A Musical Theatre Podcast

Happy Pride! It's the perfect time to discuss the listener requested HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, a loud, in-your-face musical experiment that has sparked one of the more philosophical episodes in our history. Joining us is the talented Matt Rodin (BEAU THE MUSICAL, COMPANY) who reflects on his transformative time with the musical and, along with Jeff, uses more pronouns and pronunciations than Hedw...

Truth Freedom Beauty Love, but maybe most of all... love. Surrender to the kinetic energy and sweeping romance of La Belle Epoque, beware of the tuberculosis, as Jeff and guest Ryan Garcia (The Try Guys) discuss the Tony winning Best Musical MOULIN ROUGE! Guesses only: who do you think is a fan of the film, and who isn't? Be sure to check out Ryan's podcast Big Theatre Kid Energy and follow him on...

There is one musical that holds the Guiness Book of World Records for "most visitors to a musical in a single theatre." Congratulations on not realizing it's STARLIGHT EXPRESS. (We didn't know it either!) This week, we're exploring the cultural and emotional impact of Andrew Lloyd Webber's roller skating musical that is still playing to packed houses around the world. Is it a little silly? Absolut...

This week we're celebrating AAPI month and the recent Drama Desk nominations with guest Maria-Christina Oliveras. "MCO" was just nominated for her current performance in the new Tony-nominated play THE BALUSTERS, but long before that, she was part of the original team that created the groundbreaking musical HERE LIES LOVE. This listener request musical is an unusual piece created by "capital A" ar...

Of "all the places you'd go" see SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, producers had probably hoped it'd been during its initial Broadway outing. Well, as you'll find out in this week's episode, that hope wasn't exactly fulfilled. However, the premiere of this now incredibly popular musical did give birth to the quintessential casting of Kevin Chamberlin as Horton the Elephant and the second of his three Tony no...

It's the longest episode title in the history of "A Musical Theatre Podcast," but funny enough, it's not even the longest musical title mentioned in the episode. This week, we're covering the Pulitzer Prize winning HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, and we're doing it with award winning writer/composer Ryan Scott Oliver (35 MM, JASPER IN DEADLAND). Listening to this celebrated, mode...

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME is one of the most popular musicals to never have a Broadway run, but its epic story of Quasimodo and his bell tower home had reached legend status long before the Disney produced stage musical premiered in Germany. Here to chat about the film, the novel it's based on, and the story of how they found their way to the stage is someone who knows a thing or two about epic...

It's time for another glimpse at what you're missing if you're not already a subscriber at PATREON! For only a few dollars each month, subscribers gain access to bonus content made special for fans of "A Musical Theatre Podcast." Case in point, listen to this preview of our conversation with Tim Weil, original musical director of the musical RENT, who has written a book shedding new light on this...

The most profound element of the musical THE FULL MONTY is that its nudity is only a symbol of the greater vulnerability the characters express throughout the story. Here this week to dive into that vulnerability (and let's be honest, the nudity) is everyone's favorite "bestie," Misha Brown. Before becoming an influencer and author with 8 million followers, Misha performed THE FULL MONTY in the mi...

"God Save the Queen(s)!" This week we're covering not one, but six of the greatest divas currently on Broadway. Join us as we discuss the musical SIX, and the history behind it, with two very special guests: author, tour guide, and Broadway dresser Teale Dvornik (WICKED), and the current reigning "queen of green," Gianna Yanelli (SIX, MEAN GIRLS)! Learn more about Teale and her business through he...

Happy New Year, listeners! We're starting off 2026 with one of the most famous musicals of all time, but while everyone has at least heard of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, most don't know its profound place in musical theatre history. Join guest Tyler Joseph Ellis (SHUCKED) as we discuss nuns, Nazis, and of course, the sound of music. Everyone showed up to this episode wearing Rodgers & Hammerstein swag, so...

WAR PAINT was the Broadway follow up to the musical GREY GARDENS, so of course it's the GREY GARDENS follow up on "A Musical Theatre Podcast." This week, actor, interpreter, and influencer Caden Zane Marshall joins us to talk about two women whose impact has changed the world forever. (And no, we don't mean Christine Ebersole and Patti LuPone...this time.) Join us for a lively conversation about m...

This week we're spending another winter in a summer town as we cover the terrific 2006 musical GREY GARDENS. Here to not only have his cake but chew it and masticate it is the great Drew Droege (MESSY WHITE GAYS, TITANIQUE). Drew takes us through lesser-known accounts and perspectives on the Beale women, all while raising up the non-conformist ladies whose voices and humor give us life! Follow Dre...

Today we finish up our fall American Dream Miniseries with a surprise fourth episode dedicated to the listener requested BONNIE & CLYDE. This musical, maybe even more than the others we've covered in this miniseries, most easily represents the experience of Americans in 2025. Let that sink in for a minute! Here to discuss it is the show's book writer, Ivan Menchell (BONNIE & CLYDE, CHITTY CHITTY B...

The third entry in our "American Dream" miniseries of listener requests is the 1980 musical BARNUM. Now, that means it is not THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, and please don't come for Jeff if he speaks too candidly about that musical! Instead, join us for a lively discussion regarding the showmanship of P.T. Barnum and the musical that bears his name as well as the complex legacy of characters like him in A...

The second episode in our "American Dream miniseries" is dedicated to 1776, the listener requested, Best Musical winner of 1969. It's a surprisingly unconventional musical about the very beginnings of a government that is currently, as of this moment, shut down. Join our special guest Howard Sherman (arts administrator, writer, and advocate) as we look at how 1776 and HAIR could have premiered on...

Today we begin a mini-series on "A Musical Theatre Podcast" that will explore "the American Dream." These are musicals you listeners have requested that all have one thing in common: "being an American is a beautifully complicated thing." First up is the 1987 musical RAGS created originally by three titans of the art form: Charles Strouse (BYE BYE BIRDIE, ANNIE), Stephen Schwartz (WICKED, PIPPIN),...

"There are worse things than listening to a podcast on a Sunday!" Join special guest, and original cast member, Danielle Ferland ("Little Red" in Into the Woods) as we look back at her Broadway debut in the Pulitzer Prize winning, and listener requested, Sondheim/Lapine musical Sunday in the Park with George. Listen to stories about the nontraditional way this nontraditional musical was created an...

PARADE is by no means a "happy musical." But the way it has aged not only with audiences but within our culture has given it a happier ending than when it first opened in the 1999 Broadway season. This week, actor Max Chernin (Broadway's PARADE, BRIGHT STAR, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE) takes a moment from playing "Leo Frank" in the show's current national tour to discuss how the wounds from th...

"They're creepy and they're kooky," but they also mean a lot to so many of you! THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a musical based on the beloved characters by Charles Addams is one of the most performed musicals in the United States. Today, we look at why that might be. Joining us is one of Broadway's "Wednesdays," the amazing Rachel Potter (EVITA, WICKED), whose new album "Stages" features one the musical's mos...

SMILE, a musical by Howard Ashman and Marvin Hamlisch about a teen beauty pageant may not have won the crown when it premiered on Broadway back in 1986, but it was the winner of this year's "Flop Shop" PATREON! poll. We're hoping now a few more people will know just how important this musical is! Director, podcaster, and educator Robert W. Schneider joins us just having finished directing a produc...

Just as DEATH BECOMES HER celebrates 10 Tony nominations, we're thrilled to celebrate our new episode dedicated to this brand-new Broadway hit! Joining us is one of the nominees, the hilarious book writer himself, Marco Pennette (TV's Ugly Betty & Mom), and one of hard-working cast members keeping the show going 8 performances a week, Kaleigh Cronin (Cabaret, A Bronx Tale, Jersey Boys). Marco is a...

"Let me give you the lowdown, we're K-razy for 'Lew!'" This week we're covering a game changing musical based on a game changing musical (get ready for Jeff's "Expired Ketchup" metaphor) featuring the Broadway debut of a performer who's now enjoying her Broadway debut as a choreographer! It's CRAZY FOR YOU with Shannon Lewis! Shannon (JUST IN TIME, FOSSE, CURTAINS, SWEET CHARITY, and so many more....

Beetlejuice...Beetlejuice...Beetle-just kidding, we're not that crazy. Today, we're talking about "you know who," and we're doing it with original Broadway cast member and current dance captain on the BEETLEJUICE national tour, Ryan Breslin! (NEWSIES, THE BOOK OF MORMON, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY) Join us as we delve into the history of this fan favorite musical, the lore of the Netherworl...

This week we're the luckiest people in the world as "funny girl" Ruby Karp joins us to discuss the legendary musical FUNNY GIRL. Throughout the conversation there is plenty of love for Babs, plenty of "not love" for Nicky Arnstein, and even a hypothesis regarding who Fanny Brice's third husband would have been in the 2020s. Follow Ruby on Instagram at @rubykarp and don't miss her show I DON'T TRUS...