The Johns end Season 6 of the podcast with a show very near and dear to their hearts in Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George". They talk about the narrative devices found within, their views on Bernadette Peters, which is the "best" version of the show, and so much more. John N. gushes... but what else is new? This isn't the end! Season 7 will be coming this summer! What would you like to hear the Johns talk about? How's the new format working out for you? Let us know! Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by James Lapine Find the episode on your favorite podcast app or by ..read more

John and John seize the day in their next show and discuss the 2012 Disney musical "Newsies". They have a few notes about the score, the dichotomy of the dance vs non-dance music, the attempts at authenticity, and the role of dance in the modern musical... well, at least *this* modern musical. Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Jack Feldman Book by Harvey Firestein Based on the 1992 movie "Newsies", screenplay by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White Find the episode on your favorite podcast app or by going to https://anchor.fm/musicalminutes Intro and outro music ("BeBop 25") provided under Creative Comm ..read more

This week, the Johns venture a little bit off the traditional path and delve into the 1995 show, "Songs For A New World". They talk about the through-line that replaces a traditional plot, their thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of Jason Robert Brown's musical output, and how this show encapsulates the concept of Americana in a way that is more appropriate for the subject. Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Find the episode on your favorite podcast app or by going to https://anchor.fm/musicalminutes Intro and outro music ("BeBop 25") provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 ..read more

Representation matters - but that's just the beginning of the story! John and John sit down this week to talk about the musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel's coming of age graphic novel, "Fun Home". The pair discuss how this show is important not only for its representation, but how it's amazingly successful in presenting that representation in a realistic, sincere, and nuanced way. Also, John and John talk about how the show is indicative of the changing styles of Broadway, its technical elements, and how this influenced their view of composer Jeanine Tesori. Music by Jeanine Tesori Lyrics ..read more

John and John end the 2022 edition of February Flops with a show that they genuinely want to love - Leonard Bernstein's Candide. The pair talk about the show's existence in both the Broadway and Opera worlds, their love for the music (especially the overture), and how sometimes the revision process doesn't make anything much better. Music by Leonard Bernstein Lyrics by Richard Wilbur, John Latouche, Dorothy Parker, Lillian Hellman, Leonard Bernstein, Felicia Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim Book by Lillian Helman, revised by Richard Wilbur Based on the novella “Candide” by Voltaire Find the e ..read more

John and John continue through February Flops with a show that never belonged on Broadway... and technically never was! The pair discuss Annie 2: Ms. Hannigan's Revenge, and talk about how any idea isn't the same as a good idea. Music by Charles Strouse Lyrics by Martin Charnin Book by Thomas Meehan Find the episode on your favorite podcast app or by going to https://anchor.fm/musicalminutes Intro and outro music ("BeBop 25") provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com Have a question for John or John? Want to leave feedback or tell ..read more

It may be one short day in the Emerald City - but this was an episode long overdue. John and John talk about the Broadway and cultural juggernaut "Wicked" and discuss the issues of the niche role the show plays and how the cultural lexicon of Broadway has changed in relation to this show and its success. Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Book by Winnie Holzman Based on the novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire Find the episode on your favorite podcast app or by going to https://anchor.fm/musicalminutes Intro and outro music ("BeBop 25") prov ..read more

John and John continue the season with a discussion on the current hit "Hadestown" and talk about the possibility of influences from the operatic tradition, the role of staging in the success of a production, and John N. gets into his theatre crush on Patrick Page. Music, lyrics and book by Anaïs Mitchell Based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Euridice Find the episode on your favorite podcast app or by going to https://anchor.fm/musicalminutes Intro and outro music ("BeBop 25") provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com Have a ques ..read more

To finish off Season 3, John and John take a look at Stephen Sondheim's "Follies", a show about regret, looking to the past, and seeing what might have been. The pair discuss the show's legacy in recordings, the various revisions that the show underwent, their deep and abiding love for Sondheim's use of tone painting... and it all culminates in a discussion about Sondheim's musical legacy. Which is left up in the air and will be revisited in Season 4. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by James Goldman Find the episode on your favorite podcast app or by going to https://anchor.fm/musi ..read more

This week, John and John man the barricades to talk about the height of the Megamusical and "Les Miserables". The team talks about their... issues with the score and orchestration, and how it affects their views of the piece.  Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg Lyrics by Alain Boubil and Jean-Marc Natel Book by Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schönberg Based on the novel “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo Find the episode on your favorite podcast app or by going to https://anchor.fm/musicalminutes Intro and outro music ("BeBop 25") provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International ..read more