"Only in New York..."

WELCOME BACK!!!! It's a brand new year and we got a brand new series: TESORI HOUR, covering the 5 Broadway musicals of Tony winning composer Jeanine Tesori. First up: THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE. Writer Jessie Field (Charlotte Lucas is 27 and Not Dead) joins the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the zany 20's comedy that's also Jeanine's Broadway musical theatre debut. The two also discuss the glory of counterpoint, the cost of independence, and how theatre camp can be a hot bed of racism. GIMME GIMME!

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"History's about to get overthrown..."

Divorced, beheaded, LIVE!! It's the final episode of The British Invasion and we're covering the most recent British import to dominated Broadway: SIX. Katie Johantgen (@katiejoyofosho) joins the Breakdown to discuss with Matt all things Tudors, marriage, and pop music! Plus, Matt's final ranking of the covered British shows and an announcement for the next series. DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD!!

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"We are REVOLTING!"

It's Loud, it's Quiet, it's Naughty, it's the Smell of Rebellion...it's MATILDA! The musical critics loved and American audiences...didn't really. Fellow podcaster Marc Tumminelli (LITTLE ME) comes on the Breakdown to talk with Matt about the British antidote to ANNIE. The two also talk about the downside of falling in love with a show through a cast recording, having too many ideas, and being mean to children. "When I grow uppppp!"

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"Like electricity..."

Boys doing Ballet?! What's next, a British musical coming to Broadway and winning 10 Tony Awards? Yes ma''am because this week it's BILLY ELLIOT! Original cast member and one part of the Broadway Husbands Stephen Hanna (BILLY ELLIOT, HELLO DOLLY, ON THE TOWN) visits the Breakdown to discuss with Matt all things dancing, dead mums, and Thatcherism. The two also discuss the weird costume change at Stephen's audition for the show, aging into Daddy-dom, and learn that their pasts share one big thing in common. SOLIDARITY FOREVER!

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"What have we learned this week...?"

Things get pensive and classy get this week with the Tony-winning hit THE HISTORY BOYS. Podcast alum James Crichton (UNKNOWN SOLDIER, ACTORS: ON PROCESS) returns to the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the '06 super-smash. The two also discuss the difference between being "intelligent" and being "clever," the purpose of Broadway Breakdown, and why gaining knowledge is a beautiful thing. Pass it on!

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"I don't wanna talk..."

Spangles, jumpsuits and long-lost fathers...it's MAMMA MIA, henny! Casting director Kate Lumpkin comes aboard the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the jukebox musical that made ABBA cool again and Meryl Streep an international movie star! The two also discuss the power of being at the right place at the right time, gender norms and the power of owning your sexual past. DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW???

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"Eternal youth is worth a little suffering..."

It's big, it's bold, it's BACK! The British Invasion comes to a crashing halt with the landing of the Desmond Mansion, bankrupting a billion dollar production company and causing multiple leading ladies to claw at Andrew Lloyd Webber's throat. That's right...it's SUNSET BOULEVARD. Friend of the Pod Justin Mendoza (BOOK OF MORMON, WICKED) comes back to the Breakdown to discuss with Matt all things belting, turbans, and dead monkeys. The two also discuss melodrama, camp, and the Judy Kuhn of it All. LET'S HAVE LUNCH, SQUIRREL!

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"Did you hear the story of the Johnstone twins...?"

It ran for over 20 years on the West End...and for 2 on Broadway. It's about class, murder, and...Marilyn Monroe? Just roll with it! Fellow podcaster Kyle Marshall (PUTTING IT TOGETHER) joins the Breakdown to talk about the British sensation that barely made a blip across the pond. The two also discuss overusing similes, avoiding your fate, and the double edged sword of adults playing children. SHOES ON THE TABLE!!

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"Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world..."

It's the longest running Broadway production. The ultimate "Mask4Mask" musical. The show that's kept classic sopranos employed for over 30 years. It's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA! That's right: the most enduring Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is here to be discussed and debated. Long-time friend Sofia Christensen joins the Breakdown to talk with Matt about reliving trauma, fangirling over Meg and Carlotta, and why it's best not to ask questions. SING FOR ME!

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"Do you hear the people sing?"

C'est le gros chien: LES MISÉRABLES! Aka LES MIZ! The epic 3 hour pop-opera is given the epic Breakdown treatment with the grand return of our dearly loved Sutton Lee Seymour(@suttonleeseymour)!! Matt and Sutton get Parisian as they discuss the worldwide phenomenon and its impact on theatre kids everywhere. The two also discuss ruining your life over carbs, that time Matt sang in a recording of the show, and how LES MIZ uses repeated melodies correctly. BRING IT HOME, JEAN!

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