OFF 2 BROADWAY

Without travel or theatre in 2020, it was a genuine treat to have a virtual escape to NYC. Tim Dolan, founder of Broadway Up Close Walking Tours, joins us in our virtual studio to share his stories about in the greatest city in the world. Tara and Stefania recount the highlights of their tour with Tim last December, test his theatre knowledge, and find out what's next for Broadway Up Close. Grab your hand warmers, put on your green lanyard, and join us for the tour!

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"Your Daddy's Son" - Ragtime: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Maybe (Next to Normal)" - 2ST Virtual Benefit - Second Stage Theater (Youtube)

All music tracks used for educational and entertainment purposes only.

From car drives to hard drives, our show has embraced the virtual world during COVID-19.  With public closures, the theatre world is experiencing a dramatic shift in the way content can be delivered to an audience.

This week, Tara and Stefania let us know how they've filled the void from these closures, and share all of their virtual theatre favourites. They also catch up with Poppy Burton-Morgan and Ben Glasstone, the creative duo behind The Rhythmics musical from the UK's Metta Theatre! 

Virtual theatre knows no geographical limits - join us! 

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"Dancing Through Life" - Beanie Feldstein - Miscast20 - MCCTheater (Youtube)

"I Don't Know How to Love Him" - Norbert Leo Butz - Miscast 20 - MCCTheater (Youtube)

"This Dance is For You" - The Louder We Get - (Youtube) 

"On Your Side" - The Space Between - Official London Theatre (Youtube) 

"Waiting to Begin" - The Rhythmics: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording)

"Rockstar" - The Rhythmics: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording)

"Life's Not A Competition" - The Rhythmics: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording)

"Daddy You're My Hero" - The Rhythmics: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording)

"Beauty School Dropout" - Grease (New Broadway Cast Recording (1994))

"Bright" - Julie and the Phantoms: Season 1 (From the Netflix Original Series)

All music tracks used for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This week, we had the absolute pleasure to welcome Canadian icon Chilina Kennedy into our virtual studio!Tara and Stefania deep dive into Chilina's work at Canadian theatre festivals, her experiences from ensemble member to leading lady, and how she's currently working her magic behind-the-scenes at Eclipse Theatre Company. It's an energetic hour, highlighting the impact of theatre in Canada and proving that even amidst a pandemic, theatre will never die.

Hop in!

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"I Don't Know How To Love Him" - Broadway | Jesus Christ Superstar (Youtube)

"Beautiful" - Show Clips: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL on Broadway w/Chilina Kennedy - (Broadwaycom Youtube)

"Natural Woman" - Watch Chilina Kennedy Belt Out ‘Natural Woman’ from BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL - (Broadwaycom Youtube)

"Omar Shariff" - Watch Chilina Kennedy's Stirring Performance of "Omar Sharif" from THE BAND'S VISIT - (Broadwaycom Youtube)

"Who I Forgot To Be" - Birth of a Song - Eclipse Theatre Company 

"Colour and Light" - Losing My Mind: A Sondheim Disco Fever Dream 

"Tony's Are My Super Bowl" - The Perfect Fit - The Musical (The Remote Album)

All music tracks used for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This week, we are back in the virtual studio to continue our series of songs! And, we've recruited Patrick Flynn of The Original Cast Podcast to break down his top choices. Tara, Stefania and Patrick argue about the official rules, rank their top 5 favourites, and compete for overlapping picks. It's a mixture of old classics and new sensations. ...

"Six" - Six: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording)

"A Strange Loop" - A Strange Loop (Original Cast Recording)

"Dogfight" - Dogfight (Original Cast Recording)

"Prologue/Little Shop of Horrors" - Little Shop of Horrors (Broadway Cast Recording)

"She Loves Me" - She Loves Me (The New Broadway Cast Recording)

"Mamma Mia" - Mamma Mia! (Original Cast Recording)

"In the Heights" - In the Heights (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Rent" - Rent (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Anyone Can Whistle" - Anyone Can Whistle (Broadway Cast Recording)

"The Phantom of the Opera" - Phantom of the Opera (Canadian Cast Recording)

"Company" - Company (Original Broadway Cast) 

"Ragtime" - Ragtime: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Cabaret" - Cabaret (Original Soundtrack)

"Hair" - Hair (The New Broadway Cast Recording)

"Anything Goes" - Anything Goes (New Broadway Cast Recording)

"Into the Woods" - Into the Woods (2002 Broadway Revival Cast)

"Everybody's Talking About Jamie" - Everybody's Talking About Jamie: The Original West End Cast Recording

"La gare (Guy s'en va)" - Les Parapluies De Cherbourg (Original Soundtrack)

"14 Dwight Ave, Natick, Massachus" - Elegies: A Song Cycle (Original Cast)

"Disneyland" - Smile The Musical

 

All music tracks used for educational and entertainment purposes only.

We are kicking off our composer series with the Tony Award winning Jason Robert Brown! This musical genius is known for a variety of impressive works, such as Songs for A New World, Parade, The Last Five Years, and The Bridges of Madison County.Tara and Stefania explore their favourite moments, most stunning harmonies, and even pitch a few adaptations for JRB to work on in the future. So take The Next (Sixty) Minutes and listen now!

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"Opening: The New World" - Songs for a New World (World Premiere Recording)

"I'm Not Afraid of Anything" - Songs for a New World (New York City Center 2018 Encores! Off-Center Cast Recording)

"Stars and the Moon" - Way Back to Paradise (Audra McDonald)

"On The Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492" - Songs for a New World (New York City Center 2018 Encores! Off-Center Cast Recording)

"All the Wasted Time" - Parade (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"That's What He Said" - Parade (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"The Next Ten Minutes Ago" - R&H Goes Pop! (Youtube)

"The Next Ten Minutes" - The Last Five Years (Original Cast Recording)

"Shiksa Goddess" - The Last Five Years (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

"Goodbye Until Tomorrow/ I Could Never Rescue You" - The Last Five Years (Original Cast Recording)

"I Can Do Better Than That" - The Last Five Years (Original Cast Recording)

"See I'm Smiling" - The Last Five Years (Original Cast Recording)

"If I Didn't Believe In You" - The Last Five Years (Original Cast Recording)

"13/ Becoming A Man" - 13 (Original Broadway Cast Recording) 

"The Lamest Place in the World" - 13 (Original Broadway Cast Recording) 

"What Tt Means to Be a Friend" - 13 (Original Broadway Cast Recording) 

"A Little More Homework" - 13 (Original Broadway Cast Recording) 

"Hey Kendra" - 13 (Original Broadway Cast Recording) 

"One Second and a Million Miles" - Bridges of Madison County (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Another Life" - Bridges of Madison County (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"It All Fades Away" - Bridges of Madison County (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"I Love Betsy" - 2018 Jimmy Awards winner Andrew Barth Feldman (Youtube)

"Getting Out" - Ariana Grande (Live) (Youtube)

"Jason's Song (Gave it Away)" - Dangerous Woman

"Just That Good (feat. Rufus Wainwright)" - Royalties: Season 1 (Music from the Original Quibi Series)

"Dancing On My Own - Reneé Rapp" - (Youtube)

All music tracks used for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This week, we are SO excited to welcome Vanessa Sears to our virtual studio! You may know her as Nicola in the Canadian premiere of Kinky Boots, being practically perfect as Mary Poppins, and most recently in her Dora Award winning role in Caroline, Or Change. Vanessa deep dives into her favourite collaborations, most memorable performances, and how she's staying busy with both activism and arts during the pandemic. Her energy is infectious, listen now!

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"No Song Left to Save Me" - Steven Page and the cast of Here's What It Takes - q on CBC (Youtube)

 

"Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher" - Porchside Songs - Vanessa Sears & Beau Dixon - Here and Now Toronto with Gill Deacon (CBC Radio)

 

"History of Wrong Guys" - Kinky Boots (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

 

"King of the Lost Boys" (From the Apple TV+ Original Series "Little Voice") 

 

All music tracks used for educational and entertainment purposes only.

The first 10 minutes of a musical are crucial - Opening Numbers can make or break your theatrical experience. So the question is, what makes a good Opening Number? Tara and Stefania break down the necessary components to starting a show off right, as well as rank their personal favourites. Let us start your week off right with this new episode!

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"Omigod You Guys" - Legally Blonde the Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Willkommen" - Cabaret (New Broadway Cast Recording)

"Magic to Do" - Pippin (New Broadway Cast Recording)

"Welcome To The Rock" - Come From Away (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Alexander Hamilton" -Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) 

"Opening: I Hope I Get It" - A Chorus Line - 40th Anniversary Celebration (Original Broadway Cast Recording) 

"Circle of Life" - The Lion King (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Company" -Company (2006 Broadway Revival Cast)

"It's Your Wedding Day" - The Wedding Singer (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Selling Out" - American Psycho The Musical (Youtube)

"Hello!" - The Book Of Mormon (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Beautiful" - Heathers: The Musical (World Premiere Cast Recording)

"Valjean's Soliloquy (Live)" - Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert

"Tradition" - Fiddler on the Roof (2016 Broadway Cast Recording)

"Welcome to the Renaissance" - Something Rotten! (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Side Show: Act I: The Midway: Come Look At the Freaks" - Side Show: Original Cast Recording

"The Greatest Show"  - The Greatest Showman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

"Ex-Wives" - Six: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording)

"Welcome to the Moulin Rouge!" - Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Another Day of Sun" - La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

"Opening Up" - Waitress (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Platt Brothers' Graduate Together Performance" - XQ America (Youtube)

"Opening: A New World" - Songs for a New World (New York City Center 2018 Encores! Off-Center Cast Recording)

All music tracks used for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This week we are thrilled to welcome Britta Johnson to our virtual studio!

Britta is the inaugural Crescendo Artist with The Musical Stage Company, and has written musicals such as Dr. Silver, Kelly v. Kelly, and the multi Dora award-winning Life After. She shares with us her experience of growing up in a musical family, and shares some insight into the process of writing immersive and unique theatre experiences.

Cult leaders, creative collaborators, and quarantined tango clubs - come along with us for this wild ride! 

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"Poetry" - Life After - The Old Globe (Youtube)

"Dr. Silver is Gone" - Dr. Silver: A Celebration of Life (2018) - The Musical Stage Company (Youtube)

"Eugenia at the Tango Club" - Kelly v. Kelly: An Intoxicating New Canadian Musical (2020) - The Musical Stage Company (Youtube)

"Inner White Girl" - A Strange Loop (Original Cast Recording)

"Suite Two: Edge of the Forest" - The Music of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - In Four Contemporary Suites

"Hear Me Out" - 36 Questions: Songs From Act 1 - EP

"My Love Is Your Love" - Whitney Houston 

All music tracks used for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This week we’re talking about FROZEN! Part way through the Broadway shutdown, Disney Theatrical Productions made the decision to permanently close one of its three shows, meaning Frozen performed their last show without even knowing it. We want to celebrate this magical show, filled with perfect casting choices, Swarovski crystals, and new songs made for Broadway.Hop in and let the storm rage on!...

"Let It Go" - Frozen:The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"What Do You Know About Love?" - Frozen:The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Kristoff Lullaby" - Frozen:The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"I Can't Lose You" - Live With Kelly and Ryan (Youtube)

"For the First Time in Forever (Reprise) - Frozen:The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Hygge" - Frozen:The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"True Love" - Frozen:The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Fixer Upper" - Frozen:The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Love is an Open Door" - Frozen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

"Love is an Open Door" - Frozen:The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Monster" - Frozen:The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Dangerous to Dream" - Frozen:The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Finale/Let It Go" - Frozen:The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

"Actually" - Octet (Original Cast Recording)

"Eugenia at the Tango Club" - Kelly v. Kelly: An Intoxicating New Canadian Musical (2020) - The Musical Stage Company (Youtube)

All music tracks used for educational and entertainment purposes only.

We’ve turned our favourite segment into a full episode!This extended time at home has given us the opportunity to deep dive into new cast recordings and revisit old favourite artists. And with these discoveries, we've curated a list of theatre obsessions to bust your COVID boredom. We hope our lists can fuel some new quarantine content for you - enjoy!

..."Only Us" - Dear Evan Hansen (Youtube)

"Good Old Glory Type Days" - Glory Days: Original Broadway Cast Recording

"Touch Me" - Cast Perform Touch Me Late Night w/Seth Meyers (Youtube)

"Chillin' the Regrets" - Alice By Heart (Original Cast Recording)

"Another Room in Your Head" - Alice By Heart (Original Cast Recording)

"No Song Left to Save Me" - Steven Page and the cast of Here's What It Takes - q on CBC (Youtube) 

"Run Away With Me" - The Mad Ones (Studio Cast Recording) 

"The Mad Ones" - The Mad Ones (Studio Cast Recording) 

"Freedom" - The Mad Ones (Studio Cast Recording) 

"The Boy Is Mine" - Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist: Season 1, Episode 10 (Music From the Original TV Series)

"American Pie" - Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist: Season 1, Episode 12 (Music From the Original TV Series)

"I Hope I Get It" - Cast of A Chorus Line performs on 2007 Tony's (Youtube)

"Ring of Keys" - Fun Home Performance Tony Awards 2015 (Youtube)

All music tracks used for educational and entertainment purposes only.