Everything Is Rent

Jordan Morris (Jordan, Jesse, Go!, Unikitty!), a real slogan guy, joins Beth and Sarah to discuss THE iconic voicemail from Rent. He describes being such a "drama dorkus" that his high school drama classroom had a fish named Random. He rails against the "meow" moment in "Out Tonight" and explains the parallels between Rent and Reality Bites/Tape. You can hear more about Jordan's time doing high school theater on the next season of Serial. And beware the Hill People...

Tony Award winner, John Gallagher Jr. (Spring Awakening, American Idiot) joins Beth and Sarah remotely from the frigid tundra of Brooklyn to talk about a song that can only be appreciated by those (like Beth) who experienced true love in high school. John recounts his journey from playing a street urchin with sideburns in Delaware to becoming a Broadway star, including the years he spent wearing a Rent hat before he had ever seen or heard any songs from the show. They talk about CD and cassette technology, the similarities/differences between Spring Awakening and Rent, and John talks about doing karaoke with Sarah's sister! Say "hi" to your sisters, everyone!

Mumbo jumbo! This week, Beth and Sarah finally get back to the original Rent album with special guest Matt Besser (Upright Citizens Brigade, improv4humans). In addition to doing a lot of surprise singing, Besser reveals that, although he likes Rent, it isn't even one of his TOP FORTY favorite musicals and he describes what he looks for in a musical ("old" and "not a bummer").

Happy Valentine's Day! Jesse David Fox (Vulture, Good One Podcast) joins Beth and Sarah for what is basically another episode about Rent: Live, but is also about the cut song "Valentine's Day," which both does and does not sound like a Prince song. Jesse talks about the exact moment when Rent made him a crier and his theory that the second act of Rent is "all about the seasons."

Zeke Nicholson (A.P. Bio, Ironic Chronic) makes history as the pod's first ever repeat guest in this second special episode discussing Rent: Live on FOX. Now that Beth and Sarah have watched the televised version and compiled all the tweets, emails, and DMs (hi Mario!), wow, there's so much more to discuss. For example, does Beth have a rock finger in her butt? How many followers do you need to be an "influencer"? Shouldn't there should be a TV show called "Who Thinks You Can Dance?"

The first in a special two-part series about the television event of the century -- Rent: Not-So-Live on FOX. Sarah and Beth were lucky enough to be in the studio audience Sunday night, and they dish all the dirt about what went down! They also give their initial reviews of the show and the actors, and they discuss some of the SHOCKING lyric changes -- "December 24th, 9pm, 1991," anyone?? But mostly they talk about how much they love Mario.

All the "easy hankies" out there better get ready for this emotional episode with incredibly special guest, Fredi Walker-Browne (Maggie's Plan, The Big C) who originated the role of Joanne in Rent on Broadway! Fredi gives Beth and Sarah the inside scoop about her Rent audition and the rehearsal process as well as Jonathan Larson's writing process for "Take Me or Leave Me" which may have been the last song Jonathan Larson ever wrote.

Natasha Rothwell (Insecure, The Hasseltones Live!) joins Beth and Sarah as they "tap into their feels" about Happy New Year B, including speculation about what exactly the "B" stands for. Natasha talks about seeing a midnight sing-a-long version of Rent and tells the inspiring story of leaving her day job teaching high school drama. They also talk about why Rent appeals to repressed drama kids, when it's not appropriate to say "no day but today," and how to turn You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown into Rent.

The McDuckster himself, Cedric Yarbrough (Speechless, Reno 911) joins Beth and Sarah to talk about auditioning for the role of Collins in Rent, the various demon roles he has played in musicals, and to do a standard black mother check. They also chat about many, many other musicals, including Once on This Island, Schoolhouse Rock, Sweeney Todd, and Ragtime, and Sarah makes an official declaration: Musicals are great!

The hilarious Jon Gabrus (High and Mighty) is the latest Long Island native to join Sarah and Beth on the pod! He talks about seeing Grease TWICE on Broadway, brags about being offered the role of Rocky in Rocky Horror at his high school, and makes up New Year's resolutions for the main characters in Rent. They also share many memories related to The Phantom Menace, discuss the first Real World cast, and Gabrus threatens to insert his spot-on Trump/dad impression into Rent.