sound of Music, I also think her star is so strong. She could also depending on what the school girls play is like in the construct of that. She could be a supporting actress nominee too.

[1:05:39] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, she could be a double nominee. That'd be awesome.

[1:05:44] Matt Koplik: Yeah, I wonder what that play even is going to be. I mean, I don't know much about it. I intentionally have tried not to read too much about it because I missed it the first time it was in New York. But I heard everything I heard was incredible. So I would love to see how it works here.

[1:05:53] Matt Koplik: So Allison Janney plays Silda. That's the Judith Light role who won the Tony and it's a great role. So Allison Janney also in the conversation. I also forgot, you know, Jamie Lloyd's Much Ado About Nothing is coming in. That's apparently just a big joy bomb.

[1:06:07] Matt Koplik: And yeah, we can sing is happening. Like I think revival of a play is once again going to be a very crowded field with Much Ado and Awaken saying and A Few Good Men just like it's, yeah, we were. I know we're swimming in revivals this season, but there's a chance that they're all or most of them are gonna be very good. And that'll be exciting.

[1:06:26] Bruce Gotlieb: I hope so.

[1:06:26] Matt Koplik: Yeah, that's what we want.

[1:06:31] Matt Koplik: Yeah, one revival too I'm curious to see because they have to do a lot of reworking is Damn Yankees because when it was in Washington, it was done in the round or a thrust. And now, just in time hasn't announced closing anytime soon. And so the rumor is it's going to the Nederlander, which then they have to rework the staging. So it should be interesting.

[1:06:47] Matt Koplik: Yeah, I think I also just think that's the smart thing for them to do rather than sit around and wait for the one theater that could house them to open up a theater, which also I don't think they could make work financially for the scale that that show is. Because while I mean, I know it did really well in DC, but no arena stage famously has not really been making any money lately. And part of that is, you know, for all of the for any shows they have that sell out, sometimes overhead is too high. So that won't fly for Broadway. So I think them changing into a proscenium is smart. They can go into another theater.

[1:07:15] Matt Koplik: I have also heard the Nederlander. I've also heard potentially the Imperial, but those are two very different landlords. So it's not necessarily like, oh, we'll go to either one. It's like, no, it's got to be one of them. Because, right, Nederlanders and Shubert's don't like to share.

[1:07:34] Bruce Gotlieb: Uh, but I know the Imperial is looking to also do a renovation at some point, but Billy, I know Billy Crystal's one man show is about to go in there.

[1:07:43] Matt Koplik: Oh, that's going to do well too.

[1:07:46] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. That's a home run. Who doesn't love Billy Crystal, right?

[1:07:51] Matt Koplik: He's and he loves being on Broadway so much. That's the thing. He just it's his joy.

[1:07:56] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, he it's it's I appreciate that about him. I love it when Hollywood people come to Broadway and you can just tell it's for the love of it. Like Daniel Radcliffe comes to do theater for the love of it, which I really doesn't need the money.

[1:08:03] Matt Koplik: No, he certainly doesn't. And like, also, they kept coming back year after year when he wouldn't get nominated for stuff like I, he people forget that before Merrily, he had done like four Broadway shows, maybe five and was never nominated for any of them.

[1:08:16] Bruce Gotlieb: Right.

[1:08:16] Matt Koplik: And then he wasn't going to come back, but he loved Every Brilliant Thing. So and he was wonderful in it.

[1:08:20] Bruce Gotlieb: He was.

[1:08:20] Matt Koplik: Yeah, he's he's a special little dude.

[1:08:26] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, yeah. So well, I mean, we've only covered some of it. And we've talked and talk so you'll have to come back at some point.

[1:08:32] Matt Koplik: I would love that. Thank you.

[1:08:35] Matt Koplik: Thank you both for having me. This was so fantastic. I would love to come back whenever you can have me.

[1:08:38] Eila Mell: Well, wonderful. Yes, you should come back midseason and we can

[1:08:42] Matt Koplik: that's right.

[1:08:42] Eila Mell: Do you like how how are things going?

[1:08:46] Matt Koplik: Perfect. By that point, I'll have done another London trip so I can give you guys the scoop of anything that might that should maybe come over here.

[1:08:50] Eila Mell: Perfect.

[1:08:57] Eila Mell: Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. And thank you all. We'll see you next time on Behind the Awards.

[1:09:03] Matt Koplik: See you guys. Bye bye.