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.  WtM logo and poster art by Theron, Ink. 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. WtM logo and poster art by Theron, Ink. 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.  WtM logo and poster art by Theron, Ink. 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