Half Hour with Jeff & Richie (Post-Show Broadway Discussions and Interviews)

Two Worlds Entertainment
  • 4.7 (53)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

"Half Hour with Jeff & Richie" is the ultimate podcast for Broadway fans. With Jeff Malone & Richie Grasso as your lively hosts, prepare for a thrilling and intellectually engaging exploration of Broadway. This show is all about exclusive interviews with talent and creatives from the industry, captivating analysis of the plays and musicals we see, and a celebration of the artistry, dreams, and legends that define Broadway. Whether you're a seasoned theatre enthusiast, an aspiring artist, or simply someone who appreciates the power of storytelling, "Half Hour with Jeff & Richie" is your go-to companion. Join us on this exhilarating journey as we uncover the mesmerizing world of Broadway and delve into its rich themes that lie beyond the curtain.

  1. 4d ago

    School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play — Denée Benton, Patina Miller, and the Race for Miss Ghana

    In this episode of "Half Hour," we take a deeper look at School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Jocelyn Bioh's comedy now making its Broadway premiere with Manhattan Theatre Club at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Set at Aburi Girls Boarding School in Ghana in 1986, the play follows Paulina, the school's queen bee, as she sets her sights on the Miss Ghana pageant. Then a pageant recruiter arrives and a new student from America changes the competition. We break down how the 80-minute play opens like a familiar teen rivalry and turns into something more serious, and how Bioh uses a single school cafeteria to explore colorism, class, beauty standards, and the reach of American pop culture. We also talk about Whitney White's direction, which reunites her with Bioh after Jaja's African Hair Braiding, the performances from Denée Benton, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Patina Miller, and Heather Alicia Simms, the costume, wig, hair, and makeup design, and the ending that stayed with us after we left the theater. We close with early Tony predictions and who we think should see it before the limited run ends. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠. Share your thoughts on this production in the Spotify comments, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show discussions, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Sep 17

    Broadway and Off-Broadway Fall 2026 Preview — The New Plays, Musicals and Stars Worth Watching

    In this episode of "Half Hour," we take a deeper dive into the 2026 Broadway and Off-Broadway fall season, breaking down the plots, concepts, and productions behind the year's biggest new openings. We cover new plays like Downstate and Here There Are Blueberries, star revivals including Other Desert Cities, A Few Good Men, and Much Ado About Nothing, new musicals like Wanted and Galileo, and the wave of new Off-Broadway musicals opening this fall. We also flag which long-running Broadway hits are closing soon, so you know what to catch before it's gone. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠. Share your thoughts on what shows you are excited for in the Spotify comments, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these discussions, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Sep 10

    Paranormal Activity - A Deep Dive Into Broadway's New Horror Play

    In this episode of "Half Hour," we take a deeper dive into Paranormal Activity, an original story by Levi Holloway now playing at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre. Directed by Felix Barrett and starring Cher Álvarez and Travis A. Knight as Lou and James, the play uses the film franchise as a launchpad rather than a retelling, building its scares through illusion work, sound design, and staging rather than found footage. We cover the plot, the twist ending, the performances, and the show's chances heading into Tony season.  Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠. Share your thoughts on this production in the Spotify comments, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show discussions, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Sep 7

    Spotlight Series: Sean Nyberg on Producing Broadway and the West End

    What does a Broadway producer actually do? On this Spotlight Series episode of "Half Hour," we sit down with producer Sean Nyberg to find out, covering his shift from law into financing shows, the three-part test he uses before committing to a project, and why even a promising show can't guarantee a hit. We also get into the weekly costs of running a show on Broadway versus the West End, and where Sean thinks family entertainment and star-led theatre are heading next. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠. If you enjoy these discussions, follow “Half Hour” and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Sep 3

    Paddington the Musical — Breaking Down the West End's Most Joyous New Show

    In this episode of "Half Hour," we go deep on Paddington the Musical at the Savoy Theatre, tracing the story from Michael Bond's 1958 book through the film series to its current West End staging. We discuss the book, score, and the production's central design choice — one performer on stage, one voicing the bear — and what that adds to a story about belonging, family, and finding home. We spend time on the cast, including Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Bonnie Langford, Amy Ellen Richardson, Tom Edden, and Brenda Edwards, and on where the show could go next as it heads toward Broadway. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. Share your thoughts on this production in the Spotify comments, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show discussions, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Aug 31

    Spotlight Series: Jerry Mitchell on Reimagining The Devil Wears Prada for the West End

    In this Spotlight Series episode of “Half Hour,” we expand the conversation with Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell about his work on The Devil Wears Prada and the process of reimagining a familiar story for the West End stage. Mitchell discusses joining the project, returning to Elton John’s early demos, and finding the emotional center of the musical through Andy Sachs’ journey. He also breaks down the work behind major stage moments, from transitions and act endings to the fashion-driven visual language of Paris and the Met Ball. The conversation includes his approach to casting Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly and the collaboration behind a production that brings together music, choreography, costumes, design, and storytelling. We also speak with Mitchell about the future of The Devil Wears Prada, the development of Coyote Ugly, the national tour of BOOP! The Musical, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Bares, and his hopes for a future Legally Blonde revival. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Share your thoughts on this conversation in the Spotify comments: What part of Jerry Mitchell’s creative process stood out to you, and who would you like “Half Hour” to feature next? If you enjoy these discussions, follow “Half Hour” and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Aug 27

    Les Misérables — Inside Hudson Valley Shakespeare’s Outdoor Production

    In this episode of “Half Hour,” we take a deeper dive into Hudson Valley Shakespeare’s Les Misérables, now playing at the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center in Garrison, New York. We break down the plot, the June Rebellion of 1832, and how director Jenn Thompson’s outdoor staging uses the Hudson Valley landscape, a smaller ensemble, double casting, and a central French flag to reshape the story’s scale and emotional impact. We discuss Josh Young’s Jean Valjean, Haley Dortch’s Fantine and Enjolras, Denis Lambert’s Javert, Ana Paola Garcia’s Cosette, Haley Rose Ciaramella’s Éponine, David Beach and Nance Williamson as the Thénardiers, and the creative choices that bring the musical’s ideas of mercy, faith, justice, sacrifice, and hope into focus. We also talk about the new Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center, what a permanent home means for Hudson Valley Shakespeare, and why Les Misérables continues to connect with audiences. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. Share your thoughts on this production in the Spotify comments, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show discussions, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Aug 20

    The Hunger Games: On Stage — Inside London’s Arena-Style Production

    In this episode of “Half Hour,” we take a deeper dive into The Hunger Games: On Stage, now playing at Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre in London. We break down the plot, the concept behind the production’s arena-style staging, and how this first theatrical adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ story brings the audience into the world of Panem. We discuss Matthew Dunster’s direction, Conor McPherson’s adaptation, the in-the-round design, choreography, illusions, aerial work, and the production choices that shape the experience. We also talk about Mia Carragher as Katniss Everdeen, Tamsin Carroll as Effie Trinket, Stavros Demetraki as Caesar Flickerman, and why the show gives characters including Haymitch, Effie, and Caesar new space onstage. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠. Share your thoughts on this production in the Spotify comments, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show discussions, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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4.7
out of 5
53 Ratings

About

"Half Hour with Jeff & Richie" is the ultimate podcast for Broadway fans. With Jeff Malone & Richie Grasso as your lively hosts, prepare for a thrilling and intellectually engaging exploration of Broadway. This show is all about exclusive interviews with talent and creatives from the industry, captivating analysis of the plays and musicals we see, and a celebration of the artistry, dreams, and legends that define Broadway. Whether you're a seasoned theatre enthusiast, an aspiring artist, or simply someone who appreciates the power of storytelling, "Half Hour with Jeff & Richie" is your go-to companion. Join us on this exhilarating journey as we uncover the mesmerizing world of Broadway and delve into its rich themes that lie beyond the curtain.

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