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4. "You Create Monsters"

4. "You Create Monsters"

Episode 4: Instructors make headlines for s*x & cheating scandals with married riders. SoulCycle co-founders Julie Rice & Elizabeth Cutler resign, walking away with $90 Million each after selling the company to Equinox.

48 mins
Jun 10
3. "Noon on Monday"

3. "Noon on Monday"

Episode 3: The gate-kept details of SoulCycle’s instructor training program are revealed for the first time. Servers crash every Monday at Noon during sign-ups. Hurricane Sandy causes chaos when people cannot access classes.

51 mins
Jun 3
5. "S*x With An Ex"

5. "S*x With An Ex"

Episode 5: News leaks that Equinox Chairman Stephen Ross will hold a Trump fundraiser in the Hamptons. Instructors share their pay structures and how they were fired / why they quit. All of SoulCycle's goodwill and reputation for LGBT inclusivity is extinguished.

42 mins
Jun 17
6. "Boogeyman in the Corner"

6. "Boogeyman in the Corner"

Episode 6: Real Housewives of New York City star Sonja Morgan is banned from the studio. Barry's Bootcamp CEO attempts to poach SoulCycle instructors and is banned. Hard-charging instructor training directors use rough, sexual language to intimidate new recruits.

47 mins
Jun 24
1. "Made in LA"

1. "Made in LA"

Episode 1: Julie Rice, Elizabeth Cutler, and Ruth Zukerman co-found SoulCycle, but Zukerman was later iced out as an owner because she did not have proper legal protection in place.

42 mins
May 27
2. "A Star Is Born"

2. "A Star Is Born"

Episode 2: SoulCycle takes off in New York City and The Hamptons, with celebrities like Kelly Ripa & Katie Couric becoming superfans. Co-founder Julie Rice's muse Janet Fitzgerald moves to Manhattan to work with budding talent.

46 mins
May 27
7. "Turn the Smile On"

7. "Turn the Smile On"

Bonus episode. We follow three instructors’ careers at SoulCycle — in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City. Christina Aguilera surprises riders at her own theme class. An instructor is recruited after a life of crime, addiction and losing 100 pounds at Soul.

45 mins
Jul 1
The 2025 Tony Awards w/ Robert W. Schneider

The 2025 Tony Awards w/ Robert W. Schneider

"And what did YOU think of that performance...?" The 2024-2025 Broadway season has come to a close and with it, the Tony Awards. Daddy of the pod Robert W. Schneider returns to Breakdown to discuss with Matt the highs of the ceremony, debate some winners, and some tea Matt got from the Maybe Happy Ending after party!

3 h 6 mins
Jun 12
2025 Tonys: Predictions and Personal Picks w/ Sam Eckmann

2025 Tonys: Predictions and Personal Picks w/ Sam Eckmann

"What I expect...what I want...and what I dream..." The 2025 Tony Awards are ALMOST HERE! This means it's time for a final, FINAL prediction episode with Awards Expert Sam Eckmann (GoldDerby).

2 h 8 mins
Jun 5
“WICKED: FOR GOOD” Trailer Reaction

“WICKED: FOR GOOD” Trailer Reaction

We saw the big-screen debut of the trailer for Wicked: For Good. And from Ariana’s first “Elphaba Thropp, I know you’re out here” to Cynthia’s final “I’m off to see the Wizard,” the trailer is nothing short of two minutes and forty-six seconds of glorious new footage to get Sentimental over.

22 mins
Jun 5
73. Make It Work! Make It Work! (with Tatianna Córdoba)

73. Make It Work! Make It Work! (with Tatianna Córdoba)

This week, the Sentimental Men are chatting with the breakout star of Real Women Have Curves, Tatianna Córdoba. Together, they talk about offstage community, standing ovations and what it’s like to make a Broadway debut in such a packed Broadway season.

59 mins
Jun 6
THE ADDAMS FAMILY with Rachel Potter

THE ADDAMS FAMILY with Rachel Potter

"They're creepy and they're kooky," but they also mean a lot to so many of you! THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a musical based on the beloved characters by Charles Addams is one of the most performed musicals in the United States. Today, we look at why that might be.

1 h 6 mins
Jun 4
74. “I Was A Funny Fit in Both Worlds” (with Ana Gasteyer)

74. “I Was A Funny Fit in Both Worlds” (with Ana Gasteyer)

It’s always a good day on the pod when we get to check a dream guest off our list. And today is one of those days. Among her other accomplishments, Ana Gasteyer originated the role of Elphaba in Chicago and later reprised the role on Broadway.

1 h 21 mins
Jul 7
Matt Reviews CALL ME IZZY

Matt Reviews CALL ME IZZY

"Blue..." The 2025-2026 Broadway season kicks off with icon Jean Smart's one woman show CALL ME IZZY. Plus a production of MACHINAL, which launches the first season of the brand new New York Theatre Company. What did Matt think? Well...take a listen...

45 mins
Jun 17
PARADE with Max Chernin

PARADE with Max Chernin

PARADE is by no means a "happy musical." But the way it has aged not only with audiences but within our culture has given it a happier ending than when it first opened in the 1999 Broadway season.

1 h 11 mins
Jun 29
TRAILER - Cult of Body & Soul

TRAILER - Cult of Body & Soul

“Cult of Body & Soul” is a docu-podcast series created & executive produed by Jess Rothschild which brings to life how the boutique indoor cycling (spinning) phenomenon SOULCYCLE captured the New York City fitness zeitgeist.

2 mins
May 16
Sleep Out: Stage and Screen for Covenant House w/ David Hovey

Sleep Out: Stage and Screen for Covenant House w/ David Hovey

SURPRISE! Bonus ep! Matt talks with David Hovey about the work happening at Covenant House, as well as the starry event on August 10th Sleep Out: Stage and Screen event. Learn more about Covenant House Here! https://www.covenanthouse.org/ Donate to Matt's Fundraising Page Here!

23 mins
Jul 3
I WAS THERE w/ David Loud

I WAS THERE w/ David Loud

"Behold, the hills of tomorrow..." Get a taste of what's to come with this pilot episode of a new series "I Was There" talking with Broadway artists with long and rich careers, telling us their stories. First up! Conductor/Music Director/Supervisor David Loud!

1 h 8 mins
Jul 10
#280 - Six the Musical

#280 - Six the Musical

"Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived!" Grab your history books and girl pop albums because this week we're diving into the West End/Broadway sensation "Six the Musical." This has been a long time coming and you won't believe our wild takes!

1 h 15 mins
1/18/24
Ep 33 - Eden Espinosa - The Shape Shifter Part

Ep 33 - Eden Espinosa - The Shape Shifter Part

Eden Espinosa (Lempicka, Rent, Wicked) has been a powerhouse on Broadway for decades. She has also experienced the very human contradiction of struggling to own her power in certain areas, where shape shifting to avoid conflict and to maintain the status quo of an imbalanced power dynamic has kept her from stepping into the personal power that she is known for on stage.

47 mins
Apr 2
All About Us (1999)

All About Us (1999)

What do Leonard Bernstein, James Joyce, woolly mammoths, Bebe Neuwirth, the ice age, and Mario Cantone all have in common?

1 h 13 mins
Jun 11
‘Viola’s Room,' Videogames and the Future of Punchdrunk

‘Viola’s Room,' Videogames and the Future of Punchdrunk

Felix Barrett, the artistic director of Punchdrunk and the creator of “Sleep No More,” takes listeners behind the scenes of “Viola’s Room,” the company’s latest genre-defying piece, and explains why the future of immersive theater might look a lot like videogames.

33 mins
Jul 8
How the Muny in St. Louis Celebrated Its Tony Win

How the Muny in St. Louis Celebrated Its Tony Win

Mike Isaacson, the artistic director of the Muny in St. Louis, on celebrating the 107-year-old institution's Tony win, how to survive St. Louis summer heat, and what shocked Heather Headley the last time she was there.

39 mins
Jun 24
Episode 178: The Show Goes On, Broadway Hirings, Firings, and Replacements, part 2.

Episode 178: The Show Goes On, Broadway Hirings, Firings, and Replacements, part 2.

This week’s episode of Broadway Nation is the second half of my conversation with author Ron Fassler, whose latest book is titled The Show Goes On — Broadway Hirings, Firings, and Replacements.

39 mins
Jun 5
Welcome to the Rock! - Episode 1

Welcome to the Rock! - Episode 1

Welcome to the podcast series, “Welcome to the Rock!” A behind the curtain of the musical hit Come From Away. Listen to the incredible real-life story of the passengers from all over the world that were grounded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland in the wake of the events of 9/11.

29 mins
11/27/19
Episode I: The Mysterious Case of Split Valley Episode 1 Presented by Columbia Public Radio

Episode I: The Mysterious Case of Split Valley Episode 1 Presented by Columbia Public Radio

“What do you think it is? Some kind of symbol?” Adam Kleinhoffer, journalist and podcaster for Columbia Public Radio, receives a mysterious postcard beckoning him to Split Valley, the second-smallest town in New York State. · Paul Guyet as Soothing Male Voice.

12 mins
6/29/21
Up From Paradise (1983)

Up From Paradise (1983)

I never miss an Arthur Miller musical! Yes, you read that correctly. Arthur Miller, the voice of gritty American realism, whose plays confronted capitalism, communism, and catastrophe one day woke up and decided to be the next Jerry Herman.

1 h 23 mins
Jun 24
The Tony Awards: Myths and Trends

The Tony Awards: Myths and Trends

"Ever hear about...?" Matt goes through the last couple of decades of winners to debunk and clarify some ol' Tony Awards myths...as well as discover some trends! Take a listen and win your Tony pool! Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here: https://discord.gg/RDs2Bz47.

1 h 54 mins
May 29
CRAZY FOR NOSTALGIA! — BROADWAY'S NOSTALGIA CRAZE OF THE 1970s, Part 2.

CRAZY FOR NOSTALGIA! — BROADWAY'S NOSTALGIA CRAZE OF THE 1970s, Part 2.

In this episode I continue my review of Broadway’s Nostalgia Craze of the 1970s and beyond. Many of the musicals that emerged in the late 60s and very early 70s were also influenced by the incipient Nostalgia Craze, even if overall their shows were decidedly modern.

23 mins
Jun 26
Ep 39 - Nicholas Barasch - The Inner Child Part

Ep 39 - Nicholas Barasch - The Inner Child Part

Nicholas Barasch has been performing on Broadway since the age of 10. He is now 27 and making his adult debut in Pirates!

35 mins
Jun 18
Ep 40 - Christian Coulson - The Outer Eye Part

Ep 40 - Christian Coulson - The Outer Eye Part

Christian Coulson is an actor and director - an all around thinker of great thoughts, and one of Bobby's favorite people to talk to.

42 mins
Jul 2
BROADWAY'S NOSTALGIA CRAZE OF THE 1970s, part 1

BROADWAY'S NOSTALGIA CRAZE OF THE 1970s, part 1

In this episode Albert Evans and I explore the origins of Broadway’s “Nostalgia Craze of the 1970s” — where it came from, and what artistic, social and cultural forces came together to spark this unlikely phenomenon.

29 mins
Jun 19
Episode 179: THE QUEER PIONEERS OF BROADWAY MUSICAL STAGING

Episode 179: THE QUEER PIONEERS OF BROADWAY MUSICAL STAGING

This episode is adapted from a section of my new upcoming book, Broadway Nation — How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical, which will be released on July 24 (and can be preordered now everywhere books are sold.) In 1919, two gifted young Queer theater artists — Hassard Short and John Murray Anderson —both made their Broadway directing debuts and quickly established themselves as significant forces in the development of the Broadway musical.

29 mins
Jun 12
1. GAY SUMMER CAMP

1. GAY SUMMER CAMP

We are introduced to the two oldest LGBT communities in the US -- Cherry Grove and The Fire Island Pines. Our cast of characters describe their Fire Island origin stories and we quickly see how what plays out here is like "gay adult sleep-away camp." We also observe how racial and socio-economic pressures are felt on the island.

49 mins
7/6/23
S4 EP20 As We Stumble Along with Beth Leavel

S4 EP20 As We Stumble Along with Beth Leavel

Tony winner, Beth Leavel, shares everything from audition songs, tips to creating moments in shows like Old Friends, to how she almost didn't get cast in The Drowsy Chaperone. Tony Winner Beth Leavel was seen in 2024 on Broadway in the role of The Baroness in Lempicka.

38 mins
Jun 24
Pleasures and Palaces (1965)

Pleasures and Palaces (1965)

If I said to you I have a score by Guys and Dolls’ Frank Loesser, book by Kiss Me Kate’s Sam Spewack, directed by the one and only Bob Fosse, and starring television personality Phyllis Newman, you’d probably ask where could you invest because this is gonna be bigger than talking pictures!

1 h 14 mins
Jul 8
#22 - Scott Frankel, Assistant Conductor on Broadway

#22 - Scott Frankel, Assistant Conductor on Broadway

Tony nominated composer Scott Frankel dishes on Betty Buckley's arriving late and James Lapine's playing favorites--not to mention testy reed players--from his time on the final workshop and original Broadway productions.

1 h 5 mins
8/23/23
Ranking All 42 Broadway Shows This Season (22-1)

Ranking All 42 Broadway Shows This Season (22-1)

And just like that...we finished! Matt wraps up his *unofficial* ranking of every Broadway show for the 2024-2025 Broadway Season. Was it worth it??? Join the fun at the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel here! https://discord.gg/UTGVBprYtr.

2 h 30 mins
May 15
5. THE INVASION

5. THE INVASION

We experience the very first Invasion of the Pines in 1976 as told by its leader, “Panzi,” and how the annual July 4th event evolved over the years. We go deeper on the history and evolution of Drag in Cherry Grove and New York City via Lady Bunny’s Wigstock and Drag Race.

44 mins
7/27/23
S4 EP19 Green Light with Fina Strazza

S4 EP19 Green Light with Fina Strazza

Follow Fina's career from child actor in Matilda The Musical to her Tony nomination for John Proctor is the Villain. Hear about her unique process when taking on new projects and more! Fina Strazza- Broadway: Matilda in Matilda the Musical.

42 mins
Jun 17
S1E5 - Sofronio Vasquez

S1E5 - Sofronio Vasquez

This week, we welcomed the golden-voiced Sofronio Vasquez, winner of NBC’s The Voice Season 26. With his championship win, Sofronio became the first Filipino and Asian man to win a major singing competition in the United States.

16 mins
Jun 18
Episode 130 | 2025 Tony Award Predictions

Episode 130 | 2025 Tony Award Predictions

Just in time for Broadway’s biggest night, the 2025 Tony Awards, Survival Jobs hosts ⁠Jason A. Coombs⁠ and⁠ Samantha Tuozzolo⁠ drop a special bonus episode today featuring The Theatre Podcast host and Broadway insider Alan Seales.

24 mins
Jun 6
Episode VII: Chase

Episode VII: Chase

“You are closer than you think.” Back to that night at the Icarus Motel, Adam goes in hot pursuit of a mysterious car. · Susannah Jones as Soothing Female Voice. · Matthew Cohn as Adam Kleinhoffer. · Written by Caroline V. McGraw. · Directed by Eddie Prunoske.

6 mins
7/27/21
Ep399 - Jeffrey Seller: Storytelling, Struggle, and the Rise of a Broadway Giant

Ep399 - Jeffrey Seller: Storytelling, Struggle, and the Rise of a Broadway Giant

From growing up in a modest neighborhood known as "Cardboard Village" in Oak Park, Michigan, to becoming one of the most influential producers in Broadway history, Jeffrey Seller's story is one of resilience, creativity, and a deep love of musical theater.

54 mins
Jun 24
Episode II: Tooth

Episode II: Tooth

“What’s the worst thing that ever happened to you?” Melanie Lavin, Adam’s assistant, left alone, goes searching for clues in the woods. · Paul Guyet as Soothing Male Voice. · Meg MacCary as Laura. · Keilly McQuail as Melanie Lavin. · Michelle Beck as Steph.

12 mins
6/29/21
Ep 38 - Jenny Anderson - The Connection Part

Ep 38 - Jenny Anderson - The Connection Part

Jenny Anderson has built an astounding career as the preeminent photographer of Broadway culture - she and Bobby started in the business at around the same time, when she was working at Broadway.com.

45 mins
Jun 4
S1E4 - Griffin Newman

S1E4 - Griffin Newman

In this week’s episode of The Town Hall Spark Sessions, we were thrilled to welcome Griffin Newman. For a decade, with his co-creator David Sims, Griffin has hosted the wildly popular podcast Blank Check with Griffin and David.

22 mins
Jun 4
Ep396 - Anthony Veneziale & Aneesa Folds: Hip Hop, Humanity, and Hacking the Stage

Ep396 - Anthony Veneziale & Aneesa Folds: Hip Hop, Humanity, and Hacking the Stage

Anthony Veneziale and Aneesa Folds return to the podcast with the same brilliance and warmth that made their first appearances unforgettable—this time teaming up to talk about their new boundary-breaking musical, Co-Founders, premiering at ACT in San Francisco.

53 mins
Jun 6
TONY AWARDS PREDICTIONS (MUSICAL CATEGORIES) 2024/2025 SEASON

TONY AWARDS PREDICTIONS (MUSICAL CATEGORIES) 2024/2025 SEASON

In this episode of Half Hour with Jeff & Richie, we break down our predictions for the 2025 Tony Awards, focusing only on the musical categories. We cover everything from Best Orchestrations to Best Choreography and the Best Performances, sharing our thoughts on the nominees, the standout shows on Broadway, and what makes this season unique.

27 mins
Jun 6
Chapter 6: Act Two: Sh*t! Look at all these pigs!

Chapter 6: Act Two: Sh*t! Look at all these pigs!

We continue our deep, deep dive into Broadway’s most infamous flop as we charge head-first into the madness and mayhem of Act Two! And mayhem it really is! Leather outfits! Dead pigs! Is that a medieval sword? A rap! A giant disco ball! Lasers! Oh my!

59 mins
2/24/21
FULL LENGTH: "It's Wicked! It Has to Be Earned!" (with Ariana Grande)

FULL LENGTH: "It's Wicked! It Has to Be Earned!" (with Ariana Grande)

SPOILERS AHEAD!! We were beyond thrillified to sit down with Ariana Grande to talk about her journey with Wicked -- from early fandom to playing the role of Glinda on screen. And in this full length episode, you'll hear our whole conversation, spoilers and all.

1 h 33 mins
12/2/24
Ep13 - Gavin Creel - The Shame Part

Ep13 - Gavin Creel - The Shame Part

Gavin Creel is a Tony winner and all-around Broadway royalty, but he is not immune to a history of shame and self-doubt. Bobby and Gavin share a common story of growing up gay and being rejected by a culture that led to patterns of self-rejection that they both still navigate, while also sharing how they've healed through self-acceptance and community.

51 mins
7/17/24
New 2025 Tony Award Predictions w/ Half Hour

New 2025 Tony Award Predictions w/ Half Hour

"OK, now we know..." It's been two months since Matt made some bold predictions for the 2025 Tony nominations. So it's time to make some new ones!! Matt is joined by Richie Grasso and Jeff Maline (Half Hour) to discuss the latest of the season and where everyone sees nominations heading this year.

1 h 56 mins
Apr 3
72. Life and All Its ‘Stages’ (with Rachel Potter)

72. Life and All Its ‘Stages’ (with Rachel Potter)

Rachel Potter has a resume that reads like we made it up. She starred in the live shows at Disney World. She was on MTV’s The Search for Elle Woods. She was a Glinda understudy on the national tour of Wicked.

1 h 8 mins
May 26
78TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS RECAP: Standout Performances, Winners, and Our Live Experience

78TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS RECAP: Standout Performances, Winners, and Our Live Experience

In this episode, we recap the 78th Annual Tony Awards⁠, sharing our take on the standout performances, nominees, and winners that defined the night. We talk about Cynthia Erivo’s hosting, memorable numbers from Nicole Scherzinger and Audra McDonald, and the emotional in memoriam segment.

33 mins
Jun 11
2. CHERRY GROVE

2. CHERRY GROVE

We explore how Cherry Grove became the birthplace of Drag and Disco, contrast the quaint cottages to the Pines’ mansions, landmark venues of The Ice Palace and The Monster and the queer female population. Follow @jessxnyc on IG for everything Finding Fire Island!

45 mins
7/6/23
Ep397 - Rob Madge: A Smoke Machine Wish, Tons of Wigs, and a Dream

Ep397 - Rob Madge: A Smoke Machine Wish, Tons of Wigs, and a Dream

Rob Madge grew up staging living room musicals with wigs, smoke machines, and the unwavering support of their parents and grandmother—but what started as childhood play eventually became the viral, heartfelt, and Olivier-nominated solo show My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?).

47 mins
Jun 10
Revisiting Boop! The Musical and Highlights from Broadway Bares and the 2025 Jimmy Awards

Revisiting Boop! The Musical and Highlights from Broadway Bares and the 2025 Jimmy Awards

In this episode of Half Hour with Jeff & Richie, we return to Boop! The Musical and discuss its place in the Broadway landscape. We share our experience at Broadway Bares, a cornerstone fundraising event for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and reflect on the inspiring performances at the 2025 Jimmy Awards.

27 mins
Jun 27
Episode III: Multi-Level

Episode III: Multi-Level

“If he had done this thing, I wouldn’t be talking to you.” “Nowhere to Run: Injustice in East Cleveland,” the investigative podcast that made Adam famous, follows the case of four young men wrongfully convicted of murdering sixteen year old Tabitha MacGill.

11 mins
6/29/21
TONY AWARDS PREDICTIONS (PLAY CATEGORIES) 2024/2025 SEASON

TONY AWARDS PREDICTIONS (PLAY CATEGORIES) 2024/2025 SEASON

In this episode, Jeff and Richie dig into their predictions for the 2025 Tony Awards, focusing on the plays. They cover the nominees for best direction, sound and lighting design, and all the major performance categories.

21 mins
Jun 4
Ep398 - Molly Griggs: Between Southern Comfort and Broadway Grit

Ep398 - Molly Griggs: Between Southern Comfort and Broadway Grit

What starts as a conversation about acting quickly turns into a heartwarming reunion between two North Carolina natives who had no idea they practically grew up next door.

54 mins
Jun 17
S1E6 - Laura Benanti

S1E6 - Laura Benanti

This week on The Town Hall Spark Sessions, we welcome luminary actress and singer Laura Benanti. Best known for her revolutionary performance in the 2008 revival of Gypsy, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Benanti made her broadway debut at 18 playing Maria in the Sound of Music on Broadway.

21 mins
Jul 2
DEATH BECOMES HER with Marco Pennette and Kaleigh Cronin

DEATH BECOMES HER with Marco Pennette and Kaleigh Cronin

Just as DEATH BECOMES HER celebrates 10 Tony nominations, we're thrilled to celebrate our new episode dedicated to this brand-new Broadway hit!

1 h 4 mins
May 4
Ep400 - Bobby Moynihan: Collectibles, Comedy, and Catharsis

Ep400 - Bobby Moynihan: Collectibles, Comedy, and Catharsis

From growing up in Eastchester, New York with dreams of joining Saturday Night Live to becoming one of the most beloved cast members in its history, Bobby Moynihan’s story is packed with heart, humor, and a lot of unexpected turns.

50 mins
Jul 8
#65 - Lin-Manuel Miranda, The Legacy of Into the Woods

#65 - Lin-Manuel Miranda, The Legacy of Into the Woods

Lin-Manuel Miranda shares Sondheim's hilarious request for Spanish translation of "I Feel Pretty" and reflects upon the legacy of Into the Woods. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods.

59 mins
Mar 12
Bonus - Celebrating Howard Ashman

Bonus - Celebrating Howard Ashman

The Webby Award-winning podcast THE MAGICAL MAKING OF ALADDIN ON BROADWAY is back with this special episode, paying tribute to the legendary lyricist, Howard Ashman, whose impact on Disney and musical theatre as a whole can still be felt today.

25 mins
Jun 17
9. BONUS

9. BONUS

The Bonus episode! We discuss the “Black Out” weekend, more Provincetown vs. Fire Island, behind the scenes of the Fire Island movie and more anecdotes from our cast of characters. Follow @jessxnyc on IG for everything Finding Fire Island! _____.

26 mins
8/24/23
Ranking All 42 Broadway Shows This Season (42-23)

Ranking All 42 Broadway Shows This Season (42-23)

And episode so long...we have to split it in two! Matt saw Every. Single. Broadway. Show. This. Season. And my God is he gonna do the Lord's work and rank it all for you. Because why the F**K NOT?! Enjoy Part 1! Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel here!

2 h 42 mins
May 15
2025 Tony Nominations: FInal Predictions

2025 Tony Nominations: FInal Predictions

'Cause why the f**k not?! Let's be bold and brave with the Tony nominations before the big announcement day! Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here!: https://discord.gg/bbcbvZau.

1 h 31 mins
Apr 29
'Purpose' Was a Race to the Finish

'Purpose' Was a Race to the Finish

Three Tony-nominated actors from the cast of the Pulitzer Prize-winning best play nominee "Purpose" — LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Glenn Davis, and Jon Michael Hill — share the story of the show's development and reveal the challenges and joys of working with a playwright who can't help but rewrite up to very, very last minute.

39 mins
May 27
S4 EP21 From High School Musicals to Broadway Julia Lester Bops to the Top

S4 EP21 From High School Musicals to Broadway Julia Lester Bops to the Top

In this episode, we sit down with Julia Lester—star of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series , Tony-nominated breakout from Into the Woods and currently starring in my new favorite tv show- The Four Seasons.

47 mins
Jul 15
63. "It's Wicked! It Has to Be Earned!" (with Ariana Grande)

63. "It's Wicked! It Has to Be Earned!" (with Ariana Grande)

We were beyond thrillified to sit down with Ariana Grande to talk about her journey with Wicked from early fandom to playing the role of Glinda on screen. Listen in as we obsess over the Wicked OBC, recount her five rounds of auditions for the films and learn of the agreement she made with Cynthia Erivo before filming began.

1 h 6 mins
11/1/24
Oberlin College with Victoria Bussert

Oberlin College with Victoria Bussert

In this College Deep Dive, Victoria Bussert, Head of Musical Theater Oberlin College chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about: Redefining Training for the Modern Stage: A ground-up program led by a top-tier director, with handpicked faculty at the forefront of the art form.

1 h 34 mins
Jun 25
Episode IV: The Ash Grove

Episode IV: The Ash Grove

“It’s weird to, like? Talk about her in the past tense…” Melanie is surprised by what she finds in the woods. · Paul Guyet as Soothing Male Voice. · Keilly McQuail as Melanie Lavin. · Michelle Beck as Steph. · Owen Smith as Trevor.

7 mins
7/6/21
Call Me Izzy: Broadway’s Latest One-Woman Show with Jean Smart

Call Me Izzy: Broadway’s Latest One-Woman Show with Jean Smart

In this episode, we review the Broadway play Call Me Izzy at Studio 54, starring Jean Smart. We discuss the play’s themes, Smart’s performance, and the challenges of the one-woman show format. Our conversation covers the playwriting, direction, and how the production design shapes the audience experience.

27 mins
Jun 20
BONUS: Emily Maltby Finally Brings Lolita, My Love to New York

BONUS: Emily Maltby Finally Brings Lolita, My Love to New York

In this special bonus episode, we continue the story of Lolita, My Love—the infamous Alan Jay Lerner musical that never made it to Broadway. After its chaotic out-of-town run and abrupt closure in 1971, the show remained a cautionary tale of ambition and controversy.

36 mins
Jun 16
Episode 177: THE SHOW GOES ON — BROADWAY HIRINGS, FIRINGS, AND REPLACEMENTS, part 1

Episode 177: THE SHOW GOES ON — BROADWAY HIRINGS, FIRINGS, AND REPLACEMENTS, part 1

My guest is author Ron Fassler, whose latest book is titled The Show Goes On — Broadway Hirings, Firings, and Replacements, a fascinating collection of insider theater stories that range from as far back as the 1930s and go right up to today.

49 mins
May 29
Colleen Kessler (MTCA Alumni Parent and Host of Raising Lifelong Learners) on Empowering Your Student Through The College Audition Process

Colleen Kessler (MTCA Alumni Parent and Host of Raising Lifelong Learners) on Empowering Your Student Through The College Audition Process

In this Artist Exploration, Class of 2025 MTCA Alumni Parent Colleen Kessler and Director of MTCA Charlie Murphy discuss; 🔴A fresh perspective on the Musical Theater College Auditions Experience. 🔴How to enjoy this time with your student.

2 h 2 mins
Jun 4
Let's Tawk Expect The Unexpected... And Then Some

Let's Tawk Expect The Unexpected... And Then Some

Okay, obviously Big Brother is back which is very exciting but more importantly, we've got some big life updates!!! Anjelica and John are new parents and Tommy and Phil find out in real time that they can share their big update!!

47 mins
Jul 14
3. THE PINES

3. THE PINES

We trace The Pines’ closeted past to its present day sex and party-forward atmosphere. We explore the architecture of Pines homes via Horace Gifford and the impact of Pines owner John Whyte who brought celebrity.

48 mins
7/13/23
BONUS - "The Little Mermaid" Cast & Creatives at Papermill Playhouse

BONUS - "The Little Mermaid" Cast & Creatives at Papermill Playhouse

Dive into a magical behind-the-scenes journey with the cast and creative team of The Little Mermaid, now running at Paper Mill Playhouse through June 29th! This special bonus episode takes you inside the rehearsal room and onstage with the artists who are reimagining the classic Disney tale with heart, humor, and fresh perspective.

44 mins
Jun 20
#66 - Michael R. Jackson, The Legacy of Into the Woods

#66 - Michael R. Jackson, The Legacy of Into the Woods

Michael R. Jackson shares how he relates to the mixed reception received by Into the Woods, muses about he might respond to the show's criticism, and reflects upon the legacy of Into the Woods. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods.

1 h 2 mins
May 14
SMILE with Robert W. Schneider

SMILE with Robert W. Schneider

SMILE, a musical by Howard Ashman and Marvin Hamlisch about a teen beauty pageant may not have won the crown when it premiered on Broadway back in 1986, but it was the winner of this year's "Flop Shop" PATREON! poll.

1 h 13 mins
May 20
Theatre Chat: Dog Day Afternoon, Beetlejuice Returns, Smash Closing & Broadway Grosses

Theatre Chat: Dog Day Afternoon, Beetlejuice Returns, Smash Closing & Broadway Grosses

This week on Half Hour with Jeff & Richie, we break down the latest theatre news, including the Dog Day Afternoon announcement, Beetlejuice’s limited return, and the abrupt closing of Smash. We cover Off-Broadway updates from Classic Stage Company and the new Encores!

16 mins
Jun 16
2024 Tony Awards: Predicting the Winners (w/ The Theater Lovers)

2024 Tony Awards: Predicting the Winners (w/ The Theater Lovers)

Everyone is a winner. Except for those who aren't. It's almost June, which means it's almost Tony month, which means we have to get off our butts and start predicting some WINNERS! Friends of the pod Rachael Joyce and Will Anderson aka The Theater Lovers are BACK!

2 h 34 mins
5/30/24
CHESS with Michael Gordon Shapiro

CHESS with Michael Gordon Shapiro

Wasn't it Oscar Hammerstein II who remarked, "Nothing says musical theatre quite like a quiet board game and the Cold War?" Maybe not, but this week composer Michael Gordon Shapiro joins us to discuss the musical that tried it anyway.

1 h 3 mins
11/15/20
#43 Candyman

#43 Candyman

Alright folks, buckle up! We are genuinely SO excited for today's episode because we're talking about what might just be one of the absolute best films we'll ever cover on this show. We're diving into Clive Barker's chilling urban legend masterpiece – Candyman.

49 mins
Jun 6
Breakfast at Tiffany's

Breakfast at Tiffany's

You know the book. You know the movie. But do you know the Broadway musical that lasted just three days? In the mid-1960s, producer David Merrick (the notorious "Abominable Showman") had a glittering vision: transform Truman Capote's beloved Breakfast at Tiffany's into a Broadway musical.

51 mins
Jul 7
Episode V: Deer

Episode V: Deer

“The best stuff comes up when people don’t know we’re listening.” What happened to Adam that night at the Icarus Motel? · Paul Guyet as Soothing Male Voice. · Amir Darvish as Gus Finch. · Matthew Cohn as Adam Kleinhoffer. · Keilly McQuail as Melanie Lavin.

8 mins
7/13/21
University of Michigan (Act III) with Jessica Boevers Bogart and Sydney Morton

University of Michigan (Act III) with Jessica Boevers Bogart and Sydney Morton

In this College Deep Dive, MTCA Charlie Murphy chats with Jessica Boevers Bogart and Sydney Morton from University of Michigan. They chat about: Showcase as human-first, not performance-perfect. The myth of “best” auditions – it’s all about breathing and presence.

1 h 9 mins
Jun 11
#47 - Howl's Moving Castle (feat. Angelina Starceski)

#47 - Howl's Moving Castle (feat. Angelina Starceski)

The fire talks, the house moves, and we're on a ride! This week we're joined by animator and filmmaker Angelina Starceski to dive into the whacky world of Hayao Miyazaki to talk about the classic of the early aughts Howl's Moving Castle.

53 mins
Jul 3
#44 - Little Italy

#44 - Little Italy

Mamma Mia! Two Canadians are in love but can't be together because their parents own rival Pizza places! How will they ever make it work! Yes, have you ever wondered whether Anakin Skywalker and Julia Roberts niece could make a romance work?

46 mins
Jun 13
Hanging with Bradley Jaden

Hanging with Bradley Jaden

This week Ramin is hanging with one of British Musical Theatre’s rising stars, Bradley Jaden. Bradley is quickly making a name for himself as one of the West End’s most talented leading men.

52 mins
1/31/22
My Son’s a Queer at New York City Center: Identity, Imagination, and Parental Support

My Son’s a Queer at New York City Center: Identity, Imagination, and Parental Support

In this episode, we discuss the New York City Center production of My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) by Rob Madge. We break down the show’s celebration of identity and creativity, and why parental support matters for self-expression.

30 mins
Jun 13
Episode 90: A Novel Approach To Broadway History

Episode 90: A Novel Approach To Broadway History

My guest this week is author Laura Frankos whose delightful and entertaining new novel is titled Broadway Revival — What If Gershwin Had Lived? Although this is the first work of fiction that I have featured on this podcast, as you will hear, Broadway Revival is filled with fascinating and meticulously researched Broadway history.

41 mins
12/8/22
ILLINOISE - A Post Show Analysis

ILLINOISE - A Post Show Analysis

In this episode, we discuss the Tony Nominated Best Musical ILLINOISE. Please note that this episode will contain spoilers about the show. If you haven't seen the show yet, you can catch ILLINOISE playing at the St. James Theatre.

30 mins
5/1/24
Theatre Chat: Oedipus, Jeff Ross, Chess Revival & Broadway Grosses

Theatre Chat: Oedipus, Jeff Ross, Chess Revival & Broadway Grosses

On this episode of Half Hour with Jeff & Richie, we discuss the latest theater headlines, including new productions like Oedipus starring Mark Strong and Lesley Manville, Jeff Ross’s solo show, and the return of Chess.

8 mins
Jun 25
So. Let's Talk WICKED (PART 1) w/ Joel Guerrero-Sparks

So. Let's Talk WICKED (PART 1) w/ Joel Guerrero-Sparks

"It just says 'Road' to me..." I don't know if you heard...but the WICKED movie came out! And after much discussion on the Discord Channel, Matt has agreed to cover it. But not without his trusty friend: Joel Guerrero-Sparks!

2 h 3 mins
12/2/24
Home Again, Home Again (1979)

Home Again, Home Again (1979)

Composer Cy Coleman gave Broadway some of its most iconic melodies: Big Spender, Real Live Girl, Hey, Look Me Over, and the list goes on and on. He. was the King of 60s smooth swing and had never once closed a show out of town….until….

1 h 31 mins
Apr 15
Dracula, a Comedy of Terrors:  The complete radio play

Dracula, a Comedy of Terrors: The complete radio play

Along the treacherous Borgo Pass In the mountains of Transylvania, a meek English real estate agent is on a harrowing journey to meet a new and mysterious client...who also just happens to be the most terrifying and ferocious monster the world has ever known.

1 h 18 mins
5/29/20
S1E7 - Sara Bareilles

S1E7 - Sara Bareilles

This week on The Town Hall Spark Sessions, we welcome the iconic singer, songwriter, actress and composer, Sara Bareilles. With more than 15 million singles and 3 million albums sold in the U.S., she is one of the world’s leading popular musicians.

26 mins
Jul 16
West End Shows/London Trip (w/ Mom!)

West End Shows/London Trip (w/ Mom!)

BIG NEWS! MATT GOT A NEW MIC! But he isn't quite sure if he's figured it out yet. So be patient this episode. Oh! And Matt went to London again with his mom and sister!

1 h 46 mins
May 22
#2 - Celia Keenan-Bolger, Taking Care of One Another... and Ourselves

#2 - Celia Keenan-Bolger, Taking Care of One Another... and Ourselves

In honor of the Tony Awards this Sunday, June 8th, please enjoy this encore release of our chat (the second one EVER!) with 2019 Tony Award Winner, Celia Keenan-Bolger, honored this year with the 2025 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, as she opens up about her motherhood experience; how bringing Scout Finch to life eight times a week has been as fulfilling as it has been depleting, and how she navigates that, all while raising her son with the same call to action that her parents instilled in her.

52 mins
Jun 8
S11 Ep4: James Olivas

S11 Ep4: James Olivas

Jamie Lloyd’s exquisite new leading man on the honour of “pushing the boundaries” as Juan Perón in this fresh telling of Evita at the world-famous London Palladium, learning from the genius of Jamie’s direction – something he says is “a dream come true” – and its relevance to a 2025 audience.

39 mins
Jul 1
The Dead Pool

The Dead Pool

This week, join us for our episode of "Carrey'd Away" to talk about the first (but not last) time Jim Carrey would play a small role in a Clint Eastwood Vehicle.

42 mins
2/5/24
Episode VI: The Pied Piper

Episode VI: The Pied Piper

“We Made Signs.” Melanie finds an important clue on the Caldwell Cosmetics message board. · Keilly McQuail as Melanie Lavin. · Meg MacCary as Laura. · Susannah Jones as Female Voice One. · Michelle Beck as Steph. · Written by Caroline V. McGraw.

8 mins
7/20/21
Ep401 - Erik Christopher Peterson: Magic, (de)Mentors, and the Malfoy Legacy

Ep401 - Erik Christopher Peterson: Magic, (de)Mentors, and the Malfoy Legacy

Theatre and magic collide as Erik Christopher Peterson kicks off a seven-episode Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast takeover on the podcast. In this deep-dive conversation, Erik reflects on growing up with a theatre educator dad, trading in his baseball glove for the stage, and eventually making his Broadway debut as Scorpius Malfoy.

41 mins
Jul 15
S4 EP18 He Knocks Me Out with Jerry Mitchell

S4 EP18 He Knocks Me Out with Jerry Mitchell

We have "full-out" amazing choreographer & director, Jerry Mitchell with us! Jerry tells us all things Boop! The Musical, what to do and what not to do at those dance calls, and great tips on how to make it on Broadway!

49 mins
May 22
In Living Color (Season 1)

In Living Color (Season 1)

Remember when a bunch of the most talented and charismatic comedians of the 20th Century started a comedy variety show in the late 20th Century?!

49 mins
3/4/24
BEETLEJUICE with Ryan Breslin

BEETLEJUICE with Ryan Breslin

Beetlejuice...Beetlejuice...Beetle-just kidding, we're not that crazy. Today, we're talking about "you know who," and we're doing it with original Broadway cast member and current dance captain on the BEETLEJUICE national tour, Ryan Breslin!

1 h 1 min
Mar 29
Behind Beau the Musical with Douglas Lyons

Behind Beau the Musical with Douglas Lyons

Jeff and Richie welcome Douglas Lyons to discuss Beau the Musical, currently onstage in New York. Douglas opens up about the creative process, how his background as an actor shapes his writing, and why intergenerational queer stories matter.

25 mins
Jul 11
Hanging With Sierra Boggess (Part 2)

Hanging With Sierra Boggess (Part 2)

Sierra Boggess is a Laurence Olivier nominated American stage actress with a soprano voice like no other. Sierra has starred in The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, It Should Have Been You, School of Rock, Masterclass, The Little Mermaid and Les Miserables.

41 mins
1/12/21
70. The Sky Is Not the Limit (with Mandy Gonzalez)

70. The Sky Is Not the Limit (with Mandy Gonzalez)

Years before Mandy Gonzalez was taking the final bow in Wicked as Elphaba on Broadway, she was in the (absolutely stacked) ensemble at the show’s first reading.

1 h 4 mins
Apr 14
Grover’s Corners (1987)

Grover’s Corners (1987)

In 1960, Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt created theater. history when their whimsical musical, The Fantasticks, the little show that. no one believed in, opened and would not close until forty years later. Twenty-seven years later they would say “Smart New York money says we're not what's.

58 mins
May 27
Rent #1: Creator Jonathan Larson, Early Days

Rent #1: Creator Jonathan Larson, Early Days

Listen in on this never before heard, very candid interview with Rent creator Jonathan Larson’s father, Allan Larson, and Jonathan’s sister, Julie Larson, as they share stories about Jonathan’s early passion for musical theatre, his extraordinary early musical gifts, and Jonathan’s deep desire to make musical theater relevant again for a whole new generation.

37 mins
5/15/24
101 Lehman Engel Tribute 2

101 Lehman Engel Tribute 2

The second of a three-part program paying tribute to famed conductor, composer, author, and teacher Lehman Engel. Engel is best known for having conducted over 150 musicals and shows, six of which earned him the Tony Award for Best Conductor and Musical Director.

31 mins
Mar 10
71. An Elphaba Like No Other (with Myra Ruiz)

71. An Elphaba Like No Other (with Myra Ruiz)

Myra Ruiz has starred in not one, not two, but three different productions of Wicked. After opening the original Brazilian production, she returned to the role in two separate non-replica revivals. She can also be heard as the voice of Elphaba in the Portuguese dub of the Wicked movie.

1 h 15 mins
May 16
Episode 16: PHIL GEOFFREY BOND & LUCIA SPINA from "Sondheim Unplugged"

Episode 16: PHIL GEOFFREY BOND & LUCIA SPINA from "Sondheim Unplugged"

An episode for Sondheim fans! This week, we turn our focus to Sondheim Unplugged, one of the most popular and long-running series presented at Feinstein’s/54 Below.

44 mins
1/13/21
 Fun Is a Prerequisite: Broadway Director-Choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter’s Recipe for Kind Leadership

Fun Is a Prerequisite: Broadway Director-Choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter’s Recipe for Kind Leadership

Broadway Director & Choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter (Bad Cinderella, School of Rock) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss creating kind communities in theatre, her magical new production of Disney's The Little Mermaid at Paper Mill Playhouse, why she only wants to work with compassionate people and more.

53 mins
Jun 9
Happy Hour #106: On Wednesdays we Podcast Pink - ‘Mean Girls’

Happy Hour #106: On Wednesdays we Podcast Pink - ‘Mean Girls’

Get in, losers. We’re talking about Mean Girls. From it’s earliest self-help origins all the way through to todays “the-trailer-didn’t-say-it-was-a-musical” movie, Jimi and Tommy contemplate the traps of adaptations, memes from old movies, the Jimmy (and Jimi) awards, and Tina Fey’s (literall) love letter to high school theatre.

1 h 48 mins
3/29/24
Ep395 - Julia Knitel: Weird, Wild, and Wonderfully Herself

Ep395 - Julia Knitel: Weird, Wild, and Wonderfully Herself

Julia Knitel grew up immersed in theater, with parents who ran a community company out of a church basement. From an early age, she was surrounded by costumes, sets, and the collaborative chaos that comes with putting on a show — and she was hooked.

40 mins
Jun 3
Curtis Holland (Broadway’s The Great Gatsby) on Being True to YOU

Curtis Holland (Broadway’s The Great Gatsby) on Being True to YOU

In this Artist Exploration Curtis Holland (Broadway’s The Great Gatsby) and Director of MTCA, Charlie Murphy discuss; 🔴Curtis’s early start in the business. 🔴How his outlook on the industry was an asset. 🔴Performing in a new musical.

1 h 10 mins
Jun 18
S4 EP13 Make 'Em Laugh with Roger Bart

S4 EP13 Make 'Em Laugh with Roger Bart

Roger Bart, one of the funniest people on Broadway, joins us this week. I really wanted to know how he approaches comedic roles- like Doc in Back to the future. He tells us all about his technique to finding the funny.

40 mins
9/24/24
Lolita. My Love

Lolita. My Love

In 1958, Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita shocked American readers with its provocative tale of obsession and manipulation—just as Alan Jay Lerner’s musical Gigi, featuring the now-cringeworthy “Thank Heaven for Little Girls,” was charming its way to nine Oscars.

51 mins
May 31
4. TEA

4. TEA

We focus on the legendary parties Fire Island is known for, beginning with the history of The Tea Dance and DJ Lina Bradford’s 10-year reign in The Pines. We detail The Morning Party, The Underwear Party and The Pines Party.

49 mins
7/20/23
Episode VIII: Just Getting Started

Episode VIII: Just Getting Started

”…all the wherefore and the whiches…” Adam and Melanie reunite at Biscuits Diner and compare notes. · Amir Darvish as Gus Finch. · Matthew Cohn as Adam Kleinhoffer. · Keilly McQuail as Melanie Lavin. · Inés del Castillo as Female Voice Two.

12 mins
8/3/21
#276 HARVEY EVANS (1941-2021)

#276 HARVEY EVANS (1941-2021)

To celebrate the life of Harvey Evans we are re-airing our interview with Harvey which we conducted in 2018. A dancer's life on Broadway can be limited, but, if you are Harvey Evans, your abilities have no boundaries.

1 h 5 mins
12/27/21
#45 - Modern Times

#45 - Modern Times

This week, Charlie Chaplin takes us 90 years into the past to visit Modern Times! Boy, wouldn't it be nice if this movie wasn't still relevant? Chaplin's last outing as The Tramp, Modern Times is a celebration of early film techniques and creativity, with an undercurrent of sharp social commentary that time has not dulled one bit.

54 mins
Jun 20
Matt Reviews FLOYD COLLINS, PIRATES! & JUST IN TIME

Matt Reviews FLOYD COLLINS, PIRATES! & JUST IN TIME

"This is IT!" Matt saw SOOOO much Broadway this week, he couldn't fit it all into one episode. So, he's chosen to cover LCT's revival of FLOYD COLLINS, Roundabout's revisal of PIRATES and 54 Below's...sorry, Broadway's JUST IN TIME. Listen! Discuss!

1 h 32 mins
Apr 28
Summer Break for the Podcast! Charlie Talks Through Episode "Toppers" and Summer Audio Blogs

Summer Break for the Podcast! Charlie Talks Through Episode "Toppers" and Summer Audio Blogs

If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com. If you’re interested in working with MTCA for help with your individualized preparation for your College Audition journey, please check us out at mtca.com, or on Instagram or Facebook.

16 mins
Jul 2
BONUS - Kyla Jade Make me a Musical

BONUS - Kyla Jade Make me a Musical

In this special episode of Make Me A Musical, host Jesse McAnally sits down with the powerhouse vocalist and performer Kyla Jade, who’s taking on not one, but two iconic roles — Aunt Em and Evillene — in the upcoming production of The Wiz at the Fisher Theatre, running June 17–29, 2025.

26 mins
Jun 16
Megan Hilty & Jennifer Simard: Death Becomes Them

Megan Hilty & Jennifer Simard: Death Becomes Them

The stars of the new Broadway musical adaptation of "Death Becomes Her" talk comic timing, macabre special effects, and why Hilty always knew "Death Becomes Her" would make a great musical.

28 mins
11/12/24
#46 - Inside Llewyn Davis

#46 - Inside Llewyn Davis

UH OH! This week the Coen Brothers take us into the folk scene of 1960s Greenwich Village. Equally hilarious and depressing, Inside Llewyn Davis follows a folk singer wading through his mess of a life, searching for his breakthrough.

55 mins
Jun 27
#1 - Aladdin from Screen to Stage

#1 - Aladdin from Screen to Stage

Ever wondered how a beloved Disney movie is transformed into a dazzling musical phenomenon? Find out in this first episode on the unlikely journey of ALADDIN to Broadway. Prepare to be surprised as we reveal the challenges that nearly derailed the entire production.

39 mins
7/15/24
S. 3, Ep. 9: Cathedral by Raymond Carver

S. 3, Ep. 9: Cathedral by Raymond Carver

Connecticut, 1983: In a strained marriage, a narrow-minded, prejudiced man- and his wife- host the wife’s former coworker for the night. Their guest is a blind man, and that’s the last person in the world this man wants to host...

42 mins
2/19/24
‘How I Learned to Drive’ in the Rearview

‘How I Learned to Drive’ in the Rearview

Actor David Morse and playwright Paula Vogel on what they’ve learned revisiting the Pulitzer-winning, Tony-nominated play.

37 mins
6/7/22
Chapter 1: From Page to Stage

Chapter 1: From Page to Stage

In 1988 the Royal Shakespeare Company teamed up with the creators of Fame to turn Stephen King's horror novel ‘Carrie’ into a musical. The result was one of Broadway's most infamous disasters. For fans Holly and Chris, an obsession was born.

46 mins
1/27/21
68. The Last Elphaba of An Era (with Mary Kate Morrissey)

68. The Last Elphaba of An Era (with Mary Kate Morrissey)

As her triumphant run in Wicked on Broadway is winding down, Mary Kate Morrissey is back on the pod for an unofficial exit interview. Mary Kate and the Sent Men yap about playing golf, creating content and staying healthy.

1 h 11 mins
Feb 24
Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All

Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All

Did you know that Stacy Keach had a wild recurring Detective Character called Mike Hammer, who would pop onto Prime Time television periodically to entertain boomers with power fantasies? Did you know Jim Carrey was a very strange guest star in one of those TV-Movies?

35 mins
2/19/24
Summer Break Audio Blog: Hitting Your Home Runs

Summer Break Audio Blog: Hitting Your Home Runs

In this Summer Break episode, Charlie shares an audio version of his blog post, Hitting Your Home Runs. You can also find the written piece on our website at mtca.com. If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com.

15 mins
Jul 9
S. 1, Ep. 6: Xingu by Edith Wharton

S. 1, Ep. 6: Xingu by Edith Wharton

Hillbridge, 1916: The ladies of the local lunch club have invited the celebrated novelist of their latest read to be their guest. However, their own internal competition and inferiority complexes send the meticulously planned afternoon of literary discussion wildly off the rails.

49 mins
1/29/22
Paper Moon (1993)

Paper Moon (1993)

This one is a heart-breaker, friends. A real, honest to Sondheim heart-breaker. Like Avenue Q beating Wicked heart-breaker because, unless without a deus ex machina at Paramount Studios, we will never, ever see a musical that everyone says was one of the greatest musicals of the 1990s.

1 h 27 mins
3/28/24
Matt Reviews BOOP & THE LAST 5 YEARS

Matt Reviews BOOP & THE LAST 5 YEARS

"I can do better than that..." Matt goes to see the new comic musical BOOP and has a *lot* of suggestions, plus the first Broadway production of THE LAST 5 YEARS and...well, has thoughts on that as well. Take a listen!

1 h 9 mins
Apr 8
#48 - Superman: The Movie

#48 - Superman: The Movie

Up there! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Margot Kidder doing slam poetry for Christopher Reeve! In Richard Donner's Superman: The Movie, we see the best portrayal of Superman, Lex Luthor played by an actor who was just difficult (instead of fully evil), and innovative special effects that have aged a lot, but somehow aged wonderfully.

52 mins
Jul 11
Ep 41 - Tiffany Mann  - The Uncertain Part

Ep 41 - Tiffany Mann - The Uncertain Part

Tiffany Mann is an extraordinary singer and actor who is often hailed as a powerhouse - and so it might seem surprising that she battles uncertainty just like the rest of us.

41 mins
Jul 16
1 – Not Famous

1 – Not Famous

The Professor isn't confident about podcasting. But she is confident about singing so... she does that. Then she calls a famous friend for advice. (Spoilers: it's Santa Claus) Starring: Jaime Lyn Beatty. Brian Holden. Dylan Saunders. Music & Lyrics: Clark Baxtresser.

12 mins
7/1/23
THE OUTSIDERS with Kevin Csolak

THE OUTSIDERS with Kevin Csolak

This week we wrap our three-episode series on recent entries into musical theatre history with one of today's biggest Broadway hits! THE OUTSIDERS became standard reading for young people in the United States following its novel debut in the 1960s, and now the story has become essential viewing for all musical theatre fans.

1 h 12 mins
Feb 15
Pink Cadillac

Pink Cadillac

When you think ROMANCE who are the first two actors you think of? I mean, the first people I think of are Clint Eastwood and Bernadette Peters of course. THE ROMANTIC CHEMISTRY BLEEDS OFF THE SCREEN! That's right we're doing more Clint Eastwood nonsense this week, and it's actually kind of fun.

40 mins
2/26/24
OH NO! I FLEW TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN!

OH NO! I FLEW TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN!

OH NO! I FLEW TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN! written by Rand Higbee. It is Rome in 120 A.D. Festus is quite excited when he learns that he has been cast in the role of Icarus in a performance at the Colosseum.

31 mins
Jun 23
64. “This Story Deserves the Best of Us” (with Cynthia Erivo)

64. “This Story Deserves the Best of Us” (with Cynthia Erivo)

Our hearts are leaping in the giddiest of whirls, because today on the pod we’re talking to the one and only Cynthia Erivo. Together, we talk through her Wicked origins at drama school, the magic that happened when she sang with Ariana Grande for the first time and why there was no such thing as a small day on set while making the Wicked movies.

1 h 12 mins
11/15/24
Mary Mitchell Campbell (The Prom) on Music Directing and Holistic Success

Mary Mitchell Campbell (The Prom) on Music Directing and Holistic Success

In the Artist Exploration, Mary Mitchell Campbell (The Prom) chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about: Responsibilities of music director. Questions you should be prepared to answer for a music director. Balancing time and how to manage integrity.

1 h 22 mins
Feb 19
Tony Nominee Megan Hilty (Death Becomes Her): Let Kindness Be Your Star [Re-Release]

Tony Nominee Megan Hilty (Death Becomes Her): Let Kindness Be Your Star [Re-Release]

From the AOK archive: Broadway star Megan Hilty joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss her incredible career through the lens of kindness. From Idina Menzel's career-changing act of kindness to what she learned from Dolly Parton herself, Megan shares countless inspiring stories and quips while reflecting on her journey.

52 mins
Jun 5
Episode 131 | Live from the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival

Episode 131 | Live from the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival

Episode 131 of Survival Jobs, a Podcast is live and brimming with red carpet exclusives from the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. Hosts Jason A.

54 mins
Jun 13
S11 Ep2: Georgina Onuorah

S11 Ep2: Georgina Onuorah

London's finest leading star on her "insane" time playing Lulu in the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of Shucked, leaning into the vocal marathon of singing Independently Owned each night and why life in the world of a musical comedy feels just right.

26 mins
May 17
#38 - Audra McDonald, Then and Now - Part 1

#38 - Audra McDonald, Then and Now - Part 1

In honor of the Tony Awards this Sunday, please enjoy this encore release of our chat with nominee (for the 7th time!) Audra McDonald, currently starring as Mama Rose in GYPSY. Make sure to follow up with Part 2 and follow the Mamas on Instagram @mamastalkinloudpod for up to date info on their return.

38 mins
Jun 6
Critics Corner: Small Talk with Colin Quinn

Critics Corner: Small Talk with Colin Quinn

Robert W. Schneider reviews monologuist Colin Quinn's new show, Small Talk, at the Lucille Lortel and gives it 4/5 stars!

9 mins
2/14/23
CRAZY FOR YOU with Shannon Lewis

CRAZY FOR YOU with Shannon Lewis

"Let me give you the lowdown, we're K-razy for 'Lew!'" This week we're covering a game changing musical based on a game changing musical (get ready for Jeff's "Expired Ketchup" metaphor) featuring the Broadway debut of a performer who's now enjoying her Broadway debut as a choreographer!

1 h 8 mins
Apr 12
COME FROM AWAY w/ Lauren Nicole Chapman

COME FROM AWAY w/ Lauren Nicole Chapman

"Welcome to the Rock..." GRAB BAG continues with the Tony winning Canadian Feel Good Musical COME FROM AWAY. Good friend and gal Lauren Nicole Chapman (FROZEN, KINKY BOOTS) joins the Breakdown to discuss the wonderfulness of intermissionless shows, married life, and the controversial play Matt saw on a second date.

1 h 52 mins
Feb 6
High Strung (1992)

High Strung (1992)

We're back at you with one of the strangest things we've covered so far (and that's saying something), from the mind of Kung Pow's Steve Oedekerk we have High Strung, a Bill Hicks style rant film where Jim Carrey plays the Grim Reaper.

37 mins
4/22/24
#39 - Audra McDonald, Then and Now - Part 2

#39 - Audra McDonald, Then and Now - Part 2

In honor of the Tony Awards this Sunday, please enjoy this encore release of our chat with nominee (for the 7th time!) Audra McDonald, currently starring as Mama Rose in GYPSY. Make sure you've listened to Part 1 and follow the Mamas on Instagram @mamastalkinloudpod for up to date info on their return.

28 mins
Jun 6
Episode 134 | Live from the opening night of Machinal

Episode 134 | Live from the opening night of Machinal

Survival Jobs Co-Host Samantha Tuozzolo is live from the iconic opening night carpet of Machinal a bold, gender-expansive revival of Sophie Treadwell’s iconic play, reimagined through a queer, non-conforming lens. Machinal is currently running at New York City Center through July 13th.

22 mins
Jul 2
Episode 126 | Live from "JUST IN TIME" Opening Night!

Episode 126 | Live from "JUST IN TIME" Opening Night!

Survival Jobs Co-Host Samantha Tuozzolo is live from the iconic opening night carpet of Just In Time on Broadway which took place on April 23,2025. Featuring interviews with VIP arrivals, creatives and cast of the show including 2025 Tony Award nominee's Jonathan Groff and Gracie Lawrence.

46 mins
May 22
Episode 6: The Stage Lefty Awards

Episode 6: The Stage Lefty Awards

On this special episode of “Stage Left: The Podcast”, anchor Rob Russo is joined by prior panelists Ayanna Prescod, Casey Mink, and Christian Lewis, and special guest Jamie DuMont from “The Fabulous Invalid”, for the first-ever “Stage Lefty Awards” in celebration of the abbreviated 2019-2020 season of theatre in New York.

1 h 3 mins
6/12/20
Matt Reviews REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES, OLD FRIENDS and DEAD OUTLAW

Matt Reviews REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES, OLD FRIENDS and DEAD OUTLAW

And a few other shows, actually... Matt saw a whole bunch of stuff. Not just what's in the title. He also saw WONDERFUL TOWN at Encores, the final performance of ZORBA at J2 Spotlight and had a second viewing of DEATH BECOMES HER. It's a lot!

1 h 43 mins
May 8
Episode 132 | Live from the 2025 Black Women on Broadway Awards

Episode 132 | Live from the 2025 Black Women on Broadway Awards

In a heartfelt and joyous celebration of Black excellence in theatre, Survival Jobs, a Podcast releases Episode 132, recorded live from the red carpet of the 2025 Black Women on Broadway Awards on Monday, June 3, 2025. Hosted by Jason A.

47 mins
Jun 19
Matt Reviews PURPOSE & JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN

Matt Reviews PURPOSE & JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN

"To quote Taylor Swift..." Matt sees the latest work by Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins, PURPOSE, as well as the Broadway premiere of JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN. Was JOHN *actually* Matt's nightmare? Which actor in PURPOSE gave Matt life? Find out!!

1 h 6 mins
Apr 15
7. MEN DIE & WOMEN BUY

7. MEN DIE & WOMEN BUY

We trace the rise of the HIV/AIDS crisis alongside women having more earning power and buying homes in Cherry Grove. Plus, we explore the emotion around The Meatrack and Fire Island’s response to the crisis with The Morning Party.

40 mins
8/10/23
#4 - Kenny Leon & Luke Sheppard

#4 - Kenny Leon & Luke Sheppard

Finding the direction. Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon speaks with & Juliet director Luke Sheppard about how they get their stories on stage.

18 mins
4/26/23
DOCTORS & LAWYERS: 1st Edition Rules (A Dungeons & Dragons parody) *REMASTERED

DOCTORS & LAWYERS: 1st Edition Rules (A Dungeons & Dragons parody) *REMASTERED

DOCTORS & LAWYERS: 1st Edition Rules (A Dungeons & Dragons parody) - In this D&D parody, imagine an alternate reality where ruthless Barbarians, powerful Wizards, and cunning Thieves dive into the Fantasy Corporate World with the hit roleplaying game DOCTORS & LAWYERS.

17 mins
Jun 7
256 - Places, Please Series: Part 6 with Ken Davenport

256 - Places, Please Series: Part 6 with Ken Davenport

One of the most fun and most productive events we had this year was our “Take Charge of Your ’21” Challenge in January. Over 500 TheaterMakers joined us to hear tips and strategies on how to have your best year yet from super successful people in the business.

1 h 15 mins
11/4/21
#41 - The Cat in the Hat

#41 - The Cat in the Hat

WE ARE DIVING INTO INSANEY TOWN BECAUSE IT IS TIME TO TALK ABOUT MIKE MEYERS IN THE CAT IN THE HAT! Is it good? No! Is it fun to watch? YES! I will die on this freaking hill, the film is a surrealist masterpiece!

57 mins
May 23
67. Elsa and Norma and Karen, Oh My! (with Caroline Bowman)

67. Elsa and Norma and Karen, Oh My! (with Caroline Bowman)

She’s come home at last! Caroline Bowman (Sentimental Men’s second ever guest!) is back on the pod to tell the boys what she’s been up to since 2020. You’ll hear about the five years she spent playing Elsa on the Frozen national tour, her first time standing by in the Sunset Boulevard revival and the epic story of how she booked Smash on Broadway.

1 h 13 mins
Feb 4
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (Broadway) - A Post Show Analysis

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (Broadway) - A Post Show Analysis

In this episode of *Half Hour with Jeff & Richie*, we dive into the Broadway production of The Picture of Dorian Gray at the Music Box Theatre. Featuring Sarah Snook's captivating one-person performance, we discuss how Kip Williams' direction and innovative use of technology bring Oscar Wilde's classic tale to life.

29 mins
Apr 4
Episode One: From Transylvania with Love

Episode One: From Transylvania with Love

When Jonathan Harker travels to Romania for a real estate deal, he inadvertently lures the extraordinarily attractive, wealthy, and immortal Count Dracula back to England in pursuit of his own fiancé, Lucy Westfeldt. Episode 1 cast: Christopher Sieber as Count Dracula.

22 mins
5/1/20
6. LEGENDS & LORE

6. LEGENDS & LORE

We illuminate tales of Liza Minnelli, Carol Channing, Andy Warhol, Jerry Herman, Calvin Klein, Robert Mapplethorpe, Truman Capote, Andy Cohen, Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna on Fire Island. Plus, the filming of “The Normal Heart” and cultural treasure troves discovered in Pines homes.

41 mins
8/3/23
NEWSIES with Dillon Klena

NEWSIES with Dillon Klena

Send out the call! We're not on strike, but we are covering the biggest hit to start out as a bigger flop (not a bad word). NEWSIES meant a lot to those of us who grew up in the 90s and, thanks to the stage adaptation that fouette'd all over Broadway in 2012, it will continue to mean a lot to future generations.

1 h 23 mins
7/14/24
Moby Dick - Abridgd Too Far

Moby Dick - Abridgd Too Far

World-renowned and very clever Professor of Short Books, Douglas Ullard...along with his Twenty-Two Minute and Seventeen Second Classic Literature Audio Armchair Theatre Company (or TTMASSCLAATC for short) brings you Herman Melville's "Great American Novel" in just...well...1,337 seconds.

24 mins
Jun 12
Episode 133 | Caesar Samayoa: "Ben & Olivers"

Episode 133 | Caesar Samayoa: "Ben & Olivers"

Episode #133 of Survival Jobs: A Podcast is out now, featuring the charismatic and versatile Caesar Samayoa—currently lighting up the stage eight times a week in Broadway’s immersive hit Just In Time at New York’s Circle in the Square Theatre.

60 mins
Jun 26
DEAR EVAN HANSEN with Robert Bannon

DEAR EVAN HANSEN with Robert Bannon

Coming in at a healthy 1 hour and 40 minutes, this match, I mean episode, on DEAR EVAN HANSEN explores it all. In one corner, a podcast host fighting for empathy. In another, a podcast host fighting for justice. Who will win?!

1 h 41 mins
11/12/23
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Glenn Rosenblum

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Glenn Rosenblum

On our very first full length episode, Jeff discusses his favorite (feminist) musical from 1964 with guest Glenn Rosenblum, finally gives Fruma Sarah the attention she deserves, and explores how FIDDLER ON THE ROOF became the Jewish musical that every culture has adopted as its own.

1 h 21 mins
11/24/19
Chicago #3: “Nowadays” 28 Years Later

Chicago #3: “Nowadays” 28 Years Later

When a scaled down, revival production of Chicago launched a 4-day run at City Center Encores before transferring to Broadway in 1996, no one anticipated that the show would still be running on Broadway after 28 years and over 11,000 performances.

22 mins
Mar 20
Episode 122 | Olivia Puckett: "Nanny"

Episode 122 | Olivia Puckett: "Nanny"

Your favorite podcast hosts Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo , are thrilled to announce the latest episode of the “Survival Jobs”, featuring the amazingly talented and insightful Olivia Puckett who is currently understudying all five roles in the new limited engagement 12 week off-Broadway play, All Nighter.

43 mins
Mar 20
Film Audition Tips

Film Audition Tips

Welcome to Casting Actors Cast, your ultimate guide to the art of acting. I'm your host, Jeffrey Dreisbach, and today, we're diving deep into the world of Auditioning for film.

22 mins
Jun 12
Ep215 - Katie Sina, Jellylorum in 2025 Fulton Theatre Coaster CATS

Ep215 - Katie Sina, Jellylorum in 2025 Fulton Theatre Coaster CATS

Throughout the summer, we are working with the Fulton Theatre to bring you a series of episodes with the cast and creative team from their new amusement park production of CATS.

36 mins
Jul 1
WAITRESS with Jessie Mueller

WAITRESS with Jessie Mueller

The musical WAITRESS emerged from the 2016 Broadway season (supposedly dominated by HAMILTON) as something similar to its protagonist's famous pies: a hit on the outside thanks to secret ingredients on the inside.

1 h 12 mins
5/28/23
Theatre Chat: Chess, Ragtime, Patti LuPone & The Broadway Grosses

Theatre Chat: Chess, Ragtime, Patti LuPone & The Broadway Grosses

This week on Half Hour with Jeff & Richie, we’re talking about the highly anticipated revival of Chess with Lea Michele, cast news for Ragtime, and the latest on the Tony Awards. We also discuss Patti LuPone’s recent comments and her public apology, and analyze the record-breaking Broadway grosses for the 2024-25 season.

19 mins
Jun 2
Chicago #1: John Kander & the Making of Chicago

Chicago #1: John Kander & the Making of Chicago

Legendary composer John Kander (Chicago, Cabaret, Steel Pier, Zorba) shares rarified insider stories with Michael Riedel about the making of Chicago. Kander reminisces about creating epic musical hits with songwriting partner Fred Ebb and collaborating with Director/Choregrapher Bob Fosse.

24 mins
Mar 20
Bob Odenkirk's 30-Year Road to 'Glengarry Glen Ross'

Bob Odenkirk's 30-Year Road to 'Glengarry Glen Ross'

The Emmy-winning actor and writer ("Better Call Saul") discusses his Tony-nominated Broadway debut in "Glengarry Glen Ross" — and shares his 30-year-old pitch to playwright David Mamet to do the play with a cast full of comedians.

31 mins
May 13
Episode 127 | Angelica Hale: "America's Got Talent"

Episode 127 | Angelica Hale: "America's Got Talent"

After a brief hiatus, your favorite podcast hosts Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo are back with another can't-miss episode of Survival Jobs —this time sitting down with the sensational Angelica Hale, the powerhouse vocalist and breakout star of Broadway’s BOOP!

46 mins
May 22
Episode 157: Hammerstein Invents The Musical, part 2

Episode 157: Hammerstein Invents The Musical, part 2

My guest again this week is the noted journalist and theater critic Laurie Winer, who returns for part two of our conversation about her book, Oscar Hammerstein II and the Invention of The Musical. If you missed part one, you may want to catch up with that before listening to this one.

29 mins
11/14/24
Dancin: Revisiting Our Interview with Wayne Cilento

Dancin: Revisiting Our Interview with Wayne Cilento

Friends, you need to go see Dancin! It is one of the best musicals on Broadway and is true brilliance. To celebrate its opening, we are sharing our 2019 interview with director/choreographer of Dancin, Wayne Cilento! Dancin Tickets HERE.

1 h 10 mins
3/20/23
8. WINTER

8. WINTER

“Another Winter in a Summer Town” - Grey Gardens. We hear stories of fires and hurricanes on Fire Island which often threaten to destroy it. Plus — Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s and how to survive winter on the island with several year-rounders.

37 mins
8/17/23
Preview of Heléne Yorke interview on Geffen Playhouse UNSCRIPTED

Preview of Heléne Yorke interview on Geffen Playhouse UNSCRIPTED

LIVING THE DREAM is taking a hiatus for now, but you can still listen to Rory interview theater artists on the GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE UNSCRIPTED podcast! Here is a preview of his talk with Heléne Yorke. Subscribe to UNSCRIPTED so you won't miss any of these great conversations!

1 min
3/6/19
The Playwright's Toolbox- With Justin Maxwell

The Playwright's Toolbox- With Justin Maxwell

In this episode, playwrights David, Mark-Eugene, and special guest Dylan Glick discuss their playwriting journeys, creative processes, favorite writers, and best advice for fellow dramatists.

1 h 26 mins
Jun 9
Fables, Folklore, and Farce- A Conversation With Mark-Eugene Garcia

Fables, Folklore, and Farce- A Conversation With Mark-Eugene Garcia

In a special twist for this episode, David interviews Mark-Eugene Garcia during a Friday the 13th birthday book signing celebrating the publication of his three plays: With Bated Breath, Eight Tales of Pedro, and Goat Blood.

1 h 1 min
Jun 23
FUNNY GIRL with Ruby Karp

FUNNY GIRL with Ruby Karp

This week we're the luckiest people in the world as "funny girl" Ruby Karp joins us to discuss the legendary musical FUNNY GIRL. Throughout the conversation there is plenty of love for Babs, plenty of "not love" for Nicky Arnstein, and even a hypothesis regarding who Fanny Brice's third husband would have been in the 2020s.

1 h 10 mins
Mar 15
Lolita, My Love (1971)

Lolita, My Love (1971)

Trigger Warning: This episode deals with pedophilia. If there was source material that no one ever thought could. be a musical, you would go to one man to write it. Not Lin Manuel Miranda. Not. Stephen Sondheim. Not even Oscar Hammerstein.

1 h 4 mins
Apr 1

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