A Musical Theatre Podcast

WEST SIDE STORY might be the most important collaboration in all of musical theatre. There's no way to overstate its layers of storytelling and emotional relevance, but in this episode, we sure try. Join Jeff and director/choreographer Hector Guerrero as they celebrate the original artists behind this iconic show, explore what it means to be a "Shark" in a "Jet" world, and laugh at what happens at the end of the play when the gun doesn't work. To learn more about Hector, visit his website...

We're celebrating our 50th episode this week with never before heard conversations with past guests including Glenn Rosenblum (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF), Ryan O'Connor (SUNSET BOULEVARD), Barbara Dixon (ANYTHING GOES), and Terron Brooks (THE LION KING). We've also got messages from listeners about what they've taken away from our first fifty, and new announcements from Jeff. Celebrate with us and thank you for being part of our podcast family!

More than likely this New Year's Eve won't see many wild parties, so we're giving you two! In 2000, two different composers were inspired by the same 1920s poem about excess and epiphany and gave birth to different musicals that shared the same title, characters, and theatre season. Broadway star Julia Murney was the leading lady in Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY and has since worked closely with Michael John LaChiusa, who coincidentally wrote his own THE WILD PARTY. She's the ideal guest for...

Deep in December it's nice to remember THE FANTASTICKS, an unusual little show that also happens to be the longest running musical in the world. Join us as we talk to actress Madison Claire Parks about musical allegories, musical families, and what it means to own our journeys and follow. ("follow, follow, follow, follow...") Learn about the Redhawk Native American Arts Council HERE! To find out "much more" about Maddy, visit her website https://madisonclaireparks.com and follow her on...

The history of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA is a testament to taking musical theatre to new places and making the impossible possible. Who better then to discuss this musical than an innovator like musical theatre writer/performer/educator Sadie Bowman! Join us this week as we discuss the parallels and pitfalls of a very famous fairy tale and the way it evolved from 1957 TV creation to a 2013 Broadway revival. Here are the promised links to references in the episode: The Uses of...

The creative team of SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK often referred to their musical as a "rock & roll circus drama," but there's no way they knew how accurate a description that would become. This week Jeff is joined by his incredibly talented friend Andrew Madsen to discuss the strangest creative journey that ever got to Broadway, stayed for three years, and still managed to be considered a failure. Get ready to "rise above!" Follow Andrew on Instagram for plenty of eye candy and workout...

Disney’s groundbreaking theatre landmark THE LION KING celebrates the great circle of life in all its ups and downs. This week we welcome recording artist and Broadway Simba, Terron Brooks to celebrate not only the circle of life within this stunning show, but also the artists that brought it to life and what it requires of its performers to turn it into one of the longest running musicals in history. Click here to follow Terron on Facebook and Instagram to see and hear everything he's...

It's fun, irreverent, endlessly melodic, and more profound than you might think. HAIRSPRAY is a new classic in musical theatre, and our guest to discuss it this week is Broadway cast member Sabrina Sloan! We also enjoy a visit with listener Jonathan Chisolm! Get ready for stories galore, followed by an uncontrollable desire to revisit the score. Be sure to follow Sabrina on Instagram at @sabrinasloannyc to listen to some pretty amazing singing and enjoy how incredible she looks in her...

Wasn't it Oscar Hammerstein II who remarked, "Nothing says musical theatre quite like a board game and the Cold War?" Maybe not, but this week composer Michael Gordon Shapiro joins us to talk about the musical CHESS! Get your ABBA on and come along for a look at this incredibly electric piece of 1980s musical theatre that shouldn't work, might not work, and yet has a bigger cultural footprint than many shows that do. Take a look at Michael's career by visiting http://mikemusic.com as well...

This week's episode is dedicated to a musical about kids, so who better to have on as a guest than an expert in musical theatre and kids!? Julie Cohen Theobald is the Executive Director of the Educational Theatre Association, a non profit celebrating over 90 years of creating theatre curriculum for kids in their educational settings. Together, we discuss the joys of discovering theatre while being a child and the joys of playing a child in the Peanuts gang musical gem: YOU'RE A GOOD MAN,...

Few musicals have left a singular cultural imprint quite like the song "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" from the zany 1949 musical GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. Whether associated with Carol Channing, Marilyn Monroe, or anyone else, this iconic piece of musical theatre is a fascinating window into our history, both past and present. Join us this week as we welcome Tim and Anna from "My Little Tonys Podcast" to talk about musical theatre, musical films, and the woman whose name you must...

MATILDA (aka the rubik's cube) is a genius show put together by geniuses about a genius. And once you hear this week's guest Cassie Silva (Broadway and 1st National Tour "Mrs Wormwood") explain why, you'll be a believer. Enjoy our journey through the world of Roald Dahl, childhood journals, and "British accents for American audiences." Follow Cassie on Instagram @cassiemsilva and while you're at it, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @amusicalpodcast for more great content. Don't forget...

The musical CONTACT may be one of the most controversial Tony Award winners of all time, but Karen Ziemba is one of the most gracious and deserving. A musical theatre triple threat with incredible work ethic, true vulnerability, and a dazzling smile, we are honored she joined us this week to discuss the very special show that brought her so much acclaim. Along the way, we talk about her many collaborations with Susan Stroman and the real importance of dance in musical theatre. Be sure to...

Ten years ago, we would have said MY FAIR LADY is a musical that will be produced forever: iconic characters, a legendary score and source material. But now has that all changed? This week we're joined by Cindy and Christine from the Bottomless Broadway podcast to discuss rom com makeovers, gender politics, and of course, "quan" Julie Andrews. For more Cindy and Christine, subscribe to Bottomless Broadway and follow them on Instagram and Twitter at @bottomlessbway. Don't forget to follow us...

SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE may be a five person musical dealing with the existential crisis of objective truth, but it also has brought together one of our most exciting episodes. Not only do we have the charming and talented Travis Leland to discuss this wonderful show, we have the composer and writer himself: five time Tony nominated Michael John LaChiusa (HELLO AGAIN, THE WILD PARTY, MARIE CHRISTINE)! Join us as together we marvel Michael John's complex writing style and Idina Menzel's soft...

"Wilkommen, bienvenue, and welcome" to the legendary musical that entertains you, slaps you across the face, and somehow makes you grateful for it: CABARET! Award winning director Richard Israel joins us to discuss the brilliance of Kander & Ebb, the elegance of Joe Masteroff, and why this musical is a must in 2020. Enjoy a look at Richard's work by visiting https://richardisraeldirector.com Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @amusicalpodcast. And while you're at it, hop...

"How did you get to be here?" That single question has always been the success and struggle of Stephen Sondheim's 1981 musical MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, and this week actress and activist Jennifer Shelton joins us to discuss its fascinating past, and what its unconventional style reveals about our past, present, and future. Take a deeper dive into Jen's career by visiting her website at http://jennifer-shelton.com While you're at it, don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter...

Can you spell the word... podcast? Yeah, you're right. Too easy. You know what's not easy, though? William Finn music! And to discuss the brilliance of him and the delightful THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is the equally delightful music director, Jennifer Lin. Get ready to delve into the quirky side of musical theatre with this conversation that we promise isn't "chimerical." Follow Jennifer Lin on Instagram @jen_lin and don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram...

ANYTHING GOES is a legendary madcap musical from the 1930s, and thanks to actress Leah Sprecher, our guest to celebrate it this week is the equally legendary and madcap icon Barbara Dixon. You don't want to miss Barbara's unique perspective on her first love: musical theatre. Follow Barbara on Instagram (you won't be disappointed) at @broadwaybarbaraofficial and while you're at it, follow us at @amusicalpodcast. Don't forget about our Teepublic store...

Hooray for our "favorite son!" It's an election year, so this week we're covering THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES with music director extraordinaire Jeff Rizzo. It's also a pretty great excuse for us to talk about musical theatre legends like Cy Coleman, Tommy Tune, and of course, the show stealing dogs in Act 1. This one isn't getting a revival anytime soon, so enjoy! Be sure to check out Jeff Rizzo's virtual choirs at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLbTjz06jXY and don't forget to follow us on...