The High School Musical Podcast

On the season 2 finale of The High School Musical Podcast, Frederick looks at the history of the 2012 musical comedy, Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin, set against a new script by Joe DiPietro, Nice Work If You Can Get It is actually an adaptation of a 1926 Gershwin musical comedy, Oh, Kay! The musical tells the story of playboy Jimmy Winter who finds himself wrapped up in a bootlegging scheme headed by Billie Bendix. When Jimmy and Billie fall into a forbidden love, hilarity ensues as a cast of characters run rampant through Jimmy's Long Island beach house.

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To follow more of Frederick's dramaturgical adventures, give him a follow on IG: @themtdramaturg or visit www.frederickdmiller.com.

What do you get when you cross Christian missionaries, showgirls, and gamblers? Damon Runyon's Broadway, of course! In 1950, Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows' musical adaptation of Runyon's stories took Broadway by storm - and the dice haven't stopped spinning since!

Join Frederick as he dives into the history of Guys and Dolls, including its tedious development and the legacy it has continued to leave behind.

To follow more of Frederick's dramaturgical adventures, give him a follow on IG: @ themtdramaturg.

Today, Frederick dives into the history of Godspell, the 1971 Off-Broadway musical that became a phenomenon. Telling various parables from the Gospel of Matthew, Godspell was the brainchild of theatre maker John-Michael Tebelak. Later, a young Stephen Schwartz provided a new score for its Off-Broadway debut.

Over 50 years later, Godspell remains a powerful piece for theaters around the country - and world! Like all good theatre, it is not without its controversies, however. Come learn your lessons well as Frederick pulls back the curtain on Godspell!

To follow Frederick in his dramaturgical adventures, give him a follow on IG: @themtdramaturg.

On today's episode of The High School Musical Podcast, Frederick discusses one of the hottest shows playing on stages across the United States: The Prom (2016). Inspired by the true story of Constance McMillen, a high school student who was banned from attending her prom for wanting to bring her girlfriend, The Prom is an old fashioned musical comedy for the modern moment.

To learn more about Frederick's dramaturgical adventures, give him a follow IG @themtdramaturg or visit www.frederickdmiller.com.

School is back in session with season 2 of The High School Musical Podcast! On the season premiere, we're taking a quick trip to Greece with the 1999 global phenomenon Mamma Mia!

Curious as to how Mamma Mia! is actually closer to the 1920s and 1930s musical comedies than any other era of the Broadway-style musical? Tune in to hear the unique story of how this ABBA jukebox musical charmed audiences and was a major thorn in critics' sides!

To learn more about The Musical Theatre Dramaturg, follow on IG @themtdramaturg!

On today's season 1 finale of After the Bell, Frederick is joined by New York-based actor and director, Allison Schmitt! Allison is also a - and you might be detecting a theme here - proud Penn State alum!

Tune in to hear all about Allison's journey, including how she met her husband in No Refund Theatre at Penn State, how her passion for theatre manifests itself in her current job, and what she learned the second time around performing in The Addams Family!

Listeners in the Glens Falls, New York area can catch Allison starring as Roz in 9 to 5 at Glens Falls Community Theatre this coming November 7-9. Tickets can be found here.

To follow more of Frederick's dramaturgical adventures, give him a follow on Instagram @themtdramaturg.

We’re wrapping up season one of The High School Musical Podcast with the musical, The Addams Family! This musical burst onto Broadway in 2010, musicalizing the creepy and kooky Addams family, pulling them straight from the beloved comic strip and putting them right onstage.

Today, The Addams Family is one of the most popular musicals for high schools to produce. It’s got all the makings of a great show for high schools—it’s funny, heartfelt, has a whole bunch of characters, and an awesome ensemble. But—it wasn’t always for sure a hit. We’ll discuss the show’s rocky start as well as changes made post-Broadway that solidified its legacy.

For a transcript of today’s episode, click here.

To see more of Frederick’s dramaturgical adventures as the Musical Theatre Dramaturg, give him a follow on Instagram @themtdramaturg.

On this episode of After the Bell, Frederick is joined by New York born, raised, and based performer, writer, and director (and fellow Penn State alum), Melody Munitz! Melody's incredible resume includes leading the National Tour of American Girl Live, over 15 Off-Broadway shows, and most recently playing Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof with North Shore Music Theatre.

Tune into this episode to hear about Melody's journey, including her decision to double major in Musical Theatre AND Psychology, her close ties to Fiddler on the Roof, and what advice she has for our student listeners.

For more about Melody's passions, projects, and path visit www.melodymunitz.com or follow her on IG: @melody_munitz.

To learn more about Frederick's dramaturgical adventures, make sure to follow him on IG: @themtdramaturg or visit his website, www.frederickdmiller.com.

Today, we’re staying put as we take a look at another musical depicting 20th-century Imperial Russia: the 1964 musical, Fiddler on the Roof! This musical, written by Sheldon Harnick, Jerry Bock, and Joseph Stein, was adapted from Sholem Aleichem’s stories, Tevye and his Daughters. However, it wasn’t until director-choreographer Jerome Robbins joined the project that it found its footing.

We’ll discuss Fiddler’s tumultuous road to Broadway, as well as its enduring legacy today.

For a transcript of today’s episode, click here.

To see more of Frederick’s dramaturgical adventures as the Musical Theatre Dramaturg, give him a follow on Instagram @themtdramaturg.

On today's episode, Frederick is joined by Eric Mansilla, a Central PA-based theatre artist and educator. By day, Eric is the choir director and theatre arts teacher at East Pennsboro Area High School. By night, he is an active performer, director, music director, choreographer, and consultant at many area theatre companies.

Tune in to hear about Eric's journey, what he owes to the educators in his life, and his reflections on directing our musical of the week, Anastasia. You can catch Eric starring as the Baker in Theatre Harrisburg's upcoming production of Into the Woods next month! Tickets available here.

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To follow Frederick's dramaturgical adventures, give him a follow on IG: @themtdramaturg.