A Musical Theatre Podcast

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.

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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:

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.

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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

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.

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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:

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!

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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.

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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.

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"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.

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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

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 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

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