Broadway Breakdown

"It's sort of the MAGNOLIA of Christmas movies." SURPRISE!!! Just in time for the holidays, Broadway Breakdown has gifted you a special bonus episode with recurring guest Ali Gordon ALL about the Netflix masterpiece/garbage fire that is "Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square." Matt and Ali get into EVERYTHING about this movie: the songs, the drama, and characters getting impregnated by Dolly Part...

"All of his songs are bops" Look Out! Look Out! Look Out! Look Out! Devin Holloway (SOMETHING ROTTEN, MOTOWN, 42ND STREET) comes to the Breakdown to discuss his obsession with Disney tunesmith and purveyor of childhood dreams Alan Menken! Devin and Matt also discuss which recording of Little Shop is definitive, performing with legends, and the destruction of childhood imagination. ALLEY-OOP! Learn...

"How do you silence a woman who's known for her belt?" THE PROM is now on Netflix! And audio issues can't stop Matt from voicing his opinions with his iconic mother by his side. The two discuss the pros and cons of Ryan Murphy's movie adaptation of the stage musical. They also talk about the original Broadway production's secret weapon, why James Corden isn't the enemy, and how a wig can ruin a sc...

"I'll eat some breakfast, then change the world." Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee're BACK! Broadway Encyclopedia and Perpetual Opinionated Gay Matt Koplik returns with special guest Jimmy Larkin (aka @letshearitforthechoice)!!! Jimmy stops by to discuss his obsession with the musical landmark HAIRSPRAY. The two also discuss Brandi in Cinderella, dressing up as Dorothy in homemade Wizard of Oz costumes, and why...

"The last thing you wanna think when someone is having a murderous breakdown is 'This is a bop.'" PART 2!!! Matt and Adam decide ONCE AND FOR ALL: Which is the Better WILD PARTY? And does "best" always mean "favorite"? Can music be enjoyable but not effective? All of these questions (and many more) are answered! Get into it, Toni Collette! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...

"To quote Uma Thurman on SMASH, 'I'm here to Dig Deep." IT'S A FIRST!!! Broadway Breakdown is doing a Two-Parter Episode!! Matt invites his good Judy Adam Elsberry to figure out once and for all the question that has haunted Broadway chat rooms and frat boy keg parties for years: "Which is the better WILD PARTY?" And the answer is too complicated for just ONE episode! SO WE SPLIT IT INTO TWO!. Par...

“There's a lot of Gossip Girl in AMADEUS…” The National Theatre just streamed their recent production of AMADEUS, so Matt brought back his close friend (and fellow nerd) Ali Gordon to talk about their deep love for the brilliant play and its even better Oscar-winning film adaptation. The two also discuss film editing that f*cks in the movie, how history's perception makes us see art and the Mozart...

"Dancing and singing at the same time is really hard." The Broadway Gal Pal with a voice like velvet Lauren Nicole Chapman (FROZEN, KINKY BOOTS) joins the Breakdown to discuss her obsession with SWEET CHARITY. Specifically the 2005 revival w/ Christina Applegate, but also the show in general. She and Matt also discuss their days doing shows together in college, the stress of out-of-town tryouts, a...

"HAMILTON is aspiring for us to do exactly what we're doing right now." The hottest ticket on Broadway is in your living room! Matt is joined by his lovely friend Andrew to discuss their love and appreciation for the juggernaut musical HAMILTON, and touch on the difficulties of filming a stage show, Broadway's uneven relationship with race and why representation matters. WHILE YOU LISTEN: EMAIL th...

"Every single line I could pull out and deconstruct." Broadway Nice Guy Charlie Franklin (TINA, BOOK OF MORMON, BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY) stops by the Breakdown to discuss his obsession with the time travel divorce epic THE LAST 5 YEARS. Together, Matt and Charlie discuss relating to characters, how a performance can completely change a song's presentation, and why the musical is similar to THE S...

"It's so different when you're doing a show that you can relate to in such a deep, deep, deep way." Broadway powerhouse Antoine L. Smith (CAROUSEL, MISS SAIGON, THE COLOR PURPLE) comes on the Breakdown discuss with Matt his obsession with the Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE. Having been in the production, Antoine shares the show’s creative process, why the 80’s movie version received backlash...

JOHN'S BACK!! Yay...? Matt and John discuss how a bold production brings out the sexual toxicity of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, what you should NEVER compare Broadway Bootlegs to, and how to celebrate birthdays in quarantine. WHILE YOU'RE LISTENING: Take the time to visit bailproject.org , naacp.org , and reclaimtheblock.org and donate. These organizations (and many more) need your attention and sup...

"These girls are heroes and you're rooting for all 10 of them the whole time." Comedian and Professional Gay Tim Murray stops by the pod to discuss his obsession with the 2008 MTV reality show THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT ELLE WOODS, which followed the casting for the new lead in LEGALLY BLONDE on Broadway. Having just hosted a Zoom reunion with the final contestants, Tim discusses with Matt revelation...

"MEET ME IN ST LOUIS was the foreplay that lead to Liza Minnelli." Tony Award nominee Grey Henson (MEAN GIRLS, THE BOOK OF MORMON) comes onto the Breakdown to discuss his obsession with the 1944 Judy Garland classic MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. Matt and Grey *also* discuss the facets to queer conversations, the magnetism of vulnerability, and why Tammy Blanchard made a 100 Judy Garland impersonators quit...

"You are to show stops what Taylor Swift is to boyfriends." Perpetual juvenile Daniel Quadrino (NEWSIES, WICKED, BYE BYE BIRDIE) stops by the Breakdown just 'cause sometimes you need to gab! Some of the many topics he and Matt discuss are on-stage mishaps, when fans cross boundaries and the gender bent role of Daniel's dreams. Snap INTO it, Henny! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

"I'm a sucker for a good comedic song done well." Gabe Gibbs (BOOK OF MORMON and creator of the podcast MUSICALS THAT NEVER MADE IT) stops by the Breakdown to discuss his obsession with the only musical that has onstage commentary THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. However, Gabe's never actually SEEN it! Together, Matt and Gabe discuss if someone can be obsessed with a show if they're not sure what it's about,...

"This show has layers." Fancy Dance Man Joshua Burrage (NEWSIES, CATS, A BRONX TALE) stops by the Breakdown to discuss his deep love of the movie-turned musical-turned Netflix movie musical SHREK. Joshua and Matt also discuss character secrets in CATS, audio issues with Zoom and how to properly showcase Sutton Foster. Take it home, Stephen!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...

"If I became a knight...I could STILL be in CATS." John Krause (HADESTOWN, FUN HOME, WICKED) stops by the pod to discuss his newfound fascination and obsession with the CATS movie. And Matt is MORE than happy to discuss all the horniness, uncanny valley-ness, and Judi Dench's leg extension-ness. Also, the two discuss how plot "fixes" can become plot "holes," why some musicals don't work on film an...

"Who doesn't love a nose douche?" How's isolation going kiddies? We thought so. Matt and John discuss the numerous ways to pass the time while locked in your home plus the moral grey area of bootlegs, Broadway stars who left us for TV, the best series to binge these days and what happened when one of your beloved hosts contracted Corona!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...

"We really underestimated the stupidity and the entitlement of the American people." Matt and John are on lockdown with the rest of NYC. Together, they discuss the Broadway shutdown, ways to pass the time while social distancing, and how to find the silver linings even when you're down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to di...

"Don't. Trick. LANDON." Recorded on Wednesday 03/11, Matt and John discuss the sensual, steamy and Tig Ol' Bitties topic of "CONSENT." Plus a very long dissertation about a Mean Girls' actress's opinions of the stage door. Kisses! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus...

"They're all GAY." Matt and John bemoan the lack of specialty in Broadway these days. Plus the new season of Drag Race, Matt seeing MACK & MABEL, and what's exciting this Broadway season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"So much beauty in the world." Director/Choreographer Emily Maltby (EVITA, LOLITA MY LOVE, FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE) joins the Breakdown to discuss with Matt her love of the Pulitzer Prize winning, sometimes confusing, always moving musical SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. Major topics include what makes a successful production of SUNDAY, which two minor characters Matt thinks are totally f*cking, and...

"Usually I'm just like, 'You're boring and I hate you.'" TV/Film actor and Professional Gay Trey Gerrald (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, THE QUEENS PROJECT, YOU'RE THE WORST)stops by the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the legacy, the history and the complete illegality of the world of Broadway Bootlegs. Plus the two discuss some Broadway gossip and make plenty of sexually crude jokes. SORRY ABOUT IT! Le...

"I would like to reiterate how trash people are." An incident at JAGGED LITTLE PILL gets Matt and John talking about the downfall of audience etiquette. Plus, Matt revisits ALADDIN and THE LION KING on Broadway, the pod gets a brand new review and the two dissect the problems with a recent statement made by WEST SIDE STORY. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a p...