Wait in the Wings
You may know the shows, but do you know how they came to be? In this in-depth documentary series host Brendon Henderson pulls back the curtain to retrace the creative journey of Broadway productions from their lowest of lows to their highest of highs. Hold on tight for the unexpected twists and turns as you learn the behind the scenes stories that helped shape The Great White Way.
All Episodes
The Curious Case of Rebecca the Musical: Part 1 - The Crimson Sky (WitW S3E2)
Rebecca was poised to be one of the biggest shows on Broadway in 2012, but the show would close just one day before rehearsals began...leaving 130 people out of a job and the dreams of Broadway stardom being left in the ashes. The question is...how did this happen?
The Epic Metamorphosis of Hadestown (S3E1)
On paper, Hadestown should have never worked. Originally starting as a "folk opera" in a small town in Vermont in 2006, the show would undergo a 13 year journey culminating in it becoming a Broadway smash.
The Blessed Curse of Time in Groundhog Day (ft. Broadway by Ghostlight)
In our final episode of the Double Take on Groundhog Day we team up with Marc from Broadway by Ghostlight to dive into one of the most fan requested shows on the channel. Life gets whacky when weatherman Phil Connor's finds himself stuck reliving the same day over and over again.
The True Villain of Oklahoma (ft. itsannachloem)
While he may be painted as the perfect southern hero in Oklahoma the musical, what does the character of Curly McLain say about a culture of toxic masculinity and a desire to hold onto a past that never existed. Want more itsannachloem? Your wish is granted!
The Power of the Underdog in Rocky the Musical (ft. Nando V. Movies)
The story of Rocky Balboa has been capturing people's hearts and filling people's workout playlists for over 40 years. So when the show made the jump over to Broadway, was it still able to capture the scrappy spirit to have audiences rooting for their hero to win?
The Theatricality of Mel Brooks in Young Frankenstein (Ft. KateCast Reviews)
Being Mel Brooks' second Broadway musical adaptation, Young Frankenstein the Musical wasn't only a hilarious staging of the classic film, but also highlighted the absurd theatricality of the man himself.
Chess the Musical: Less About Chess Than You'd Guess | Ft. Musical Hell
Initially, chess the musical seems like it would be a pretty boring affair. But add in two world super powers holding 99% of the world's nuclear weapons, along with a catchy 80's pop song and suddenly...things become much more interesting.
"If/Then" and The Turmoil of Burn Out Culture | Ft. Musicals w/ Cheese
If/Then is one of the most confusing musicals to ever cross the great white way, but at its core is a story about choices. In this first episode of the Double Take we team up with Jess and Andrew from Musicals with Cheese to explore the personal and professional consequences of narrow minded ambition.
The Insane History of Carrie the Musical (WitW S2E7)
It's all been leading to this. Carrie the Musical is known as the flop to end all flops. Lasting only five performance, the mystery and lore surrounding the Broadway production of Carrie has kept it in the minds of theater enthusiasts for the past 30 years.
The Bumpy History of Fame 1980 (WitW: S2E6)
Is the movie Fame gonna live forever? In this episode of Wait in the Wings we find ourselves in the crime ridden New York City that's on the brink of a 1980's revolution that would be sparked by a new variation of the teen musical genre.
The Broadway Massacre of Legs Diamond (WitW S2E5)
The landscape of Broadway was changing in the late 1980's. The way of traditional glitz, glamour and light-hearted kick lines was on the way out, and the dramatic, dark, spectacle of the mega-musical was proving to be king.
A Triumphant History of Matilda the Musical (WitW S2E4)
Matilda the Musical could have been a flop. With a director who had yet to prove himself in the realm of musicals, a playwright who had never written a script for one, and an Australian comedian, the odds were stacked against the show from the beginning...or were they?
The Painful Spectacle of Starlight Express (WitW S2E3)
All aboard! As we continue forward on our journey of theater history, today we'll be making a stop to look into the painful spectacle of Starlight Express. Fresh off the success of Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber would follow it up with a musical about anamorphic trains.
Evil Dead the Musical: A Bloody Adventure (WitW S2E2)
Sharpen your chainsaws for the Bloody Adventure of Evil Dead the Musical. Regarded as one of the goriest film series ever created, Evil Dead would make its bold jump to Off-Broadway in 2006.
The Hectic History of Beetlejuice the Musical (WitW S2E1)
Beetlejuice the Musical seemed like a simple enough concept in theory. Once it began its journey towards Broadway, however, things got...complicated. Wait in the Wings is back in a big way by diving into the hectic history of Beetlejuice the Musical.
The Wubulous History of Seussical | WitW Live (WitW: S1E5)
Buckle your seat belts for this wild ride through the fall and redemption of Seussical. When the show was unveiled in 2000, the theater world was enchanted by the early readings. With an incredible cast of characters, world-class actors, and master composers, it should have become the next mega hit like "The Lion King".
The Producers 2005: What Happened? (WitW: S1E4 Ft. KateCast Reviews)
What Went Wrong with The Producers 2005? Mel Brook's 1967 first feature film "The Producers" became a cult classic that redefined comedy, showcased the amazing talent of Zero Mostel and launched the career of Gene Wilder.
The Unexpected Success of Spongebob the Musical (WitWS1E3)
Everyone was certain that Spongebob Squarepants the musical was destined to flop, and yet to the surprise of almost everybody, the show would become a Broadway smash. It would even go on to tie for the most Tony nominations for a show.
The Angsty History of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (WitWS1E2)
It was a radical idea. Put Andrew Jackson in tight pants and have him rock out to emo music. However, despite its outlandish concept, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson went on to receive rave reviews in the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and The Rolling Stone.
Spider-Man Turn off the Dark: The Chaotic History (WitW: S1E1)
Broadway and the performing arts world has never seen a show quite like Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark. The question is what is what led to the closure of the most expensive and worst reviewed show in Broadway history?
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