A Musical Theatre Podcast

Happy Pride Month Everyone! This week we're celebrating by covering a listener request and all around great musical FUN HOME with special guest Alyssa M Simmons. Join us for a personal conversation about this groundbreaking musical that, believe it or not, is actually more fun than a funeral home.  Be sure to follow Alyssa on Instagram @alyssamsimmons and check out her Star Wars podcast "Inside th...

In any discussion of the musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, the central piece of the conversation is inevitable: "Who is playing Norma Desmond? And who should be playing Norma Desmond?" To explore the ups and downs of that musical theatre "tradition," Jeff is joined this week by guest Ryan O'Connor. Together they journey the drama filled road that is now synonymous with this Andrew Lloyd Webber classic. Wa...

Amid the events of this past week, we felt the need to dedicate an episode of our podcast to the BLACK LIVES MATTER movement and specifically how it relates to musical theatre. Theatre/film/television actress Sharon Catherine Brown joins us for a conversation about her career that has broken through racial boundaries on Broadway and the toll it takes on the black artists willing to do it. After li...

This week we're covering a musical to help us all look forward to the future! THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, the new stage adaptation of the famed animated musical film had recently opened in the West End and was playing to sold out houses before closing due to the global pandemic. In this episode we talk with the show's associate director J Scott Lapp, its two stars Luke Brady and Christine Allado, and the...

What better time to delve into the musical FINDING NEVERLAND than when "the world is upside down?!" Guest, and host of "The Musical Man" podcast, Jon Pernisek joins us for a conversation about this unique show that has its heart in the right place... and then you remember Harvey Weinstein was behind it all. Not to worry, though, we also have a message from Broadway and National Tour cast member Ca...

Hate 'em or secretly wanna be 'em, this week we're talking about the HEATHERS with special guest and original cast member Rachel Flynn. Join us for a conversation about this dark and satirical take on the high school experience with plenty of laughs and brains to accompany all the murder. You can learn more about Rachel and her career on Instagram and Twitter @radiofreerachel Follow "A Musical The...

Who better to discuss the details of classic characters in a classic Broadway musical than a guy who draws them? Squigs, a superb actor and now famous caricaturist, is our guest this week to discuss GUYS AND DOLLS. Take a trip back to the Golden Age with this forever young, Frank Loesser gem. While you're there, enjoy the "I Love Lucy" references. Follow the fold, I mean SQUIGS, on Instagram and T...

On this week's special episode, original Broadway cast member Geno Carr joins us to discuss the musical journey of COME FROM AWAY, a perfect example of "good thing it happened, otherwise you'd never believe it." Be sure to follow Geno on Instagram and Twitter @genocarr. Follow "A Musical Theatre Podcast" wherever you may be listening and share us with your friends! Join us on Instagram, TikTok and...

Who's in the mood for some high-quality diva worship? Guest Sam Herbst joins us this week for a conversation dedicated to SIDE SHOW, the cult musical phenom that wears its heart on its sleeve and creates screlting-based goose bumps in the process. Be warned, the musical theatre geek force in this episode is STRONG.  Follow Sam on Twitter and Instagram @mrsamherbst Follow "A Musical Theatre Podcast...

The cow, the cape, the hair, the slippers... whatever your reason may be, join us as we head INTO THE WOODS this week with our special guest Sara Kapner! Together, she and Jeff marvel at the current relevance of this show, reflect on the genius of Mr. Sondheim, and still find time to ponder the importance of vegetables in musicals. Special thanks to listener Amanda who requested we cover the show...

It's musical podcasts unite as this week we discuss TUCK EVERLASTING, a musical requested by both listener Rachel (thank you Rachel!) and this week's guest Jesse McAnally (that's Mackinalley) from the podcast "Musicals with Cheese."  Step into the world of immortality, REALLY old teenagers, and quite possibly the most effective dream ballet in musical history. Follow more from our guest Jesse on T...

You guys, don't feed the plants. And while you're at it, wear a mask. As the world continues to fight a pandemic, Jeff and guest/actor/musician Michael J Willett (Faking It, GBF, Dolly's Parton's Heartstrings) discuss another threat all of humanity has endured: Audrey II.  Get ready for a fun conversation about the amazing musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS recorded in an LA apartment because they lit...

It's one of the greatest scores in theatre history written by some of the most progressive minds of the time. We promise Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC isn't the total yawn you think it is. Join Jeff and guest Kirsten Chandler for a funny and thoughtful conversation about this Pulitzer Prize winning musical that broke the musical theatre ground we're all standing on and made it stronger....

AIDA. One name. All the feels. Guest Brittany Campbell (HAMILTON) talks with Jeff about this rock concert of a show that instantly earned Heather Headley goddess status, and in the process, brought us all the soapy drama we were craving. Along the way, Jeff learns about what it's like to be a nine-year old on Broadway.  Visit Brittany on Instagram at @brittanycampbellmusic and listen to her music...

We know you're gonna like it HEEERRRRRE! Why? Because this week we're talking about everyone's favorite curly redhead (after Gwen Verdon that is...), ANNIE! Jeff and guest Adam Wachter (Encore! on Disney+) explore this classic musical like never before. Did Miss Hannigan have to breastfeed Annie? Who is Laurie Beechman? And how can you tell how old children are? No really... Adam wants to know. Ke...

Happy Black History Month! On this week's episode Jeff and guest Bryce Charles sit down for a "human heart to heart" on ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, making room along the way to discuss Quan La Chanze, Queen Audra, and even listen to a special message from original Broadway cast member Gerry McIntyre.  Follow our guest Bryce Charles on Instagram @bryce_charles and if you're in the mood for her nerdy side,...

It's our first "Flop Episode," and we're starting out with a bang! This week we explore why the "f word" will not be a curse word on this podcast and do so with Tony-nominated composer Larry Grossman (now 81 years old). Jeff and Larry discuss his impressive career, including three of his Broadway outings that didn't necessarily have the fairy tale endings he would have wanted, but have supplied mu...

Welcome to "Casting Desiree- A Podcast." It's our first Stephen Sondheim episode, and this week it's all about A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, a very elegant musical about sex-crazed rich people. Guest Tom Zohar joins us to discuss the genius of Sondheim lyrics, the length of "Liaisons," and who would make up the perfect next revival of this delicious show.  For more Tom Zohar, we highly recommend following...

Time for a little visit to Neverland as Jeff and guest Katie DeShan talk about PETER PAN, the timeless musical of a boy (or girl playing a boy) who wouldn't grow up. Along the way, they share their unusual commonality with the show, explore the fails of flying in the theatre, and get to the heart of why this story continues to be remade over and over and over again. For more info about our guest,...

Jeff sits down with guest (and good friend of Olaf the snowman) Bruce Merkle to discuss the famous Arendelle sisters, the commercialization of Broadway, and why audiences lose their minds when an actor changes their costume really quickly. Also, Jeff tries to explain the premise of the television show The Bachelor. Keep up with all things Bruce Merkle by following him on Instagram @BruceMerkle Fol...

Happy 2020! We're back at it, and thanks to listener Sebastian, the first musical we're covering this year is IN THE HEIGHTS. Five time "Abuela" Debra Cardona stops by to talk about Lin-Manuel Miranda's 2005 "slice of life" musical featuring a story and characters that are as important to the Latinx community as they are relatable to any audience. Also, what flavor would you order from the Piragua...

As the film version of CATS continues to cause the modern world to scream "What on earth is a Jellicle Cat?!" Jeff sits down with director/super fan James Vasquez and Broadway vet John Treacy Egan to discuss this anomaly of Musical Theatre. How did a musical about cats become the first mega blockbuster of this art form? And why, in 2019, is everyone still surprised by it? Follow our guests on Inst...

Broadway soprano Teri Bibb (SHE LOVES ME, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) joins Jeff to discuss the legacy of Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN and answer the questions: "Where do sopranos go after they turn 40?" "What exactly is a 'shipoopi?'" and "How similar is Harold Hill to a president named Donald Trump?" Check out current projects, video, and photos of Teri in her many gowns at www. TeriBibb.com F...

In this week's episode, Jeff and guest Michael Betts discuss the glory of Jerry Herman's smash hit HELLO, DOLLY! and along the way, touch on musicals with exclamation points, the hallmarks of a good Carol Channing impression, and what's at the heart of this delightful comedy. And if that wasn't enough, original Broadway cast member Mary Jo Catlett stops by to chat about her memories of the origina...

On this week's episode, Jeff and guest Kelley Dorney discuss rated R musicals, the difference between "queens" and "kwans," and how a bohemian named Jonathan Larson forever changed the musical theatre landscape. Wanna hear how freakishly talented Kelley is? Check out her YouTube channel. Follow "A Musical Theatre Podcast" wherever you may be listening and share us with your friends! Join us on Ins...