Critical Darling

Andrew Cole
  • 0,0 (0)
  • DARSTELLENDE KUNST
  • WÖCHENTLICH

"Critical Darling" is a podcast that celebrates all the hot takes and big feels lighting up Broadway. Hosted by Andrew Cole, each episode dives into a Broadway play or musical with honest reactions, strong opinions, and thoughtful critique. New guest hosts join every week to talk about performances, creative choices, big ideas, and what actually lingers after the curtain call. If you love smart, fun, real talk about Broadway, tune in to learn what worked, what didn't, and which shows are worth your hard-earned scrilla!

  1. VOR 2 TAGEN ·  VIDEO

    Death of a Salesman (w/ Anna Pittman)

    Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman premiered on Broadway in 1949 and remains one of the defining works of American theater. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama follows aging salesman Willy Loman as he grapples with fading ambitions, financial pressure, and the increasingly elusive promise of the American Dream. Directed by Joe Mantello, the current Broadway revival stars Nathan Lane alongside Laurie Metcalf, Christopher Abbott, and Ben Ahlers, with scenic design by Chloe Lamford, lighting by Jack Knowles, and original music by Caroline Shaw. Host Andrew Cole is joined by longtime friend and guest host Anna Pittman to unpack this stark new production. Together they discuss Mantello's stripped-down staging, the standout performances from the cast, and why Death of a Salesman continues to feel so relevant decades after its debut, particularly in its exploration of ambition, identity, success, and the pressure to matter in modern American life. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro / Welcome Anna Pittman 11:19 Setting the Stage 12:48 Hot Takes 30:24 Big Feels 49:00 Should You See It? 52:19 Outro ***** GET TICKETS Death of a Salesman Website: https://salesmanbroadway.com/#ticket-info  ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify  YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube  Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple  Instagram - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram  Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon  TikTok - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok

    53 Min.

  2. 23. APR.

    Liberation (w/ Amanda Wheeler)

    Liberation is a new play by Bess Wohl that examines the promises and contradictions of second-wave feminism through a dual-timeline narrative spanning the 1970s and the present day. Originally developed and produced by Roundabout Theatre Company, the play premiered Off-Broadway in early 2025 before transferring to Broadway in a production directed by Whitney White. Set largely in a community gymnasium in Ohio, the play follows a group of women participating in a consciousness-raising circle while a present-day narrator attempts to piece together the legacy—and limitations—of that movement. Host Andrew Cole is joined by guest host Amanda "Wheels" Wheeler for a wide-ranging conversation on the play's performances, staging, and thematic resonance. Together, they unpack the show's use of direct address, its shifting portrayal of memory and identity, and the ways it interrogates feminism across generations. The discussion also explores standout character dynamics, the play's handling of race and intersectionality, and how Liberation ultimately functions as both a reflection on progress and a call to action for audiences today. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro / Setting the Stage 1:48 - Welcome Amanda Wheeler 10:14 - Hot Takes 25:56 - Big Feels 40:30 - Should You See It? 45:12 - Outro ***** LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW Liberation Website: https://liberationbway.com/  ***** GUEST HOST LOVE Visit Wheels' Website: https://www.amandawheeler.com/ Connect on IG: https://www.instagram.com/wheelssnacks  ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify  YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube  Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple  Instagram - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram  Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon  TikTok - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok

    48 Min.

  3. 18. APR.

    Dog Day Afternoon (w/ Joselyn Mujica)

    Dog Day Afternoon is a new stage adaptation of the landmark 1975 film, itself based on a real-life 1972 bank robbery in Brooklyn that captured national attention. The story was first chronicled in a Life magazine article by P.F. Kluge and Thomas Moore before being adapted into the Oscar-winning screenplay by Frank Pierson. This Broadway production, written by Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by Rupert Goold, brings the chaotic hostage standoff to the stage with scenic design by David Korins. The cast is led by Jon Bernthal as Sonny, alongside Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Jessica Hecht, John Ortiz, and more, reexamining the bizarre and media-fueled spectacle through a theatrical lens. Host Andrew Cole is joined by guest co-host Joselyn Mujica to unpack this ambitious and often polarizing adaptation. They dive into standout performances, the striking set design, and the show's tonal inconsistencies, while also exploring the complexities of adapting true crime for the stage. The conversation digs into the play's handling of its central relationships, its shifting identity between drama and dark comedy, and the broader question of why this story is being told now. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro / Welcome Joselyn Mujica 13:01 - Setting the Stage 15:16 - Hot Takes 35:27 - Big Feels 54:41 - Should You See It? 58:00 - Outro ***** SEE DOG DAY AFTERNOON Get Tickets: https://dogdayafternoon.com/tickets/  ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify  YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube  Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple  Instagram - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram  Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon  TikTok - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok

    1 Std.

  4. 7. APR.

    The Queen of Versailles (w/ Brent McCreary)

    The Queen of Versailles is a new musical based on Lauren Greenfield's 2012 documentary, which follows billionaire couple Jackie and David Siegel as their plans to build the largest private home in America are upended by the 2008 financial crisis. After premiering in Boston in 2024, the production transferred to Broadway's St. James Theatre as one of the most anticipated new shows of the 2025–2026 season. The musical features a score by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Lindsey Ferrentino, and direction by Michael Arden, with a cast led by Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham, alongside a design team that leans fully into the scale and spectacle of the Siegel story. Host Andrew Cole is joined by guest co-host Brent McCreary, a Broadway industry veteran and live entertainment strategist, to unpack this ambitious new musical. Together, they discuss standout performances (including Sherie Rene Scott who stood by for Kristin), the show's larger-than-life production elements, and what happens when real-life excess meets theatrical storytelling—while also exploring how two different performances in the same role can reshape the audience experience. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro / Welcome Brent McCreary 7:15 - Setting the Stage 8:26 - Critical Darling Thesis 11:17 - Hot Takes 37:33 - Big Feels 43:53 - Should You See It? 48:40 - Outro ***** MORE ON THE SHOW Listen to the Cast Recording: https://tinyurl.com/ybnkma8z ***** GUEST HOST LOVE Follow Brent: https://www.instagram.com/crazyforconcerts/  ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://open.spotify.com/show/3n4Gr7rDQAJpobM1pb1gDD YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://www.youtube.com/@criticaldarlingpod Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critical-darling/id1870444384 Instagram - Follow & Connect https://www.instagram.com/criticaldarlingpod?igsh=MWZ0ZWtyeTQzaGwxcg== Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e925c14a-0d59-40f1-856b-b7dc9c32fa09 TikTok - Follow & Connect https://www.tiktok.com/@criticaldarlingpod?_r=1&_t=ZT-93HfSIERtvS

    51 Min.

  5. 3. APR.

    Giant (w/ Marissa Rosano)

    Giant is a new play by British writer Mark Rosenblatt that explores a pivotal chapter in the life of Roald Dahl. Set in Dahl's family home in the summer of 1983, the story examines the fallout of a widely criticized literary review he published regarding the 1982 Lebanon War. Directed by Nicholas Hytner and featuring scenic and costume design by Bob Crowley, the production transferred from an award-winning run on the West End to Broadway with its original creative team intact. The cast is led by John Lithgow as Dahl, alongside Aya Cash, Elliot Levy, Rachael Stirling, Stella Everett, and David Manis.  Host Andrew Cole is joined by guest host Marissa Rosano, an accomplished vocal coach and longtime friend from their days at Belmont University. They discuss the sparse, symbolic set design and the "monster-like" intensity of Lithgow's performance. The conversation also tackles the play's timely relevance to modern cancel culture, the complex relationship between an artist and their work, and the unsettling parallels between Dahl's public controversies and those of contemporary figures like J.K. Rowling. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro / Welcome Marissa Rosano 9:33 - Setting the Stage 11:35 - Hot Takes 28:52 - Big Feels 48:15 - Should You See It? 51:49 - Outro ***** MORE ON GIANT Get Tickets: https://gianttheplay.com/ticket-info  ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://open.spotify.com/show/3n4Gr7rDQAJpobM1pb1gDD YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://www.youtube.com/@criticaldarlingpod Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critical-darling/id1870444384 Instagram - Follow & Connect https://www.instagram.com/criticaldarlingpod?igsh=MWZ0ZWtyeTQzaGwxcg== Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e925c14a-0d59-40f1-856b-b7dc9c32fa09 TikTok - Follow & Connect https://www.tiktok.com/@criticaldarlingpod?_r=1&_t=ZT-93HfSIERtvS

    53 Min.

  6. 26. MÄRZ

    Little Bear Ridge Road (w/ Robin Steinthal)

    Little Bear Ridge Road is a new play by Samuel D. Hunter (The Whale) set in rural Idaho during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the story centers on the relationship between Sarah (Laurie Metcalf) and her nephew Ethan (Micah Stock) as they navigate shared family history and isolation in a modest cabin. Directed by Joe Mantello, the production features scenic design by Scott Pask and was originally presented at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago before its Broadway transfer produced by Scott Rudin and Barry Diller. Host Andrew Cole is joined by guest Robin Steinthal, his former theater marketing co-worker and fellow frequent theatergoer. They discuss the logistics of the production, including the specific performances and the recurring creative team assembled for the project. The conversation also covers the play's marketing strategy, its limited engagement at the Booth Theatre, and the broader trends currently affecting contemporary dramas on Broadway. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro / Setting the Stage 1:42 - Welcome Robin Steinthal 6:27 - Hot Takes 23:53 - Big Feels 37:41 - Should You See It? 42:38 - Outro ***** MORE ON LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD Hear from Samuel D. Hunter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLE6NvFPcYI  ***** GUEST HOST LOVE Follow Robin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robinsteinthal/  ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://open.spotify.com/show/3n4Gr7rDQAJpobM1pb1gDD YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://www.youtube.com/@criticaldarlingpod Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critical-darling/id1870444384 Instagram - Follow & Connect https://www.instagram.com/criticaldarlingpod?igsh=MWZ0ZWtyeTQzaGwxcg== Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e925c14a-0d59-40f1-856b-b7dc9c32fa09 TikTok - Follow & Connect https://www.tiktok.com/@criticaldarlingpod?_r=1&_t=ZT-93HfSIERtvS

    44 Min.

  7. 20. MÄRZ

    Every Brilliant Thing (w/ Talia Corren)

    Every Brilliant Thing is a one-person play by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe that explores the small, everyday moments that make life worth living. First developed on the UK festival circuit in the early 2010s, the piece gained international acclaim before an extended Off-Broadway run at the Barrow Street Theatre. It now arrives on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre in a new production starring Daniel Radcliffe, directed by Jeremy Herrin and Duncan Macmillan. Aided by a heavy dose of direct audience participation, the play blends humor and vulnerability as the narrator catalogs "every brilliant thing" in the face of depression and loss. Host Andrew Cole is joined by guest co-host Talia Corrin, Executive Director of A.R.T./New York, to unpack this intimate and unconventional work. They explore Radcliffe's uniquely grounded performance, the challenges of staging a participatory piece in a Broadway house, and the production's dual identity as both theatrical event and emotional PSA. Together, they dig into themes of mental health, connection, and what it means to actively notice joy in a complicated world. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro / Welcome Talia Corren 12:15 - Setting the Stage 14:27 - Hot Takes 26:35 - Big Feels 46:23 - Should You See It? 51:16 - Outro ***** MORE ON EVERY BRILLIANT THING Get Tickets: https://everybrilliantthing.com/ticket-information/  Official Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4f2Io27F4tKbIV4kOJXBGb?si=2UExr2d9RZa3SNcqaBKrjQ  ***** GUEST HOST LOVE Learn More About A.R.T./New York https://www.art-newyork.org/  ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://open.spotify.com/show/3n4Gr7rDQAJpobM1pb1gDD YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://www.youtube.com/@criticaldarlingpod Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critical-darling/id1870444384 Instagram - Follow & Connect https://www.instagram.com/criticaldarlingpod?igsh=MWZ0ZWtyeTQzaGwxcg== Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e925c14a-0d59-40f1-856b-b7dc9c32fa09 TikTok - Follow & Connect https://www.tiktok.com/@criticaldarlingpod?_r=1&_t=ZT-93HfSIERtvS

    53 Min.

  8. 17. MÄRZ

    Waiting for Godot (w/ Michael Littig)

    Waiting for Godot is Samuel Beckett's landmark work of absurdist theater, first written in French in the early 1950s and quickly becoming one of the most influential plays of the 20th century. Set on a barren stretch of road, the play follows Vladimir and Estragon as they wait for the mysterious Godot—who never arrives. The 2025 Broadway revival, directed by Jamie Lloyd, reimagines Beckett's existential meditation with a stark, visually striking production led by Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, whose real-life friendship shapes the central dynamic. Host Andrew Cole is joined by guest co-host Michael Littig to unpack this revival, exploring the performances, Lloyd's direction, and how the production balances humor, precision, and ambiguity. They also reflect on the play's deeper themes of waiting, meaning, and human connection and what it means to experience a piece of theater that resists easy answers but stays with you long after. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro / Welcome Michael Littig 6:40 - Setting the Stage 7:48 - Hot Takes 26:32 - Big Feels 38:27 - Should You See It? 41:38 - Outro ***** MORE ON THE SHOW Learn More: https://thejamielloydcompany.com/productions/waiting-for-godot/  ***** GUEST HOST LOVE Subscribe to Michael's Weekly Newsletter "Welcome Home": https://www.michaellittig.com/  ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://open.spotify.com/show/3n4Gr7rDQAJpobM1pb1gDD YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://www.youtube.com/@criticaldarlingpod Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critical-darling/id1870444384 Instagram - Follow & Connect https://www.instagram.com/criticaldarlingpod?igsh=MWZ0ZWtyeTQzaGwxcg== Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e925c14a-0d59-40f1-856b-b7dc9c32fa09 TikTok - Follow & Connect https://www.tiktok.com/@criticaldarlingpod?_r=1&_t=ZT-93HfSIERtvS

    45 Min.
Alle anzeigen (17)

Trailer

Info

"Critical Darling" is a podcast that celebrates all the hot takes and big feels lighting up Broadway. Hosted by Andrew Cole, each episode dives into a Broadway play or musical with honest reactions, strong opinions, and thoughtful critique. New guest hosts join every week to talk about performances, creative choices, big ideas, and what actually lingers after the curtain call. If you love smart, fun, real talk about Broadway, tune in to learn what worked, what didn't, and which shows are worth your hard-earned scrilla!

Informationen

  • Erstellt von
    Andrew Cole
  • Jahre aktiv
    2026
  • Folgen
    17
  • Bewertung
    Anstößig
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Sendungswebsite
    Critical Darling

Das gefällt dir vielleicht auch