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
--------
1:10:59
--------
1:10:59
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
--------
1:06:53
--------
1:06:53
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
--------
1:14:11
--------
1:14:11
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.
Joining us is one of Broadway's "Wednesdays," the amazing Rachel Potter (EVITA, WICKED), whose new album "Stages" features one the musical's most popular songs.
Follow Rachel on Instagram at @therachelpotter. Listen to her new album STAGES now! Also, here's the music video she mentions in the episode celebrating the "Addams Family Stage" of her life.
If you enjoyed this episode, check out another celebrating composer Andrew Lippa: BIG FISH with Jeff Whiting
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.
More than anything, thank you for being an important part of this podcasting community!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:09:05
--------
1:09:05
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. We're hoping now a few more people will know just how important this musical is!
Director, podcaster, and educator Robert W. Schneider joins us just having finished directing a production of this lesser-known gem. Tune in to hear all about the original production and how the show was received by audiences in 2025.
Be sure to follow Rob on Instagram @robwschneider and learn more about his theatre company at The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company
If you enjoyed this episode, check out last year's winner of the "Flop Shop" poll: STEEL PIER with Colden Lamb
Join us at 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.
More than anything, thank you for being an important part of this podcasting community!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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.
New Zealand