Settling Scores: The Musical Theatre Podcast Settling Scores

Join us for a dark and twisty tale of a dish best served very cold. The book is based on Swiss dramatist Friedrich Dürrenmatt's play, “The Visit of the Old Lady,” and the plot revolves around Claire Zachanassian (It just rolls off the tongue…), a widowed gazillionaire returning to her impoverished hometown to seek revenge on a man named Anton Schell who impregnated and abandoned her as a teen. Claire offers the town and each of its inhabitants a substantial sum of money in exchange for Schell's death. Deliciously complex moral and ethical dilemmas are explored and some beautiful, unsettling music is made, leading to a haunting conclusion. Give it a listen and let us know if you agree with Lenny and Stephanie, who loved it, or Forrest, who...didn't.
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"Ragtime: The Musical," with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally, is based on the 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow. It's two-and-a-half hours of intense beauty and heartbreaking grief, and frankly, all three of us choked up a little while recording this episode. The (incredibly intricate) plot follows the intersecting lives of three groups in the early 20th century: African Americans, upper-class white suburbanites, and Eastern European immigrants. Set against the backdrop of New York City, the story delves into themes of racial tension, social upheaval, and the pursuit of the American Dream, weaving vibrant, moving music with compelling narratives. The characters navigate love, loss, racism, feminism, and the evolving landscape of a dysfunctional nation in flux, all while singing some of the most gorgeous lyrics and music that ever flowed from Ahrens and Flaherty's pens.
(And somehow we managed to squeeze in a tribute to the amazing Marin Mazzie, too!)
So get yer hanky ready -- it's time to dust off this musical gem and explore the masterpiece that is "Ragtime: The Musical."
 
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"NINE" is a captivating musical that follows the story of Guido Contini, a famous Italian film director, as he navigates a mid-life crisis and creative block. Set in Venice, the musical delves into Guido's relationships with the various women in his life, including his wife, mistress, muse, and mother. Through vibrant music and compelling storytelling, "NINE" explores themes of love, lust, and the pursuit of artistic fulfillment.
Join us as Lenny and Forrest debate the merits and shortcomings of the cast recordings, yet still manage to remain friends.
We think...

 
Join us for a special edition episode celebrating the remarkable artistry and enduring talent of Chita Rivera, a true icon of the Broadway stage. 

Content Warning: This episode contains a brief mention of an attempted suicide by one of the characters. 
Scoop yourself a bowl of ice cream, dab on some perfume, and make sure you’re in a “romantic atmosphere” dear friends, because in this episode, we’re delving into the musical “She Loves Me.” This show is one of several reincarnations of the 1937 play Parfumerie by Hungarian playwright Miklós László. (You might remember another popular adaptation — the film You've Got Mail, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.) “She Loves Me” premiered back in 1963 and was revived in 2016, and it became the very first Broadway show to be live-streamed. It follows the story of two feuding perfume shop employees who unknowingly find solace in each other as secret pen pals, and they inevitably, hilariously fall in love. 
So do WE love HER? Yes, we most assuredly DO!
 
 

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, was Stephen Sondheim’s tenth show and is generally considered his masterwork, a melodically and dramatically adventurous piece that’s been produced in both musical theatre and opera houses the world over. Though billed as a musical, it’s roughly 80 percent sung, meaning it feels more like it’s been baked into an operetta (pun very much intended), complete with a semi-domesticated serial killer and an upwardly mobile cannibal cook. The original 1979 Broadway production won eight Tony Awards, including recognition as the season’s best musical. Its ravishing, deeply emotional music combined with zany moments of levity have made it a favorite for many, but our hosts have both love and gentle (and hilarious!) criticism to share with those who care to attend our tale...er...podcast.