Flop of the Heap

Strap on your rollerskates, as we follow Chita Rivera, Liza Minelli, and Jason Alexander on this journey that looks much more like a brutal roller derby match, than a relaxing lap around the rink. The Rink- The Martin Beck Theatre- 1984 Music- John Kander Lyrics- Fred Ebb Book- Terrence McNally

John and Marla go West to search for Broadway Oil, and find only tar. Find out what made Lucille Ball’s only musical performance so “lame.” Shenanigans ensue. Wildcat- 1960 - Alvin Theatre Music- Cy Coleman Lyrics- Carolyn Leigh Book- N. Richard Nash

A very special pride episode! Heart on our sleeves, eye shadow in our creases, we take a trip to 1980s London, to meet Boy George and the Blitz Kids. Taboo- 2003- Plymouth Theatre Music and Lyrics- Boy George Book- Mark Davies Markham and Charles Busch

Shall we friend? Shall we, friend? Shall we friend. Shall, we friend. Shall we friend! Shall, we, friend! Fan of Sci-fi? You won't be after this episode.  Via Galactica- Uris Theatre- 1972 Music- Galt MacDermot Lyrics- Christopher Gore Book- Christopher Gore and Judith Ross

Tenderloin is on the menu, and it is a bit tough. If you are, both, pious and kick line-adverse, this is the show for you.  Tenderloin- 1960- The Richard Rodgers Theatre Music- Jerry Brock Lyrics- Sheldon Harnick Book- George Abbott and Jerome Weidman

It's the end of the world as we know it!... for the cast and crew of this 1980s flop. Nuclear war has never been less interesting, and singing about it should help, but it doesn't. Take shelter, and give this one a listen. Dance A Little Closer- 1983- Minskoff Theatre Music- Charles Strouse Book and Lyrics- Alan Jay Lerner

There's been a murder!... committed by all your favorite theatre critics. Can Paul Simon adeptly write a musical about a gang murder? Would Art have done better? Find out in this "Salsa Sunset Boulevard" of a musical. The Capeman- The Maquis- 1998 Music- Paul Simon Lyrics and Book- Paul Simon and Derek Walcott

Yee-Haw! Flop of the Heap goes Country in this newest episode,  as we explore a beer-soaked musical,  adapted from a beer-drenched movie,  tailored out of a beer-logged Esquire article, that should have stuck to print.  Urban Cowboy- 2003- The Broadhurst Theatre Book- Aaron Latham and Phillip Oesterman Music and Lyrics- Jason Robert Brown and Jeff Blumenkrantz, with additional music by various art...

Old age can be fun, right? Well, if that's true, 70, Girls, 70 is going to need to make a better case for it. Come listen as John and Mark shuffle their way through this band of medicated minstrels, and emerge having learnt no new life lessons. 70, Girls, 70 - The Broadhurst Theatre- 1971 Music- John Kander Lyrics- Fred Ebb Book- Fred Ebb and Norman L. Martin

A compilation of yuk-yuks that didn't make the final cut in our Prince of Central Park episode, along with a special "Critical Reception" that just wasn't Broadway ready.

A show with a mistreated orphan, drugs, violent gangs, and 80s aerobics, mixed with the pizzazz and flash of a standard, cookie cutter Broadway Musical? What could go wrong? Mark and John, navigate the podcast's first interview, with Broadway stars Richard H. Blake and Tony Galde, and  with their guidance, discover what made Prince abdicate its throne at the Belasco after four short performan...

This weeks episode hits way too close to home, when a fictional president, after losing reelection, uses his followers to perpetrate a fascist coup. How did the Gershwins know? Are they time travelers? Find out this week on Flop of the Heap. Let 'Em Eat Cake- Imperial Theatre- 1933 Music- George Gershwin Lyrics- Ira Gershwin Book- George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind

It's a Christmas Special. Snow is falling! Or are those Flahooley dolls? Come learn a little class consciousness from John, Mark, and the man who wrote "Over the Rainbow" in this very merry, Marxist episode! Flahooley- Broadhurst Theatre- 1951 Music- Sammy Fain Lyrics- E.Y. Harburg Book- E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy Includes music performed by Barbara Cook

The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N has a lot of asterisks, and is obnoxious to type, but it has Tom Bosley. You know...the dad from Happy Days. He's cute. But is he enough to redeem this show? I don't know, come get educated! The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N - 1968- The Alvin Theatre Music and Lyrics- Paul Nassau and Oscar Brand Book- Benjamin Bernard Zavin

What is Chu Chem?  Is it the best Chinese-Hebrew musical of all time? Probably, but there weren't many nominees. Is it a delicious little kosher egg roll of a show? Probably not. Will Mark be "right for once" this episode? Yes, but it had to happen eventually. Join as Mark and John present the first episode of our Hanukah double-header. The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N is next...

KELLY!  (Season 1, Ep. 2) Music by Mark "Moose" Charlap Book & Lyrics by Eddie Lawrence Opened February 26, 1965 at the Broadhurst Closed after 1 glorious performance!

A Preview of the upcoming series, explaining the show's purpose and defining the Broadway "flop."

MERLIN!  (Season 1, Ep. 1) Music by Elmer Bernstein Lyrics by Don Black Book by Richard Levinson & William Link Opened February 13, 1983 at the Mark Hellinger Closed after 199 performances