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    What The Musical

    A podcast for musical theatre nerds and newbies. Join Chelsey and Tara as they discuss musicals and all their glorious facets--the technical, the dramatic, the problematic, and the beloved songs we never want to hear again. Episodes released twice a month.
    en70 Episodes

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    Episodes (70)

    WTM Ep. 66: Bright Star

    WTM Ep. 66: Bright Star

    Content Warning: family separation

    I Can't Wait for this episode on Bright Star! We talk Chelsey's Personal Review Corner, community storytelling, and whole characters at every age. PLUS: JLM will forever be our brightest star.

    Theme music by Cullen Vance. 

    WtM logo and poster art by Theron, Ink.

    Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

    What The Musical
    enJune 13, 2021

    WTM Ep. 65: Into the Woods, Part II

    WTM Ep. 65: Into the Woods, Part II

    Content Warning: infertility, sexual predation & assault, family loss & death

    It Takes Two (episodes) to head Into the Woods! In the second half of this 2-part episode, we talk apathy vs ambivalence, deficit choices, and rejecting narratives. PLUS: JLM could guest-star...and that's the moral of the story!

    Theme music by Cullen Vance. 

    WtM logo and poster art by Theron, Ink.

    Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

    What The Musical
    enMay 07, 2021

    WTM Ep. 64: Into the Woods, Part I

    WTM Ep. 64: Into the Woods, Part I

    Content Warning: infertility, sexual assault, family loss & death

    Maybe They're Magic, or maybe it's time to venture Into the Woods! In the first half of this 2-part episodes, we talk the ineffective nature of selfish people, being fluent in anxiety, and the winding paths of parenthood.

    Theme music by Cullen Vance. 

    WtM logo and poster art by Theron, Ink.

    Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

    What The Musical
    enApril 30, 2021

    WTM Ep. 63: The Who's Tommy

    WTM Ep. 63: The Who's Tommy

    Content Warning: child abuse, murder, sexual assault, racism, ableism

    There's an Amazing Journey ahead with The Who's Tommy! We talk rock ballets, setting up idols to fall, and pinball as a metaphor for life. PLUS: is JLM more of a pinball or skee-ball kinda guy?

    Theme music by Cullen Vance

    WtM logo and poster art by Theron, Ink.

    Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

    What The Musical
    enApril 02, 2021

    WTM Ep. 62: Darling Grenadine

    WTM Ep. 62: Darling Grenadine

    Content Warning: alcoholism

    Manhattan is never far away when we sip our way through Darling Grenadine! We talk new musical development, centering off-center characters, and the best dog in a musical, ever. PLUS: please wave a safely-socially-distanced "hello" to JLM for us.

    Theme music by Cullen Vance.

    WtM logo and poster art by Theron, Ink.

    Check out more from Darling Grenadine creator Daniel Zaitchik.

    What The Musical
    enMarch 26, 2021

    WTM BONUS INTERVAL: Hadestown

    WTM BONUS INTERVAL: Hadestown

    Even the prettiest flowers can have a few wilting petals--but in case you want to look past any possible blemishes, we separated all of our Hadestown criticisms into one convenient bonus episode! (Feel free to look away.)

    What The Musical
    enFebruary 05, 2021

    WTM Ep. 60: Hadestown

    WTM Ep. 60: Hadestown

    Hey, Little Songbird, let's venture into the new year with Hadestown! We talk holistic creativity, Chelsey's inner eco-Marxist, and the struggles of love and fulfillment. PLUS: another circle around the sun for JLM, and perhaps a circle back to the stage?

    Theme music by Cullen Vance.

    Original Broadway cast recording: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

    What The Musical
    enJanuary 15, 2021

    WTM BONUS INTERVAL: Company

    WTM BONUS INTERVAL: Company

    Yes, we had plenty more to say about Company! Join us for a bonus interval on the most recent revival, the wonder of Matt Doyle, and our modest plea for a record deal.

    What The Musical
    enNovember 13, 2020

    WTM Ep. 55: Carrie: The Musical

    WTM Ep. 55: Carrie: The Musical

    CW: bullying, religion, homicide

    Do Me A Favor and turn up this episode on Carrie! We talk literal translations, the troubles with stage telekinesis, and the musical trilogy nobody expected. PLUS: there's just no good segue here, but JLM is always a good topic.

    Theme music by Cullen Vance.

    Off-Broadway premiere cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

    What The Musical
    enSeptember 08, 2020

    WTM Ep. 53: Footloose

    WTM Ep. 53: Footloose

    Content warning: mentions of bullying, family loss, religion, abusive partners

    I Can't Stand Still any longer--we gotta cut Footloose! We talk taking the grunge out of Kenny Loggins, logical fallacies, and sequels that should have been. PLUS: let's get lost in a JLM waltz...

    Theme music by Cullen Vance.

    Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

    Listening suggestions:
    Token Theatre Friends
    The Stoop
    Code Switch
    Two Dope Queens
    Punch Up the Jam 

    What The Musical
    enJune 27, 2020

    WTM Ep. 49: Come From Away

    WTM Ep. 49: Come From Away

    Content warning: 9/11.

    Welcome to the Rock, where we fly into Come From Away! We talk with special guest Eric Braman about courageous kindness, fish kisses, and being in love (or just stuck in Newfoundland). PLUS: JLM is our preferred pilot.

    Theme music by Cullen Vance.

    Original Broadway cast album: Amazon | iTunes | Spotify

    Program Notes:
    - Special guest Eric Braman
    - Spiderwoman Theater
    - The Stoop podcast
    - Interview on The Inadequate Life podcast with the creators of Come From Away

    What The Musical
    enMarch 22, 2020