A Musical Theatre Podcast

This week we're celebrating Black History Month with a musical so groundbreaking, it has a tornado! Broadway legend (AIN'T MISBEHAVIN, CATS), and Cowardly Lion, Ken Page joins us to discuss the history, artistry, and sheer belief that brought about the musical THE WIZ. Join us to hear how these familiar characters from Oz provided musical theatre with insight into the Black experience that has ent...

Time for a deep dive into the most groundbreaking show most of us will never see. Thanks to listener Colden, this week we're covering LADY IN THE DARK with lifelong super fan (and director, writer, and actor) Michael Van Duzer! We also get a mini session with Dr Alisa Hurwitz (Dr Drama herself) to bring context to mental health in both 1941 and 2022. These more historical musicals can be a bit of...

The moment you think you may know everything about musical theatre is the moment you should talk to Klea Blackhurst about ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. This week we sit down with this amazing singer, actress, and "Merman-ologist" to laugh, warble, and explore the all time greatest musical theatre star (Ethel Merman) in one of her all time greatest roles (Annie Oakley). We can't wait for you to hear about th...

Today we're celebrating "Women Power" with the 2005 musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's groundbreaking novel LITTLE WOMEN. Joining us to discuss this holiday worthy listener request is the hilarious and heartwarming "March sister veteran" Gwen Hollander, and Stage Manager turned CEO Jen Kahn stops by to discuss her powerful journey as creator of the highly successful company Scenery Bags!  N...

The 1962 musical LITTLE ME has one of the great comedic scores of all time, and it just so happens our incredible guest Mary Gordon Murray was Tony nominated for singing it! Join us as this Broadway pro reflects on belly laughs, boob jokes, and her memories with legends like Cy Coleman, Bob Fosse, and yes, Stephen Sondheim. If you don't know LITTLE ME, you're about to! Be sure to like, subscribe,...

The controversial musical THE BOOK OF MORMON has been a popular listener request for quite some time, and in this episode, we finally get to share those "mission stories" you've been craving. Longtime "Nabalungi" Candace Quarrels joins Jeff to talk faith, biting satire, and "being right vs getting it right." This is definitely your not so typical episode about a not so typical musical. Follow Cand...

After almost 20 years, it's time to look back with fresh eyes at the Boy George musical TABOO and realize how pioneering it was. Guest J Bailey Burcham joins us as we evoke the New Romantic Era, discuss queer identities in musical theatre, and express our undying love for Rosie O'Donnell. And if that's not enough, original cast member Sarah Uriarte Berry stops by to share quite possibly the best a...

In the genre of horror musicals, there's nothing quite like CARRIE. In fact, to quote the original Broadway poster, "There's never been a musical like her." Here to celebrate Halloween 2021 and discuss the evolution of this flop turned cult classic turned high school musical is one of the stars of "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" Julia Lester! Be sure to follow Julia on Instagram @ju...

The moment has finally come for Jeff to recognize he began this entire podcast saying he wasn't a fan of MAMMA MIA! Who better, then, to help him through than the woman who performed the show on Broadway over 4,000 times!? This week we welcome the incredible Judy McLane to talk ABBA and the undeniable power this joyful musical has brought millions of people around the world. We also get a visit fr...

To those convinced the Titanic couldn't sink and the stage musical version would, "You were spectacularly wrong." This week we're discussing the creation, tragedy, and hope within the Tony winning Best Musical TITANIC with the original Broadway Kate McGowen, and now Broadway producer, Jennifer Piech. Join us as we delve into the stress and exhilaration (often happening at the same time) of the cre...

Rodgers and Hammerstein's FLOWER DRUM SONG is a special breed of musical: one that was both revolutionary and problematic at the same time. So what does one do with a piece of history like that? Answer: hire David Henry Hwang. Today we welcome Daniel May, Broadway cast member from the 2002 revival, to discuss this beautiful show that too few have seen. Along the way, we share a touching tribute to...

THE PAJAMA GAME is a silly, melodic and "scandalous" musical that has one of the biggest cultural footprints in all of musical theatre! Skeptical? Join us to explore the stars, songs, and union rallies of this now rarely produced classic with actor Jonathan Chisolm as well as the Western Vice President of Actors Equity Association, Doug Carfrae. Pull on those pajamas and enjoy! Follow Jonathan on...

EVITA features one of the most complex musical scores and real-life characters in all of theatre. But how much do we musical fans really know about Eva Duarte de Peron? Joining us this week to talk about this mega musical is Javier Manente, a talented musical theatre performer who just so happens to be born and raised in Argentina, the country she never wanted to see cry. Get ready for a fun conve...

An epic show deserves an epic episode. To honor the groundbreaking musical A CHORUS LINE, we welcome four dancers, all with unique experiences "on the line" to continue the show's legacy of spotlighting what they do for love. Thank you, Caitlin Carter (Original Revival Cast of CHICAGO), Steven Hack (Original Cast of CATS), J Elaine Marcos (Broadway's ANNIE and THE WEDDING SINGER), and Eddie Gutier...

In honor of Pride Month, we're gonna "raise you up" with an inspiring conversation about the hit musical KINKY BOOTS. Longtime cast member Sam Zeller joins us to share his personal stories of how this show has brought about change, his pretty amazing Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein impressions, and what happens when you wear the kinky boots a little too often.  To learn more about Sam, check out...

It's your one freebie! This very special episode on the importance of Community Theatre was originally intended to only be available on PATREON! (www.patreon.com/amusicalpodcast) While the entire conversation is still only available to PATREON! subscribers, this conversation is so touching, we had to make an edited version available to everyone that hasn't yet subscribed. Please enjoy this intimat...

There is no country in the world quite like the United States of America, and there is no musical in theatre history quite like ASSASSINS, a show that manages to be scary, hilarious, critical, and patriotic all at the same time. (Kinda like the USA itself.) Here to discuss it this week is actor, producer, and longtime Sondheim fan Kila Packett. So fire up your grill this Memorial Day weekend and e...

"CAMELOT is not boring!" shouts this week's guest Jenny Lockwood on a daily basis. And you know, this episode proves her correct. Whether exploring the multiple hospital visits in its creation, the relevancy of its themes, or the way it's synonymous with one of history's great American tragedies, this musical is much more than "one brief shining moment." Let's all thank Jenny for convincing Jeff t...

A Musical Theatre Podcast finally has a patreon, and in the grand tradition of classic musicals, we're calling it PATREON! (because you gotta have the exclamation point..) Listen to this mini episode to find out how you can keep the podcast thriving and, as a special thank you, gain access to exclusive content, all for only $1 a month. Join the Patreon Fam today! Join our Patreon fam for only $1 a...

The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical NEXT TO NORMAL is the perfect way to usher us into Mental Health Awareness Month. It also provides actor Ryan Leslie Fisher with the chance to join us and discuss its groundbreaking tone, his first time seeing it (drunk tears were involved), and his own "next to normal" family. Side note- We recommend you listen while consuming chocolate just like Jeff did while...

Not only do we get to celebrate one of the great musicals of the 1990s with someone who ran it, we also get to do it with someone who wrote it! Production Stage Manager Jill Gold and the musical's Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel join us this week to talk about the uber clever CITY OF ANGELS. Between giving much deserved love to stage management teams and sharing in the love that went into creat...

It's the musical that's on everybody's lips, and it only took 30 years for it to get there. This week we welcome performer, writer, and choreographer Corey Wright to discuss everything from his love of Fosse to meeting John Kander in Peru. In other words, "all the things we hold near and dear to our hearts." It's our episode dedicated to CHICAGO... and all that jazz. Keep up with Corey Wright on T...

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is a love letter to musical theatre known for being sweet, goofy, and controversial. Joining us this week to discuss this listener request is someone proud to have been called all of those words at one point or another in his career... publicist extraordinaire Ken Werther! Tune in to enjoy all the little "bluebirds" this creatively original musical provides. To stay in touch w...

This week we're celebrating Black artists in musical theatre, just like the delightful musical PLAY ON! Join us as we welcome original Broadway cast member (and "Beyonce's mom") Yvette Cason to discuss this gone too soon musical that not only introduced teenage Jeff to her incredible talents (this woman can SING!) but also the legendary work of Duke Ellington and many others. *Warning- you may wan...

BIG FISH is an American myth of a musical whose audience continues to grow just like the tall tales it celebrates. Joining us this week to discuss all things fathers, sons, and Susan Stroman is her "what if" guy: the original Associate Director for the Broadway production, Jeff Whiting! Together, Jeff and Jeff will take you through the emotional journey of this beautiful story and laugh at all the...