Broadway Breakdown

Matt Koplik
  • 5.0 (17)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Matt Koplik is the most opinionated, foul-mouthed, and passionate theatre geek with access to a mic. Every week, Matt and a guest explore Broadway history by diving into the careers of the artists who shaped it. Whether discussing Sondheim and Sweeney or Herman and Dolly, Matt is sure to give you fun facts, deep analysis, and lots of four letter words. Tune in!! bwaybreakdown.substack.com

  1. Deep Dive: CABARET (Part 2) w/ Tom Pecinka

    13 HRS AGO

    Deep Dive: CABARET (Part 2) w/ Tom Pecinka

    Episode SummaryIn the conclusion of our two-part deep dive into Cabaret, Matt is joined once again by Tom Pecinka to unpack the musical’s legacy, reinventions, and enduring cultural impact. From the iconic 1972 film to radically reimagined revivals, this episode explores how Cabaret continues to evolve—and why it remains one of the most politically urgent musicals ever written. Important Broadway Breakdown LinksTom Pecinka's 54 Below Show: Tix Sondheim. Webber. Koplik. A BIrthday Threesome: Tix Broadway Breakdown Discord Broadway Breakdown: Substack Guest IntroductionTom Pecinka is a theater performer, writer, and cultural commentator with a sharp eye for how classic works are reinterpreted across generations. A longtime friend of the podcast, Tom brings both historical context and contemporary perspective to a show that refuses to sit comfortably in the past. Timestamps00:00 – Picking up where Part 1 left off05:10 – The 1972 Cabaret film and Bob Fosse’s vision14:30 – What the movie changes—and why it works23:45 – The evolution of the Emcee across productions34:20 – Major Broadway and international revivals45:50 – Minimalism, immersion, and modern staging trends57:10 – Political urgency and historical parallels1:08:30 – Why Cabaret keeps coming back1:18:00 – Final thoughts and Part 2 wrap-up Listener Discussion Questions Do productions of Cabaret go too far pushing the barriers of immersive theater? Should it go back to a more traditional presentation? Why or why not? How has the meaning of Cabaret changed in different political eras? Does the film version of Cabaret distort the show's global perception? Or is it a definitive interpretation? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

    1h 45m
  2. Deep Dive: CABARET (Part 1) w/ Tom Pecinka

    FEB 5

    Deep Dive: CABARET (Part 1) w/ Tom Pecinka

    In this first installment, Matt and Tony nominee Tom Pecinka (Stereophonic) unpack one of Broadway’s most endlessly reinvented—and debated—musicals: Cabaret. From its roots as a radical concept musical to the ever-evolving interpretations of the Emcee and Sally Bowles, this episode explores why Cabaret refuses to sit still—and why that’s exactly the point. Guest IntroductionTom Pecinka is a Tony–nominated actor best known for his acclaimed turn in Stereophonic, with additional stage credits spanning theater, film and TV. A thoughtful theater brain with a deep appreciation for gritty material, Tom brings an actor’s perspective to Cabaret—especially when it comes to performance style, character psychology, and what makes a revival feel urgent (or not). Timestamps05:00 – Experiencing the latest revival: immersion, spectacle, and fatigue14:30 – Plot overview and historical context of Weimar Berlin18:45 – What is a “concept musical,” and why Cabaret changed everything27:45 – Kander & Ebb, Hal Prince, and writing the score with Liza Minnelli in mind36:30 – The Emcee as symbol: Nazi threat, victim, puppet, provocateur41:00 – The Sam Mendes revolution and the rise of immersive Cabaret47:00 – The impossible role of Sally Bowles (talented? delusional? both?)53:30 – “Cabaret” (the song): Elsie, denial, and choosing the wrong moral59:30 – Queerness, Cliff Bradshaw, and playing house in a collapsing world1:06:00 – Revivals, retreads, and whether Cabaret can reinvent itself again Key people mentioned John Kander & Fred Ebb (composers/lyricists) Joe Masteroff (book writer) Hal Prince (original director/producer) Christopher Isherwood (source material) Jill Haworth (original Broadway Sally Bowles) Joel Grey (original Emcee) Liza Minnelli (film Sally Bowles) Bob Fosse (film director/choreographer) Alan Cumming (Sam Mendes revival Emcee) Natasha Richardson, Michelle Williams, Emma Stone, Jessie Buckley, Gayle Rankin (notable Sally Bowles) Eddie Redmayne (recent Emcee) Sam Mendes & Rob Marshall (1998 revival directors) Listener Discussion Questions Do you prefer a Sally Bowles who is secretly talented or openly unraveling—and why? Has Cabaret reached the limit of reinvention, or is there still a version we haven’t seen yet? Should revivals aim to shock audiences anew, or simply let great material speak for itself? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

    1h 37m
  3. Matt in London: PADDINGTON, INTO THE WOODS, STARLIGHT EXPRESS & More

    JAN 29

    Matt in London: PADDINGTON, INTO THE WOODS, STARLIGHT EXPRESS & More

    Matt takes Broadway Breakdown across the pond with a candid, opinionated rundown of his January London theatre trip—covering big-budget spectacle, prestige revivals, crowd-pleasing comedy, and one very lovable bear. From roller-skating Andrew Lloyd Webber excess to a visually inventive Into the Woods and a genuinely joyful new musical, this episode digs into what’s working on the West End right now, what isn’t, and what might (or should) make the leap across the Atlantic. Important Broadway Breakdown Links Sondheim. Webber. Koplik: A Birthday Threesome - Link for Tix Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Broadway Breakdown Substack Timestamps * 00:00–09:30 — Housekeeping & live show announcements; framing the London trip * 09:30–25:30 — Starlight Express * Plot refresher and campy, queer-forward energy * 25:30–45:00 — A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong * How this version expands the “Goes Wrong” formula * Comedy structure, recurring gags, and British vs. American humor sensibilities * 45:00–1:05:00 — The Playboy of the Western World (National Theatre) * Plot overview and why this “comedy” plays thorny and uneven * Thoughts on tone, pacing, and adaptation scale * 1:05:00–1:40:00 — Into the Woods (Bridge Theatre) * Comparisons to the recent Broadway revival and the original production * Where spectacle elevates the show—and where transitions slow it down * 1:40:00–End — Paddington: The Musical * Why this was Matt’s top show of the trip Listener discussion questions * Which of these London productions feels most primed for a Broadway transfer—and what would need to change for it to succeed with U.S. audiences? * When reviving a well-known musical (Into the Woods, Starlight Express), do you prefer bold reinterpretation or a cleaner, “trust the text” approach? * Is there a difference between theatre that’s “important” and theatre that’s simply joyful—and do we undervalue the latter? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

    1h 49m
  4. Tony Awards 2026: A Way Too Early Chat w/ Richie Grasso and Jeff Malone

    JAN 22

    Tony Awards 2026: A Way Too Early Chat w/ Richie Grasso and Jeff Malone

    It’s never too early to argue about the Tonys. In this episode, Matt is joined by Broadway obsessives Richie Grasso and Jeff Malone (Half Hour, Half Hour with Jeff & Richie ) to make wildly premature, deeply passionate predictions about the current season. Together, they size up contenders, clock narrative momentum, question voter behavior, and debate what actually wins awards versus what deserves to. Broadway Breakdown Links Broadway Breakdown Discord Broadway Breakdown Substack Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & ground rules for premature Tony takes05:10 – Best Musical: early frontrunners and dark horses15:40 – Best Revival: nostalgia vs. reinvention24:30 – Lead Actor & Actress races begin to form36:00 – Featured categories and scene-stealing performances45:20 – Director, score, and design categories55:10 – Critical buzz vs. box office reality1:03:30 – Industry narratives, snubs, and voter psychology1:12:00 – What could change everything before nominations1:20:00 – Final hot takes and disclaimers (because it’s January) Listener discussion questions Which category do you think is most unpredictable this year—and why?Do you prefer Tony voters reward innovation or execution?What early prediction do you think will age the worst by nomination day? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

    1h 41m
  5. Deep Dive: CHICAGO (Movie) w/ Casey Balsham

    JAN 15

    Deep Dive: CHICAGO (Movie) w/ Casey Balsham

    Matt revisits the Oscar-winning 2002 film adaptation of Chicago to unpack how it cracked the code for movie musicals in the 21st century. Joined by Casey Balsham (podcast It’s Broadway B*tch), the two explore why Chicago’s cinematic choices worked where so many others failed, how the film reframed Bob Fosse’s theatrical language, and why Chicago still looms large over every musical-to-film adaptation that followed. Casey Balsham—comedian, performer, and longtime Chicago obsessive—is the ideal guest for this episode. With a deep appreciation for musical theater history and a sharp eye for performance, Casey brings humor, specificity, and genuine love for the material while interrogating what makes this adaptation so enduring. Broadway Breakdown Links Broadway Breakdown Discord Broadway Breakdown Substack Timestamps04:20 – From stage to screen: adapting Kander & Ebb14:30 – Plot overview and structural changes from the stage27:00 – Star performances and stunt casting done right40:15 – The film’s awards run and Oscar impact46:30 – Why Chicago succeeded where others failed58:30 – Legacy: can this formula be repeated? Key people mentionedJohn Kander, Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse, Martin Richards, Rob Marshall, Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Chita Rivera, Gwen Verdon Listener discussion questions Is Chicago successful because it’s theatrical—or because it resists realism entirely?Which performance anchors the film most strongly for you, and why?Do you think there’s been a movie musical since Chicago that has surpassed it? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

    1h 55m
  6. Matt Ranks: The 2025 Theatre Season (mostly)

    JAN 1

    Matt Ranks: The 2025 Theatre Season (mostly)

    The year has ended, but the season is still going. So we’re doing what Broadway Breakdown does best…reviewing and ranking!!! Matt saw nearly 30 shows so far this season both Broadway and Off-Broadway and he wants to gather his thoughts on how he feels about them all. Some good, a few great, a couple somewhat bad…let’s dig in! BROADWAY BREAKDOWN LINKS: Broadway Breakdown Discord: Here Broadway Breakdown Substack: Here TIME STAMPS: 00:00 - Housekeeping 7:05 - #27 10:00 - #26 14:00 - #25 18:12 - #24 21:25 #23 28:53 - #22 33:10 - #21 52:40 - #20 57:30 - #19 1:01:06 - #18 1:05:17 - #17 1:14:29 - #16 1:18:10 - #15 1:20:43 - #14 1:28:20 - #13 1:36:23 - #12 1:39:18 - #11 1:43:20 - #10 1:49:42 - #09 1:52:02 - #08 1:57:46 - #07 2:01:14 - #06 2:07:38 - #05 2:09:01 - #04 2:16:250 - #03 2:26:27 - #02 2:26:40 - #01 LISTENER QUESTIONS * What show so far this season do you think history will be most kind to? * What do you think is currently a front runner for the Tony Award and could a spring entry change that? * What’s an example of a song in a musical where you felt “This song is only here because it’s a musical, not because it’s needed”? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

    2h 35m
  7. Deep Dive: THE GLASS MENAGERIE w/ Amy Jo Jackson

    2025-12-25

    Deep Dive: THE GLASS MENAGERIE w/ Amy Jo Jackson

    Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie is one of the most produced and most analyzed plays in the American canon…and now it’s our turn! Matt and guest Amy Jo Jackson explore the play’s autobiographical roots and why memory—not realism—is the engine that drives its enduring emotional power. From Laura’s fragility to Amanda’s survival instincts, this episode argues for Menagerie as a living, elastic work that changes depending on who’s telling the story. Amy Jo Jackson is a theater artist, educator, and longtime Williams devotee whose work centers on text-driven performance and classical American drama. Her deep familiarity with The Glass Menagerie—as both a practitioner and analyst—makes her an ideal guide through the play’s emotional contradictions, historical context, and performance challenges. Broadway Breakdown Links: Broadway Breakdown Discord: Here Broadway Breakdown Substack: Here Timestamps03:15 – Tennessee Williams’s life and autobiographical parallels 07:40 – Memory play vs. realism: what Williams was reinventing 18:00 – Amanda Wingfield: villain, survivor, or both? 25:00 – Laura’s interior life and the danger of sentimentality 31:45 – The Gentleman Caller and dramatic inevitability 38:00 – Original Broadway production and early critical response 43:30 – Film adaptations and what gets lost on screen 50:00 – Major Broadway revivals and shifting interpretations 1:12:30 – Legacy: why directors keep returning to this play Key people mentionedTennessee Williams, Laurette Taylor, Julie Harris, Jessica Tandy, Sally Field, Cherry Jones, Zachary Quinto, Paul Newman Listener discussion questionsDoes knowing The Glass Menagerie is autobiographical change how you watch it? What is your marker for when fragility is played right? Can one move up without moving forward? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

    2h 3m
  8. Deep Dive: THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? w/ Robert W. Schneider

    2025-12-18

    Deep Dive: THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? w/ Robert W. Schneider

    Edward Albee’s final play to open on Broadway remains one of the most controversial: The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? In this Deep Dive, Matt and guest Robert W. Schneider unpack its infamous premise and explore why a play so boldly bonkers can be so shockingly rewarding. The two also explore how Albee weaponizes language, social taboos, and why the play’s legacy is still undefined. Robert W. Schneider—director, educator, author, and longtime theater historian—is the perfect sparring partner for this conversation. A deep lover of Albee’s work with firsthand experience teaching and contextualizing The Goat, Rob brings historical perspective, production insight, and a fearless willingness to argue the play’s moral, emotional, and theatrical implications. Broadway Breakdown Links Broadway Breakdown:  Discord Channel Broadway Breakdown: Substack Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 06:45 – Plot overview and the play’s infamous reveal 15:30 – Original Broadway production and cultural reaction in 2002 20:00 – Mercedes Ruehl’s performance and the physical toll of Stevie 38:30 – Tony Awards context and critical reception 52:00 – Revivals, casting fantasies, and what it would take to bring it back 1:15:00 – Legacy: is The Goat a masterpiece, a provocation, or both? 1:27:00 – Final thoughts on Albee, tragedy, and modern audiences Key People: Edward Albee (Playwright), Mercedes Ruehl, Bill Pullman, Sally Field, Bill Irwin, Lindsay Duncan, Sarah Paulson, Eddie Redmayne Listener Discussion Questions:  Does The Goat still shock modern audiences—or has the culture caught up to it?  Is Albee’s language indulgent by design, or does it undermine the play’s momentum?  What kind of casting would make a Broadway revival of The Goat viable today? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

    1h 54m
See All (308)

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Matt Koplik is the most opinionated, foul-mouthed, and passionate theatre geek with access to a mic. Every week, Matt and a guest explore Broadway history by diving into the careers of the artists who shaped it. Whether discussing Sondheim and Sweeney or Herman and Dolly, Matt is sure to give you fun facts, deep analysis, and lots of four letter words. Tune in!! bwaybreakdown.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Koplik
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    308
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Matt Koplik
  • Show Website
    Broadway Breakdown

You Might Also Like