The Dear Friends Podcast
The Dear Friends Podcast
A write-in advice podcast for the musical minded. Featuring the real-life friends: Christi Esterle, Emily Clark, and Jesse “Jess” McAnally are here to take your questions and turn them, into brilliant nuggets of wisdom, giving anecdotes, personal experiences, and depths of humor, honesty, and heaping helpings of empathetic sincerity in a cynical world.
All Episodes
REPO! The Genetic Opera (feat. Christi Esterle of Musical Hell)
"It's a thankless job, but somebody's gotta do it..." This week we're joined by the incredible Christi of Musical Hell to talk about the gorey black comedy musical "REPO! The Genetic Opera." We talk chills, thrills and scares and you don't want to miss out!
BONUS: Cats 2019 Commentary (feat. Emily Clark & Christi Esterle)
Jellicle cats come out tonight! Early in the pandemic we were joined by Christi Esterle and Emily Clark to watch Cats 2019 for a group watch! Come listen and relive it! Let the memory live again!
BONUS - Wicked Movie Predictions (feat. Emily Clark & Christi Esterle)
Emily Clark and Christi Esterle join Jess to talk about Wicked movie and what we may see! Give it a listen!
La Cage Aux Folles (feat. Emily Clark)
"I am what I am,,," Grab your mascara and wig because this week we're joined by the HILARIOUS Emily Clark to talk about the Jerry Herman musical "La Cage Aux Folles." We talk about it's historical significance, compare it to other adaptations, and have a blast.
"Oklahoma!' (feat. Emily Clark)
"We're just girls who cain't say no!" This week Jess and Andrew are joined by the incredible Emily Clark of the video series Stealing Focus to talk about Rogers and Hammerstein's classic staple of Broadway "Oklahoma!" They chat about what it's like to see the newest revival of the show live, the songs, how well the show has aged, and much much more.
BONUS: Hamilton | Theatre in the D
Join us to wrap up ATG in Detroit's season with Lin Manuel Miranda's masterpiece Hamilton. Come listen as we compare to history, the shows role in theater canon, and more. Get tickets to Hamilton here!
BONUS: Suffs | Theatre in the D
Join us for another wonderful episode of "Theatre in the D" where we talk about Shaina Taub's acclaimed musical "Suffs" currently playing at the Fisher theater! Get your Tickets to Suffs now!
BONUS: The Lion King | Theatre in the D
RAWR! In this extra special episode of "Theatre in the D" Jess and Miranda went out to see "The Lion King" at the Detroit Opera House. Hear their thoughts and hear what we think, then go see "The Lion King" playing until March 24th!
BONUS: & Juliet | Theatre in the D
Welcome to another episode of Theatre in the D where we dive into the world of Shakespeare through the lens of modern pop music. Yes the Broadway/West End Smash is now on tour, and you can see it at the Fisher Theater Right now!
Theatre in the D | Mamma Mia!
This week, Jess and Miranda are diving into the ABBA inspired musical about three dad in Greece -- Mamma Mia! The show is playing at the Fisher Theater until March 29th so get your tickets here!
The Phantom of the Opera National Tour | Theater in the D
The Phantom of the Opera returns to Detroit, and this is the version you want to see. A tour based on Hal Prince's original direction with expanded beautiful sets and an all time cast. Check out Miranda and Jess's in depth thoughts here.
BONUS: Spamalot | Theater in the D
In this episode of Theater in the D, Jesse and his fiancée Miranda review Monty Python's Spamalot. She hated the movie. He’s a lifelong fan. So, did this Broadway adaptation bring them together or tear them apart?
The Outsiders | Theatre in the D
This week Jess and Miranda talk about the National Tour of "The Outsiders" based on S.E. Hinton's novel of the same name. You can see the show at the fisher theater from Mar 3 - 15, 2026. You can buy your tickets here.
BONUS: Hell's Kitchen | Theatre in the D
On this extra special episode of "Theatre in the D" Jess is joined by his good friend Mnemosyne Chirolla to talk about the Alicia Keys Musical "Hell's Kitchen" which is playing at the Fisher Theater December 2 - 14, 2025. If you'd like to get tickets visit Broadway in Detroit!
Back to the Future The Musical | Theatre in the D
Prepare your Flux Capacitor because this week on a special bonus episode of "Theatre in the D" we're talking about the musical adaptation of the 1985 film "Back to the Future." There indeed is something about that boy! Buy Tickets at the Detroit Opera House Here!
BONUS: Beauty and the Beast National Tour | Theatre in the D
Join Jess and Miranda of "Theatre in the D" for their review of the new national tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. They discuss the show's spectacular choreography, its changes from the original, and whether the stage version captures the magic of the romance.
BONUS: Kimberly Akimbo | Theatre in the D
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Theatre in the D where Jess will chat with Miranda Moffat about theatre currently playing on National Tours and local theatre in Metro Detroit. Today we're talking about the Tony Winning Musical Kimberly Akimbo!
5 Best Stephen Schwartz Musicals
The Dear Friends are back with you and ready to talk our TOP FIVE FAVORITE STEPHEN SCHWARTZ MUSICALS! What will take the top spot, Wicked? Children of Eden!? You'll have to listen to find out!
Masking in the Theatre!?
The Dear Friends are back with you and ready to talk about a shockingly controversial topic -- MASKING IN THE THEATRE! What could we be thinking about here?!
The BEST Gateway Musicals
The Dear Friends are back with you and ready to talk about the best musicals to show your Musical hating friends to get them to love showtunes as much as you do!
© Broadway Podcast Network, All Rights Reserved