Broadway Breakdown

"We do what we can..." Matt had a nice week of theatre before flying to judge the Florida State Thespian Festival. First: BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB and the Tony chances of Natalie Venetia Belcon. Next: OPERATION MINCEMEAT and whether it's "Too British" or if Matt liked it better on Broadway. For those who don't want spoilers: BUENA VISTA review starts at the top and OPERATION MINCEMEAT review starts...

Matt took to social media to try something out...what IS the legacy of a Tony winner? Find out! Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Here! https://discord.gg/QssGH9KE 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

"I wish I was an octopus..." We've come to the end of ANGELS IN AMERICA and, as it happens, Grab Bag!! Friend of the pod Robert W. Schneider (Broadway Bound) stops by the Breakdown to discuss his history with the play, the weirdness of the 1993 Tony Awards, and which character Matt's ex could play. REJOICE! Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here: https://discord.gg/QssGH9KE Learn more ab...

"You can build me up, you can tear me down..." Oooohhh It's a March BONUS episode! SIX's new Jane Seymour, Kelsie Watts, stops by the Breakdown to do a mini-deep dive on the British pop sensation that's still rocking it on Broadway. Matt and Kelsie talk about the complexity of 16th century womanhood, navigating vocal challenges, and re-introducing yourself to musical theatre. Take a listen! AND JO...

"Nothing's lost forever..." We're back with some more ANGELS! Podmother Ali Gordon returns to the Breakdown to discuss with Matt why Joe Pitt is her favorite character, her undying friendship with Matt, and why love needs to be in all dramatic scenes. LET'S DO IT! Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here!: https://discord.gg/QssGH9KE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...

"F**k you, I'm a Prophet!" We're wrapping up GRAB BAG with the Big One. A play so big we can't possibly contain it to one episode. So friend Alex Weisman (HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD) comes back to the Breakdown to talk all things ANGELS IN AMERICA. The two also discuss the repetition of history, the privilege of self-preservation and being sexy enough to be cast-able. Join the Broadway Brea...

"Don't nobody bring me No. Bad. News." We're starting to close out Grab Bag and so we're bringing on a new friend, Kaisha Huguley (@kaishacreates) to come on and discuss the last musical selected: THE WIZ. The Movie, that is. Matt and Kaisha discuss their ties to the movie as well as to The Wizard of Oz lore, plus what makes a movie musical work and why you can't just rely on the talent of your ca...

"Just me...and the trees." Idina Menzel is BACK on BROADWAY baby! In a musical about a tree! And trauma! And stuff. So what did Matt think of it? Find out! TRIGGER WARNING: This musical discusses difficult subject matter like mental health, substance abuse and s*icide. Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here: https://discord.gg/VRdR4bvZ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

"It's live!!!" Broadway Breakdown was at BroadwayCon and did another Grab Bag with Miss Sally Bowl. Grey Henson (ELF, MEAN GIRLS) comes along to pick a musical and gab for a whole hour. Which musical? Find out!! Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here: https://discord.gg/VRdR4bvZ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to...

"I see a river..." OH MARY has a new leading lady! Encores has begun its latest season! How do they fare? Matt is here to talk about it. And what makes acting ridiculous so hard. Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here: https://discord.gg/VRdR4bvZ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribe...

"Welcome to the Rock..." GRAB BAG continues with the Tony winning Canadian Feel Good Musical COME FROM AWAY. Good friend and gal Lauren Nicole Chapman (FROZEN, KINKY BOOTS) joins the Breakdown to discuss the wonderfulness of intermissionless shows, married life, and the controversial play Matt saw on a second date. Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here! https://discord.gg/VRdR4bvZ Learn...

"Expand what you think you know..." Matt sees the first new Broadway show of 2025: ENGLISH and discusses how the Pulitzer winning play fares at Roundabout. Plus, a post-mortem on TEETH, a look back on ALL IN and a fascinating one man show that's still in development... Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here!: https://discord.gg/96eFupmY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

"Think of the Pudding" Producer and friend of the Breakdown David Lynch is back to do WAY too early predictions for the 2025 Tony Awards. Matt and David discuss what can make a Featured Actor/Actress break through, who you don't bet against, and what musicals are rising to the top. Follow the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here: https://discord.gg/QssGH9KE Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

"What did I do it for...?" Matt went back to see how GYPSY has changed since the reviews all came out. And the answer might surprise you...or maybe it won't. Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord HERE: https://discord.gg/WZQsq2vq 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 epi...

"Goodbye 2024, Hello 2025...you're the same season." Matt recaps the Broadway season so far as well as some of his thoughts on productions this past year and what he's looking forward to in 2025. Plus Matt goes into what he'd personally nominate for Tony Awards! And there are SHOCKERS! You can still watch Matt's play YOURS, TRULY here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x23enXtcNHY (Starts at the 8:0...

"She's very open minded. We met her at Burning Man..." Matt saw CULT OF LOVE and EUREKA DAY and has now seen EVERY production of the 2024-2025 season so far! Matt talks about how both shows are quite alike and what they can also learn from each other. Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel here!: https://discord.gg/5NBMyymB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This i...

"Be Italian..." The music...the fashion...the women...the plot...? We're talking NINE! Kevin Duda (BOOK OF MORMON, BEAUTIFUL) returns after a long absence to discuss with Matt all things Maury Yeston, Tommy Tune and Anita Morris. The two discuss why the movie adaptation failed, being too seduced by the musical's glamour, and some tumultuousness with the revival...get into it!!! Join the Broadway B...

"I had a dream..." Matt has wanted this to happen for years. And now it's finally here: GYPSY. Directed by George C. Wolfe. Choreographed by one of his favorite current choreographers, Camille A. Brown. Starring the one and only AUDRA. But...is it what he dreamed it would be? Hoped it would be? Or is it...something else? Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Here: https://discord.gg/dbwMZjTb Learn m...

"JUNGLE RED!!!!" Ooooooohhh it's a juicy catfight at the Breakdown as Guncle of the Pod Adam Elsberry returns to discuss the 30's hit THE WOMEN. Matt and Adam discuss the legacy of a play that is both quotable, iconic...and not very good? And a movie version that is even more quotable, more iconic...and actually QUITE good? The two also discuss drag queen artistry, Jennifer Simard and Roald Dahl s...

"It just says 'Road' to me..." I don't know if you heard...but the WICKED movie came out! And after much discussion on the Discord Channel, Matt has agreed to cover it. But not without his trusty friend: Joel Guerrero-Sparks! Matt and Joel tackle all the questions from the Broadway Breakdown Discord, as well as share their origins with the stage musical, Oscar chances and what they hope to see in...

"I wish I could forget you..." Podmother Ali Gordon is back to talk about one of the most divisive shows from a divisive artist: PASSION. Matt and Ali talk about the difference between love and passion, the drag queen elements of Fosca, and why a show shouldn't have to tell you what it's saying. Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here! https://discord.gg/qtN5AqNp Learn more about your ad...

"Enjoy...the ground." Matt did a reading of his play, then immediately went and saw some shows! He also reads some new reviews of the podcast and discusses when it's appropriate to give people feedback on their work. REVIEW TIME STAMPS (depending on commercial length): Elf: 10:10 Tammy Faye: 26:00 Swept Away: 45:50 Death Becomes Her: 1:01:30 Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here!: https...

"I am standing here with poison in my pocket..." INDUBITABLY! Calling all Anglophiles: it's the GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE episode! Producing team and brothers Elliot and Harry White (Foster Cat Productions) stop by the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the extraordinarily British musicale. The group also discusses the benefits of slow-burn comedy, what makes a great musical theatre score, and the 2014 Tony A...

"Ay, there's the rub." What if HAMLET...wasn't a tragedy? But...a celebration?!?! New friend of the Breakdown Jayson Kerr stops by to talk about the Pulitzer winning play FAT HAM, plus the benefits of choosing joy, the dangers of repressing, and the line of dialogue that broke Matt. Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord!: https://discord.gg/tFBDvjFR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

Matt saw some shows! And read some of your reviews! Matt talks about seeing MAYBE HAPPY ENDING from two different angles, the MEMENTO-ness of MCNEAL and the Tony winning musical that A WONDERFUL WORLD could learn from. Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here! https://discord.gg/dauswSEN Donate to Matt's Play Here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=8JAJ724MGR8LW Learn more about yo...