What The Musical

Content Warning: family separation I Can't Wait for this episode on Bright Star! We talk Chelsey's Personal Review Corner, community storytelling, and whole characters at every age. PLUS: JLM will forever be our brightest star. Theme music by Cullen Vance.  WtM logo and poster art by Theron, Ink. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Content Warning: infertility, sexual predation & assault, family loss & death It Takes Two (episodes) to head Into the Woods! In the second half of this 2-part episode, we talk apathy vs ambivalence, deficit choices, and rejecting narratives. PLUS: JLM could guest-star...and that's the moral of the story! Theme music by Cullen Vance.  WtM logo and poster art by Theron, Ink. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Content Warning: infertility, sexual assault, family loss & death Maybe They're Magic, or maybe it's time to venture Into the Woods! In the first half of this 2-part episodes, we talk the ineffective nature of selfish people, being fluent in anxiety, and the winding paths of parenthood. Theme music by Cullen Vance.  WtM logo and poster art by Theron, Ink. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Content Warning: child abuse, murder, sexual assault, racism, ableism There's an Amazing Journey ahead with The Who's Tommy! We talk rock ballets, setting up idols to fall, and pinball as a metaphor for life. PLUS: is JLM more of a pinball or skee-ball kinda guy? Theme music by Cullen Vance.  Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Content Warning: alcoholism Manhattan is never far away when we sip our way through Darling Grenadine! We talk new musical development, centering off-center characters, and the best dog in a musical, ever. PLUS: please wave a safely-socially-distanced "hello" to JLM for us. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Check out more from Darling Grenadine creator Daniel Zaitchik.

A Lovely Night is only made better by the magic of Cinderella! We talk contemporary casting, love at first sight, and fairy tale revolutions. PLUS: we bet JLM would waltz through a lovely night. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Even the prettiest flowers can have a few wilting petals--but in case you want to look past any possible blemishes, we separated all of our Hadestown criticisms into one convenient bonus episode! (Feel free to look away.)

Hey, Little Songbird, let's venture into the new year with Hadestown! We talk holistic creativity, Chelsey's inner eco-Marxist, and the struggles of love and fulfillment. PLUS: another circle around the sun for JLM, and perhaps a circle back to the stage? Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast recording: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

The Morning Report calls for The Lion King! We talk Julie Taymor Magic (TM), the Hamlet King, and a show that is, truly, for everyone. PLUS: an update on our Broadway King, JLM. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Check out our friends at Disney Channel Original Newbies!

Yes, we had plenty more to say about Company! Join us for a bonus interval on the most recent revival, the wonder of Matt Doyle, and our modest plea for a record deal.

Let's venture Side by Side by Side into Part II on Company! We talk likable narrators, unattractive desperation, and the wonder of adult friendships.  PLUS: JLM as Bobby or JoAnne? We'll drink to that. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Our favorite versions of "Being Alive:" - Bernadette Peters (link) - Ramin Karimloo (link) - Norm Lewis (link) - Putting It Together quintet (link)

Bell rings, door chimes, let's talk Company! In the first half of this 2-part episode, we talk breaking gender norms, affectionate but loveless marriages, and the lie of the biological clock. Theme music by Cullen Vance. 2006 Broadway cast recording: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

I'm Not Afraid of Anything, especially not this episode on Songs for a New World! We talk JRB's debutante ball, the inescapable male gaze, and letting music do the heavy lifting. PLUS: even a broken JLM watch is right twice a day. Theme music by Cullen Vance. World premiere recording: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

CW: bullying, religion, homicide Do Me A Favor and turn up this episode on Carrie! We talk literal translations, the troubles with stage telekinesis, and the musical trilogy nobody expected. PLUS: there's just no good segue here, but JLM is always a good topic. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Off-Broadway premiere cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

CW: racism, misogyny Let's Misbehave--time to dive into Anything Goes! We talk the cheese crackers of musicals, maximum triple threats, and what to do with your available time. PLUS: JLM is the top. Theme music by Cullen Vance. 2011 New Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Content warning: mentions of bullying, family loss, religion, abusive partners I Can't Stand Still any longer--we gotta cut Footloose! We talk taking the grunge out of Kenny Loggins, logical fallacies, and sequels that should have been. PLUS: let's get lost in a JLM waltz... Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Listening suggestions: Token Theatre Friends The Stoop Code Switch Two Dope Queens Punch Up the Jam 

Skull Island can't contain this episode on King Kong! We talk the new dream ballet, screaming about feminism, and literally smashing patriarchy. PLUS: JLM is no stranger to showbiz, so give him a call. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Show Notes: - Performance of "Full Moon Lullaby" for the CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade - Official video for "Queen of New York"

Content Warnings: mentions of sexual harassment, assault, TB and COVID-19. Your Song is one of the many we'll hear at the Moulin Rouge! We talk spectacular spectacular, what makes a jukebox musical, and weird narrative structures. PLUS: could JLM can-can? Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

The World Will Know when they open our take on Newsies! We talk imagining Santa Fe, little stories entwined with big wealth, and instinctive coordinated dancing. PLUS: In JLM's defense, nobody is on Broadway right now. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Broadway pep this week: - A special take on "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hansen - A cut song from Hamilton

Content warning: 9/11. Welcome to the Rock, where we fly into Come From Away! We talk with special guest Eric Braman about courageous kindness, fish kisses, and being in love (or just stuck in Newfoundland). PLUS: JLM is our preferred pilot. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Program Notes: - Special guest Eric Braman - Spiderwoman Theater - The Stoop podcast - Interview on The Inadequate Life podcast with the creators of Come From Away

Content Warning: mentions of rape & kidnap. We Gotta Make It Through the Winter, so let's swing through Seven Brides for Seven Brothers! We talk winning and losing in social dance, Steven King novel-style plots, and vitamin-deficient decision-making. PLUS: will we see JLM in NYC? Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original London cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

What Kind of Girl is She? The kind that does an episode on [title of show], of course! We talk the value in creativity, early internet phenoms, and proposing with musical numbers. PLUS: we're still hoping for a voicemail cameo from JLM. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify  Watch: Susan Blackwell's Youtube channel, Side by Side by Susan Blackwell.

Be A Lion and pounce on this episode about The Wiz! We talk storytelling through genre, otherism in reviews, and casting teenagers. PLUS: a check-in on our favorite magic man, JLM. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original cast album: Amazon | iTunes 1978 movie album: Spotify

Moments of Happiness have arrived in the new year with our episode on Cats! We talk cat nip as plot device, audience consent, and defending a musical more than we could have anticipated. PLUS: Happy Birthday, JLM. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

All I Ask of You is a deep breath before diving into The Phantom of the Opera! We talk bad optics, ear-wormy repetition, and the worst stage mom ever. PLUS: one of the only sighs of relief we can breathe is that JLM is not in Phantom. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original London cast recording: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Norm Lewis & Sierra Boggess perform The Music of the Night and The Phantom of the Opera. Your Fave is Problematic: Ep. 79. The Phantom of the Opera

And I Am Telling You it's time for Dreamgirls! We talk powerhouse female leads, non-jukebox Mowtown, and Jennifer Holliday being right. PLUS: Jimmy may fall, but JLM would make him triumphant. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Dreamgirls in Concert album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Watch: Jennifer Holliday's Tony Awards performance of "And I Am Telling You" Read: Passing by Nella Larsen

Strange Magic is at play--it's time to roll on into Xanadu! We talk the dangers of roller skates, Chelsey's Charles Isherwood impression, and acrostic poems. PLUS: we advocate for our favorite muse, JLM. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Ya Never Know what will happen when we dive into Little Shop of Horrors! We talk the rules of mushroom foraging, life when you're endearingly pathetic, and a suggestion for a climate activist angle on the show. PLUS: why has nobody cast JLM as Audrey II? WHY??? Content Warning: brief mention of domestic abuse. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Do You Wanna Hang? Let's jump into Be More Chill! We welcome special guest Montana to talk catchy lyrics, teenage reality, and the dangers of Mountain Dew. Plus: we'd upgrade to a JLM-voiced Squip any day. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Check out his new album, Cullen, Vol. 1, out now! Be More Chill original cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Be More Chill Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Watch the 2019 Tony Awards parody of "Michael in the Bathroom."

No One Else understands Tara's love for this show--it's time for Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812! We talk drinking vodka in your 30s, how to make Russian lit exciting, and discover what happens when Chelsey doesn't prepare. Plus: we might be tired, but JLM never sleeps. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

No need to fight Tooth & Nail--it's time for Cambodian Rock Band! We talk the anti-Miss Saigon, teaching an audience to code switch, and why you should skip Hamilton for now. Plus: the gentlest JLM Watch to-date. WTM theme music by Cullen Vance. Featured music for Cambodian Rock Band by Dengue Fever. Dengue Fever music: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify "Jeas Cyclo (Ride Cyclo)" by Yol Aularong: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Follow Cambodian Rock Band on Twitter: @thecyclos ****** Beverage: One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula Recipe from Le Boutier bar in Cambodia, as published in DRiNK Magazine 35ml Samai rum (or any aged rum) 22.5ml Housemade kaffir-curry syrup* 22.5ml Lime juice 15ml Coconut cream 15ml Benedictine 7.5ml Pineapple juice 1ds Fish sauce Shake and serve in a collins glass. Garnish with house-made pickles. *Kaffir-curry syrup: 1 litre hot water; 4tbsp red curry paste; 6 kaffir lime leaves; 2kg white sugar. Boil all for 20 minutes and fine strain.

All We've Got To Say is that it's time to discuss The Color Purple! We talk plot squiggles, syncretic spirituality, and rage at Steven Spielberg. PLUS: there's always room for JLM at this jazz club. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway Cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Video: 2006 Tony Awards performance by the Broadway revival cast.

See, I'm Smiling--it must be time to discuss The Last Five Years! We talk brooding youth, collaborative artistry, and writers getting dangerously autobiographical. Plus: all we want for our birthdays is JLM on Broadway. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Off-Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

We had lots to say about How To Succeed... and business! Join us for a bonus interval all about pep talks, Chelsey's Rules for How To Succeed, and baseball metaphors.

Take a long Coffee Break to discuss How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying! We talk Tara's eventual book, scheming spouses, and coffee drinking alliances. Plus: if there's one man who knows how to succeed in breaking our hearts without really trying, it's JLM. Theme music by Cullen Vance. 1995 Broadway Revival album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify Billy Porter slays at the 2019 Tony Awards.

Presentation, performance, and personality--it's our second of two episodes on The Tony Awards! We talk award show bingo, underrated gems, and make our best guesses on the 2019 winners. PLUS: will Dr. JLM announce a return to the stage? Theme music by Cullen Vance.

Happy Holidays, theatre kids--it's time to unwrap The Tony Awards with this first of two episodes before Broadway's biggest night! We talk about The Big Six, opening numbers to lift your spirits, and terrible choices. Mix Tequila, Opinions, and a little Time; serve chilled. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Check out a playlist of some of our favorite Tony performances!

Tonight at Eight (or whenever you listen), dive into She Loves Me! We talk live broadcasts, mustaches we love to hate, and beating vanilla metaphors into the ground. PLUS: 3k and counting, JLM. 3k AND COUNTING. Theme music by Cullen Vance. 2016 Broadway Revival Cast Album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Wouldn't It Be Loverly to catch up with a new episode? Let's dive into My Fair Lady! We talk code-switching, the Julie Andrews Effect (redux), and emotional Broadway stars. PLUS: JLM Watch is hitting record numbers, and we don't like it. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway Cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Something Different happens in this episode on The Band's Visit! We talk unexpected crooning, feeling big-ly, and NEA funding. Plus: a whole new kind of Jesse L. Martin watch. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Check him out on Spotify! Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

When You're Good to Mama, she gives you a new episode on Chicago! This time around, we talk career definers, criminal celebrities, and premeditated dream ballets. Plus, with the revival still running on Broadway, what are the chances of a little JLM stunt-casting? Theme music by Cullen Vance. Broadway Revival Cast: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

We need 76 Trombones to welcome in this episode on The Music Man! We talk wholesome con-artists, library dream ballets, why not to give a song to a plot device, and the magic of barbershop quartet. Plus, we check in on Mayor of Our Hearts, Jesse L. Martin. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway Cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

One Thing... let's get this one thing straight: this time we're checking out the musical podcast 36 Questions! We talk audio intimacy, Groffsauce, and pet ducks. Plus: please only hand Jesse L. Martin roles on Broadway, not rolls. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original cast album recording: Bandcamp

Things get a little salty when we go Under the Sea to chat about The Little Mermaid! We talk mer-blades, under-utilizing great casts, and the hierarchy of Disney princes. PLUS: JLM is back in good health, but is he on Broadway? Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast recording: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Needing a Comedy Tonight? Then let's check out A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum! We finish our first full year with comic star power, the least Sondheim of Sondheim, and Tara gets a nook of her own. PLUS: Jesse L. Martin would make a great Captain. Just sayin'. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Let's get Sparklejollytwinklejingley for Elf the Musical! We talk boundless optimism, bah-hum-burgers, and being a good person year-round. PLUS: anyone want to fill our stockings with news of JLM returning to Broadway? Anyone? Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Pity the Child who misses this episode on Chess! We talk genre-swaps, incomplete metaphors, and how The Arbiter is, indisputably, the best. PLUS: a check-in on another Rent alum, who mysteriously has not yet appeared in this show.... Theme music by Cullen Vance. 2008 concert version: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

I Don't Know What I'd Do Without You, so come with me to check out A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder! We talk ridiculous deaths, punching up, and horrible romantic choices. PLUS: anyone have any ideas on roles for Jesse L. Martin while he's on medical leave? Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Oh What A Beautiful Mornin' for a podcast and a stroll through Oklahoma! We talk the OG of OGs, falling over pretty people, and the joy of fence-leaping. PLUS: we're pretty sure the best possible date to take to this show would be Jesse L. Martin. Just sayin'. Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast recording: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

Bonus Interval! We had a ton to say about Sweeney Todd and not nearly enough time to cover it all in one episode. Here's a little bonus debate from Tara & Chelsey regarding seeing a playwright within their own works. Check it! Theme music by Cullen Vance.  

La'ies 'n' gen'tl'men, may I have your attention puh-leeeease? It's time to attend the tale of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street! We talk benign cannibalism, Sondheim gets creepy, and Chelsey forgets the romantic lead's name... again. PLUS: aren't we a little overdue for a Sweeney revival, perhaps starring Jesse L. Martin? Theme music by Cullen Vance. Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | Spotify | iTunes