Broadway Breakdown

"And I am telling you..." The 2023 Tony Awards are fast approaching! And so friend of the pod Sutton Lee Seymour returns to discuss with Matt all the amazing performances that have been on the telecast. The two bond over obvious historical turns (Dreamgirls, Evita, Promises Promises) and shock each other with some deeper dives (Sutton did *not* expect one of Matt's picks). The two also discuss wha...

"Let's talk about it." Famous Broadway ally PJ Adzima (BOOK OF MORMON) stops by the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the latest on the Tonys vs. the WGA Strike, the Broadway Ecosystem, what needs to change and how we all can be smarter audiences. For the video of the full, unedited episode (released this weekend): Subscribe to the Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/BroadwayBreakdown Learn more about y...

"I chose right..." Matt takes a break from predictions and analysis to look back fondly on the times when the Tony Awards got it right! Writer Peter Duchan (DOGFIGHT) stops by the Breakdown to share some of his favorite choices as well as the first ceremony to make an impression on him. The two also discuss category fraud, Divas, and the b*tchy thing Gwen Verdon said about Donna Mckechnie. To quot...

It's time. To compare. Apples and Bacon. The 2023 Tony nominations are HERE and Matt has some egg on his face, some dreams that became realities, and some realizations after seeing CAMELOT the night before. Friend of the pod Kyle Marshall (Putting it Together) returns to the Breakdown to discuss this year's crop of nominees: who we're happy about, sad about, and confused about. And! The status of...

It's Pudding Season!! The Theatre Lovers are BACK to make one last big swing for Tony nomination predictions before the big day: May 2. Matt and the duo also discuss some opinions on newly seen shows and Matt reads Rachel and Will for filth on some of their predictions (and vice versa). Happy Tonys, Everyone!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode...

It's Pudding Season!! Matt goes solo and reads your Tony Predictions! Well...mostly your Tony predictions. A couple of personal questions snuck in there somehow... What do YOU think is making it in this year?? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwayb...

It's Pudding Season! And Matt's seen more stuff!! Guncle Adam Elsberry returns to shake up some predictions with Matt. Matt also gives some takes after having seen SWEENEY TODD, SHUCKED, FAT HAM and LIFE OF PI. And also spills a little tea about the current reputation of a Broadway director!! Let's have fun!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode....

"It's an honor just to be *pretend* nominated..." Pudding Season is almost upon us! That's right, it's time to start talking TONY AWARDS!!! Will and Rachael Anderson aka The Theater Lovers stop by the Breakdown to do some wild Tony nomination predictions. The three also discuss Bad Cinderella, being an ally, Feminism and which major stars could find themselves shut out! Let's get WILD y'all!!! Lea...

"When life gives you lemons..." It's a special episode y'all!! Breakdown is taking a rest from the planned lineup to do a bonus cross over episode from Tesori Hour. That's right: it's KIMBERLY AKIMBO!! Returning guest Peter Koplik aka MATT'S DAD sits down to discuss the two's thoughts on the musical and all things family. The two also talk about the glory of Victoria Clark, the rudeness of adolesc...

"It's the bitch of living..." Are you ready for some drama? Connor and Dylan MacDowell of the hit podcast DRAMA stop by the Breakdown to discuss with Matt all things Spring Awakening. The three also discuss toxic fandom, the importance of transparency, what "Purple Summer" is, and the majesty of Jonathan Groff's butt. Touch me!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This i...

"I will DO what needs to be DONE!" Do you have doubts? Do you have parables? Do you have DOUBT: A PARABLE?! 'Cause Godmother of the Pod Ali Gordon is back to discuss all things nuns, priests, Catholic school and having no real life experience with any of it. Matt and Ali also discuss failing in acting class, the importance of casting weirdos in your plays, and why mothers tend to be right. Cut you...

"God, I Hope I Get It!" It's a big one, kids...a huge one...a one...singular sensation, if you will! That's right, it's A CHORUS LINE!!! The mother of all Broadway transfers. Fellow BPN'er Robert Peterpaul (The Art of Kindness) stops by the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the Pulitzer Prize winning, Tony sweeping musical that defined the 70's. The two also discuss the beauty of not-pretty singing,...

"Everything in life is only for now..." Sex! Racism! PUPPETS! It's Avenue Q kids!!!!! Friend of the Breakdown Sam Simahk (INTO THE WOODS, CAROUSEL) stops by to discuss the controversial, deceptively complex musical that deals with existentialism, hopelessness and porn. The two also discuss a person's sexuality, the trickiness of Christmas Eve and why Christine Daae is dumb. It's a FINE LINE! Learn...

"One never knows...DO one?" This week we're covering the jukebox musical to end all jukebox musicals. The golden musical revue that launched a dozen careers: Ain't Misbehavin'!!! Matt is joined by André Jordan (DIANA: THE MUSICAL) to discuss the show's origins, dangerous choreography, and the glory of celebrating Black artistry. This joint is JUMPIN! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...

"This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius..." Good morning, Starshine! Broadway says "Hello"! Friend of the Breakdown Robbie Rozelle returns to discuss the American Tribal Musical that defined a generation and begrudgingly brought Broadway to the rock era...if only it stayed. It's HAIR!!! Robbie and Matt talk about an album with almost No Skips, the infamous nudity of the show, and how the show'...

"I am sick to death of straight people. Tell the truth, aren't you?" Broadway Breakdown is BACK!!! After our hiatus, we return with the Tony winning Terrence McNally play LOVE, VALOUR, COMPASSION! Breakdown Friend James Crichton comes back to talk with Matt about the beauty of Joe Mantello's direction and the magnificence of the original cast. The two also talk about toxic relationships, the doubl...

"And THAT is Feminism." Breakdown alum Jessie Field is BACK to discuss the Pulitzer Prize and Tony winning hit play that gave Wendy Wasserstein her Broadway debut and made a slew of Boomers go "It Me." It's THE HEIDI CHRONICLES!! Believe it or not, this pay was a big deal and very groundbreaking in its time and, luckily, still holds up today! Matt and Jessie discuss equality, humor, and why no one...

"History has its eyes on you..." HAMILTON! Ever heard of her? In case ya haven't we go in deep and niche for this week's take on the blockbuster phenomenon that made history cool again. Music Director Extraordinaire and good Judy Brian Nash stops by the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the show's origins, its influence, and why Matt has a major problem with the Ham4Ham lotto. Don't throw away your s...

"Helen is always willing..." What has sex, wall to wall music, and a golden apple? Why, THE GOLDEN APPLE! Alex Weisman (HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, SESAME STREET) stops by the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the first Off-Broadway musical to transfer to the Great White Way. Alex also introduces Matt to a new Broadway game and the two talk about musical theatre tropes, Sally Murphy, and what...

"I've always been shy!" Broadway Breakdown goes into the 1950's with the Golden Age wunderkind Charles Kirsch (host of Backstage Babble)! Matt and Charles discuss the rowdy "not your typical fairy tale" musical ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. Both wholesome and rowdy, the musical has been popular for decades but has only had one Broadway revival...and Matt thinks for a good reason! The two also discuss the...

"It's a privilege to pee..." What is URINETOWN? Is it the end? A lie? Or a brilliant musical that spawned a generation of meta-spoof musicals? All the above! Breakdown alum Marc Tumminelli (Little Me, Broadway Workshop) returns to the pod to discuss with Matt the power of the ingenue, the importance of timing your Broadway opening, and illegal productions. FOLLOW YOUR HEART!! Learn more about your...

"Yeah, it's alright..." It's nonstop to the REAL!! Returning guest Marcus Scott comes back to the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the unclassifiable masterpiece that is PASSING STRANGE. The two discuss Rock n Roll on Broadway, BIPOC narratives in theatre, the show's connections to a Pulitzer Prize winning musical and perhaps why 2008 audiences chose IN THE HEIGHTS over PASSING STRANGE. Can you deal...

"I care a great deal. But not enough..." The 4 hour epic that launched Harvey Fierstein and finally made gay men palatable to many Americans...it's Torch Song Trilogy. Matt's mom, the iconic Dani Ticktin Koplik, stops by the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the relationship between a mother and gay son, the humiliations of love...and Matt divulges some personal details that mirror some of the play's...

"Viva La Vie Boheme..." Broadway Breakdown is BACK with the new series "The Big Move," covering select Off-Broadway to Broadway transfers. First up and in no particular order...RENT! Guncle of the pod Adam Elsberry (@adamels) is back to discuss with Matt all things Bohemia. The two also discuss toxic fandoms, the power of musical theatre, and a reappraisal of the character Benny. WELCOME BACK! Got...

"A pretty, pretty girl..." We're finishing "Underestimated" with the musical that gave the series its namesake...DIANA!!!!! A massive flop that is quickly turning around into becoming a cult classic. And Matt has brought back Breakdown's very own John Wascavage to come and discuss the brilliantly bonkers show in all of its glory! Snap, Click INDEED! PLUS! Broadway Breakdown has now launched a Patr...