Down Stage Left Podcast

The fanfiction is back! Logann returns with her favorite thing (and Karen's soul destroying nemesis), the fanfiction! Immerse yourself in a world that doesn't make sense, character who just learned what human dialogue and interaction is, and a cliffhanger that will leave you wondering what will happen for 10 whole seconds! It's back!

Logann is back from another semester and joins the pod to catch up and discuss SLHS' fall play, 12 Angry Men. We talk about it's relevance today, why the all girl version's title is rough, and the judicial system at large. Walk this dramatic path with us this week!

TW: Discussions of depression, death, suicide, and mental health. Karen continues her NYC visit with a play! She saw Harry Potter himself in a (very good) one man show. We talk mental health, depression, death, and how important it is to talk about things and how theatre is a great vehicle for some of these discussions! @downstageleftpc

Karen's trip to NYC continues with a bonus show - Chess! A stalwart of the 80s and another musical that talks about history - Cold War anyone? Julia hangs around and we chat why this show is not super fun to listen to - but the updates have made it fun to watch. Plus, a racy underwear number for Aaron Tveit, what more could you ask for? @downstageleftpc

We're back! After a brief hiatus, Karen is joined by one of her students (Hi, Julia!) to talk her recent travels to NYC. We combine Karen's two favorite things: history and theatre. She takes us on a deep dive of the across the pond transfer, Operation Mincemeat. Based on a true story from WWII, this hilarious, yet poignant, musical does the impossible with 5 actors playing over 83 roles! @downsta...

This week Karen talks the underrated show, Crazy for You! An old school jukebox musical - Gershwin standards anyone! - this show hits on all the musical theatre contrivances. Love at first sight! Mistaken identity! Heroine finds out the Hero lied to her and leaves! Funny side characters who fall in love! It has everything! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com

This week we tackle a young people show! Natalie brings Ride the Cyclone to the pod and Karen doesn't get it. We talk why the youth love this show, some unhinged nonsense, and why a creepy doll head is never a good idea. Plus, the all powerful Karnak! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com

Natalie is back to discuss a show near and dear to her and Karen. Find out why this classic probably isn't a children's show, why backstories can be fun, and what neither of them remember about the show! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com

The kids are back! In honor of March Madness we did our own bracket for musicals. Find out which shows couldn't make the cut and who was the ultimate champion. Let us know if you agree! @downstageleftpc

Karen is joined by students this week to play our version of F*, Marry, Kill. Three shows: which show would you want to be in, sit in the audience, or chuck in the sea forever? Discuss and let us know how our opinions stacked up! @DownstageleftPC downstageleftpc@gmail.com

It's a new year and we're doing something different! Karen takes us to the Land of Sweets and we discuss Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. Why this show endures, the importance of live musicians, and how a hot air balloon can change everything.

We're back! And we're celebrating our 200th episode!!! That's right, Lauren is back! Karen is back! And we're in our bullsh*t once again. We catch up and look back at some of our favorite moments from the pod and what the next 200 eps will hold... let's go!

Happy (almost) New Year! Natalie is back and we discuss resolutions and the shows that dominated the high school theatre scene. Were there any surprises? Nope. Weigh in and let us know what you think! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com

We chat the holiday classic, White Christmas. Why did the beloved movie take so long to get made into a stage show? Why do we know all these songs? And really, when can a show have women who do more than play a romantic interest? @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com

This week Natalie is home and joins the pod as we kick off the holiday season! We talk the definitive version of the Dicken's classic A Christmas Carol. Find out why this movie musical tells the tale but with Muppet magic and bops to boot! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com

We're doing a play! Karen walks us through the hilarity that is Noises Off. Find out why we think the 3 acts actually work for this show and why it's still funny so many years after it's debut.

This week we tackle a surprisingly harder than you think show - Seussical! Lauren takes us on this chaos tour and we discuss all things Jojo, too many plotlines, and more!

We switch gears and Karen takes us on a deep dive of the cult classic: Grease 2. Not quite a stage show (Cool Rider, anyone), but definitely a musical - we talk why this movie musical didn't do as well as it's source material, but why the music still hits just right.

This week Karen's soul leaves her body as Lauren delivers another amazing fanfiction find. Gustov! Gustov! It's the love story we never got, but all deserved... Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Karen tackles a heavy hitter - Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate! Find out why Porter's response to Oklahoma was better than RnH's. Why these classic songs made their way from the stage to top 40 and why they endure today! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

This week Lauren deep dives the newish jukebox musical, Jagged Little Pill. This show has everything! Drugs! Gender Identity! SA! Cheating! And more! If there is a societal issue, it's in this musical! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Not all shows are winners - even when they're an RnH property. Hot off the success of Oklahoma, Karen takes us on a deep dive of why this one maybe missed the mark. Domestic abuse? Angels? Fish fry? Find out why this classic didn't quite rise to the occasion.

We take on a heavy hitter (maybe)? Lauren does a deep dive of a show neither of us will ever do: High School Musical: The Musical! Find out why neither Karen nor Lauren likes this musical, why we think the real villains are Troy and Gabriella. And we answer, who the f*ck is Jack Scott? Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

We answer another listener email and talk all things Broadway versus Touring productions, building characters, and why we should have Emily on the pod! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Maybe Happy Ending, take 2! After a slight recording mishap, we're back and Lauren takes us on a deep dive of this Tony winning show. We go down a lot of tangents, talk about fireflies (lightening bugs), and what it means to give something up to hold on to it. Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com