A Musical Theatre Podcast

The moment has finally come for Jeff to recognize he began this entire podcast saying he wasn't a fan of MAMMA MIA! Who better, then, to help him through than the woman who performed the show on Broadway over 4,000 times!? This week we welcome the incredible Judy McLane to talk ABBA and the undeniable power this joyful musical has brought millions of people around the world. We also get a visit from Kim Huber, another Broadway veteran, who is currently preparing to star as "Donna" in MAMMA...

To those convinced the Titanic couldn't sink and the stage musical version would, "You were spectacularly wrong." This week we're discussing the creation, tragedy, and hope within the Tony winning Best Musical TITANIC with the original Broadway Kate McGowen, and now Broadway producer, Jennifer Piech. Join us as we delve into the stress and exhilaration (often happening at the same time) of the creative process and why this tragic event continues to capture our attention over 100 years...

Rodgers and Hammerstein's FLOWER DRUM SONG is a special breed of musical: one that was both revolutionary and problematic at the same time. So what does one do with a piece of history like that? Answer: hire David Henry Hwang. Today we welcome Daniel May, Broadway cast member from the 2002 revival, to discuss this beautiful show that too few have seen. Along the way, we share a touching tribute to Broadway legend Alvin Ing, featuring castmates Jose Llana, Sally Hong, J Elaine Marcos, and...

THE PAJAMA GAME is a silly, melodic and "scandalous" musical that has one of the biggest cultural footprints in all of musical theatre! Skeptical? Join us to explore the stars, songs, and union rallies of this now rarely produced classic with actor Jonathan Chisolm as well as the Western Vice President of Actors Equity Association, Doug Carfrae. Pull on those pajamas and enjoy! Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jschisolm22 and Twitter @jschisolm22 and learn more about Actors Equity Association...

EVITA features one of the most complex musical scores and real life characters in all of theatre. But how much do we musical fans really know about Eva Duarte de Peron? Joining us this week to talk about this mega musical is Javier Manente, a talented musical theatre performer who just so happens to be born and raised in Argentina, the country she never wanted to cry. Get ready for a fun conversation that will increase admiration for a fascinating chapter of the world's history. Follow...

An epic show deserves an epic episode. To honor the groundbreaking musical A CHORUS LINE, we welcome four dancers, all with unique experiences "on the line" to continue the show's legacy of spotlighting what they do for love. Thank you Caitlin Carter (Original Revival Cast of CHICAGO), Steven Hack (Original Cast of CATS), J Elaine Marcos (Broadway's ANNIE and THE WEDDING SINGER), and Eddie Gutierrez (A CHORUS LINE at City Center) for making this episode funny, touching, educational, and of...

In honor of Pride Month, we're gonna "raise you up" with an inspiring conversation about the hit musical KINKY BOOTS. Longtime cast member Sam Zeller joins us to share his personal stories of how this show has brought about change, his pretty amazing Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein impressions, and what happens when you wear the kinky boots a little too often. To learn more about Sam, check out his website at https://samzeller.com Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok....

It's your one freebie! This very special episode on the importance of Community Theatre was originally intended to only be available on PATREON! (www.patreon.com/amusicalpodcast) While the entire conversation is still only available to PATREON! subscribers, this conversation is so touching, we had to make an edited version available to everyone that hasn't yet subscribed. Please enjoy this intimate conversation with Nedra Pace in Jeff's hometown community theatre. For all things to do with...

There is no country in the world quite like the United States of America, and there is no musical in theatre history quite like ASSASSINS, a show that manages to be scary, hilarious, critical, and patriotic all at the same time. (Kinda like the USA itself.) Here to discuss it this week is actor, producer, and longtime Sondheim fan Kila Packett. So fire up your grill this Memorial Day weekend and enjoy as we explore these moments in world and theatre history while failing to avoid "assassin...

CAMELOT is not boring... shouts this week's guest Jenny Lockwood on a daily basis! And you know, this episode proves her correct. Whether exploring the multiple hospital visits in its creation, the relevancy of its themes, or the way it's synonymous with one of history's great American tragedies, this musical is much more than "one brief shining moment." Let's all thank Jenny for convincing Jeff to cover it and enjoy what's left of our lusty month of May! Follow Jenny's love of vegetables...

A Musical Theatre Podcast finally has a patreon, and in the grand tradition of classic musicals, we're calling it PATREON! (because you gotta have the exclamation point..) Listen to this mini episode to find out how you can keep the podcast thriving and, as a special thank you, gain access to exclusive content, all for only $1 a month. Join the Patreon Fam today! Join our Patreon fam for only $1 at http://www.patreon.com/amusicalpodcast and don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter...

The Pulitzer Prize winning musical NEXT TO NORMAL is not only a brilliant show; it's the perfect way to usher us into Mental Health Awareness Month. It also provides actor Ryan Leslie Fisher with the chance to join us and discuss its groundbreaking tone, his first time seeing it (drunk tears were involved), and his own "next to normal" family. Side note- We recommend you listen while consuming chocolate just like Jeff did while recording it. For more "light" on Mental Health Awareness,...

Not only do we get to celebrate one of the great musicals of the 1990s with someone who ran it, we also get to do it with someone who wrote it! Production Stage Manager Jill Gold and the musical's Tony winning lyricist David Zippel join us this week to talk about the wonderful musical CITY OF ANGELS. Between giving much deserved love to stage management teams and sharing in the love that went into creating this complex musical, this episode is guaranteed to get you excited about going back...

It's the musical that's on everybody's lips, and it only took 30 years for it to happen. This week we welcome performer, writer, and choreographer Corey Wright to discuss everything from his love of Fosse to meeting John Kander in Peru. In other words, "all the things we hold near and dear to our hearts." It's our episode dedicated to CHICAGO... and all that jazz. Follow Corey on Twitter, and while you're at it, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @amusicalpodcast for more great content....

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is a love letter to musical theatre known for being sweet, goofy, and controversial. Joining us this week to discuss this listener request is someone proud to have been called all of those words at one point or another in his career... publicist extraordinaire Ken Werther! Tune in to enjoy all the little "bluebirds" this creatively original musical provides. To stay in touch with Ken, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram. While you're at it, add us on Twitter...

This week we're celebrating Black artists in musical theatre, just like the delightful musical PLAY ON! Join us as we welcome original Broadway cast member (and "Beyonce's mom") Yvette Cason to discuss this gone too soon musical that not only introduced teenage Jeff to her incredible talents (this woman can SING!) but also the legendary work of Duke Ellington and many others. *Warning- you may want to take notes, so you'll remember which YouTube rabbit hole to go down first! If you're...

BIG FISH is an American myth of a musical whose audience continues to grow just like the tall tales it celebrates. Joining us this week to discuss all things fathers, sons, and Susan Stroman is her "what if" guy: the original Associate Director for the Broadway production, Jeff Whiting! Together, Jeff and Jeff will take you through the emotional journey of this beautiful story and laugh at all the ridiculousness along the way. PS- Just wait until you hear what Joan Rivers said backstage...

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...