Broadway Breakdown – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Broadway Breakdown

Matt Koplik

Arts

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/10d. Total Eps: 347

Matt Koplik is the most opinionated, foul-mouthed, and passionate theatre geek with access to a mic. Every week, Matt and a guest explore Broadway history by diving into the careers of the artists who shaped it. Whether discussing Sondheim and Sweeney or Herman and Dolly, Matt is sure to give you fun facts, deep analysis, and lots of four letter words. Tune in!!

bwaybreakdown.substack.com

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Apple

Data updated on 09/09/2026

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇩🇪 Germany - Performing Arts
05/10/2026
#61
🇺🇸 USA - Performing Arts
05/10/2026
#80
🇩🇪 Germany - Performing Arts
04/10/2026
#41
🇺🇸 USA - Performing Arts
04/10/2026
#66
🇩🇪 Germany - Performing Arts
03/10/2026
#27
🇺🇸 USA - Performing Arts
03/10/2026
#60
🇺🇸 USA - Performing Arts
28/09/2026
#91
🇺🇸 USA - Performing Arts
27/09/2026
#95
🇺🇸 USA - Performing Arts
26/09/2026
#84
🇺🇸 USA - Performing Arts
24/09/2026
#87

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://bwaybreakdown.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38
347 shares
https://bwaybreakdown.substack.com/
40 shares
https://bwaybreakdown.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips
12 shares

http://megaphone.fm/adchoices
285 shares
https://www.millironstudios.com/yours-truly
18 shares
https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=8JAJ724MGR8LW
6 shares

https://discord.gg/UTGVBprYtr
47 shares
https://discord.gg/QssGH9KE
30 shares
https://discord.gg/jez6sDwB
18 shares

RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 53%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

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Latest published episodes

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Patreon Preview: FANTASY DRAFT (Best Actress in a Musical Tony Winners)

Sunday, September 6, 2026 • Duration 27:00

Full Episode Here: The Broadway Breakdown Green Room

INTRODUCING! The debut of the Broadway Breakdown FANTASY DRAFT! It’s like Fantasy Football. Except without the pesky football. And without a cash prize. Just all of your opinions on what we picked.

Breakdown regulars Adam Elsberry (@adamels), Margaret Hall (@itsmargarethall), Rob W. Schneider (@robwschneider) and newcomer Steve Tipton (@stevetiptonnyc) all stop by the Green Room for a new Round Table. Drafting the Tony winners for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical!!! Who gets Patti in Gypsy? Did someone choose Mary Martin in South Pacific? And what of Diahann Carroll in No Strings or Barbara Harris in The Apple Tree? FIND OUT!!! .

Let us know YOUR Fantasy Draft Picks as well!

Categories:

One and Done (One nomination/One win. Nothing else)

Second Wins (Second win in THIS category, not overall)

Singularly Anointed (Only actress out of many to win for this role)

Contentious

Untouched/Iconic

Soap Box

Final Girl (The performance you just can’t NOT pick)

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

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Matt Reviews: Summer Drama Desk Shows & theater.games w/ Matt Rodin!

Thursday, September 3, 2026 • Duration 01:34:53

Matt is a fancy Drama Desk voter now, which means he has to see a LOT more shows! It’s quiet on Broadway right now, so Matt’s been seeing a whole bunch of Off-Broadway productions and he’s coming back early on the Breakdown to do a Summer Review Wrap Up! Followed up by a talk with Matt Rodin (@whoismattrodin) about his new site theater.games and how it’s combining fun and education for theater lovers everywhere!!!

Broadway Breakdown Links:

* The Broadway Breakdown Green Room (Patreon!)

* Broadway Breakdown: Discord

* Broadway Breakdown: Substack

* Broadway Breakdown: Youtube

02:32 - A Walk on the Moon

08:40 -An American Daughter

14:36 - Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo

22:47 - The Winter’s Tale

26:58 - The Circuit

28:28 - The Pass

32:55 - Disruption

36:06 - Are You Mad at Me?

38:53 - The Maids

42:05- The Saviors

46:24 - Birthright

52:50 - Talk w/ Matt Rodin

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

BONUS: Matt on Behind the Awards

Sunday, August 30, 2026 • Duration 01:09:03

While you’re waiting for Broadway Breakdown to come back in full, enjoy this crossover bonus episode of Matt on the podcast Behind the Awards. Once again talking all things Fall Broadway!!!

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

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Submit Your Q's for Matt's A's (get your mind out of the gutter!)

Thursday, August 13, 2026 • Duration 09:24

New episodes will be coming again before you know it, but until that happens check into the Broadway Breakdown Green Room and submit your question’s for our first exclusive Q&A! Plus some other updates about how Matt’s Drama Desk voter-ship will effect the podcast.

Join the Green Room and Submit Your Questions Here!

Broadway Breakdown: Discord

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

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Patreon Preview: The Top 50 Opening Numbers

Thursday, August 6, 2026 • Duration 17:24

It’s our first Patreon exclusive!!!! Take a listen and decide if you want to get inside the Broadway Breakdown Green Room:

Join Us Here!

Friends of the pod Robbie Rozelle (@divarobbie), Rachael Anderson and Will Anderson (@the_theater_lovers) have come along to compile a list (with some help of other Breakdown friends) of the top 50 opening numbers in musical theater history and rank them! It’s messy. It’s analytical. In short: what you’ve come to expect from Broadway Breakdown.

Welcome to the Green Room, kidz ;)

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

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Deep Dive: NEXT TO NORMAL w/ Brian Nash

Thursday, July 30, 2026 • Duration 02:27:21

WARNING: This episode deals with discussions of mental health and su*cide. Caution before listening.

And with that, Matt’s Picks has come to a close with the final choice: NEXT TO NORMAL. Former guest Brian Nash (@brianjnash) returns to discuss the Tony/Pulitzer winning musical and many (though not nearly ALL) of its intricacies: mental health, complex relationship dynamics, and banging music. The two also discuss differences between the Broadway and London productions, fandoms, and how to perfect a Broadway diva imitation. Have a good August! @mattkoplik

JOIN THE PATREON!

Become a Company Member of The Broadway Breakdown Green Room for early episodes and exclusive content!

Important Links:

* Broadway Breakdown: Discord

* Broadway Breakdown: Substack

* Broadway Breakdown: Youtube

Listener Discussion Questions:

“How do you feel NEXT TO NORMAL handles mental health and treatment? What would you say is its attitude towards medication and therapy?”

“How would you describe the character of Gabe and is agency in the musical?”

“Does this show need danger in its performances in order to fully register with audiences?”

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

Deep Dive: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA w/ Adam Elsberry

Thursday, July 23, 2026 • Duration 02:57:38

“It’s a new old world and we are FINALLY here!!”

After years of playing the overture for listeners, Matt is FINALLY getting the chance to do a deep dive on what--he believes--is the best musical theatre score of the 21st century: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. And who better to discuss this romantic, sumptuous show with than Guncle Adam Elsberry (@adamels) ?

Together, Matt and Adam discuss the show’s complicated storyline, casting woes, and why sometimes the more information we get, the worse it is. AIUTAMI!

AND! Join our new PATREON right here: The Broadway Breakdown Green Room !!!

Other Important Links:

* Broadway Breakdown Discord

* Broadway Breakdown: Substack

* Broadway Breakdown Youtube

Listener Discussion Questions:

“What is the difference between a sexual connection and a romantic one? Can. the two be confused?”

“Does PIAZZA create a contradictory concept of Clara’s mental capacity, or is it intentionally vague?”

“Do you find the ending-along with Margaret’s “Fable”-to be an optimistic or pessimistic finale?”

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

Broadway Breakdown: Some News

Thursday, July 16, 2026 • Duration 18:39

2 more weeks before we go dark for the month. And once you’ve finished listening to the news…GO TO OUR BRAND NEW PATREON!

* Broadway Breakdown PATREON LINK!!! WOOHOO!!!

Other Important Links:

* Broadway Breakdown Discord

* Broadway Breakdown: Substack

* Broadway Breakdown: Youtube

Listener Discussion Questions:

“What kind of content would you wanna see on the Patreon?”

“Will you be able to handle a full month of no Deep Dives and Reviews??”

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

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Matt Reviews: HEATED RIVALRY THE (UNAUTHORIZED) PARODY MUSICAL

Thursday, July 9, 2026 • Duration 39:39

“I’m coming to the cottage.”

Whether that line means something to or not, you should pay attention: HEATED RIVALRY is one of the best, if not THE best, new musical playing in New York. Smart, stupid, sexy, sassy, with a load of well crafted musical theater songs, Matt is taken aback by just how much he loves this tiny show than can.

Important Links:

* Broadway Breakdown Discord: Join the group!

* Broadway Breakdown Substack

* Broadway Breakdown Youtube!

Time Stamps:

* 0:00 – Introduction, Apple Podcast review, and episode setup

* 5:20 – Spoiler-free reaction: Why Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Parody Musical is an unexpected triumph and Matt’s overall recommendation

* 11:45 – Story breakdown: From the TV series and novels to the musical adaptation (spoiler discussion begins)

* 22:15 – Performances: Jay Armstrong Johnson, Jimin Moon, Ryann Redmond, Cherry Torres, Ryan Duncan, the ensemble, and standout comedic moments

* 29:45 – Writing: Dylan Marcaurele’s book, score, lyrics, adaptation choices, audience participation, and why the parody works beyond fan service

* 35:15 – Design: The McKittrick staging, Off-Broadway aesthetic, and why the production value fits the material

* 37:45 – Overall thoughts: Final recommendation and the future of the podcast

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

Lessons from This Broadway Season w/ Sean Nyberg

Thursday, July 2, 2026 • Duration 01:33:55

The 2025-2026 Broadway season may be over, but there are still lessons to learn as we plunge into the 2026-2027 season. And that’s why we have Sean Nyberg with us! Sean, a longtime fan of the Breakdown, makes his podcast debut to discuss his first season as a producer: what he’s learned, what he’s cherished, and what he and Matt both want listeners to consider as the new Broadway season comes round. Take a listen!

Important Links:

Broadway Breakdown: Discord

Broadway Breakdown: Substack

Broadway Breakdown: Youtube

Listener Questions:

“Do you think just because a show is successful elsewhere, it has to come to Broadway?”

“How else can producers set expectations for paying audiences during previews?”

“What do you think will be the big Broadway event of this upcoming season?”

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

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Broadway Breakdown – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Broadway Breakdown – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Substack8

Other54

Discord36

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Substack8

Other54

Discord36

Apple Podcasts

Spotify