Jim and Tomic's Musical Theatre Happy Hour

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ It’s back to Ancient Rome we go for Stephen Sondheim’s first solo outing as a composer/lyricist with ‘A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum.’ This time around the block Jimi and Tommy discuss whether farce and musical theatre are good bedfellows or whether one negatively impacts the effects of the other, the boys reveal the impact that the McCarthy era had on this show and they get ready to premier their new collective drag persona - Shéva LaVey.  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Original Broadway Cast) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES One of Jimi’s all-time favourite writers is Mr Larry Gelbart who wrote the very effective book for ‘Forum,’ but why not check out his own book - ‘Laughing Matters’ - filled with fascinating tidbits? So whether it’s ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood,’ ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,’ or ‘A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum’ (these shows don’t like short titles do they?) - what do you think? Does farce work on a musical theatre stage? Do the songs slow down the action? Come and tell us what you think! Sondheim is quite open about the fact he’s down on his lyrics for this show. You can get all of them, including Hero’s fantastic cut Echo song, in Sondheim’s collection ‘Finishing the Hat’ - a staple for every musical theatre household. Ruthie Henshall and Carol Burnett are among the groups who have taken Forum’s songs and put them to good use outwith the confines of the show itself. Here they are in Putting it Together with their rendition of ‘Lovely.’ Also check out one of the campest songs in all of musical theatre, ‘Everybody Ought to Have a Maid,’ at Sondheim’s birthday concert at the Proms! If you’ve not seen the film, we’re not going to make you watch it. But we’d be interested to hear what you think about it if you have - let us know over on Twitter! If you’re curious anyway, here’s the link. And finally for your viewing pleasure, enjoy this clip of Zero Mostel being awkward in a tuxedo-cum-toga at the 1971 Tony Awards. AN EXCELLENT QUIZ QUESTION Sadly, the musical adaptation of this Young Adult novel does NOT star Keanu Reeves as the antagonist. What could it be?

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Get out the tissues to mop those eyes (or ball up and throw!) as the boys get deep with Jason Robert Brown’s classic ‘The Last Five Years.’ This week Jimi and Tommy weigh up who ‘wins’ in this show, if anyone, whether this piece is autobiographical or not - and whether autobiographical shows are appropriate, and debate the nature of creative jealousy, infidelity and Russell Crowe. The Last Five Years (Original Broadway Cast) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES We got quite deep this week and we imagine there will be some hefty discussion on this one. So, Jamie or Cathy? Or neither? Or both? What do you think? Get on over to Reddit and tell us your thoughts! The origins of this show were shaky to say the least. This Playbill article shines a light on how it all started. Here’s a great interview with the man himself talking about the origins of the show and the musical theatre business in general. If you’ve not seen the trailer, it’s definitely worth watching. Here’s the trailer for your perusal, and here’s the link to the movie! Jimi gets down and dirty with his thoughts about critics constantly citing a lack of ‘hummable melodies’ and he wants to know your thoughts! Let him know over on Twitter! AN AWARD WINNING QUIZ QUESTION Every actor who opened as the leading role from our next musical has won the Tony Award for Best Acting - even when the role wasn’t in this musical. What is it?

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ All aboard the Hades express as we travel the Road to Hell to explore Anais Mitchell’s underground hit ‘Hadestown.’ Jimi finally gets a chance to bring out his inner Ancient Greek Geek and delve into the myth behind the musical, the boys weigh up the state of Broadway as it currently is and discuss the importance of new blood in an art form like musical theatre. Hadestown: The Myth. The Musical. (Original Cast Recording) [Live] Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES Just a brief note: we recorded this podcast before the huge announcement that Hadestown is in fact coming to London in November. We can predict the future, who knew! There aren’t many musicals that have come straight from a concept album, but this one certainly has! Get to know the history of Hadestown by checking out Anais Mitchell’s original album. Want to swat up on your Greek mythology but can’t be bothered wading through textbooks, well pick up a copy of the book that started Jimi’s obsession a quarter of a century ago. It’s cute, there are pictures! What are your thoughts about the idea that Broadway shows have to feel pressured to ‘think big’ Does it always work? Is it at detriment to the story? Is there a way to compete with the budgets of shows like Frozen? Get on over to Reddit and tell us your thoughts! There are some great little videos made around the release of the cast album where Anais and Rachel take you through the meaning behind each number. It really helps show that this musical is a force to be reckoned with! Are there any cast recordings or shows that you think are made infinitely better due to their Original Cast and the others just don’t cut the mustard? Let us know over on Twitter! Have a look at the trailer for Edmonton’s production (and soon to be the West End production!) of Hadestown and compare it to the stripped down version from the NYTW. What has your vote? A LITIGATING QUIZ QUESTION This is perhaps one of the only musicals with key lyrical changes driven by a post-divorce legal agreement. What is it?

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ The boys are back in town and they're diving straight into the self-help musical ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!’ This time around Jimi and Tommy try and fit ‘How to Succeed’ in a contemporary setting in spite of its blatant misogyny, Jimi muses on whether Bob Fosse is the real reason this show is so successful with the critics and together they work out how to get a Pulitzer prize. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES We’ve missed you all so much! Come and let us know what you’ve been up to for the past 6 months over on Twitter! Our 21st century ‘How To Succeed’ is easily the TV show ‘Mad Men’ which takes the extant misogyny of the 1960s and puts it in the driving seat. Here’s the show’s creator sitting down with Larry King to talk all about it. For all you law aficionados out there, check out employment law Professor Miriam Cherry’s paper comparing the content of ‘How to Succeed’ with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - who said musical theatre wasn’t relevant in the real world? When you think ‘How to Succeed’ the last thing you think about is Bob Fosse - but he was there! However, if you watch ‘A Secretary is Not a Toy’ you can he his flexed-footed stamp is well and truly there! Why do you think ‘How to Succeed’ won the Pulitzer prize for drama? Come over to Reddit and tell us! A BROOKLYNITE QUIZ QUESTION The folk-singer-author of our next musical has shared studio space with friend-of-the-podcast Dave Malloy. And her artistic connections clearly reflect this. What show?    

…probably next Wednesday. Talk to you then!

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ The Doctor is most definitely in! Unpack your blanket and put down your book report because this week Jimi and Tommy are discussing “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” This time around the block Tommy gives a brief history of Peanuts, the boys muddle over whether this show works in a big Broadway house without losing some of its integrity and they discuss the nature of kids playing adults playing kids. Good grief!  You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (1999 New Broadway Cast Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES Jimi got introduced to Vince Guaraldi in this podcast, if you didn’t know about him check out some of his iconic music here! The peanut butter monologue is absolutely stellar. Finlay MacAulay, the actor playing Charlie Brown in Jimi’s production, even used it to get into drama school! Do you agree with Jimi and Tommy that this is the perfectly structured musical revue? Can you even compare Company to YAGMCB? Come over to Reddit and discuss! Did you see the recent Broadway revival? How did the small-scale sketches land in a Broadway house? Let us know on Twitter! Who knew that Troy Bolton himself, Zac Efron, started life as Snoopy in a high-school production of ‘Charlie Brown!’ A NEWSCASTER QUIZ QUESTION Our next show is Anderson Cooper’s only Broadway credit. What show? 

It's mind over matter! It's man over machine! It's Jimi over Tommy!!! (No, not like that. Ew.) This is Unsung Heroes – a new segment that pits our two hosts against each other in a battle of wits and unknown musicals. Rob Roy: The Train Conductor of 16 Wheel Bertha (Tommy's made up musical) Rob Roy: The Musical (Jimi's real-life musical) Amazon / Spotify / iTunes

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ What’s the buzz? Well the boys talking all about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s controversial smash ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ this week! Tommy manages to get over his Andrew Lloyd Webber hatred for an hour and a half so they can talk all about how the musical is more relevant today than ever before, discuss whether this is a religious tale or a humanist one and Jimi falls in love with Tony Vincent, Ben Vereen and a septuagenarian Ted Neeley. Jesus Christ Superstar (2012 Digitally Re-Mastered Edition) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES Check out the original concept album and enjoy some supreme seventies nostalgia with the movie, then sample something more contemporary with the millennial touring production and the massive arena tour! While we’re on the subject, it’s there anything finer than the frosted-tips, pre-Jimmy era of Tony Vincent? No. The answer is no. The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is a really fantastic play if you’re interested in the other side of this story. Definitely worth a peek! Compare this video of Simon Zealotes from the movie version of JCS to Tony Vincent’s. Which do you prefer? Have a look at this incredible video of Ted Neeley performing as Jesus in 2006, decades after his movie appearance. Check out this behind the scenes footage of the recent arena tour starring Tim Minchin and Sporty Spice herself! ANOTHER CLASSICAL QUIZ QUESTION Our last show featured a song by Felix Mendelssohn – uncredited. Our next show features a song by Ludwig van Beethoven – credited. What show?

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Hold still, and focus as we’re talking all about Ryan Scott Oliver and Matthew Murphy’s beautiful “35mm: A Musical Exhibition.” As this is a fusion of photography and music the boys get arty this week. They talk about what makes a musical ‘exhibition,’ ponder over the terrifying potential of Twilight the Musical and muse over how artists really want their work to be viewed and appreciated. 35MM: A Musical Exhibition (Original Cast Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES If you’re intrigued as to what the hell we were talking about with that quiz question, check out some of Matthew Murphy’s beautiful work! In London from 09/18 to 09/30? Then go on a fact finding mission for Jimi and Tommy and go see ‘35mm’ at The Other Palace and let us know all about it! To find out more about Ryan Scott Oliver and Lindsay Mendez’s Actor Therapy Group then have a look at their website here. Have a look at Katie Thompson singing ‘Leave, Luanne’ - what do you think about a female singing it? Do you think it changes the message? If you’re at all interested in the sculptor that moved Jimi so GD much then you can watch this great documentary on him here. A CLASSICAL QUIZ QUESTION Some people argue that this next musical features the music of Felix Mendelssohn and his Violin Concerto in E Minor? Mendelssohn remains uncredited to this day. What show?    

It's mind over matter! It's man over machine! It's Jimi over Tommy!!! (No, not like that. Ew.) This is Unsung Heroes – a new segment that pits our two hosts against each other in a battle of wits and unknown musicals. The Change: Keeping Puberty in the Family (Jimi's made up musical) The Change: Another Teenage Werewolf Musical (Tommy's real-life musical) Amazon

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Happy 50th Annibirthary to Jim and Tomic’s Musical Theatre Happy Hour! In honour of this monumentous occasion, the gang have chosen to discuss one of musical theatre’s most beloved shows - ‘Into the Woods.’ The lads discuss what makes this some of Sondheim’s best writing, muse on low-budget Milky Whites and ponder what makes Sondheim shows just so bloody good. They also tease a brand new segment kicking off in honour of the 50th celebrations! Wish no more, it’s here! Into the Woods (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES Fancy some Musical Mash nostalgia? Check out Tommy’s first ever video - all about Into the Woods! Fancy some (less nostalgic) asinhendrix nostalgia? Have a swatch at Jimi’s first YouTube video! We’re best friends with her now, but he’s the source of our quiz question! Joanna Gleason trimming the tree with Susan Blackwell. Bliss. If you’re a writer, reading ‘Into the Woods’ by John Yorke is a vital step in your development. Are you obsessed with what happened After Ever After too? Let Jon Cozart spell it out for you! If you want to know Tommy’s opinions on which Witch is which, have a look at his Miscast Witches video! If you want to know Jimi’s opinions, tweet him! If you’ve never seen the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Into the Woods, check it out now! In the meantime you can watch Hannah Waddingham’s stunning rendition of Children Will Listen here. Is this the best Witch transformation ever? We’ll invite you to show us a better one! If you want to see something cute as heck, check out Tommy in the biggest hat ever as Jack in Into the Woods!  No one can explain this one man rendition of Your Fault. AN ALL-STAR QUIZ QUESTION One of the co-collaborators on this musical has worked with a laundry list of famous musical theatre names: Lin Manuel Miranda, Jeremy Jordan, Ramín Karimloo, Betsy Wolfe, Annaleigh Ashford, and Sierra Boggess…but not in the way you think. What show? 

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Got your peanuts? Got your crackerjack? Got your camp demonic storyline? Then you’re all set for the latest podcast on Richard Adler and Jerry Ross’s ‘Damn Yankees.’ This time around the guys try and wrap their heads around sports, discuss whether this show needs a 21st century update and Jimi starts his multipart series on Bob Fosse. Let’s play ball! Damn Yankees: Original Broadway Cast Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES The recent Encores! production stayed extremely faithful to the original Broadway production, coded gay characters and all. Here’s Sean Hayes giving his hilarious performance as Mr Applegate. Do you think Damn Yankees needs a 21st century update? Head over to Reddit and tell us all about it! Can you think of other musical composer copycats like Pajama Game/Damn Yankees? Come and tell us on Twitter! If you’re a Fosse nut like Jimi, come and join the celebration! Here’s a kickass mashup of Michael Jackson (who was great inspired by Fosse) and Bobby! Into the literary side of musical theatre history? Look no further than Sam Wasson’s amazing biography of Bob Fosse here. All of the props got to the glorious Vicki Lewis for her spectacular turn as Gloria in the 1994 Tony Awards performance! Also if you’d like to, feel free to send us an email at jimandtomic@gmail.com! A HIGH SPEED QUIZ QUESTION The Tony Award winning leading actress in this show auditioned with a ballad – ‘What Did I Have That I Don’t Have’ from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. When asked if she had an uptempo song, the actress responded, “No…but I can sing this one five-times faster.” So she did, and got the part. What show?   

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Come back with us to the Middle Ages as we follow the pursuits of everyone’s favourite court misntrel: ‘Blondel!’ Potentially winning the award for the most unknown show so far on the podcast, Jimi and Tommy talk about what might be some of Tim Rice’s best lyrics, how this show comes packaged as a surprisingly feminist political satire and discuss Great Comet-gate and the social responsibility of fan culture. Blondel: Original London Cast Amazon SHOW NOTES If you want a bit of 80s camp fabulousness, here is Paul Nicholas in the role of Blondel with his glorious Blondettes! Tim Rice is one of musical theatre’s coolest cats. Check out this (slightly peculiar) interview of him discussing the rewrites to turn ‘Blondel’ into ‘Lute!’ Not just a Pointless presenter, Alexander Armstrong has had a great string of roles in British musical theatre. Here he is singing some of Tim Rice’s best lyrics in “No Rhyme for Richard.” Stage Door Records are leading their own crusade in reviving lost west end hits (and misses!), check them out! What are your thoughts on musical theatre fan culture? Are you going to be a Blondelite? Head over to Reddit and give us your thoughts! A QUIZ QUESTION FOR A GORILLA Originally act one of this show was slated to end with a round of musical chairs emceed by a gorilla. However, the producer didn’t think think this number worked – much to the dismay of the choreographer. Strangely, when they adapted the musical into a movie, this same choreographer performed in the new number that replaced the gorilla piece. What show?   

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Get ready to do the whole combination away from the mirror and unpack your headshot, as we’re heading straight onto Michael Bennett’s “A Chorus Line!” As one of the longest running musicals of all time, there’s lots to unpack this week! Jimi and Tommy discuss how this show created the first musical theatre workshop, why the lyricist hated the show’s biggest song and muse over whether you can alter something so iconic. A-5-6-7-8! A Chorus Line (Original Broadway Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES Before you do anything, listen to the cast recording and watch the amazing documentary: “Every Little Step,” especially if you’re an aspiring director! Listen to Jimi’s plea and watch this to see how casting’s done properly! If you want to find out more about the creation of the show and those early recording sessions, look no further than this fantastic book: “On the Line: The Creation of A Chorus Line” If you’re interested in the ins and outs of how royalties work with workshop casts then check out this article which details what went down with “Hamilton” last year. What do you think about revamping iconic musical choreography? Have a look at the MUNY production and see what you think about Denis Jones’ attempts. Have you been in “A Chorus Line?” Did your choreographer give the show a revamp? Let us know! Head over to Reddit and tell us all about it! If you’re interested in how the lyrics were developed for “A Chorus Line” listen to this NPR interview all about him. What’s your dance routine mental cheat sheet? Come and tell us on Twitter! Also if you’d like to, feel free to send us an email at jimandtomic@gmail.com! A HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL QUIZ QUESTION In 1985, this musical – conceived and created by a big-league lyricist and librettist and that proved to be a British hit – tried out in a US High School instead of heading straight for Broadway?

Discuss on Reddit ➤ Support the Show ➤ Come on down the rabbit hole (or elevator shaft) as we travel to Frank Wildhorn’s ‘Wonderland.’ This week, the boys try and wrap their heads around why this show has yet to have a success, dissect the drama unfolding with the current UK tour and Tommy offers his own personal adaptation which he thinks would solve everything! Wonderland (Original Broadway Recording) Amazon / iTunes / Spotify SHOW NOTES What’s your favourite Alice in Wonderland adaptation? Jimi will always fight for the 1999 made-for-TV version.Tommy on the other hand will always fight for Ms Carol Channing singin’ about jam.If this is your favourite musical, apologies for panning it, but please change our minds! Head over to Reddit and fight its corner! What do you think about Tommy’s changes to the musical? Give your 140 characters long review on Twitter! The recent UK tour underwent some drastic changes to the original (or one of the original books.) Did you see it? How close was Jimi to the plot? Let us know! If you didn’t see it, here’s the trailer! If you’re interested in backstage politics, there’s nothing juicier the the unfolding drama of the Wonderland tour’s closure! If you know where to find a copy of Death Note’s musical outing then hit Jimi up! In the meantime let’s all enjoy Kwang-Ho Hong’s rendition of the title song. A FALLING QUIZ QUESTION  In Chicago there’s a gay bar where they play musicals on Monday. And people shout at the screen. All the time. When they play the finale to this musical, all the patrons chant “Fall! Fall! Fall! Fall! YAAAAAYYYYY!” when one of the performers eventually falls. What show?