Down Stage Left Podcast

Notice us Jennifer Simard! This week we deep dive Sister Act - and we tangent like crazy. So if you like nuns, dislike gingers, and love a tangent (Grease!) this episode is for you! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

We're into plays right now! Lauren does a deep dive into the magical world of Harry Potter - on stage! Why this show actually needs the 5.5 hour run time and the practical magic of it all!⁠ ⁠ Note: while this podcast digs HP and the Wizarding World, we do not condone, support, or even like JK Rowling even a little. She can take her hate filled agenda and go f*ck herself. Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Sheeee's baaaack! We figured out how to get Lauren back in the studio (by bringing the studio to her!) but did figure out sound until a little ways into recording. Fresh off Karen's trip to NYC - we talk about the play John Proctor is the Villain and why this show is pretty perfect. Karen cried! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

This week it's a new host, a new show, and more! Natalie sits in for Lauren as Karen deep dives into her trip to New York and we talk all things Death Becomes Her (notice us Jennifer Simard)! A good movie to stage adaptation that keeps the hilarity from the movie but does it's own thing. Oh, and Karen got Sutton Foster'd.. again. That was rude. That was very f*cking rude.

This week Karen combines her two loves: musical theatre and... MAGIC! And behold, Pippin! She goes over the 4 things Lauren knows about the show and then deep dives this Schwartz classic. Before Wicked... there was Pippin! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today Lauren takes us on a deep dive of Kimberly Akimbo and essentially spends an hour gushing about why she loves it so much. Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Today Karen takes us on a deep dive of Matilda the Musical! Also... are we starting a Nancy Drew podcast? Either way, we call dibs on the rights for a Nancy Drew musical! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Today Lauren takes us on a deep dive of SIX - a show with all of her favorite things (parts for women! a short run time! all girl band!) while Karen fills in the historical fun facts! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Willkommen! Today we finally get to utilize our German language skills and chat about symbolism, night clubs, and Nazis as we break down Cabaret! Continuing our quest for Eva Noblezada to notice us! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

I hope you're ready for what we have in store for you today; Lauren was so excited to be back on the pod that she thought it was appropriate to terrorize Karen with another fan-fiction!!! Enjoy! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Lauren is BACK! After a months long hiatus she returns! It's been a minute, but Karen takes us on a new quest: Notice us Eva Noblezada! Today we chat (more greek mythology) the musical Hadestown! Do we make it out of this episode? Did you? Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday Folks! Lauren is still out and Karen and the youths discuss The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday! Lauren is still out this week, but now it takes three women to replace her... Natalie, Ava, and Logann stop by today to chat with Karen about Steel Magnolias. Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

We're back everyone! Happy Wednesday and thank you for your patience... this winter has hit us extra hard. So. Many. Things! Filling in for Lauren (who had car troubles, but lives) is Natalie! Karen deep dives a newer (but almost 20 years old) musical - Legally Blonde! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Lauren is in a show! This week, Karen's students join her to discuss shows she'll never do. And Karen is reminded that she isn't a sound engineer!

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today Karen takes us on a deep dive of Dream Girls! Which is absolutely not the story of Diana Ross and the Supremes. Definitely not. Nothing to see there... Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

We're back! Happy New Year! Today we're going on a deep dive of the straight show Lauren is currently working on: Five Women Wearing the Same Dress. How many joints, soapboxes, and problematic men can we find in this show...? Local friends come join the fun (mature audiences only) https://www.stdunstanstheatre.com/tickets

Katherine and Natalie join us from Stage Struck and we discuss the upcoming 2025 Broadway season and what's on our 2025 theatre bucket list (spoilers, not a lot in NYC). What are you looking forward to in the new year? And, Merry Christmas for real this time! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Merry (almost) Christmas!!! Today we take a deep dive into a super nostalgic musical: You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. This show gives us feels. (Note: Because reading Calendars is hard, Lauren incorrectly identified that this episode would drop on Christmas... if you're currently panicking... we're sorry. You still have a week to finish shopping...) Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday! Today Karen takes us on a deep dive of Broadway's adaption of Back to the Future and Lauren celebrates her hit-or-miss memory! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today Karen and Lauren take us on a deep dive of The Drowsy Chaperone and all the things about we love and don't love... Stumble along with us. Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

We're back! After a few weeks of shows and insanity Karen and Lauren are back to their regular nonsense. Today we're doing a deep dive on Little Women as Karen continues her quest for JJ Neimann to notice us (even though we remembered at the very end of the episode!). Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday! Today Karen and Lauren and back and in rare form as we discuss South Pacific... what has aged well and what hasn't... There are some wild plot points in this show and Lauren was unprepared... Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today Karen and Lauren dive into an old piece that has gone through several transformations: Roger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella! How do you feel about the newer version? We have mixed feelings... Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Back to your regularly scheduled programing! Lauren is back and we begin a new quest, notice us JJ Niemann! Karen deeps dives the 80s classic: Footloose! We talk blowing off steam, nicknames, and why dancing is the best. Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

This one's for Gavin. Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

This week Lauren's Mini Me is here to fill in and we let some of the greatest Broadway couples battle it out for supremacy. Find out who our ultimate Broadway couple is and play the bracket with us! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

It's Spring time for Hitler! IYKYK. We tackle heavy hitter, The Producers! From the screen to the stage and then back to the screen this show is still funny and takes a shot at everyone. Plus, the dancing old ladies - what's not to love? Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Lauren deep dives James and the Giant Peach, Karen reveals her love for Roald Dahl, and why this musical doesn't get enough attention. We also find out that one song in particular maybe shouldn't be sung by children. Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Lauren and Karen return from their travels and have much to discuss! Broadway, the West End, Stratford, bad audience members! We talk about the great theatre we saw and agree that we are anti-projections. Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Our twist on F*, Marry, Kill - find out what shows we would work on, sit in the audience, or just ditch completely. a lot of DSL team field trips coming out of this one. And the Pod Hobo (tm) is still here too! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday friends! Today Karen flaunts her Muppet knowledge as we cast a few of our favorite shows using the muppet cast! Join us for our usual nonsense featuring Ryan the Pod Hobo and some random talk about feet...? Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Today we are again joined by Pod Hobo Ryan as Lauren takes us on a deep dive of Bye Bye Birdie. We debate about why Karen and Lauren are both menaces to work with, while Ryan sips all of his beverages. Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Hey everyone! Welcome to more insanity today. We're extra unhinged because Pod Hobo (tm) Ryan is back with us so everything is extra. We're in our tortured artist era today as Karen takes through a deep dive of Nine. Ryan and Lauren have thoughts, but Karen will always be a fan. What do you think? @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today Karen and Lauren chat about some of our favorite secondary characters. All the fun, none of the responsibility of the plot... what could be better? Did we miss anyone??? @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today Karen takes on a deep dive of Assassins! A bit controversial in today's climate but still one of the greats. Let us know what you think! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday folks! We're back from our week off with a deep dive of The Addams Family Musical! We have thoughts about pacing (always), the moon, and Grandma and Lurch: the buddy cop movie we all deserve. Also this is a special post because today's episode drops on Lauren's birthday! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Today we're all about fan related content. Lauren really outdoes herself with a tantalizing tale of plague and sausage. Come for Karen's guessing skills, stay for the plague sausage! Plus we read a fan email (Hi, Emily!) who makes a very valid suggestion that just might happen... Send us your insane fanfictions! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday Everyone! We're back to our regularly scheduled nonsense (Thanks to our recent guests for brightening our feed!). Today Karen breaks down the Huey Lewis musical: The Heart of Rock and Roll. This is especially tricky because she essentially does it from memory! Let us know what you think! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday Friends! Today Karen and Lauren are back to their regular shenanigans as they discuss an older piece of work: Pirates of Penzance! It's a fun show but you have three choices: You're either a Pirate, a Daughter, or a Cop... Which one are you? Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today we have Ryan the Pod Hobo and Mr. Alan back with us! We're so happy they were able to join us today as we work through some fun theatre related questions. Alan and Karen bond over which musical needs to GO, and we find out which Beauty and the Beast cast members are really going to steal the show. Come join the fun! Catch Lauren, Alan, and Ryan in Beauty and the Beast this weekend and next weekend! https://onourownproductions.weebly.com/ Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope you're wearing your seatbelts because today is a monster of an episode! Today we're discussing Beauty and the Beast with Pod Hobo Ryan, and (for the first time!) Mr. Alan! Thanks so much for joining us! Don't miss Beauty and the Beast presented by On Our Own Productions June 14, 15, 21, 22! Go to https://onourownproductions.weebly.com/ for more info! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Lauren is back! And the pre-show bant is strong! We chat about all the theatre things that have happened in the last four weeks and then Karen introduces a possible AI replacement for both of them... And somehow Lauren is using a British accent again? Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Outsiders Album release day! Karen chats all things Outsiders from her childhood love of SE Hinton novels to her recent trip to NYC to see this show in person. Plus, rain on stage! Next week Lauren returns! get ready! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Hello friends! Happy Wednesday! Today Lauren is still out and she leaves you in the capable hands of Karen and two of the coolest high schoolers we know as they explore all that Chat GPT has to offer? Enjoy! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

This week Karen replaces Lauren with younger, cooler hosts as we're joined by Logann and Natalie from Stage Struck to discuss the upcoming Tony Awards. Snubs? Deserved nominations? Find out! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Hey everyone! Welcome back to more insanity. This is episode 4/4 with Pod Hobo Ryan and the energy is... something. Today we talk about unlikely would-you-rather scenarios... including one where Ryan thinks the Phantom of the Opera is in love with him? Let us know what you think! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Hey everyone! Pod Hobo Ryan is still with us as we charge through our favorite pod game: Musical Madlibs! Join the unhinged madness as we wheeze our way through these ridiculous performances... who got up and walked away? Who peed their pants? Find out and let us know what songs we should do next! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Happy Wednesday! The Hobo is still with us as we dive into a favorite of his: Beetlejuice! Ryan adds his thoughts as we go about our usual shenanigans. How do you feel about Beetlejuice? @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Hey everyone! We're happy to share that our Pod Hobo (tm) Ryan is back with us! Today we're chatting about a show we've all done together: Once Upon a Mattress! Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Hey everyone! Happy Wednesday! Today we're taking a break from the norm and talking about things coming to Broadway in the coming months. What do we want to see and what sounds like a hard pass... What are you looking forward to? @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com