What About Theater?

Discover the incredible life and career of Otto Harbach, the "Dean of American Librettists". In this episode of What About Theater? we explore how Harbach transitioned from an English professor to a Broadway powerhouse, pioneering the integrated musical. Learn about his legendary collaborations with Jerome Kern, Rudolf Friml, and George Gershwin, the stories behind classic songs like "Smoke Gets i...

From comic opera to vaudeville, from forgotten gems to shows that once packed theaters across the country, Smith’s work reveals a creative force who helped define what American musical theater would become. Yet today, his name barely registers outside scholarly circles. We explore: How Harry B. Smith became the “Uber Librettist” of his generation His collaborations with Victor Herbert, Reginald De...

Step into the glittering, witty, and irresistibly sophisticated world of Cole Porter , one of Broadway’s most iconic and influential composers. In this episode of What About Theater? , Daryl explores Porter’s remarkable journey from small‑town Indiana to the salons of Paris and the bright lights of Broadway. Discover how Porter’s razor‑sharp wordplay, lush melodies, and daring sense of humor resha...

Learn the top 10 ways to help yourself to succeed in the musical theater world.

Explore the wonderful and colorful world of the ever-changing Broadway musical in the 1900s.

Discover the amazing and colorful world of Broadway Musicals in the 1900s.

Explore more of the musical world of the great Victor Herbert.

Discover the 10 best paths to success in musical theatre.

Explore the ever-changing world of Broadway musicals in the 1900s..

I want to thank everyone for bearing with me during my stay in the hospital and rehab.

Nora Bayes — The Original Broadway Firecracker Nora Bayes was one of the brightest, boldest stars of early American entertainment—a singer, comedian, songwriter, and vaudeville powerhouse whose influence stretched from the music halls of the 1890s to the Broadway revues of the 1920s. In this episode, Daryl explores Bayes’s remarkable career across vaudeville, musical comedy, and the Ziegfeld Folli...

Step into a world of romance, whimsy, and turn‑of‑the‑century theatrical magic as What About Theater? explores the life and legacy of composer Victor Herbert — one of the foundational architects of American musical theater. In this episode, Daryl takes you on a melodic journey through Herbert’s most beloved operettas and musicals, from the fairy‑tale charm of Babes in Toyland to the sweeping roman...

Step into the swing‑era sparkle of the 1930s as What About Theater? explores the Broadway musicals that defined a decade of resilience and creativity. Even in the midst of the Great Depression, composers like George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Rodgers & Hart produced some of the most iconic shows in musical theater history. From the jazzy energy of Girl Crazy to the Pulitzer Prize‑winni...

Step into the glittering world of the Jazz Age as What About Theater? explores the Broadway musicals that defined the 1920s. This episode dives into the shows, creators, and stars who transformed American musical theater during one of its most vibrant decades. From Jerome Kern’s early hits to the groundbreaking impact of Shuffle Along, the 1920s brought new sounds, new stories, and a bold new thea...

Welcome to What About Theater?, the show where we explore the stories, the people, and the backstage magic that shaped the world of performance. I’m your host, Reverend Daryl Taylor‑Hazel, and today we’re stepping back into the bustling, boisterous 1890s — a decade when American entertainment reinvented itself. We’re talking about vaudeville — the variety show that became the heartbeat of a nation...

“Welcome to the new season of What About Theater? —the podcast where host Daryl Taylor‑Hazel explores the magic, meaning, and behind‑the‑scenes stories of the stage. From comedies and dramas to the vibrant world of musical theater, this new season brings fresh conversations, new insights, and a renewed celebration of the art we love. If you’ve ever wondered what really makes theater come alive, yo...