Conversations revealing the cultural and emotional impact of our favorite musicals in theatre history. On each episode of “A Musical Theatre Podcast,” Jeff welcomes a special guest to explore one musical from theatre history. Together they get to the heart of the show’s cultural and emotional impact by looking at its creators, context, and storytelling. Always fun and heartfelt, this is the podcast to celebrate the humanity of our musical theatre art form.
Before we're officially out of July and the 250th anniversary of the United States, we had to create an All-American episode of AMTP celebrating our national pastime, baseball. (And no, we're not covering ALL AMERICAN.) It's DAMN YANKEES, and we're doing it with the wonderful Chryssie Whitehead (A CHORUS LINE, CHICAGO, FOSSE). Tune in to hear all things sports, Verdon, and the profound humanity found in this crown jewel of Faustian musicals. For more Adler & Ross, listen to our episode about the hit musical that premiered only one season before DAMN YANKEES: THE PAJAMA GAME with Jonathan Chisolm and Doug Carfrae. Join us at PATREON! for bonus episodes, contests, and conversations all while supporting the show for only a few dollars each month! Share our posts and videos on Instagram and TikTok. If you're feeling like giving back, check out our TeePublic Store. The profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. And check out our Spotify playlist featuring one song from each episode we've covered! More than anything, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH with Matt Rodin
Happy Pride! It's the perfect time to discuss the listener requested HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, a loud, in-your-face musical experiment that has sparked one of the more philosophical episodes in our history. Joining us is the talented Matt Rodin (BEAU THE MUSICAL, COMPANY) who reflects on his transformative time with the musical and, along with Jeff, uses more pronouns and pronunciations than Hedwig could dream of. Learn more about Matt by visiting mattrodin.com and get ready for your newest obsession by playing his brand-new Theater Games platform. Interested in hearing from John Cameron Mitchell? Check out our episode THE SECRET GARDEN with Daisy Eagan & John Cameron Mitchell. Join us at PATREON! for bonus episodes, contests, and conversations all while supporting the show for only a few dollars each month! Share our posts and videos on Instagram and TikTok. If you're feeling like giving back, check out our TeePublic Store. The profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. And check out our Spotify playlist featuring one song from each episode we've covered! More than anything, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
MOULIN ROUGE! with Ryan W. Garcia
Truth Freedom Beauty Love, but maybe most of all... love. Surrender to the kinetic energy and sweeping romance of La Belle Epoque, beware of the tuberculosis, as Jeff and guest Ryan Garcia (The Try Guys) discuss the Tony winning Best Musical MOULIN ROUGE! Guesses only: who do you think is a fan of the film, and who isn't? Be sure to check out Ryan's podcast Big Theatre Kid Energy and follow him on Instagram and his show on TikTok. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the first jukebox musical we ever covered: ALL SHOOK UP with Andre Myers Join us at PATREON! for bonus episodes, contests, and conversations all while supporting the show for only a few dollars each month! Share our posts and videos on Instagram and TikTok. If you're feeling like giving back, check out our TeePublic Store. The profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. More than anything, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
STARLIGHT EXPRESS with Sophie-Rose Middleton
There is one musical that holds the Guiness Book of World Records for "most visitors to a musical in a single theatre." Congratulations on not realizing it's STARLIGHT EXPRESS. (We didn't know it either!) This week, we're exploring the cultural and emotional impact of Andrew Lloyd Webber's roller skating musical that is still playing to packed houses around the world. Is it a little silly? Absolutely. Does it deserve its own episode? 1000%. Sophie-Rose Middleton (CATS, SIX) joins us to look back at her time as "Pearl" in the long-running German production and help us figure out what exactly the "Starlight Express" is. She also shares an important lesson for all young performers out there currently celebrating (or mourning) their BFA ambitions. Follow Sophie-Rose on TikTok at @sophierosemiddleton and Instagram @sophierose_middleton! If you enjoyed this episode, check out one of our first episodes of the podcast: CATS with James Vasquez and John Treacy Egan. Join us at PATREON! for bonus episodes, contests, and conversations all while supporting the show for only a few dollars each month! Share our posts and videos on Instagram and TikTok. If you're feeling like giving back, check out our TeePublic Store. The profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. More than anything, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
HERE LIES LOVE with Maria-Christina Oliveras
This week we're celebrating AAPI month and the recent Drama Desk nominations with guest Maria-Christina Oliveras. "MCO" was just nominated for her current performance in the new Tony-nominated play THE BALUSTERS, but long before that, she was part of the original team that created the groundbreaking musical HERE LIES LOVE. This listener request musical is an unusual piece created by "capital A" artist David Byrne that tells the story of the famous Filipina dictator, Imelda Marcos. Tune in this week to learn a little about the political history of the Philippines, the United States' possible influence on the Marcos regime, and how creating a disco musical about it all started in a basement. Be sure to catch Maria-Christina in THE BALUSTERS on Broadway until June 7th! You can also follow her on Instagram at @mcoliveras. If you enjoyed this episode, check out another one featuring more innovative theatre that found its way to Broadway: PASSING STRANGE with Todd Underwood. Join us on PATREON! for bonus episodes and conversations while supporting the show for only a few dollars each month! Share our posts and videos on Instagram and TikTok. If you're feeling like giving back, check out our TeePublic Store. The profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. More than anything, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SEUSSICAL with Kevin Chamberlin
Of "all the places you'd go" see SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, producers had probably hoped it'd been during its initial Broadway outing. Well, as you'll find out in this week's episode, that hope wasn't exactly fulfilled. However, the premiere of this now incredibly popular musical did give birth to the quintessential casting of Kevin Chamberlin as Horton the Elephant and the second of his three Tony nominations. Kevin (THE ADDAMS FAMILY, DIRTY BLONDE, JESSIE) joins us to speak about imagination, heart, and the power of this musical's beautiful Ahrens & Flaherty score. His heart is as big as the elephant he played, and we know you'll love him as much as we do! Follow Kevin "the king of social media" Chamberlin on Instagram @chamberlin.kevin and TikTok @chamberlin_kevin This episode wasn't able to go live before the closing of his new play When Playwrights Kill, but please follow them on Instagram @whenplaywrights with the hope they'll find a Broadway transfer this fall! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out our episode featuring Ahrens & Flaherty themselves: A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE with Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens Join us on PATREON! for bonus episodes and conversations at only a few dollars each month! Share our posts and videos on Instagram and TikTok. If you're feeling like giving back, check out our TeePublic Store. The profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. More than anything, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING with Ryan Scott Oliver and special guest Lindsay Mendez
It's the longest episode title in the history of "A Musical Theatre Podcast," but funny enough, it's not even the longest musical title mentioned in the episode. This week, we're covering the Pulitzer Prize winning HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, and we're doing it with award winning writer/composer Ryan Scott Oliver (35 MM, JASPER IN DEADLAND). Listening to this celebrated, modern musical composer speak with respect about classic musical theatre is a gift! And if that isn't enough, his longtime collaborator and co-founder of Actor's Therapy, Tony Award winner Lindsay Mendez (CAROUSEL, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG) stops by to discuss the power of revivals and their new book "How to Survive in Musical Theatre Without Really Dying." Order Lindsay & Ryan's book "How to Succeed in Musical Theatre Without Really Dying." Visit Ryan's website: Ryan Scott Oliver | Official Site and follow both of them on Instagram @ryanscottoliver and @lindsaymendez. If you enjoyed this episode, check out one of our past favorites that happens to be from Lindsay's career: DOGFIGHT with Frankie Errington Join us on PATREON! for bonus episodes and conversations at only a few dollars each month! Share our posts and videos on Instagram and TikTok. If you're feeling like giving back, check out our TeePublic Store. The profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. More than anything, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME with Rodd Cyrus
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME is one of the most popular musicals to never have a Broadway run, but its epic story of Quasimodo and his bell tower home had reached legend status long before the Disney produced stage musical premiered in Germany. Here to chat about the film, the novel it's based on, and the story of how they found their way to the stage is someone who knows a thing or two about epic musicals. This week, actor Rodd Cyrus brings not only his experience with HUNCHBACK, but also the hit revival of RAGTIME and, maybe most importantly, an impressive knowledge of Disney straight-to-home video sequels. Get ready, Disney fans. You're gonna love this one. Follow Rodd on Instagram at @roddcyrus and see him as Harry Houdini in Ragtime : Lincoln Center Theater. If you enjoyed this episode, check out one of our most popular episodes: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with Kim Huber If you're not already with us at PATREON! enjoying the contests, essays, and bonus episodes, what are you waiting for?! Be sure to follow and share our content on Instagram and TikTok and subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! Looking to give back? We have designs at our TeePublic Store, and the profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Patreon! Preview: MAKING RENT with Tim Weil
It's time for another glimpse at what you're missing if you're not already a subscriber at PATREON! For only a few dollars each month, subscribers gain access to bonus content made special for fans of "A Musical Theatre Podcast." Case in point, listen to this preview of our conversation with Tim Weil, original musical director of the musical RENT, who has written a book shedding new light on this legendary musical that we've already covered on the main feed. This is exactly what PATREON! is for. To learn more about Tim and find out how to order "Making Rent," please visit www.tim-weil.com. To hear the rest of this episode, join us at patreon.com/amusicalpodcast. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and TikTok to share our posts and episodes! More than anything, thank you for being part of this podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
THE FULL MONTY with Misha Brown
The most profound element of the musical THE FULL MONTY is that its nudity is only a symbol of the greater vulnerability the characters express throughout the story. Here this week to dive into that vulnerability (and let's be honest, the nudity) is everyone's favorite "bestie," Misha Brown. Before becoming an influencer and author with 8 million followers, Misha performed THE FULL MONTY in the middle of Pennsylvania...with some interesting results. You don't want to miss these stories. See Misha on tour for his new book, "Be Your Own Bestie!" Find out how on his Instagram and TikTok @yourbestiemisha. If you enjoyed this episode, check out another episode covering David Yazbek's earlier shows: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS with Sara Gettelfinger If you're not already with us at PATREON! enjoying the contests, essays, and bonus episodes, what are you waiting for?! Be sure to follow and share our content on Instagram and TikTok and subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! Looking to give back? We have designs at our TeePublic Store, and the profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SIX with Teale Dvornik and Gianna Yanelli
"God Save the Queen(s)!" This week we're covering not one, but six of the greatest divas currently on Broadway. Join us as we discuss the musical SIX, and the history behind it, with two very special guests: author, tour guide, and Broadway dresser Teale Dvornik (WICKED), and the current reigning "queen of green," Gianna Yanelli (SIX, MEAN GIRLS)! Learn more about Teale and her business through her website: The Backstage Blonde. Be sure to follow Gianna on Instagram @giannayanelli, and while we're thrilled Dylan Mulvaney is joining the Broadway cast, be sure to send Gianna some love in her final performances! If you enjoyed this episode, listen to another featuring a musical from the 2021-22 Broadway season: A STRANGE LOOP with L Morgan Lee. Join us at PATREON! for contests, essays, and bonus episodes! Be sure to follow and share our content on Instagram and TikTok and subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! Looking to give back? We have designs at our TeePublic Store, and the profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
THE SOUND OF MUSIC with Tyler Joseph Ellis
Happy New Year, listeners! We're starting off 2026 with one of the most famous musicals of all time, but while everyone has at least heard of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, most don't know its profound place in musical theatre history. Join guest Tyler Joseph Ellis (SHUCKED) as we discuss nuns, Nazis, and of course, the sound of music. Everyone showed up to this episode wearing Rodgers & Hammerstein swag, so rest assured, this beloved classic was in good hands. If you liked this episode, check out THE KING AND I with Mark Eden Horowitz & Joan Almedilla. Join us at PATREON! for contests, essays, and bonus episodes! Be sure to follow and share our content on Instagram and TikTok and subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! Looking to give back? We have designs at our TeePublic Store, and the profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
WAR PAINT with Caden Zane Marshall
WAR PAINT was the Broadway follow up to the musical GREY GARDENS, so of course it's the GREY GARDENS follow up on "A Musical Theatre Podcast." This week, actor, interpreter, and influencer Caden Zane Marshall joins us to talk about two women whose impact has changed the world forever. (And no, we don't mean Christine Ebersole and Patti LuPone...this time.) Join us for a lively conversation about makeup, music and spreadsheets, and try to forgive Jeff when he sticks up for capitalism. "Think Pink!" Check out Caden's website at cadenzane.com and follow him on Instagram and TikTok. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out GREY GARDENS with Drew Droege Join us at PATREON! for bonus episodes and an upcoming Christmas gift! Be sure to follow and share our content on Instagram and TikTok and subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! Looking to give back? We have designs at our TeePublic Store, and the profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
GREY GARDENS with Drew Droege
This week we're spending another winter in a summer town as we cover the terrific 2006 musical GREY GARDENS. Here to not only have his cake but chew it and masticate it is the great Drew Droege (MESSY WHITE GAYS, TITANIQUE). Drew takes us through lesser-known accounts and perspectives on the Beale women, all while raising up the non-conformist ladies whose voices and humor give us life! Follow Drew on Instagram at @drewdroege and buy tickets to his new play at messywhitegays.com. If you enjoyed this episode...wait for next week's. It's a companion piece! Join us at PATREON! for bonus episodes and an upcoming Christmas gift! Be sure to follow and share our content on Instagram and TikTok and subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! Looking to give back? We have designs at our TeePublic Store, and the profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONNIE & CLYDE with Ivan Menchell
Today we finish up our fall American Dream Miniseries with a surprise fourth episode dedicated to the listener requested BONNIE & CLYDE. This musical, maybe even more than the others we've covered in this miniseries, most easily represents the experience of Americans in 2025. Let that sink in for a minute! Here to discuss it is the show's book writer, Ivan Menchell (BONNIE & CLYDE, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, DEATH NOTE) who provides fascinating context regarding his approach to these legendary characters and the explanation behind the show's short Broadway run. Follow Ivan on Instagram at @ivanmenchell For more Frank Wildhorn, listen to JEKYLL & HYDE with Rebecca Spencer Join all the cool people at PATREON! for bonus episodes (including one today featuring BONNIE & CLYDE superfan Jennifer Lyn), essays, and polls. Share our episodes and videos on Instagram and TikTok. Don't forget about our TeePublic Store where the profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BARNUM with Ryan VanDenBoom
The third entry in our "American Dream" miniseries of listener requests is the 1980 musical BARNUM. Now, that means it is not THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, and please don't come for Jeff if he speaks too candidly about that musical! Instead, join us for a lively discussion regarding the showmanship of P.T. Barnum and the musical that bears his name as well as the complex legacy of characters like him in American History. Here to discuss it all is someone who knows a thing or two about showmanship. He can currently be seen in the Broadway smash MJ and recently choreographed a new production of BARNUM: it's Ryan VanDenBoom! (BANDSTAND, SOMETHING ROTTEN, and more.) Follow Ryan on Instagram at @ryanvandenboom If you liked this episode, check out THE MUSIC MAN with Teri Bibb Join all the cool people at PATREON! for bonus episodes, essays, and polls. Share our episodes and videos on Instagram and TikTok. Don't forget about our TeePublic Store where all the profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1776 with Howard Sherman
The second episode in our "American Dream miniseries" is dedicated to 1776, the listener requested, Best Musical winner of 1969. It's a surprisingly unconventional musical about the very beginnings of a government that is currently, as of this moment, shut down. Join our special guest Howard Sherman (arts administrator, writer, and advocate) as we look at how 1776 and HAIR could have premiered on Broadway at the same time and look to its characters for lessons on debate and disagreement. We honestly didn't think this episode would be so relevant right now. Read some of Howard's terrific work on his website https://hesherman.com/ and follow him on instagram at @hesherman. If you enjoyed this episode, check out HAIR with Jordan Dobson . Join us at PATREON! for exclusive access to our library of bonus episodes, essays, and mini series. Follow and share our content on Instagram and TikTok. Don't forget to order something fun on our TeePublic Store. All of our profits go the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
RAGS with Samantha Massell
Today we begin a mini-series on "A Musical Theatre Podcast" that will explore "the American Dream." These are musicals you listeners have requested that all have one thing in common: "being an American is a beautifully complicated thing." First up is the 1987 musical RAGS created originally by three titans of the art form: Charles Strouse (BYE BYE BIRDIE, ANNIE), Stephen Schwartz (WICKED, PIPPIN), and Joseph Stein (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, ZORBA). Here to discuss it with us is the star of many of those musicals and a fan of all of their creators, Samantha Massell (RAGS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF). There are so many synchronicities that happened during this conversation that you will have to agree this episode happened at exactly the right time with exactly the right people. Be sure to follow Samantha on Instagram at @smassellsings to learn more about her upcoming projects. If you enjoyed this episode, go back to the very beginning for "A Musical Theatre Podcast" and enjoy FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Glenn Rosenblum Join us on PATREON! for bonus episodes, contests, and polls! Don't forget to like and share our episodes on Instagram and TikTok. We have fun playlists on Spotify to keep you company in between episodes and be sure to check out our TeePublic Store where our profits from the designs are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE with Danielle Ferland
"There are worse things than listening to a podcast on a Sunday!" Join special guest, and original cast member, Danielle Ferland ("Little Red" in Into the Woods) as we look back at her Broadway debut in the Pulitzer Prize winning, and listener requested, Sondheim/Lapine musical Sunday in the Park with George. Listen to stories about the nontraditional way this nontraditional musical was created and whether or not Danielle ever found her glasses. If you enjoyed this episode, you should definitely check out our covid era episode on INTO THE WOODS with Sara Kapner Be sure to follow Danielle on Instagram at @ferlanddr to stay up to date with her latest projects. For more about Sunday in the Park with George and the other musicals that have won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama, join us on PATREON! for our bonus series exclusively for the "Patreon! Fam" tier. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok, and check out our TeePublic Store which benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being here at "A Musical Theatre Podcast." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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. This week, actor Max Chernin (Broadway's PARADE, BRIGHT STAR, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE) takes a moment from playing "Leo Frank" in the show's current national tour to discuss how the wounds from the original 1913 trial continue to fester today and how important it can be to "de-role" from it all. By the way, if you're into "true crime," this is the musical for you. Follow Max on Instagram @maxcherns If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check our episode exploring more complex moments of American History: RAGTIME with David Loud For only a few dollars a month, subscribe to PATREON! for bonus episodes, contests, and polls! Don't forget to like and share our episodes on Instagram and TikTok. We have fun playlists on Spotify to keep you company in between episodes and be sure to check out our TeePublic Store where our profits from the designs are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Producer's note
Steal the structure. Not the show.
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
