"Ragtime: The Musical," with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally, is based on the 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow. It's two-and-a-half hours of intense beauty and heartbreaking grief, and frankly, all three of us choked up a little while recording this episode. The (incredibly intricate) plot follows the intersecting lives of three groups in the early 20th century: African Americans, upper-class white suburbanites, and Eastern European immigrants. Set against the backdrop of New York City, the story delves into themes of ..read more

"The Visit" by Kander and Ebb is a dark and twisty tale of a dish best served very cold, and it's based on Swiss dramatist Friedrich Dürrenmatt's play, “The Visit of the Old Lady.” The plot revolves around Claire Zachanassian (It just rolls off the tongue…), a widowed gazillionaire returning to her impoverished hometown to seek revenge on a man named Anton Schell who impregnated and abandoned her as a teen. Claire offers the town and each of its inhabitants a substantial sum of money in exchange for Schell's death. Deliciously complex moral and ethical dilemmas are explored and some beautiful ..read more

"NINE" is a captivating musical that follows the story of Guido Contini, a famous Italian film director, as he navigates a mid-life crisis and creative block. Set in Venice, the musical delves into Guido's relationships with the various women in his life, including his wife, mistress, muse, and mother. Through vibrant music and compelling storytelling, "NINE" explores themes of love, lust, and the pursuit of artistic fulfillment. Join us as Lenny and Forrest debate the merits and shortcomings of the cast recordings, yet still manage to remain friends. We think ..read more

  Join us for a special edition episode celebrating the remarkable artistry and enduring talent of Chita Rivera, a true icon of the Broadway stage.  ..read more

Content Warning: This episode contains a brief mention of an attempted suicide by one of the characters.  Scoop yourself a bowl of ice cream, dab on some perfume, and make sure you’re in a “romantic atmosphere” dear friends, because in this episode, we’re delving into the musical “She Loves Me.” This show is one of several reincarnations of the 1937 play Parfumerie by Hungarian playwright Miklós László. (You might remember another popular adaptation — the film You've Got Mail, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.) “She Loves Me” premiered back in 1963 and was revived in 2016, and it became th ..read more

"1776" tells the story of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in...you guessed it...1776. The show premiered on Broadway in 1969 and went on to win three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the score, major recordings, and the movie, finding the fabulous and the funny in this amazing, irreverent take on our all-too-human founding fathers.  ..read more