Broadway Breakdown – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Broadway Breakdown is back to cut through the surface-level theater chit chat with a new season and some podcast updates! Each week brings something new—reviews of the latest shows, sharp Tony Award predictions, or deep dives into the musicals and plays that shaped Broadway history.

This season features explorations of Dreamgirls, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and more—complete with behind-the-scenes drama, cultural context, and plenty of diva energy.

Subscribe and join Matt every week as he and his guests celebrate, question, and occasionally roast the art form they love most.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"Behold, the hills of tomorrow..."



Get a taste of what's to come with this pilot episode of a new series "I Was There" talking with Broadway artists with long and rich careers, telling us their stories. First up! Conductor/Music Director/Supervisor David Loud! David has worked on such incredible productions as She Loves Me (1993), Ragtime, Master Class as well as having been in the original production of Merrily We Roll Along!! Incredible!



Order David Loud's book "Facing the Music" here! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Facing-the-Music/David-Loud/9781682451915



Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Here! https://discord.gg/Wf8fguRH



Join the Broadway Breakdown Substack Here! https://bwaybreakdown.substack.com/
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

And a few other shows, actually...



Matt saw a whole bunch of stuff. Not just what's in the title. He also saw WONDERFUL TOWN at Encores, the final performance of ZORBA at J2 Spotlight and had a second viewing of DEATH BECOMES HER. It's a lot! Maybe he said some coherent things? Let's see!



Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel here!: https://discord.gg/UTGVBprYtr

TIME STAMPS (give or take, based on commercials):

Wonderful Town/Zorba: 6:00

Real Women Have Curves: 34:00

Death Becomes Her 2.0/Old Friends/Dead Outlaw: 1:04:00
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"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
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"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 :)
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"Are you *actually* calling Gloria Steinem a skank?"

Hey Kids!! Broadway Breakdown isn't TOTALLY back yet. BUT! To tide you over: here's an amazing conversation with Tony nominee Heather Hach, book writer for LEGALLY BLONDE and co-screenwriter of the 2003 FREAKY FRIDAY. Matt and Heather discuss how Heather got into writing, the challenges of adapting a beloved movie into a musical, and Heather's new book "The Trouble with Drowning."

You can Pre-Order "The Trouble With Drowning" here: https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Drowning-Heather-Hach/dp/B0C6LCNFK4

Or join Matt's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/BroadwayBreakdown
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"You're in a tough chapter...but the book is long."

Whoo boy. It's the big one. The play that we've been waiting for: SIGNIFICANT OTHER. Guncle of the Pod Adam Elsberry returns to dive deep into one of the most painfully personal plays Matt has ever witnessed. The two discuss the complex friendships between gay men and straight women, plus the magnificence of Gideon Glick's performance and unloading some tough personal stories of their own. Plus that time Matt and Adam saw the MATILDA movie and Matt ugly cried. Break out the tissues, it's a doozy!

You can subscribe to the Patreon here (if you want more video content):
https://www.patreon.com/BroadwayBreakdown
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"96,000..."
Lights up on the Broadway debut of one of musical theatre's biggest names: Lin-Manuel Miranda. Yup, we're talking IN THE HEIGHTS baby!!!! After Matt *just* said he couldn't find anyone to cover this show, along comes Broadway's Philippe Arroyo (& JULIET, ALADDIN) swopping in and making an iconic episode with Matt. The two discuss Lin's score that's almost entirely "no skips," questions about character's backstories and what role from the movie can be added to the show so Matt can have a silent walk on role. The two also discuss the ever evolving discussion of diversity in theatre, honesty in critical analysis, and Barbie.

CARNAVAL!!

For video of this episode (uploaded later this weekend), subscribe to the Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/BroadwayBreakdown
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"Die, Vampire..."

It's two guys on a podcast talking about a musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical...it's a snake, it's a vortex, it's a Full Tilt Original Musical! It's TITLE OF SHOW! Social Media Icon Tyler Joseph Ellis stops by the Breakdown to discuss with Matt all things Theatre Nerdom, Gay Friendships and Full Throated Belting. Plus, Matt drags a whole bunch of things.

Let's find our way back to then, dudes! If ya like the episode, enjoy our Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/BroadwayBreakdown
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"Life is pandemonium..."

THE BIG MOVE IS BACK! With a brand new episode covering the musical that brought William Finn back to the Broadway and held the longest run at the Circle in the Square Theatre. That's right: SPELLING BEE! Broadway cast member Todd Buonopone (also CINDERELLA and GREASE) stop by the Breakdown to spill with Matt secrets from the Broadway production, how he got the job and what happened when an audience member misspelled a word they needed to get right. Matt talks about the difference between wanting the best for your child, and wanting your child to be "the best" and his own love for this quirky musical.

MAGIC FOOT!!!

Link to Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/BroadwayBreakdown
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com