Les Miserables is one of the most produced musicals in the entire world. It's full of plot holes, character arcs that go nowhere, narmy love stories, and way too much padding. So, why is it that at the end.... we're crying? We're not crying. SHUT UP DON'T LOOK AT US WE'RE NOT CRYING.

*****

The Ex-Theater Kid Podcast is a podcast produced by adults who occasionally talk about adult things using adult language.

Cari and Emily sit down to discuss the surprisingly popular high school musical, Phantom of the Opera. How did a de facto opera become so popular with teenagers, and what does that popularity have to do with the modern wave of teen musicals? 

They'll be breaking down the musical theater British invasion, investigate whether Andrew Lloyd Weber and Cameron Mackintosh ever hooked up, and tell you all about how Bonnie Tyler nearly ruined Phantom before it was even written.

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The Ex-Theater Kid Podcast is a podcast produced and hosted by adults who occasionally discuss adults things using adult language.

Your favorite ex-theater kids are back with brand new episodes. They're kicking it off by dissecting what might be the most perfect musical ever written. 

They'll be breaking down broadway and lax security in the 80s, female agency, denim on denim, dancing boys™, and their couches made of money.

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The Ex-Theater Kid Podcast is a podcast produced by adults who occasionally discuss adult things with adult language. 

Cari and Emily are breaking down the long and exciting history of not just Guys and Dolls, but also the history of the composer, the lyricist, and the author of the source material. 

They'll talk about how Guys and Dolls escaped the sexism common of other golden age musicals and why you should always consider it when you're looking for a classic musical. They'll also be discussing grammar, how to write a musical via Ouija board, and the ethics of victim blaming the city of Agrahbah.

~A Note on the Show: The Ex-Theater Kid Podcast is a show produced by adults who occasionally discuss adult things using adult language.

Cari and Emily break down the history and lasting allure of one of the most performed shows on the high school stage, Beauty and the Beast. 

They'll take you through the show's journey from screenplay to groundbreaking film to broadway blockbuster. Learn how a lukewarm reception on broadway, actors wearing propane tanks, and a dress that weighs as much a US Marine's field gear became broadway's biggest moneymaker and a longtime high school theater favorite. (Hint: B*tches love costumes).

~A Note on the Show: The Ex-Theater Kid Podcast is a show produced by adults who occasionally discuss adult things using adult language.

Emily and Cari return from a hiatus (up one professional playwriting debut!) with a discussion of the original historical fan-fiction musical: 1776! 

Our hosts will discuss this show's lasting influence in all-boys schools, why it should make the jump to all-girls schools, and why you should never show the movie at your tenth birthday party. They'll be discussing history, how this musical fits in the present political climate, and why historical inaccuracies are sometimes okay.

A Note on the Show: The Ex-Theater Kid Podcast is a show produced by adults who occasionally discuss adult things using adult language.

Cari and Emily discuss the musical based on the childhood favorite, "Shrek!" This film is famous for it's fairy-tale satire, gross-out humor, and iconic use of Smash Mouth. Our hosts discuss the show's relevancy on the high school stage, the enduring legacy of a good fart joke, the musical's interesting creative team, and how a princess trapped in a tower washes her sheets.

A Note on the Show: The Ex-Theater Kid Podcast is a show produced by adults who occasionally discuss adult things using adult language.

Omigod you guys! In a special 2 hour episode, Cari and Emily discuss the pop culture zeitgeist turned broadway musical, Legally Blonde. The darling of MTV this musical has a fun history and endless relevance on the high school stage. Emily and Cari break down the entire show song by song, along the way discussing feminism, LGBT representation, bad Boston accents, Harvard's admissions timeline, and a yearly pilgrimage to feed Mel Gibson.

A Note on the Show: The Ex-Theater Kid Podcast is a show produced by adults who occasionally discuss adult things using adult language.

Cari and Emily discuss a classic from their high school theater days: Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man". This cheesy, schmaltzy, very 50s show's conservative themes and morals make it a common show for High Schools, but a rare venture for professional companies. Our hosts discuss the show's lasting legacy in film/tv, cringe at the 1950s' appropriation of native American culture, try to make sense of Harold Hill's flawed con, and do lots of reminiscing about their production of The Music Man.

A Note on the Show: The Ex-Theater Kid Podcast is a show produced by adults who occasionally discuss adult things using adult language. 

A Content Warning For This Episode: Mild spoilers for Season 3 of Downton Abbey. Lots of very bad singing.