A Musical Theatre Podcast

Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY is often defined as the first "concept musical" in theatre history, but this week we explore how universal this legendary musical is. Here to help us are Nikki Renee Daniels ("Jenny" from the recent Tony-winning Broadway revival, and the first Black woman to play "Bobbie"), and Teri Ralston ("Jenny" from the original Tony-winning Broadway production). While their experie...

There would be no OKLAHOMA! without SHOW BOAT. Hard stop. So why does the former get the glory of marking the beginning of modern musical theatre? Today, historian and author Thomas S. Hischak joins us to discuss the singular splash of the 1927 epic musical SHOW BOAT, and how its creators set out to make a truly American musical. Whether or not you know all the lyrics to "Ol' Man River" by heart,...

If you've ever listened to "A Musical Theatre Podcast," you already know a little bit about THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK. Find out how by tuning into our first episode of 2023 featuring one of the original "West End Witches," Lucie Arnaz (Broadway's THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, PIPPIN). Lucie gives us a generous look inside the creation of this sexy, magic-filled show and shares h...

In the name of "Merry Christmas" and the holiday season, welcome to Israel! In 1961, MILK AND HONEY premiered on Broadway and brought with it the first major musical theatre representation of Jewish life as well as an introduction to a little, off-Broadway composer named Jerry Herman. Musical theatre creator, educator, and podcast host David Armstrong joins us to discuss this lesser known show wit...

THE SECRET GARDEN is a timeless story with a lot of layers, just like our two guests who were gracious enough to discuss it with us this week. Tony-winning Daisy Eagan ("Mary Lennox," herself) and John Cameron Mitchell (do you think of him as "Hedwig" first, or Dickon?) enjoy a mini reunion in this episode that has a bit of everything, including "earth." Come to the garden, and stay for the "T!" D...

While it may have flopped on Broadway, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES was a winner in Europe and our recent poll on PATREON! So if you're thinking you're too sophisticated for this episode, get ready to realize all the fun you've been missing while you've been rolling your eyes. Talented performer and podcast host Jake Saenz (Fear the Talking Queers) joins us this week for an irreverent discussion on the j...

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS ran for only two months on Broadway at the end of 2010, but in that short time it managed to spark controversy that not only brought protestors outside the theatre, but 12 Tony nominations the following Spring. Luckily our special guest this week is able to provide us with some context. Original off-Broadway and Broadway cast member Josh Breckenridge (COME FROM AWAY, THE BOOK O...

No need for cute introductory copy here. This week we are simply honored that Tony Award winning composing team Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (RAGTIME, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, ANASTASIA) stopped by to discuss their beautiful musical A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE. Don't miss this fun and poignant conversation about the power of theatre, community, and Terrence McNally's Bloomingdale visits. Also, feel fre...

The only thing more challenging than securing a big hit on Broadway is figuring out how to follow it up with another big hit. For the team of the juggernaut musical HAIRSPRAY, that follow up was a musical adaptation of Stephen Spielberg's hit film CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. And while this story of America's famed juvenile conman may not have been the resounding success they'd hoped for, there is still p...

Never has a child changed the world so much by asking for seconds. The musical OLIVER! is somewhat of an outlier in 1960s musical theatre that's as dark as it is joyful and filled to the brim with wonderful characters. Here to discuss it this week is another wonderful character: historical chef, author and YouTube sensation Max Miller! Max dives into his love of musicals as he and Jeff discuss Cha...

How on earth do you name a brand new musical SOMETHING ROTTEN, open it cold on Broadway and somehow still have a hit? Short answer: magic. Long answer: listen to this week's episode with original Tony-nominated Nostradamus, Brad Oscar! Brad dusts off his soothsayer powers to tell us everything about this show that loves musicals as much as it "hates" Shakespeare. Follow Brad on Instagram @bradosca...

Here's a little something to help you through the end of your week! Jeff brings you a mini episode spotlighting the latest offering on PATREON! in which author Adam Abraham drops by to talk about the release of his new book exploring the Cultural History of the musical Little Shop of Horrors. "Attack of the Monster Musical" is a must read, and this conversation is a must listen. Listen to the full...

Well, it didn't take 100 years, but today is finally the day BRIGADOON comes to life on the podcast! Here to discuss the magical beauty of this 1947 musical is a Tony nominee from the 1980 revival, actor and educator Meg Bussert (BRIGADOON, CAMELOT, DAMN YANKEES). Tune in to hear Meg's first hand accounts of working alongside true musical theatre legends (including Alan Jay Lerner and Agnes de Mil...

RAISIN was named the Best Musical of 1974. Have you seen it? Can you sing a song from it? Here to argue why our answers to both of these questions should be "yes" is director, puppeteer, historian, and archivist Jerrell L Henderson. Tune in to hear how this musical adaptation of A RAISIN IN THE SUN is filled with integrity, history, and legendary star power. It's the next best thing to experiencin...

It might be the oldest title we cover on "A Musical Theatre Podcast" thanks to some well written listener requests! THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE found incredible success on Broadway over a century after it premiered there in 1879. Here to discuss composing team Gilbert & Sullivan and how PIRATES and their other iconic works changed everything is teacher and performer Gina Morgano. Join Jeff and Gina fo...

It's been a rough month, so we're taking a Christmas in July vacation this week to discuss one of the very few holiday musicals to be nominated for Best Musical at the Tony Awards: A CHRISTMAS STORY. Joining us for a conversation about this wild and nostalgic look at the Christmas season is a guest who was with this show from version 1.0 to Broadway to the Live TV special and everything in between...

It's Pride month, and we're celebrating with the drag mother of musicals: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Joining us to explore this traditional yet groundbreaking milestone is original Broadway cast member David Engel (FOREVER PLAID, SEUSSICAL, PUTTING IT TOGETHER). Please enjoy all the charming first hand accounts you could ever wish for plus a crash course in French and a beautiful reminder that 1983 was b...

Recently we chose five musicals from our listener request list that had all won the "Best Musical Tony Award" and allowed our social media followers to vote on which we should cover to celebrate next week's 2022 Tony Ceremony. The winner? Kander & Ebb's "darksical" KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN. Not only was this musical groundbreaking when it opened on Broadway in 1993, but it also has one of the most...

A wisecracking sound designer once said, "The audience doesn't leave humming the lights." Whoever said it, they have a point. That's why this week's episode dedicated to the rock musical THE WHO'S TOMMY features a guest with one of the most important jobs in musical theatre! But Cricket Myers is no ordinary sound designer. She was also the first woman to ever be Tony nominated for "Best Sound Desi...

In 1951, THE KING AND I changed musical theatre, and now in 2022, the modern world has changed THE KING AND I. While everyone can (and should) have an opinion on this work of art, this week’s episode provides context for those opinions thanks to some incredible guests. Historian from the Library of Congress, Mark Eden Horowitz, joins us after spending an entire year studying the correspondence of...

Whether you've already met or have yet to meet the genius creativity that is PASSING STRANGE, this episode invites you to truly come as you are. Chita Rivera Award Winner, Todd Underwood (director/choreographer of the current SLAC production) joins us for a very personal conversation about musical poetry, artistic journeys and, of course, "the real." You're gonna want to watch this musical after t...

Major masterwork SWEENEY TODD has made us all wince, laugh, and think since its bloody premiere in 1979. Joining us this week to discuss what makes this killer musical simmer and explode is Tony nominee (SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical), Sondheim star (the off Broadway Assassins), and all around "Sweeney Fan," the very smart and talented Ethan Slater! Don't miss this episode full of la...

The closest we've been to a new-old school "star vehicle" in modern musical theatre is unquestionably THE BOY FROM OZ which tells the story of the divinely flamboyant Peter Allen and probably wouldn't have been on Broadway, let alone a big hit, without the star wattage of Allen's Aussie countryman, Hugh Jackman. Here this week to discuss this musical and other important Australian exports (like ac...

"Giving the nation a new syncopation" requires many things, maybe most important... a conductor. Here this week to discuss the musical masterpiece RAGTIME (that's right, masterpiece!) is the musical director and conductor for the show's entire original Broadway run, David Loud. Who better to discuss the inner workings of this complex look at America than the guy with the best seat in the house and...

Today we're "crossing the line" and exploring the mega fun listener request BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL. Joining us to discuss this show's reach, ambition, and experimentation (not kidding) is someone who understands all three of those words very well. Becky Birdsong has been a major gifts officer at some of the most prestigious regional theatres in the country, and we can't wait for you to learn wha...