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

"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

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

"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

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

Just as DEATH BECOMES HER celebrates 10 Tony nominations, we're thrilled to celebrate our new episode dedicated to this brand-new Broadway hit! Joining us is one of the nominees, the hilarious book writer himself, Marco Pennette (TV's Ugly Betty & Mom), and one of hard-working cast members keeping the show going 8 performances a week, Kaleigh Cronin (Cabaret, A Bronx Tale, Jersey Boys). Marco is an open, pardon the pun, "book," and you'll love his insider look at how this musical came to be. Kaleigh is not only in the show every night but also understudies both leading lady roles and has wonderful insights on those fabulous divas. Don't miss DEATH BECOMES HER at the Lunt-Fontaine Theatre in NYC! To learn more, visit deathbecomesher.com. Be sure to follow Kaleigh on Instagram at @kaleigh_cronin. If you enjoyed this episode, check out our recent episode with the writers of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS: Rick Elice and PigPen Theatre Co. 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

"Let me give you the lowdown, we're K-razy for 'Lew!'" This week we're covering a game changing musical based on a game changing musical (get ready for Jeff's "Expired Ketchup" metaphor) featuring the Broadway debut of a performer who's now enjoying her Broadway debut as a choreographer! It's CRAZY FOR YOU with Shannon Lewis! Shannon (JUST IN TIME, FOSSE, CURTAINS, SWEET CHARITY, and so many more...) never forgets a count of choreo, so there's nobody better to talk about this "dance-tastic" musical that not only left audiences floating out of the theater but rolled out the red carpet for legendary director/choreographer Susan Stroman. For more Shannon, get your tickets now to see her choreographic work in the brand-new musical JUST IN TIME starring Jonathan Groff, and follow her on Instagram at @realshanlew If you enjoyed this conversation, listen to another incredible artist discuss the legacy of Broadway dance in our SWEET CHARITY episode with Dylis Croman! Join our ever-growing community on PATREON! Starting at only $1 a month, you can gain access to membership tiers, trivia competitions, bonus episodes and voting 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. Most importantly, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beetlejuice...Beetlejuice...Beetle-just kidding, we're not that crazy. Today, we're talking about "you know who," and we're doing it with original Broadway cast member and current dance captain on the BEETLEJUICE national tour, Ryan Breslin! (NEWSIES, THE BOOK OF MORMON, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY) Join us as we delve into the history of this fan favorite musical, the lore of the Netherworld, and what happens when Congresspeople are escorted out of your show. Follow Ryan on Instagram at @theryanbreslin and visit him and the rest of the cast on one of their stops by visiting BEETLEJUICE The Musical | Official Tour Website If you enjoyed this episode, check out another film turned musical composed by a different Australian comic: GROUNDHOG DAY with Ste Clough Join our ever-growing community on PATREON! Starting at only $1 a month, you can gain access to membership tiers, trivia competitions, bonus episodes and voting 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. Most importantly, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're the luckiest people in the world as "funny girl" Ruby Karp joins us to discuss the legendary musical FUNNY GIRL. Throughout the conversation there is plenty of love for Babs, plenty of "not love" for Nicky Arnstein, and even a hypothesis regarding who Fanny Brice's third husband would have been in the 2020s. Follow Ruby on Instagram at @rubykarp and don't miss her show I DON'T TRUST ADULTS playing Soho Playhouse from March 26-May 3. If you enjoyed this episode, check out our episode on another Bob Merrill musical, CARNIVAL featuring Tony winner Debbie Gravitte Shapiro! Join our ever-growing community on PATREON! Starting at only $1 a month, you can gain access to membership tiers, trivia competitions, bonus episodes and voting 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. Most importantly, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Be careful when you open the loop... A STRANGE LOOP is a musical outlier in many ways: it's one of the few Broadway shows to include book, music, and lyrics by one individual. It also won pretty much every award it could have (including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama) during its New York runs. But maybe most impressive is the sheer number of conversations one can have about it. This week we welcome Tony nominee L Morgan Lee (A STRANGE LOOP) to open as many of those loops as we can in about an hour's time. Adult conversations will include queer vs gay musicals, the not-so-subtle art of cruising, shame, identity, and more... (notice the ellipses) Follow L Morgan on Instagram at @lmorganlee and don't miss her March 31st as host of this year's Maestra Amplify 2025, a concert amplifying the women and non-binary musicians in the musical theatre industry. If you enjoyed this episode, try our FALSETTOS episode with Tony winner Michael Rupert. We've just announced our new series on PATREON! featuring conversations about the 10 musicals that have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. (PS- one of them will be A STRANGE LOOP.) Join the PATREON! FAM tier today or be a Beginner for only $1. Don't forget to like and share our episodes on Instagram and TikTok. We have great playlists on Spotify. And be sure to check out our TeePublic Store where our profits from the designs are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Most importantly, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices