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Confident and Uninformed. That's the way to make predictions for Tony nominations THIS early. Breakdown alum Dylan MacDowell (DRAMA) returns to go through every possible candidate for this year's Tony Awards. And Matt spills some tea about exactly *what* Broadway thinks about some of its offerings... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"This bird is singing..." Sally Mayes has been there and back and she can sing all about it to you! A Tony nominee for SHE LOVES ME with multiple awards under her belt, Sally stop by the pod to talk about her upcoming concert series (link for tix below), as well as how her Broadway debut as a swing lead to her winning a Theatre World Award, the 1994 Tonys, and naked actors getting reprimanded by police! Buy tix to Sally's new concert at Green Room 42 here: https://thegreenroom42.venuetix.com/show/details/5WWifjgRHSGE8kpHSzZS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Turn it off..." Hello! Our name is Broadway Breakdown. And we would like to share with you a Tony winning show. It has so many awesome parts. You simply won't believe how much this show has angered crowds. That's right...it's THE BOOK OF MORMON. The Broadway phenomenon from the creators of SOUTH PARK and AVENUE Q that swept the world, wowed critics...and has come back around for a reckoning from many. Does it deserve it? Who's to say? Kyle Marshall (PUTTING IT TOGETHER) is here, though, to help Matt figure out what to do. Together, the two talk about optimism, shock value, and how a musical bop can carry you through. Take a listen! Check out Kyle's podcast PUTTING IT TOGETHER: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/putting-it-together/id1435108436 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The heat is on..." To cover a giant show with giant controversy...you need a giant episode. Yup: it's MISS SAIGON. James Seol (COME FROM AWAY, KPOP) makes his Breakdown debut to discuss the last of the British mega-musicals with Matt. The two discuss a LOT: a mutual belief that Chris is the show's villain, how Kim is actually a survivalist genius and how for a show with so much sex, MISS SAIGON might be one of the least sexy musicals of all time. Come along on the helicopter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"What's your damage?" CONTENT WARNING: This episode covers a show that contains and discusses suicide, sexual assault, and mental illness. Please listen with caution. We're venturing back to Off-Broadway with the musical that launched a thousand nodes and a million TikTok accounts...we're talking HEATHERS, y'all. The musical based on the classic cult 80's film has a dedicated fanbase...and plenty of ruffled feathers. Longtime friend and icon Chelsea Williams (MAMMA MIA, IN TRANSIT) makes her Breakdown debut and discusses all things mini-skirts and croquet with Matt. The two also discuss the show's outrageously difficult score, the trouble with trying to satirizing a satire, and whether a person is interesting or just hot... COLOR US STOKED GIRL! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"If I loved you..." Oh Boy. It's the one listeners of BREAKDOWN have been waiting for. It's Matt's favorite musical. It's perhaps the most famous "problematic" musical. That's right...it's CAROUSEL, BABY!! Theatre critic Juan A. Ramirez (Theatrely, The New York Times) joins the pod to discuss all things Rodgers and Hammerstein. Juan and Matt discuss the show's horniness, debate the merits of the 2018 revival (Juan is pro, Matt is con), and what exactly that infamous line of dialogue means. Join the clambake!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"All we see is sky for forever..." STORY TIME! Due to reasons, Broadway Breakdown is covering DEAR EVAN HANSEN in two parts...with the second part coming sometime between now and later. Journalist and podcaster Ruthie Fierberg (Why We Theater) joins the Breakdown to lay out her reasonings as to why DEAR EVAN HANSEN is NOT problematic (with no question mark!) The two also discuss grief, depression, and an updated look at the current Broadway season!! Strap in your cast and let's get to it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I'll never fall in love again..." It's turkey lurkey TIME, people! Guncle of the Pod Adam Elsberry returns to talk about one of the hottest shows of the 1960's: PROMISES, PROMISES. Based on the Oscar-winning film THE APARTMENT, it's a show that got HAMILTON level reviews...and wasn't heard from again for a very long time. Matt and Adam discuss the difference between 1962 and 1968, being in love and it being terrible, and the double edged sword of sexual agency. Join in!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"...you are a fundamentally evil person..." CONTENT WARNING: Before listening, be advised that this episode discusses a play that deals with troubling subject matter (primarily sexual abuse and suicide). The Breakdown is discussing perhaps the most complex and troubling play NYC has seen in years: DOWNSTATE, by Pulizter Prize winning playwright Bruce Norris (CLYBOURNE PARK). Joined by Etai Benson (COMPANY, THE BAND'S VISIT), Matt discusses his own difficult past with abuse, the limitations of empathy and, of course, Matt and Etai's summers at The Manor. Video content available on the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BroadwayBreakdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Shall I tell you what I think of you...?" It's the first Rodgers and Hammerstein on Broadway Breakdown! And NOT the one you think! Corey Lubowich (Team Starkid) makes his Breakdown debut to discuss the much loved and much debated R&H classic THE KING AND I. Matt and Corey discuss the joint gumption and prejudice of the show's main characters, the sloppiness of Tuptim, and the Tesori/Hwang inverse piece SOFT POWER. Shall we dance inDEED? Watch and listen to more content on the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BroadwayBreakdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"It's time to dance..." Welcome back to Broadway Breakdown!! And our new series Problematic(?) covering shows that at some point in their legacy have been met with controversy or backlash. Matt is joined by Breakdown legend Ali Gordon to talk about a lighthearted musical that somehow made a few people angry...THE PROM. And no, not because of the on-air kiss. The two discuss the show's tone, question how quickly someone can go from bigoted to tolerant, and Matt's major gripe with a major character. Tune in!!! For the video of this episode, check out the Patreon for Broadway Breakdown: https://www.patreon.com/BroadwayBreakdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"But first: let's stretch." Before launching into our new season of "Problematic(?)" Broadway Breakdown returns with a warm up episode. Rob Schneider (Behind the Curtain) joins the pod to talk with Matt about the upcoming Broadway season, shows that are rumored to come in, Matt's thoughts on HELL'S KITCHEN and how sweetness is killing creativity. Let's DISH! New episodes of "Problematic (?)" begin Thursday 11/23 :) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices