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[0:00] Jeff Malone: Welcome to Half Hour with Jeff & Richie. I'm Jeff. And I'm Richie. And today we're welcoming back Connor and Dylan MacDowell for part two of our Spring 2025 Broadway Season Conversation, which will be focusing on the musicals. Drama is hosted by professional dramatics and twin brothers, Connor and Dylan MacDowell, who explore theater, entertainment, pop culture, and the vibrance of love and life with Broadway and entertainment industry tastemakers. Joined by thrilling special guests, they have intimately casual conversations about hot topics, navigating show business, and of course, a little drama. Partnered with iHeartRadio Broadway, they have new episodes released every Wednesday. Connor and Dylan, welcome back.

[0:37] Connor MacDowell: Drama.

[0:38] Dylan MacDowell: Drama. We were back. Believe it, we're back that back again.

[0:42] Connor MacDowell: That's right.

[0:42] Dylan MacDowell: It's been a couple months since we talked.

[0:45] Connor MacDowell: I know, and so much has happened. Yeah, you wouldn't even believe.

[0:48] Dylan MacDowell: We saw that play together, and the review's coming out soon.

[0:52] Connor MacDowell: It's coming out.

[0:53] Dylan MacDowell: Wow.

[0:54] Connor MacDowell: It's definitely going to happen.

[0:56] Dylan MacDowell: It's actually humiliating to sit there and listen to an introduction read about you, which we do to all of our guests, but I'm sitting there, and I'm feeling warm, and I'm like, oh no, Dylan, we might need to revise the format we've been doing for years.

[1:09] Connor MacDowell: It's fine. We got to flatter him a little bit.

[1:11] Dylan MacDowell: A little splash of the taste of what you guys are, and that's good.

[1:15] Connor MacDowell: Thank you guys for having us back.

[1:17] Dylan MacDowell: Yes. I'm Dylan, for those who don't know the tempo of my voice, and I am Connor.

[1:24] Jeff Malone: Great voices.

[1:27] Richie Grasso: Welcome back, guys, and just as a reminder, I think Richie said this already, but Connor and Dylan do host the podcast Drama, and that can be found on iHeartRadio Broadway. So we're going to get into the conversation about musicals. We're talking about the musicals that are opening from January to April of 2025. We had a past episode about the plays opening from January to April 2025. As most people listening know, the Tony eligibility cutoff is the end of April, so we are talking about all new things coming then. So for our listeners, the musicals we are discussing today, and I am going to read them in chronological order. We don't need to necessarily talk about them in chronological order, but they are Redwood, Operation Mincemeat, Buena Vista Social Club, Boop!

The Betty Boop Musical, Smash, The Last Five Years, Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, Floyd Collins, Just In Time, Real Women Have Curves, The Pirates of Penzance, and Dead Outlaw. Again, the most wild list of shows I've just read in my whole life in one sentence.

[2:26] Connor MacDowell: Wow.

[2:27] Dylan MacDowell: Oh my God.

[2:30] Connor MacDowell: Absolutely eclectic.

[2:31] Dylan MacDowell: As you're reading it, I'm like, there is a musical for every occasion here. There's the cartoon character turned musical. There's the West End transfer. There's the star-driven original show. There's the revival. It's whack.

[2:46] Connor MacDowell: Yeah. And so if you had to choose your top one or top two musicals you're most excited to see this season, what would you say?

[2:55] Dylan MacDowell: I mean, without a doubt, it is Smash. I mean, Connor and I have been riding hard for Smash since 2012. It is finally coming to Broadway in a way I don't think anybody was really expecting. I thought that it would be Bombshell, not necessarily Smash.

[3:09] Connor MacDowell: I thought that too, right.

[3:11] Dylan MacDowell: But the cast is a bunch of Broadway favorites. I think it's going to be really interesting. Do I think it's going to actually be a Smash and do well? Who can really say? There were things like The Notebook last year that I thought was going to be a huge hit and didn't necessarily find its legs. But to me, Smash has always intrigued me. What is there to say about a flop television series that developed a cult following over the last decade plus that's now becoming a Broadway musical? What is there to say? Make a musical about it.

[3:38] Connor MacDowell: Exactly.

[3:39] Dylan MacDowell: Exactly. I love a backstage musical. I love anything that kind of takes place in and around the theater. So I'm just so excited. And Robin Hurter can do no wrong in my book. And Shayman Whitman, their great writing team. I love that show too. Robin Hurter is a great casting. I don't know too many of them. Caroline, there's some other names there. But I was kind of actually thinking maybe we would have gone with a bigger star casting name. And so the fact that they aren't is thinking that they must be riding on the coattails of the name of the show itself selling tickets, which is great and cool. So it would be interesting, right?

[4:14] Connor MacDowell: Yeah.

[4:15] Dylan MacDowell: Is this Brooks? I always say his name. I get garbled when I say Brooks Ashman.

[4:20] Connor MacDowell: Ashman, right?

[4:21] Dylan MacDowell: Yes. Is this his Tony? You know, we're waiting for him to get his Tony. He's been nominated, I'm sure. It should have been Barry in the Prom. That's where I was at with that. I would love to go back and see who beat him for that.

[4:33] Connor MacDowell: It was Santino Fontana in Tootsie. Another backstage musical.

[4:38] Dylan MacDowell: Yeah, that was his time too. But yeah, it is Brooks' time. That'd be great to see him. Brooks is great. And we've got Chris Rodriguez, who was in the second season of the NBC series, Smash. So I don't know if any of the bombshell material ever touched her, but she's playing the Deborah Messing role in this. And I have intel on what song her big song is. And I don't want to spoil it. Do you want me to say?

[5:01] Connor MacDowell: Sure.

[5:02] Dylan MacDowell: Okay. So we're going to warn everyone now. Spoiler.

[5:08] Connor MacDowell: What am I allowed to say?

[5:10] Dylan MacDowell: Oh, I don't know about that.

[5:13] Connor MacDowell: That's how you found out.

[5:15] Dylan MacDowell: I heard a rumor. I heard a rumor that Deborah Messing is singing the second hand.

[5:19] Connor MacDowell: Oh my God.

[5:23] Dylan MacDowell: Wouldn't it be a gag if they would have gotten TV cast members in this? But Chris Rodriguez, as the Deborah Messing role, will be singing Secondhand White Baby Grant.

[5:32] Connor MacDowell: Oh, and I love that song. I just love this song. The boys' baseball song is great. And the 21st century.

[5:45] Dylan MacDowell: The Let's Be Bad. Fox Mambo, 20th century Fox Mambo.

[5:48] Connor MacDowell: Thank you. But the Let's Be Bad was in Hot, so does that mean they can't be in this?

[5:54] Dylan MacDowell: I think they can. I think it was rewritten for that.

[5:56] Connor MacDowell: Right, right. I do love this. What about that Katharine McPhee, Touch Me?

[6:01] Dylan MacDowell: Please no.

[6:05] Connor MacDowell: That's the episode I'm on. My fiancé and I are watching it right now. This is like so nippy, but is Let Me Be Your Star the Act 1 finale or the Act 2 finale?

[6:12] Dylan MacDowell: Oh, in the bombshell of it all, it was the opener.

[6:15] Connor MacDowell: So who can say?

[6:16] Dylan MacDowell: Who can say?

[6:17] Connor MacDowell: Yeah. I think it's the Act 1.

[6:20] Dylan MacDowell: Okay, I think it's the opener. I think they probably do bits of it in the Act 1 finale, and I think it's probably the finale, finale, too.

[6:25] Connor MacDowell: It's gotta be the finale. There's Don't Forget Me. Trust, there's Don't Forget Me.

[6:29] Dylan MacDowell: Oh, I love that song.

[6:30] Connor MacDowell: Oh, I love that song. Okay, now I'm getting excited about this. What was the last song they did in Smash the series?

[6:37] Dylan MacDowell: Was it an, it was an original song, wasn't it, Dylan?

[6:39] Connor MacDowell: It was like Megan and Katharine doing.

[6:41] Dylan MacDowell: Yeah, yeah. It was like an original song. And Megan was like my Marilyn. Like I loved Katharine, but Megan did it for me.

[6:48] Connor MacDowell: Yeah, Team Ivy for life. I'm so excited for that one, for sure.

[6:52] Dylan MacDowell: That's also my answer to the question.

[6:53] Connor MacDowell: Oh, amazing.

[6:54] Dylan MacDowell: That you're most excited for that show.

[6:55] Connor MacDowell: What was your answer?

[6:56] Dylan MacDowell: Okay, they're most excited for Smash, everyone. You heard it here. Can you tell?

[7:01] Jeff Malone: I have a long list. I mean, I did not put Smash there, but.

[7:08] Richie Grasso: Jeff, you were oddly quiet during that conversation, Jeff.

[7:13] Jeff Malone: I stopped watching Smash midway.

[7:15] Richie Grasso: Oh, why?

[7:17] Jeff Malone: You know what? I think I was in college when that was on. And we did not have cable in college.

[7:27] Richie Grasso: Oh, well, it was like the same thing with Glee. I kind of stopped midway with Glee as well, unless someone rented the series on Apple. But anyway, what am I most excited for? I'm so excited that Dead Outlaw is coming to Broadway. It was so good downtown. So good.

[7:44] Connor MacDowell: Did you guys see it?

[7:46] Dylan MacDowell: No, I missed it.

[7:47] Connor MacDowell: I missed it.

[7:50] Jeff Malone: I am recommending that people, and not everyone likes to do this, but I recommend you read up on this true story of this man. It's like the Floyd Collins thing. That's based on a true story too. I don't know actually anything about Floyd Collins, but for Dead Outlaw, I read up on this story. And so it helped me see how they musicalized it. But that was just me. Some people like to go in blind, but it is so well done. I could see it getting a lot of Tony nods. I really do. And it's coming in right at that sweet spot at the end.

[8:13] Dylan MacDowell: Is the Outlaw dead?

[8:20] Jeff Malone: More than dead. That's all I'll say.

[8:23] Connor MacDowell: Oh my.

[8:24] Jeff Malone: And it's Andrew Durant, who we all loved and shucked. He's great. That could be a big potential.

[8:29] Dylan MacDowell: Yeah, he could get a Tony nod for it, for sure. And I usually don't like the country music on Broadway. I'm not always into the folky on Broadway. This just worked for me.

[8:39] Connor MacDowell: Yeah.

[8:39] Jeff Malone: How?

[8:40] Connor MacDowell: And it's original. It's original. It's David Cromer direction. It's David Yazbek score.

[8:47] Jeff Malone: Wow. Yeah, no, I really liked it. We talked about it on the pod last year. It's one of those musicals where you're sitting there and you're like, what is going on? But it's like so good.

[8:58] Dylan MacDowell: Okay.

[8:59] Jeff Malone: There's also like really sad. Like the whole thing is very, there's a tragic undertone to it. You'll see why he's dead, how he's dead. Because yeah, it is about a dead Outlaw. Spoiler.

[9:08] Connor MacDowell: Does he start the show being like, I bet you want to find out how I'm dead?

[9:11] Jeff Malone: I think, uh, no. You'll just get to go see it.

[9:15] Connor MacDowell: Okay, okay.

[9:16] Jeff Malone: It isn't the Longacre. We don't like that.

[9:16] Richie Grasso: We don't like that.

[9:18] Jeff Malone: No, I'm not a fan of the narrator. I'm not. Unless it's like Into the Woods, but that's like it.

[9:23] Connor MacDowell: Okay. Um, so yeah, it's Dead Outlaw. I was going to say that too, Jeff. But did you say there was another one that you said?

[9:30] Jeff Malone: Oh, my top two? Okay. Operation Mincemeat. Only because I'm like really intrigued on why it's coming.

[9:39] Dylan MacDowell: Me too.

[9:39] Jeff Malone: Me too. And they did a lot of market research. They like sent out surveys. They were trying, they did a big social media. Like, do you think, you know, to previous audiences, do you think this would do well? It is about a like truly, I mean, at least in, I mean, we all went to the American school systems. An unknown event. I mean, I truly had no idea what this mission was, this deceptive mission was, but it is a smash. When Connor and I went to London a couple years ago, everybody told us to go see it. And it was like in between runs when we went, but I've heard, I heard it's fantastic, but we'll see how it goes.

[10:11] Dylan MacDowell: It did win.

[10:13] Jeff Malone: It did. And I think, Jeff, we're about to get into the same kind of thought here. It's like, is stuff that's a proven success in the West End going to transfer well? Sunset Boulevard sure has, but Camper Ray really didn't, technically.

[10:25] Dylan MacDowell: And Sammy Faye didn't.

[10:27] Jeff Malone: There you go. There's something about the West End musicals that like New York loves to like not like. I don't know. But then like we had like this Guys and Dolls revival in London, which sounded incredible and I didn't see it and closed. And now like, could that come here? That's such an Americana musical. I want it to.

[10:46] Connor MacDowell: It was amazing. I saw it. It was amazing.

[10:49] Jeff Malone: Oh my God. It's so good. I'm such an old school. Like, I love it, but I heard it was amazing.

[10:54] Dylan MacDowell: Oh my God, it was so cool. The musical is an American art form, whereas I do feel like the play is more of the British art form. And so I think that it's interesting how we'll send musicals over there all the time. And they'll send plays over here, like we were just talking about on our previous episode that everyone should listen to.

[11:10] Connor MacDowell: Yeah, they should.

[11:13] Dylan MacDowell: Actually, there is a runner up here to my two. It's Just In Time. Only because I love Jonathan Groff so much.

[11:20] Connor MacDowell: Me too.

[11:21] Dylan MacDowell: He's so cute. If he wasn't in it, I wouldn't go.

[11:23] Jeff Malone: Welcome back to Half Hour with Jeff & Richie. Today, we’re diving into the Spring 2025 Broadway season with our special guests, Connor and Dylan MacDowell.

[11:53] Connor MacDowell: Thanks for having us! We’re excited to talk about the upcoming musicals.

[12:13] Dylan MacDowell: Absolutely! There’s a lot to look forward to this season.

[12:33] Jeff Malone: Let’s start with "Redwood." What are your thoughts on that production?

[12:53] Connor MacDowell: "Redwood" has a really intriguing premise. The creative team behind it has a strong track record, and I think it could resonate well with audiences.

[13:13] Dylan MacDowell: I agree. The themes of nature and personal growth are really timely, and I’m curious to see how they’ll be presented on stage.

[13:33] Jeff Malone: Moving on to "Operation Mincemeat," what do you think about the historical aspect of that musical?

[13:53] Connor MacDowell: It’s fascinating! The story is based on a true World War II operation, and I think it has the potential to blend humor and drama effectively.

[14:13] Dylan MacDowell: Plus, the music is supposed to be really catchy. I can see it appealing to a wide audience.

[14:33] Jeff Malone: Next up is "Buena Vista Social Club." How do you feel about adaptations of popular films into musicals?

[14:53] Connor MacDowell: It can be hit or miss, but I think the music from the film is so iconic that it could translate beautifully to the stage.

[15:13] Dylan MacDowell: Exactly! The cultural elements and vibrant energy of the original film should make for a lively production.

[15:33] Jeff Malone: What about "Boop! The Betty Boop Musical"? That’s quite a unique concept.

[15:53] Connor MacDowell: It really is! Betty Boop is such a classic character, and I think there’s a lot of nostalgia that could draw people in.

[16:13] Dylan MacDowell: Plus, the animation style could lend itself to some really creative staging and choreography.

[16:33] Jeff Malone: Now, let’s discuss "Smash." It’s based on the TV series, right?

[16:53] Connor MacDowell: Yes! I think fans of the show will be excited to see their favorite characters brought to life on stage.

[17:13] Dylan MacDowell: And the music from the series was fantastic, so I’m looking forward to hearing those songs live.

[17:33] Jeff Malone: What are your thoughts on "The Last Five Years"? It’s a beloved piece.

[17:53] Connor MacDowell: It really is! The storytelling through music is so powerful, and I think it will resonate with audiences in a live setting.

[18:13] Dylan MacDowell: The emotional depth of the characters is something that can really shine on stage.

[18:33] Jeff Malone: Moving on to "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends," how do you feel about celebrating Sondheim’s legacy?

[18:53] Connor MacDowell: It’s essential! Sondheim’s work has shaped modern musical theatre, and this tribute is a wonderful way to honor him.

[19:13] Dylan MacDowell: I can’t wait to see how they incorporate his songs and stories into the production.

[19:33] Jeff Malone: What about "Floyd Collins"? It’s a lesser-known musical but has a dedicated following.

[19:53] Connor MacDowell: It’s such a compelling story, and the music is hauntingly beautiful. I think it could really captivate audiences.

[20:13] Dylan MacDowell: Definitely! The themes of ambition and tragedy are universal, which makes it relatable.

[20:33] Jeff Malone: Let’s talk about "Just In Time." What do you think its appeal will be?

[20:53] Connor MacDowell: It has a charming premise, and I think it could attract a younger audience looking for something fresh.

[21:13] Dylan MacDowell: Plus, the music is upbeat and fun, which always helps in drawing people in.

[21:33] Jeff Malone: What about "Real Women Have Curves"? It’s an important story to tell.

[21:53] Connor MacDowell: Absolutely! It’s a celebration of body positivity and self-acceptance, which is so relevant today.

[22:13] Dylan MacDowell: I think it will resonate with many people and spark important conversations.

[24:07] Jeff Malone: Welcome back to "Half Hour with Jeff & Richie." Today, we're diving into the Spring 2025 Broadway season with our special guests, Connor and Dylan MacDowell, the hosts of DRAMA.

[24:27] Connor MacDowell: Thanks for having us! We're excited to talk about this upcoming season.

[24:47] Dylan MacDowell: Absolutely! There’s a lot to unpack with the lineup of musicals coming our way.

[25:07] Jeff Malone: Let’s start with "Redwood." What are your thoughts on that production?

[25:27] Connor MacDowell: "Redwood" is really intriguing. The concept of the show, combined with its themes of nature and humanity, is something that resonates deeply.

[25:47] Dylan MacDowell: And the creative team behind it has a strong track record. I think it could surprise a lot of people.

[26:07] Jeff Malone: Moving on to "Operation Mincemeat," how do you see that fitting into the season?

[26:27] Connor MacDowell: "Operation Mincemeat" has a unique story to tell, and the blend of humor and history could really captivate audiences.

[26:47] Dylan MacDowell: Plus, the music is catchy! It’s a different take on a historical event, which is always refreshing.

[27:07] Jeff Malone: What about "Buena Vista Social Club"? That’s a beloved title.

[27:27] Connor MacDowell: Yes, it’s such a rich cultural piece. I think the music will draw in a diverse audience, and the nostalgia factor is huge.

[27:47] Dylan MacDowell: It’s also a great opportunity to showcase some incredible talent on stage.

[28:07] Jeff Malone: Now, "Boop! The Betty Boop Musical" is quite the title. What are your expectations there?

[28:27] Connor MacDowell: It’s going to be a fun, whimsical experience. Betty Boop is an iconic character, and I think they’ll do a great job bringing her to life.

[28:47] Dylan MacDowell: The animation style could translate beautifully to the stage, so I’m really looking forward to seeing how they execute that.

[29:07] Jeff Malone: "Smash" is another one that fans are buzzing about. What’s your take?

[29:27] Connor MacDowell: "Smash" has a built-in audience from the TV show, so it’s definitely going to attract attention.

[29:47] Dylan MacDowell: And with the right cast, it could really shine. The music from the series has some standout numbers.

[30:07] Jeff Malone: Speaking of standout numbers, "The Last Five Years" is a classic. How do you think it will be received?

[30:27] Connor MacDowell: It’s a powerful story told in such a unique way. I think audiences will connect with it deeply.

[30:47] Dylan MacDowell: Plus, the emotional depth of the music is just incredible. It’s a timeless piece.

[31:07] Jeff Malone: Let’s talk about "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends." What are your thoughts on this tribute?

[31:27] Connor MacDowell: It’s a celebration of Sondheim’s legacy, and I think it will resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

[31:47] Dylan MacDowell: The talent involved is phenomenal, and it’s a great way to honor his contributions to the theater.

[32:07] Jeff Malone: "Floyd Collins" is another interesting choice. What do you think?

[32:27] Connor MacDowell: It’s a lesser-known musical, but it has a cult following. The story is compelling, and the music is hauntingly beautiful.

[32:47] Dylan MacDowell: It’s definitely a risk, but sometimes those risks pay off big time.

[33:07] Jeff Malone: "Just In Time" is also on the list. What can you tell us about that?

[33:27] Connor MacDowell: It’s a fresh take on love and timing, and I think it will resonate with a lot of people.

[33:47] Dylan MacDowell: The creative team has a great vision for it, so I’m excited to see how it unfolds.