Jim And Tomic's Musical Theatre Happy Hour

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Come and meet those dancing feet, we’re taking you to everyone’s favourite ‘avenue’: 42nd Street! Don your tap shoes and triple-time step your way into the Great Depression as Jimi and tommy (feat. a noisy cricket) discuss the tragic nature of the show’s opening night, debate the nature of dance breaks and the success of contemporary awakenings of classic musical comedies. 42nd Street (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES Turns out Pinky and Perky are British! For all you non-Brits out there here’s a taste of the singer-songwriter pigs’ TV show. If that sold you, you can get the VHS of the Chattanooga Choo Choo number here! If you fancy yourself some black and white realness, check out the Hollywood classic 42nd Street movie! Old Hollywood trailers are a beautiful thing, check out the (massively misogynistic) 42nd Street trailer from 1933. Did you know classic Hollywood actors made mistakes too? Just look and see! God damn! If you haven

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Come with us as we spend a weekend in the country listening relentlessly to Sondheim’s ‘A Little Night Music.’ We ponder why Sondheim wrote the show in the first place, try to work out why ‘Send in the Clowns’ is his most popular song of all time and make a plea for a renaissance of Broadway Cast Recordings. A Little Night Music (Revival Broadway Cast Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES If you’ve not got the musical theatre equivalent of Moses’ tablets from Mt. Siani- then what are you playing at? Finishing The…and Look I Made A… We couldn’t talk about Elaine Stritch’s Broadway finale without giving her some mad props. Here’s a marvellous glimpse of her in the show as Madame Armfeldt (with a smidge of Bernadette thrown in for good measure!) Our pal Mo Brady from The Ensemblist podcast (check ‘em out!) is very well acquainted with ‘A Little Night Music’ - go see what we mean! Wondering what we’re talking about with Liza Minnelli and Ethel Merman? Please infor

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Put on your your finest fur and hop in your star vehicle (an Isotta-Fraschini, naturally) as we drive down Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard! Jimi and Tommy chat about film noir, lazy rhymes, and Patti LuPone's Andrew Lloyd Webber memorial pool.  Sunset Boulevard (American Premiere Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES Check out this smokey, vintage trailer for the original movie version of Sunset Boulevard. Much to Tommy's chagrin, we've talked Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals a few times before on the podcast. Check out our coverage of Phantom and Cats. Yes, Tommy has an obsession with Murder, She Wrote. No, it's not a problem… And today on Jim and Tomic's Video Game Happy Hour, it's the point-and-click classic Grim Fandango. Want to relive the whole newspaper-reading, floor lamp-heaving moments for yourself? Check out Patti LuPone's Memoir. Or, for a quick look into the fiasco (and discussion of the ALW memorial pool) check out this New York Times article.

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Hallo kinder! We’re going further than we’ve ever gone before for our thirtieth birthday, back to pre-war Germany and Brecht and Weill’s “The Threepenny Opera.” We learn the differences between Verfremdungseffekt and Gesamtkunstwerk, talk about how torturous times can create form-changing art and reflect on how Brechtian theatre exists today. The Threepenny Opera – 1954 New York Cast Blitzstein Adaptation Amazon / iTunes / Spotify  SHOW NOTES If you’ve only ever listened to the OBC, why not try something new and listen to the RIAS Berlin Symphony Orchestra recording starring Ute Lemper? It’s Jimi’s all time favourite. Don’t tell Brecht, but you should REALLY listen to ‘Tristan und Isolde’ by Wagner if you haven’t. It’s pretty darn life changing. After that, continue you on your operatic journey and check out our musical theatre pal Patti LuPone in Brecht and Weill’s ‘The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny’ and then buy the DVD. Here’s the queen of cabaret, Lotte Len

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ We got no trouble here just pure unadulterated love for Meredith Willson’s one-hit-wonder “The Music Man!” We bask in the brilliance of the book, music and lyrics of this show, discuss the disparity between Broadway and West End successes and weigh up historical accuracy versus inclusivity. The Music Man (Original Broadway Cast) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify  SHOW NOTES Interested in finding out a bit more about Meredith Willson? Check out this article about the man behind “The Music Man.” Tommy is a master of mockery, go check out his pastiche of “Ya Got Trouble” and the 2003 Disney televised movie. Does anyone have this elusive Meredith Willson interview record? Let us know! Any excuse to post a vid of the queen herself, Patti LuPone singing “Ya Got Trouble” on SiriusXM. Jimi was first exposed to The Music Man the same way he was exposed to most American culture - through The Simpsons.Then subsequently in everyone’s favourite camp extravaganza, BBC’s “Over the Rainbow.” W

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Jimi and Tommy go back to their roots and return to see just how much the Hamilton phenomenon has affected the world and discuss the release of ‘The Hamilton Mixtape!’ The pair chat about the contentious relationship between theatre and politics, exposing the musical theatre world to new music and question Hamilton’s potential successes worldwide. The Hamilton Mixtape Amazon / iTunes / Spotify  SHOW NOTES Want a brief taster of how much Hamilton took over in 2016? Check out this Playbill article! As with the OBC, genius.com has got you covered with understanding just how nuanced and incredible this mixtape is! Go, devour, learn! Speaking of demos, check out Raul Esparza giving us a taste of 'The Flag Song' from Sondheim's Assassins. Very topical. Very very. Check out the video that blasted Watsky onto the pop sphere. How can any human being go that fast? I dunno. I’m jealous. Wanna see “An Open Letter” straight from the horse’s mouth? Have a swatch of this vid of Lin an

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Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Happy holidays everybody! To celebrate, we’re chatting about one of Broadway’s newest Christmas stories, “A Christmas Story” - the adaptation of the cult American classic. The lads talk all about the differences between US and UK Christmas movies, the glory of Pasek and Paul and work out what our Red Rider Carbine Action BB Guns of yore were. A Christmas Story (Original Broadway Cast) Amazon / Spotify / iTunes SHOW NOTES Take a peek at Broadway’s premiere prosthetic kickline in “A Major Award.” Take a look at Ralphie defending his family from Black Bart in the movie, then compare it to a rehearsal of “Ralphie to the Rescue” from the movie! Johnny Rabe is a boy wonder! Read this sage-like interview about his first producing credit here. Is Luke Spring Fred Astaire reincarnate? Very potentially! Check out him and Caroline O’Connor in the Tony Awards performance! Next proceed to fall into a Caroline O’Connor shaped YouTube hole starting from here. What was your Red Rider C

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Jimi and Tommy talk about Rodgers and Hammerstein’s record-breaking debut, ‘Oklahoma!’ The gang discuss where the show fits in a contemporary setting, the importance of narrative choreography and the birth of the two most important names in musical theatre history! Oklahoma! (1998 London Cast Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify  SHOW NOTES If musical theatre history is your thing, then look no further than Broadway: The American Musical beautifully narrated by Julie Andrews! Also if you are interested in race representation in musical The Great White Way by Warren Hoffman is a good starting point. Check out the glorious Agnes DeMille, one of the true founders of narrative choreography. Oklahoma was the first musical to contain a dream ballet - have a look at the 1955 movie’s attempt at it! What are you opinions and experiences with narrative choreography and dance on Broadway? Let us know on Reddit! Stephen Sondheim owes a lot of his career to Mr Oscar Hammerstein II.

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Grab your library books and keep an eye on that newt! This week we're chatting up the nuvo-West End show “Matilda: The Musical.” We discuss stellar child actors, British and US dialectical differences, the fabulous Bertie Carvel and the marvels of childhood. Matilda: The Musical (Original London Cast Recording) Spotify SHOW NOTES Have a look at this interview with the marvelous Tim Minchin where he talks about how he got involved with the RSC and Matilda. The set design for this show is JUST fab. Here's an interview with set and costume designer Rob Howell and lighting designer Hugh Vanstone about their letters-and-blocks inspired design. There're two recordings of Matilda! Did you know that? Tommy didn't. If you want to do some comparisons, the London Cast is on Spotify and the Broadway Cast is on Amazon. 2013 was the year of the children choruses at the Tony Awards. Don't believe us? Check out NPH's exhausting opening number. Have a look at the stunning Bertie Carvel

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Set sail with us as we explore Jason Robert Brown's early song cycle, “Songs for a New World.” We talk the contentious differences between Revues, Musicals and Song Cycles, kvetch about the “Contemporary Musical Theatre Song” and ruminate on misplaced production concepts. Songs for a New World (Off-Broadway Cast Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify   SHOW NOTES Jason Robert Brown not only played piano during the original production of Songs for a New World he also regularly performs his own stuff! Check him out singing “King of the World!” Feel like Tommy? Didn't know “Surabaya Santa” was a reference to a Kurt Weill song? Well, live in the dark no longer! You'd never believe it, but this is the London production Jimi references. Wanna listen to a “Contemporary Musical Theatre Song?” Here you go! Wanna hear Jimi singing it? Go bug him on twitter. What's the certain sign of a “contemporary musical theatre” show? A song about coffee, that's what. We didn't talk about it, bu

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Jimi and Tommy have returned from their adventure into the heart of 19th Century Russia and are ready to tell you all about it. Check out our exclusive interview with musical director Or Matias and music supervisor Sonny Paladino, hear our opinions on all of the cast and we give our final verdict on Broadway’s hottest ticket this season! SHOW NOTES We just want to give one last big thank you to everyone involved in Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 for being so accommodating and treating to Broadway fans to the night of their lives! Josh Groban blew us away as Pierre. Have a listen to Dust and Ashes, the new showstopper which doesn’t appear on the Original Cast Recording. If you still haven’t caved to Jimi’s constant ramblings about Dave Malloy’s Ghost Quartet, featuring Brittain Ashford and Gelsey Bell of Comet - get a copy here! And then go buy Brittain Ashford’s EP. If you don’t want to take our word for it please read the New York Times’ glowing review! Che

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Here it is boys! Here it is WORLD! Here's our Gypsy podcast! We talk about the genius of this almost sixty year old musical, Arthur Laurents changing his mind (shocker!) and spend WAY too much time talking about each of the formidable actresses who have played Mama Rose. Oh, and we're in New York right now, too. Did we mention that? Gypsy (2015 London Cast) Amazon / Spotify / iTunes  SHOW NOTES Check out Gypsy Rose Lee's memoir – where this whole show began. Or, for something less risqué, maybe check out Arthur Laurents's Mainly on Directing. You've GOT to check out Jo Melziner's book of set design renderings. Tommy's in NYC right now so can't scan in the Gypsy rendering, but if somebody reminds him in like a week, he can put it here… Live, from Sardi's, it's Ethel Merman! (Complete with microphone.) Ethel Merman. Disco. Everything's Coming Up Roses. 'Nuff said. Ugh. Isn't she fabulous? Check out the humble (ambiguously British) Angela Lansbury as Mama Rose at the Tony

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Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Pack your bags, come on down to Berlin and don't forget to tip your bellhop. This week, Jimi and Tommy are checking in to the wonderfully dark Grand Hotel. We discuss the 1932 Greta Garbo film, Tommy Tune's leg-bending choreography, Forbidden Broadway parodies, Michael Jeter's moustache, and a fabulous upcoming adaptation of Sweeney Todd. Grand Hotel: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Amazon / Spotify / iTunes SHOW NOTES Can you guess who's who? It's a hallowe'en tradition! Everyone's favorite ripoff comic creator: Stu Lou. The lovechild of Klaus Nomi and Annie Lennox after they time travelled to Weimar Germany…obviously. It's one of the classics of black & white American Cinema. Check out this trailer for the 1932 Greta Garbo film, Grand Hotel. Tommy Tune's choreography is stunning. Here's a tiny taste of it. An adorable and wholesome human being, we are lucky to have experienced Michael Jeter. Have a look at his Tony acceptance speech here (and try not to

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Grab your half-masks, put on your cape, and come on down to the opera house! This week we're (somewhat begrudgingly) chatting about A-L-dubb's smash hit The Phantom of the Opera. Buckle up – we're talking misplaced musical styles, plagiarized melodies, and creepy romances (both on and off stage.) The Phantom of the Opera (Original London Cast) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES Health and safety regulations being what they are, the chandelier crash can be painfully slow in some productions. Check out this compilation video! Check out Maury Yeston talking about his (probably superior) musical “Phantom.” What style and grace! Have a look at Sarah Brightman extolling the virtues of her phantom – ex-hubby Andrew Lloyd Webber. Andrew Lloyd Webber is notorious for ripping off other people's melodies. Here's a small sampling. A CINEMATIC QUIZ QUESTION The film that this musical is based upon is the only best picture Oscar winner not to be nominated for any other Academy Awar

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Ease on down to this week’s podcast where we’re hitching a ride on a balloon all the way to Oz; we’re chatting all things ‘The Wiz’! Jimi and Tommy discuss the significance of the show in musical theatre history, go head to head on the movie and give thanks to Shanice Williams for giving us life! The Wiz (Original Cast Album) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES We’ve talked about it before, but there’s always time to relive the camp television moment that is the exit of the Dorothys on BBC’s ‘Over the Rainbow’ - now with bonus voice cracking from EmFlem! The 80s brought out some of the most twistedly dark and amazing kid’s films. Could ‘Return to Oz’ be the crowning glory? Phylicia Rashad is much more than just Mrs. Cosby! Did you know she was the first black woman to win the Tony Award for Best Actress? Here’s her beautiful acceptance speech. We obviously don’t endorse bootlegs, but if you really wanted to you can watch the entire 1984 revival online with Stephanie Mi

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Benvenuto and welcome to the land of “naked marble boys” with this week's musical fairy-tale “The Light in the Piazza.” We marvel over beautiful lighting design, talk the differences between opera and musical theatre, and contemplate the discussion of mental health in theatre. The Light in the Piazza (Original Cast Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES Watch the wonderful Heidi Blickenstaff on Side by Side by Susan Blackwell confess vacuuming and dusting to songs from Piazza. Two fabulous musical theatre composers in one touching interview: take a look at Adam Guettel interviewing his mentor and friend, Stephen Sondheim. Need more Adam Guettel in your life? Check out two of his other musicals: Myths and Hymns and Floyd Collins. On the topic of opera companies doing musical theatre, take a look at the fabulous English National Opera's production of Sweeney Todd starring Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson. Also, want to learn Italian in 10 minutes? (Complete with the

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Place your bets, it’s time to shoot craps with the spectacular musical comedy, Guys and Dolls! We boggle over the mystical parallel universe that the musical’s set in, Nathan Detroit - the most popular role in the acting world and tease the possible new movie production! Guys and Dolls (1992 Revival Cast Recoding) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES It wasn’t the Tony’s best year in 2009. Tituss Burgess’ performance of Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat was just one of the many tech fails on the night (check out 4:48) Nathan Lane loved Mr. Detroit so much he named himself after him! Check out him and the glorious Faith Prince! Check out Marlon Brando’s moves! Is this what you need to do to graduate to becoming Don Corleone? Here’s a taste of the recent Chichester Festival Theatre production of Guys and Dolls featuring stunning British musical actress Sophie Thompson! If you’re old enough, and haven’t already, check out the HILARIOUS podcast My Dad Wrote a Porno. The crit

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Are you ready to seize the day and carry that banner? Well now is the time! Newsboy wannabes Jimi and Tommy talk all about Menken, Feldman and Fierstein’s high-flying smash Newsies! Expect discussion about the historical context of the show, as well as highlighting the stronghold of The Mouse and some severe adoration of Andrew Keenan-Bolger. Newsies: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify  SHOW NOTES Before you do anything, bask in the brilliance of past Broadway Prom “Queens” and Newsies Ryan Steele, Garett Hawe and Tommy Bracco and fall into the Newsies YouTube Hole. For the record, at least 30,000 of these views are from Jimi. And while you’re in the camp mindset, check out Jimi’s favourite film - ‘To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.’ What do you think? Is Christian Bale acting glaikit on purpose? Watch and decide! Tinfoil hats at the ready! Have a look at Tommy’s Disney conspiracy theory and find out a bit more about t