A Musical Theatre Podcast

Jeffrey Scott Parsons
  • 4.8 (154)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Conversations revealing the cultural and emotional impact of our favorite musicals in theatre history. On each episode of “A Musical Theatre Podcast,” Jeff welcomes a special guest to explore one musical from theatre history. Together they get to the heart of the show’s cultural and emotional impact by looking at its creators, context, and storytelling. Always fun and heartfelt, this is the podcast to celebrate the humanity of our musical theatre art form.

  1. BONNIE & CLYDE with Ivan Menchell

    2D AGO

    BONNIE & CLYDE with Ivan Menchell

    Today we finish up our fall American Dream Miniseries with a surprise fourth episode dedicated to the listener requested BONNIE & CLYDE. This musical, maybe even more than the others we've covered in this miniseries, most easily represents the experience of Americans in 2025. Let that sink in for a minute! Here to discuss it is the show's book writer, Ivan Menchell (BONNIE & CLYDE, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, DEATH NOTE) who provides fascinating context regarding his approach to these legendary characters and the explanation behind the show's short Broadway run. Follow Ivan on Instagram at @ivanmenchell For more Frank Wildhorn, listen to JEKYLL & HYDE with Rebecca Spencer Join all the cool people at ⁠PATREON!⁠ for bonus episodes (including one today featuring BONNIE & CLYDE superfan Jennifer Lyn), essays, and polls. Share our episodes and videos on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠. Don't forget about our ⁠TeePublic Store⁠ where the profits we receive are donated to ⁠Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS⁠. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min
  2. BARNUM with Ryan VanDenBoom

    OCT 27

    BARNUM with Ryan VanDenBoom

    The third entry in our "American Dream" miniseries of listener requests is the 1980 musical BARNUM. Now, that means it is not THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, and please don't come for Jeff if he speaks too candidly about that musical! Instead, join us for a lively discussion regarding the showmanship of P.T. Barnum and the musical that bears his name as well as the complex legacy of characters like him in American History. Here to discuss it all is someone who knows a thing or two about showmanship. He can currently be seen in the Broadway smash MJ and recently choreographed a new production of BARNUM: it's Ryan VanDenBoom! (BANDSTAND, SOMETHING ROTTEN, and more.) Follow Ryan on Instagram at @ryanvandenboom If you liked this episode, check out THE MUSIC MAN with Teri Bibb Join all the cool people at PATREON! for bonus episodes, essays, and polls. Share our episodes and videos on Instagram and TikTok. Don't forget about our TeePublic Store where all the profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    59 min
  3. 1776 with Howard Sherman

    OCT 8

    1776 with Howard Sherman

    The second episode in our "American Dream miniseries" is dedicated to 1776, the listener requested, Best Musical winner of 1969. It's a surprisingly unconventional musical about the very beginnings of a government that is currently, as of this moment, shut down. Join our special guest Howard Sherman (arts administrator, writer, and advocate) as we look at how 1776 and HAIR could have premiered on Broadway at the same time and look to its characters for lessons on debate and disagreement. We honestly didn't think this episode would be so relevant right now. Read some of Howard's terrific work on his website https://hesherman.com/ and follow him on instagram at @hesherman. If you enjoyed this episode, check out HAIR with Jordan Dobson . Join us at PATREON! for exclusive access to our library of bonus episodes, essays, and mini series. Follow and share our content on Instagram and TikTok. Don't forget to order something fun on our TeePublic Store. All of our profits go the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 11m
  4. RAGS with Samantha Massell

    SEP 15

    RAGS with Samantha Massell

    Today we begin a mini-series on "A Musical Theatre Podcast" that will explore "the American Dream." These are musicals you listeners have requested that all have one thing in common: "being an American is a beautifully complicated thing." First up is the 1987 musical RAGS created originally by three titans of the art form: Charles Strouse (BYE BYE BIRDIE, ANNIE), Stephen Schwartz (WICKED, PIPPIN), and Joseph Stein (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, ZORBA). Here to discuss it with us is the star of many of those musicals and a fan of all of their creators, Samantha Massell (RAGS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF). There are so many synchronicities that happened during this conversation that you will have to agree this episode happened at exactly the right time with exactly the right people. Be sure to follow Samantha on Instagram at @smassellsings to learn more about her upcoming projects. If you enjoyed this episode, go back to the very beginning for "A Musical Theatre Podcast" and enjoy FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Glenn Rosenblum Join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠PATREON!⁠⁠⁠⁠ for bonus episodes, contests, and polls! Don't forget to like and share our episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We have fun playlists on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep you company in between episodes and be sure to check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeePublic Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where our profits from the designs are donated to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 11m
  5. SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE with Danielle Ferland

    SEP 1

    SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE with Danielle Ferland

    "There are worse things than listening to a podcast on a Sunday!" Join special guest, and original cast member, Danielle Ferland ("Little Red" in Into the Woods) as we look back at her Broadway debut in the Pulitzer Prize winning, and listener requested, Sondheim/Lapine musical Sunday in the Park with George. Listen to stories about the nontraditional way this nontraditional musical was created and whether or not Danielle ever found her glasses. If you enjoyed this episode, you should definitely check out our covid era episode on INTO THE WOODS with Sara Kapner Be sure to follow Danielle on Instagram at @ferlanddr to stay up to date with her latest projects. For more about Sunday in the Park with George and the other musicals that have won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama, join us on PATREON! for our bonus series exclusively for the "Patreon! Fam" tier. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok, and check out our TeePublic Store which benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Above all, thank you for being here at "A Musical Theatre Podcast." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 7m
  6. PARADE with Max Chernin

    JUN 29

    PARADE with Max Chernin

    PARADE is by no means a "happy musical." But the way it has aged not only with audiences but within our culture has given it a happier ending than when it first opened in the 1999 Broadway season. This week, actor Max Chernin (Broadway's PARADE, BRIGHT STAR, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE) takes a moment from playing "Leo Frank" in the show's current national tour to discuss how the wounds from the original 1913 trial continue to fester today and how important it can be to "de-role" from it all. By the way, if you're into "true crime," this is the musical for you. Follow Max on Instagram @maxcherns If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check our episode exploring more complex moments of American History: RAGTIME with David Loud For only a few dollars a month, subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠PATREON!⁠⁠⁠ for bonus episodes, contests, and polls! Don't forget to like and share our episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠. We have fun playlists on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep you company in between episodes and be sure to check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠TeePublic Store⁠⁠⁠⁠ where our profits from the designs are donated to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS⁠⁠⁠⁠. Above all, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 14m
  7. THE ADDAMS FAMILY with Rachel Potter

    JUN 4

    THE ADDAMS FAMILY with Rachel Potter

    "They're creepy and they're kooky," but they also mean a lot to so many of you! THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a musical based on the beloved characters by Charles Addams is one of the most performed musicals in the United States. Today, we look at why that might be. Joining us is one of Broadway's "Wednesdays," the amazing Rachel Potter (EVITA, WICKED), whose new album "Stages" features one the musical's most popular songs. Follow Rachel on Instagram at @therachelpotter. Listen to her new album STAGES now! Also, here's the music video she mentions in the episode celebrating the "Addams Family Stage" of her life. If you enjoyed this episode, check out another celebrating composer Andrew Lippa: BIG FISH with Jeff Whiting For only a few dollars a month, subscribe to ⁠⁠PATREON!⁠⁠ for bonus episodes, contests, and polls! Don't forget to like and share our episodes on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠. We have fun playlists on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ to keep you company in between episodes and be sure to check out our ⁠⁠⁠TeePublic Store⁠⁠⁠ where our profits from the designs are donated to ⁠⁠⁠Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS⁠⁠⁠. More than anything, thank you for being an important part of this podcasting community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 9m
  8. SMILE with Robert W. Schneider

    MAY 20

    SMILE with Robert W. Schneider

    SMILE, a musical by Howard Ashman and Marvin Hamlisch about a teen beauty pageant may not have won the crown when it premiered on Broadway back in 1986, but it was the winner of this year's "Flop Shop" PATREON! poll. We're hoping now a few more people will know just how important this musical is! Director, podcaster, and educator Robert W. Schneider joins us just having finished directing a production of this lesser-known gem. Tune in to hear all about the original production and how the show was received by audiences in 2025. Be sure to follow Rob on Instagram @robwschneider and learn more about his theatre company at The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company If you enjoyed this episode, check out last year's winner of the "Flop Shop" poll: STEEL PIER with Colden Lamb Join us at ⁠PATREON!⁠ for bonus episodes, contests, and polls! Don't forget to like and share our episodes on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠. We have fun playlists on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ to keep you company in between episodes and be sure to check out our ⁠⁠TeePublic Store⁠⁠ where our profits from the designs are donated to ⁠⁠Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS⁠⁠. More than anything, thank you for being an important part of this podcasting community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 16m
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4.8
out of 5
154 Ratings

About

Conversations revealing the cultural and emotional impact of our favorite musicals in theatre history. On each episode of “A Musical Theatre Podcast,” Jeff welcomes a special guest to explore one musical from theatre history. Together they get to the heart of the show’s cultural and emotional impact by looking at its creators, context, and storytelling. Always fun and heartfelt, this is the podcast to celebrate the humanity of our musical theatre art form.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeffrey Scott Parsons
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    164
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022 A Musical Theatre Podcast
  • Show Website
    A Musical Theatre Podcast

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