Jim and Tomic's Musical Theatre Happy Hour

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. Jimi's favorite: Elaine Page singing With one Look. …take a look at it…get it? A BREATHY QUIZ QUESTION… One of the songs in the original production of this show was specifically written to accommodate the leading lady's tiny lungs. Interestingly, this is not the first time a song has been written to accommodate this actress. What show is it?

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 Lenya, singing one of Jimi’s all-time favourite musical theatre numbers - ‘Pirate Jenny.’ Then have a swatch at Ute Lemper, her contemporary counterpart, doing the same in German. But if you want something completely different, check out Amanda Palmer taking her NSFW take on it! Which do you prefer? Why was Bob Dylan aroused? It’s a question we ask ourselves every day. Check out this article to find a bit about why! We’ve not heard from ‘Forbidden Broadway’ in a while, check out their inadvertent pastiche of ‘The Threepenny Opera’ in their ‘Spring Awakening’ spoof! A SMASHING QUESTION Which musical caused the events of this quote to occur:“From the outside, I’m sure it sounded like all hell had broken loose in my dressing room, which in fact it had. I was hysterical … I took to batting practice in my dressing room with a floor lamp. I swung at everything in sight — mirrors, wig stands, makeup, wardrobe, furniture, everything. Then I heaved a lamp out the second-floor window.”

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.” We’ve plugged it before, and we’ll plug it again. If you’re interested in scholarly reading about musical theatre, check out Warren Hoffman’s “The Great White Way.” Surprise! Tommy is representin’ at BroadwayCon in NYC this weekend. Who’s all going? Come say hi! A QUESTION THAT’S BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND Bob Dylan became aroused straightaway by the raw intensity of the songs in this musical. What musical was it?            

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 and friends giving their rendition on the Hamilton stage! And a final congratulations to Andrew McDermott for winning the Overtures quiz with an impeccable 100% score! A QUESTION FOR A HAPPY DAY The movie version of this musical is one of Ron Howard’s only singing roles. Which musical?

This is the summary for our overtures quiz!

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 Carbine Action BB Gun? Let us know over on Reddit or Twitter what the best present you've ever received was! NOT JUST A QUIZ QUESTION, A QUIZ… As it is the season of giving we’re holding our first prize giveaway! We’ve got 20 overtures, some easy, some hard, for you to guess. DM us on Twitter, email us or fill out our contact form with your answers. The person with the most correct wins! Deadline for answers is midnight CST on the 31st. Good luck and happy holidays!

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. Have a look at this great interview where he talks a little bit about his influence. As it’s the holidays we’ve got an exciting giveaway in next week’s podcast so be sure to tune in and find out the details! A LEGGY QUIZ QUESTION Which musical contains Broadway’s premiere prosthetic kickline?           

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 in the recording studio. Fabulous both in and out of costume. Join Lesli Margherita in her backstage vlog “Looks Not Books” from Broadway.com. Tim Minchin sings songs. They're funny. Really funny. He's also working on a new musical – an adaptation of the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day. It'll be a while before you can listen to the whole thing, but you can check out one of the songs right now!

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, but listen to this “Jason Robert Brown Song.” 

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! Check out our YouTube channels (Jimi’s and Tommy’s) for other fun NYC shenanigans appearing shortly… AND, OF COURSE, A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR INDIEGOGO SUPPORTERS: Amanda Sublette, Andrew van Baarsen, Benjamin-Jack Charles, Bethan Whitear, Bradley Johnson, Brendan Clifford, Brendan Vitek, Brett Meade, Caitriona Johnston, Carlos Adan Ortega, Caroline Elms, celiadugua, chelek, Danielle Hevey, Darrick Jackson, Daryl Rosenbaum, Garion Holland, Hayley Isenhour, Jesse McAnally, Joanne Warrener, Joel Leggett, Julien Matthews, Kiera Jade Smitheram, kudrofel, lauren9739, Logan dokes, Lyris Miu, Mack Herman, Payton Jordan, rosemary , Sara Graves, Sarah Berhanu, Shana Ziolko, Sharon Horwatt, Shelby Cleveland and Tatum Shiff. Thank you!

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 Awards. Wanna see a weird production of Into the Woods? What if we told you Imelda was in it? Yah. There you go. This is just a sampling of the fabulous Imelda Staunton in Gypsy, but you should ABSOLUTELY watch it. NOT A QUIZ QUESTION, JUST A QUESTION-QUESTION… What would you like us to do in New York?

Check out our Indiegogo! https://igg.me/at/jimandtomic/x

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 cry along with him). "Cyd Charisse is fabulous! I'd like to see her two more times." Forbidden Broadway is fabulous and if you've never listed to it you're wrong. Here's the fabulous Christine Pedi singing Cabaret as Elaine Stritch. What more do you need? Can't get enough of the fabulous Michael Jeter? Check out this episode of "No Small Parts" entirely dedicated to him. And last, but certainly not least, feast your eyes on the unbeatable showstopper: Take a Glass Together. A CLEAN QUIZ QUESTION During its preview, an unexpected technical malfunction forced Patti LuPone to double as 'Cleaning Lady'. Which musical?

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 Awards. 

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 Mills doing her stuff! But you didn’t hear it from us… It’s a travesty that Michael Jackson never got to do anymore musical theatre before he died. The commitment he put into developing The Scarecrow was exemplary. Check out him and Miss Ross easing on down that massive sound stage. Shameless plug alert! Check out part one of Jimi’s YouTube series on live musical theatre recordings and the future of musical theatre! Take a look at some of the exciting changes NBC are making to their annual televised broadcast after the successes of ‘The Wiz Live!’ and ‘Grease: Live.’ Check out the incomparable Shanice Williams breaking everyone’s hearts in the finale of ‘The Wiz Live!’ - and bask in the glory of that perfect cyclorama usage. Then as if you think it couldn’t get any better, have a look at eleven year old (yes, eleven!) Jazmine Sullivan riff the house down with her rendition of ‘Home’ in her high school production - and learn how to do it with Natalie Weiss! On Thursday the 20th October it’s Rocky Horror night on FOX! Crack out your fishnets and squirt guns and get ready to (potentially) have the night of your life! Here’s the most comprehensive (and R-rated) guide to the audience participation we could find, but for all you virgins out there (it’s a technical term) we’ve got you covered! But hey, it’s a whole new show so maybe it’s time to make a new set of memories! A LIFE-THREATENING QUIZ QUESTION During which musical are you more likely to die in Stuttgart than you are in Los Angeles?