The Conner & Smith Show

On Day 4 of our 31 Days of Halloween, I take a look at James Wan’s breakout horror film Saw (2004). This low-budget psychological thriller changed the landscape of 2000s horror, introducing audiences to the twisted games of Jigsaw and kicking off a franchise that would define the “torture horror” era. While I dive into its cultural impact and the film’s infamous final twist, I’ll also be honest—th...

On Day Three of our 31 Days of Halloween, Stephen is joined by Ryan Dean Halbrook for a terrifying deep dive into James Wan’s supernatural smash hit The Conjuring (2013). We explore the film’s spine-chilling atmosphere, its basis in the real-life investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, and how Wan revitalized the haunted house genre with his masterful direction. From the unforgettable “hide and...

On Day Two of our 31 Days of Halloween, Stephen is joined by co-host Ryan Dean Halbrook for a chilling deep dive into Alejandro Amenábar’s gothic horror masterpiece The Others (2001). We unravel the film’s haunting atmosphere, masterful use of suspense, and unforgettable twist ending. From Nicole Kidman’s riveting performance to the film’s exploration of grief, faith, and the supernatural, we brea...

We’re kicking off the 31 Days of Halloween with a chilling deep dive into Jordan Peele’s modern horror classic Get Out (2017). Stephen is joined by co-host Ryan Dean Halbrook as we explore how Peele’s razor-sharp blend of social commentary and suspense reshaped the horror genre. From the film’s iconic symbolism (the Sunken Place, teacup hypnosis) to its cultural impact and Oscar-winning script, we...

The Sound of Henry James – Part 2 Performances begin this Thursday, and Matt is back with more music from our new adaptation of The Turn of the Screw. This time, he shares the rest of the score—unveiling the melodies and moods that shape Henry James’s ghost story for the stage. Support The Conner & Smith Show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ConnerandSmith?utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan

What does Henry James sound like when set to music? In this episode, Matt shares tracks from our new musical inspired by The Turn of the Screw and walks us through how he found the melodies, moods, and motifs that bring James’s words to life. We explore the sparks of inspiration behind the score, the challenges of capturing James’s haunting ambiguity in song, and how music transforms the ghostly a...

In this episode, we put our own script for The Turn of the Screw to the test — running it through ChatGPT for a side-by-side analysis with Henry James’s original novella. What did we preserve from James’s haunting classic, and where did we take creative liberties? From framing devices to ghostly ambiguity, we explore the choices that make our adaptation uniquely theatrical while staying true to th...

In this episode, we’re giving you Henry James 101 — a crash course in the life, style, and legacy of one of literature’s most complex storytellers. From his mastery of psychological nuance to his lasting influence on modern fiction, we’ll unpack what makes James essential reading. Then, we pivot to the stage with a sneak peek into our latest production of his chilling classic The Turn of the Screw...

In this episode, we wrap up Summer 2025 — from the personal milestones to the cultural moments that defined the season — and look ahead to what’s coming this fall. From highlights that made the summer memorable to the events and projects on the horizon, it’s part reflection, part preview, and all conversation. Support The Conner & Smith Show on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/ConnerandSm...

In this episode, we take on the headlines of the day — not with seriousness, but with satire. From the absurd to the all-too-familiar, we lampoon the news cycle, poking fun at the stories that dominate our feeds and laughing at the way they’re told. Think of it as a real-time roast of the world’s current events, with our own twists, tangents, and plenty of humor along the way. Support The Conner &...

In this episode, we dive into what’s trending on TikTok — from the videos filling our For You pages to the oddly specific corners of the app that pop up in our own feeds. Along the way, we compare notes on our personal algorithms, laugh at how different (and sometimes eerily accurate) they can be, and even roll with an unexpected phone call that briefly interrupts the recording (don’t worry, we’re...

In this episode, we switch things up with a grab bag of surprise questions — each written in secret and revealed on the spot. From dream vacations to the movies and documentaries we’ve been watching lately, no topic was off-limits. The result is a funny, freewheeling conversation full of unexpected tangents, shared stories, and plenty of laughs. If you’re into spontaneous, unfiltered chats that wa...

In this episode, we dive headfirst into our love for the groundbreaking 2001 film Hedwig and the Angry Inch. From its punk-rock heart to its soul-baring storytelling, we explore what makes this cult classic so enduring—and so personal to us. We unpack the mythology behind “The Origin of Love,” dig into the dual versions of “Wicked Little Town,” and share how Hedwig shaped our own creative journeys...

Broadway performer and creative force PJ Adzima joins us for a lively conversation about his journey from The Book of Mormon to launching Stage Time, a late-night cabaret series that celebrates spontaneity and self-expression. We explore the origins of this after-hours tradition, the joy of building community through performance, and the many ways PJ continues to nurture creativity on and off the...

Join Matt and me for Episode 140 as we catch up with our friend, fellow Shenandoah University alum, and Broadway star J. Robert Spencer! You may know him from Jersey Boys and Next to Normal, but today he’s here to talk about hosting the upcoming Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre benefit concert on August 3rd. Plus, we’ll let you know how you can score two FREE tickets to the show! Don’t miss this fu...

Join Matt and me for Episode 139 as we let the sunshine in—but only a little—as we revisit the 1979 film adaptation of Hair. While the stage musical is a landmark of counterculture theatre, the movie left us… less than groovy. We talk about what didn’t quite work: the disjointed plot, the lack of emotional connection, and a few choices that left us scratching our heads instead of tossing our hair....

Join Matt and me for Episode 138 as we dance our way into the high-energy, heart-filled world of Hairspray (2007)! This dazzling movie musical might look like just another retro romp, but don’t be fooled—it’s a Trojan horse of a film, delivering a powerful social message wrapped in a beehive and a beat you can’t ignore. We break down why Hairspray is so much more than catchy tunes and bold choreog...

Join Matt and me for Episode 137 as we slide into our leather jackets and dive into the iconic 1978 film Grease! This one’s the word, folks. From the electrifying opening credits to the carnival finale that defies logic (but who cares?), we’re hopelessly devoted to this movie. We talk about what makes Grease such a standout in the movie musical canon: the endlessly quotable lines, the legendary so...

Join Matt and me for Episode 136 as we take a look at Bye Bye Birdie (1995), the made-for-TV adaptation of the beloved stage musical. Featuring a standout cast including Jason Alexander, Vanessa Williams, Chynna Phillips, and Marc Kudisch, this version had all the ingredients for a great revival. While we appreciated the performances and some fun moments throughout, the film as a whole didn’t quit...

Join Matt and me for Episode 135 as we take on Annie (1982), a vibrant and enduring entry in the movie musical canon. With a powerhouse cast including Carol Burnett, Albert Finney, Ann Reinking, Bernadette Peters, and Tim Curry, this adaptation of the Broadway hit brings bold choreography, memorable performances, and timeless songs like “It’s the Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow” to the screen. Dire...

Join Matt and me for Episode 134 as we tackle A Chorus Line (1985), a movie musical that boldly asked, “What if we took a Broadway masterpiece… and made it worse?” Directed by Richard Attenborough (yes, really) and starring Michael Douglas as Zach (also… yes, really), this adaptation swaps out two iconic songs for original numbers that absolutely no one asked for—and makes the whole thing feel mor...

Join Matt and me for Episode 133 as we take on Les Misérables (2012), Tom Hooper’s ambitious, emotionally raw adaptation of the beloved stage musical. From Anne Hathaway’s unforgettable “I Dreamed a Dream” to the sweeping visuals and live-on-set vocals, this film aimed to bring Victor Hugo’s epic to the screen with intensity and heart. We explore the performances, the directorial choices, and the...

Join Matt and me for Episode 132 as we close out our journey through Andrew Lloyd Webber’s movie musicals with the most baffling, bedazzled entry of them all: Cats (2019). Yes, that movie—the one with digital fur technology, floating Judi Dench monologues, and enough odd choices to fill a Heaviside Layer of think pieces. We’re joined by Ryan Halbrook as we unravel what went wrong—and what maybe co...

Join Matt and me for Episode 131 as we tiptoe further into the misty, melodramatic world of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s movie musicals. This week: The Phantom of the Opera (2004) — a film where the true horror isn’t the Phantom’s face… it’s the vocal choices. Get ready for heavy breathing, soft-focus everything, and a love triangle so confusing you’ll be rooting for the chandelier to win. Support The Co...

Join Matt and me for Episode 130 as we tango our way into Evita (1996)—where Madonna sings, sashays, and side-eyes her way through Argentina’s most glamorous rise to power since… well, ever. It’s a popera fever dream with more costumes than plot, Antonio Banderas playing the Greek chorus with zero chill, and Jonathan Pryce just trying to keep up. There’s no dialogue, no subtlety, and absolutely no...