Broadway Breakdown

Matt Koplik
  • 0.0 (0)
  • ARTES ESCÉNICAS
  • DOS VECES A LA SEMANA

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. Matt Ranks: The 2025 Theatre Season (mostly)

    HACE 3 DÍAS

    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

    2 h y 35 min
  2. Deep Dive: THE GLASS MENAGERIE w/ Amy Jo Jackson

    25/12/2025

    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

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

    18/12/2025

    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

    1 h y 54 min
  4. Deep Dive: NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 (Part 2) w/ Natalie Walker

    11/12/2025

    Deep Dive: NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 (Part 2) w/ Natalie Walker

    Our Deep Dive of Great Comet comes to its conclusion. Actor/singer/diva/Great Comet superfan Natalie Walker remains to dig into the show’s electrifying soundscape, its roots in War and Peace, and how Dave Malloy explodes character, form, and musical vocabulary. Matt and Natalie break down what makes Comet such a singular theatrical experience—structurally, emotionally, and spiritually—and why its legacy continues to glow long after the comet’s tail faded from Broadway. Guest introduction Natalie Walker is an actor, singer, and comedic force known for her singular interpretations of musical theater material. She’s been nominated for a Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award and recently brought her sold out show Mad Scenes to Joe’s Pub. Her extensive history with Great Comet across multiple productions—including Kazino, A.R.T., and Broadway—brings insight as both a performer and longtime fan makes her the ideal partner for this deep-dive analysis. Broadway Breakdown Links: Broadway Breakdown Discord Broadway Breakdown Substack Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & why Great Comet still mattersWhy Comet remains one of the most daring Broadway productions of the 2010s. 04:30 – Translating Kazino’s immersive chaos to a proscenium Matt and Natalie break down the production design on Broadway. 11:50 – “Charming” and the weaponization of flattery A textual and musical unpacking of Hélène’s manipulation and why “such a shame to bury pearls in the country” is one of song’s great lines. 34:20 – The Abduction: pacing, spectacle, and the Broadway-length debate Matt’s case for trimming the sequence and why certain Broadway changes improved storytelling. 42:30 – Pierre, Natasha & the power of perceived monstrosityPierre’s meeting with Natasha and how online behavior mirrors the novel’s themes. 59:00 – Pierre’s emotional repression & the final confessionA breakdown of Pierre’s “you should be with the brightest, handsomest, best person” scene and why people who seem emotionally constrained often feel the most. 1:24:45 – Social media, discourse & the collapse of the Broadway runHow the “Great Comet discourse” spiraled, why it fed into Malloy’s Octet, and what the show reveals about online culture and human empathy. Key people mentioned Creators * Dave Malloy (composer, lyricist, book), Rachel Chavkin (director), Sam Pinkleton (choreography), Mimi Lien (set design), Paloma Young (costumes), Bradley King (lighting) Original Broadway cast * Josh Groban (Pierre), Denée Benton (Natasha), Lucas Steele (Anatole), Amber Gray (Hélène), Grace McLean (Marya D.), Brittain Ashford (Sonya), Nick Choksi (Doléhov) Other notable performers mentioned * Heath Saunders, Shaina Taub, Kuhu Verma (Octet) Resources: * Original Broadway Cast Recording – Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 * Tolstoy’s War and Peace (Volume 2, Part 5) — source text for the musical * Dave Malloy’s website & notes on Comet * Ars Nova production materials / archival info * A.R.T. production history * Broadway run timeline & Tony Awards overview * Octet (Dave Malloy) – background and cast information Listener discussion questions * Great Comet blends musical genres with character psychology—what musical shift in the show hits you the hardest, and why? * Which version of Great Comet (Kazino, ART, Broadway) do you think best suits the material—and what would your dream version look like? * Pierre and Natasha’s final scene is deceptively simple—what do you think the moment reveals about each of them that the rest of the show doesn’t? 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

    1 h y 38 min
  5. Matt Reviews: The Queen of Versailles (both of ‘em), Ragtime & A Conversation with Teale Dvornik

    04/12/2025

    Matt Reviews: The Queen of Versailles (both of ‘em), Ragtime & A Conversation with Teale Dvornik

    Episode Summary Matt dives into two major musical events: Broadway’s divisive, new bio-musical The Queen of Versailles and its two different leading ladies, as well as the long-awaited revival of Ragtime. He breaks down the productions’ strengths, stumbles, creative choices, and star performances before welcoming Broadway content creator and author Teale Dvornik for a candid conversation about audience culture, the changing ecosystem around modern theater and her new book History Hiding Around Broadway. Timestamps 00:00 – Opening & Episode Setup Matt tees up the week’s reviews and previews what’s ahead. 02:10 – The Queen of Versailles A breakdown of the musical’s glossy aesthetic, technical elements, score, staging, and script; Matt’s take on Kristin Chenoweth’s performance; questions about tone, satire, and emotional center; comparisons to other wealth-focused musicals. 23:00 – Ragtime Initial expectations vs. what the production delivers; performances, orchestrations, pacing, and the challenge of modernizing a massive period musical; where this revival succeeds, where it pulls back, and how it reframes the material for 2025 audiences. 45:00 – Interview: Teale Dvornik A thoughtful, candid conversation about Broadway marketing, social-media influence, community behavior, and how digital audiences impact ticket sales, show reputation, and performer well-being. Teale offers insight from inside the industry — and clears up several misconceptions about influencers, access, and online discourse. Key People Mentioned The Queen of Versailles * Kristin Chenoweth, Sherie Rene Scott, Stephen Schwartz, Lindsey Ferrentino, Michael Arden Ragtime * Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Terrence McNally, E.L. Doctorow Interview * Teale Dvornik Resources & Links Broadway Breakdown: Discord Broadway Breakdown: Substack Buy History Hiding Around Broadway Listener Discussion Questions * What do you think would make The Queen of Versailles work? And could time be kinder to it down the line? * How should a modern revival approach a large, politically charged musical like Ragtime? * Has an individual performance changed your opinion on a show? 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

    1 h y 52 min
  6. Matt Reviews: WICKED: FOR GOOD w/ Andrew Chappelle

    27/11/2025

    Matt Reviews: WICKED: FOR GOOD w/ Andrew Chappelle

    Matt Reviews: Wicked: For Good with Andrew Chappelle Matt is joined by Broadway actor and podcast host Andrew Chappelle for a theater-nerdy breakdown of the hotly anticipated Wicked: For Good. Together, they dig into how Part Two stacks up against Part One, what the film gets right (and very right), and where it stumbles on its way down the Yellow Brick Road. From pacing to performances to the Wizard of Oz tie-ins, this episode explores why Wicked remains one of the most passionately debated properties in modern musical theater. Resources & Links Broadway Breakdown Discord Broadway Breakdown Substack Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Oz… Again Matt and Andrew introduce the episode and their shared history with the Wicked universe. 08:45 – Revisiting Part One & the Big Pacing Debate Matt’s qualms with Part One resurface and why movie musicals today struggle with airflow and pacing. Andrew counters with why he loves the “epic fantasy” pacing of the films. 10:40 – Comparing Film vs. Stage Energy Andrew describes seeing Wicked live again and realizing how fast the Broadway version moves — and how intentionally the films do not. 14:20 – No Good Deed Andrew declares No Good Deed the film’s peak — a visceral, intermission-style gut punch. Matt shares his own favorite moments, especially Ariana Grande’s performance. 22:40 – Can Art Be Too Safe? A conversation about modern creative fear, audience reactions, and why art that tries not to offend often loses its punch. 25:20 – The Wizard of Oz Problem (or Feature?) The backlash to Act Two’s deeper Wizard of Oz connections — and why fans remain divided. 56:50 – New Songs: Going for the Oscar Original songs in movie musicals: the pressure, the pitfalls, and why audiences scrutinize additions to iconic scores.  Key People Mentioned Film Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum Creative Team: Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman, Jon M. Chu Other Titles Referenced: Chicago, Dreamgirls, Hamilton, The Wizard of Oz, Suffs Listener Discussion Questions Did Wicked: For Good capture the emotional high of the stage version for you — or did the cinematic scope change it? How do you feel about the additional Wizard of Oz tie-ins? Did they enhance the story or distract from it? What makes a movie musical adaptation succeed — pacing, performance, fidelity to the stage show, or something else entirely? 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

    1 h y 14 min
  7. Matt Reviews: Oedipus, The Baker’s Wife, Prince F*ggot & Two Strangers Carry A Cake…

    25/11/2025

    Matt Reviews: Oedipus, The Baker’s Wife, Prince F*ggot & Two Strangers Carry A Cake…

    Episode Summary In this bonus review episode, Matt tackles four very different productions—Oedipus, The Baker’s Wife, Prince F*ggot, and Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York. From classics, revivals, new works, and small downtown gems, he breaks down what sings, what stumbles, and what you might want to spend your money (or not spend your money) on this season. He also addresses audience questions about ticket pricing, press seats, and the realities of covering an entire Broadway season as a critic and podcaster. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Season Updates Live-show successes, upcoming cabaret dates for Broadway Breakdown, and how bonus review episodes will fit into the schedule. 02:30 – On Ticket Pricing, Press Seats & “Cringe” Feedback Matt clarifies misconceptions about requesting press tickets and discusses the financial/logistical realities of reviewing an entire season. 10:20 – Oedipus Overview of the production, standout performances, and early-season Tony nomination predictions—particularly in featured actor/actress categories. 18:10 – The Baker’s Wife A full dive into the show’s infamously chaotic production history, the new Classic Stage Company staging, Schwartz’s revisions over the years, and performances that make (or don’t make) the revival sing. 33:00 – Prince Faggot A nuanced review of the play’s thematic ambition, its monologue structure, moments that soar, moments that miss, and why the final monologue feels disconnected from the whole. Plus praise for the cast and a shout-out to excellent house staff. 45:55 – Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York A discussion of structure, pace, tone, and how well (or not) the piece handles its ideas about connection and modern loneliness. (Transcript references structural critique connected to this section.) Key People Mentioned * Mark Strong, Lesley Manville, Robert Icke - Stars and Director/Adapter of Oedipus * Stephen Schwartz – composer/lyricist of The Baker’s Wife * Carol Demas, Patti LuPone, Paul Sorvino – original Baker’s Wife figures in the show’s rocky history * Ariana DeBose, Scott Bakula, Nathan Lee Graham, Judy Kuhn - members of the CSC production of The Baker’s Wife * David Greenspan – praised in Prince F*ggot * Kuhnsie – featured Diva of the Week, singing “Meadowlark” * Sam Tutty, Christiana Pitts - Stars of Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York Resources & Links * Telecharge – tickets for shows mentioned: https://www.telecharge.com/ * Broadway Breakdown Discord * Broadway Breakdown Substack Listener Discussion Questions * Which of the four shows reviewed would you prioritize seeing, and why? * How do you balance ticket prices with the desire to keep up with a Broadway season—what makes a show “worth it” to you? * For revivals like The Baker’s Wife, do you prefer faithfulness to the original vision or bold reinvention? 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

    1 h y 33 min
  8. Deep Dive: NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 (Part 1) w/ Natalie Walker

    20/11/2025

    Deep Dive: NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 (Part 1) w/ Natalie Walker

    Matt and guest Natalie Walker (The Big Gay Jamboree, Last Bimbo of the Apocalypse) blast off into the glittering, vodka-drenched universe of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812—Dave Malloy and Rachel Chavkin’s electro-pop opera spun from a 70-page slice of War and Peace. Together they trace the show’s evolution from Ars Nova experiment to Broadway spectacle, unpack why the score still fries their nervous systems (in the best way), and revisit the tent-era intimacy that made audiences feel complicit, overwhelmed, and fully alive. Guest introduction Natalie Walker—actor, comedian, vocalist, and longtime Great Comet superfan—joins the Deep Dive with the passion of someone who quite literally rushed the show “a million times.” Known for her sharp wit, impeccable musical instincts, and encyclopedic knowledge of chaotic theatrical women, she’s the ideal guide for unpacking the show’s origins, its cult-devoted audience, and its singular place in the Broadway ecosystem. Timestamps 00:00 – 04:00 Cold open chaos; setting the stage in Moscow, 1812. 06:00 – 12:00 Natalie’s fan origin story ie when she realized New Musical Theatre Can Still Be Good™. 10:00 – 14:00 Matt’s first Comet experience, hype culture, and Phillipa Soo’s star-making performance. 13:45 – 24:00Origins at Ars Nova/Off-Broadway 30:00 – 33:30 Natasha’s arc and teenage intensity. 31:30 – 33:30War & Peace 101 48:00 – 52:00Scaling the show up: What was gained, what was lost. 56:00 – 1:01:30The complexities of Pierre’s backstory, depression, inherited wealth, and moral arc; why the finale belongs to him. 1:10:30 – 1:15:30 Egg shakers, Chavkin’s visual metaphors, and Natasha’s unraveling. 1:22:40 – 1:25:20Casting possibilities: why Comet works best with unpredictable talents. Key people mentioned Creators * Dave Malloy — book, music, lyrics; original Pierre * Rachel Chavkin, director; Or Matias, music director; Bradley King, lighting designer (“King indeed”); Mimi Lien, scenic designer; Paloma Young, costume designer * Original/Notable Cast: Phillipa Soo, Dave Malloy, Amber Grey, Grace McLean, Lucas Steele, Nicholas Belton, Gelsey Bell, Josh Groban, Denée Benton, Scott Stangland, David Abeles, Shaina Taub Resources & Links * Rachel Chavkin & Dave Malloy: Interview at The Strand * NY Times reviews (Ars Nova, Kazino, Broadway) * Great Comet Wikipedia page * “What Is The Great Comet?” * “How Great Comet Burned Out” Listener discussion questions * Do you prefer the show intimate or epic? Why? * Which qualities define Natasha or Pierre for you? * How does Great Comet’s musical style deepen its small slice of War and Peace? 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

    1 h y 33 min
Ver todo (303)

Acerca de

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

Información

  • Creador
    Matt Koplik
  • Años de actividad
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodios
    303
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © Matt Koplik
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Broadway Breakdown

También te podría interesar