Bonus Episode: Top Ten of 2023

On this series bonus episode, Jamie and Rob reflect on 2023 and share their personal top ten favorite theatrical experiences of the year. There may even be a surprise number one that shocks Rob! Tune in to find out, and share your favorites with Jamie and Rob on social media @fabulousinvalid

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Bonus Episode: Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021)

For their first series bonus episode, Jamie and Rob return to the mic to celebrate the life of the singular, legendary musical theatre composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021). Together, they share their personal reflections on Sondheim’s remarkable body of work, offer some favorites, and consider the legacy he leaves behind. As Sondheim wrote: “we die, but we don’t”. Tune into this special memorial.

This week’s music: “Prologos: Invocation and Instructions to the Audience” from “The Frogs/Evening Primrose Studio Cast Recording”, “Comedy Tonight” from “Side by Side by Sondheim”, “Trio” from “Passion: A New Musical, Original Broadway Cast”, “Someone in a Tree” from “Pacific Overtures”, “No One is Alone” form “Into the Woods (Original Broadway Cast”, “Overture” from “A Little Night Music”, “Loveland” from “Follies in Concert”, “Company” from “Company, Original Cast”, “No Place Like London”, “Johanna”, and “A Little Priest” from “The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”, “The Sun Won’t Set” from “A Little Night Music”, “Take Me to the World” from “Sondheim Goes to the Movies”, “No More” from “Melissa Errico: Sondheim Sublime”, “Pretty Lady” from “Pacific Overtures”, and “Sunday” from “Sunday in the Park with George, Original Broadway Cast”.

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Episode 100: Hard to Say Goodbye: Celebrating Our Favorite Performances

On this week’s 100th and final regular episode of the series, Jamie and Rob cap off their season-long theme of “our favorite things” by recounting and celebrating some of the great performances by great performers that they’ve been fortunate enough to see over a lifetime of theatergoing. Joining them in sharing their personal remembrances for this special milestone episode is a roster of former guests including Joel Grey, Donna Murphy, Betty Buckley, and more! Tune in for one final episode as live theatre begins again in New York and we celebrate theatre itself: the fabulous invalid.

This week’s music: “Dream Ballet”, from “Oklahoma! 2019 Broadway Cast Recording”, “Today”, and “Writing A Gospel Play”, from “A Strange Loop”. “Star and Slave”, from “Here Lies Love: Original Cast Recording”, “Audition”, from “42nd Street: 2001 Broadway Cast". “Too Much Exposition”, and “I See A River”, both from “Urinetown”, “Back to Before”, from “Ragtime, Original Broadway Cast”, “Party, Party”, from “Dreamgirls: In Concert”, “I Do Miracles”, from “Kiss of the Spiderwoman 1994 Cast Recording,”. “Parade In Town”, from “Anyone Can Whistle”, “Rose’s Turn”, from “Betty Buckley An Evening At Carnegie Hall”, “Rose’s Turn” from “Gypsy, 2008 Broadway Cast Recording”, “Betrayed”, from “The Producers”, “Together”, from “Gypsy, Broadway Cast Recording" (Tyne Daly), “Lot’s Wife” from “Caroline or Change”, “Hard to Say Goodbye”, from “Dreamgirls Original Cast Recording”.


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Episode 99: Sheryl Lee Ralph: Home Is Center Stage

On this week’s penultimate episode, Jamie and Rob are joined by stage and screen legend Sheryl Lee Ralph for their final regular interview of the series. Together, they talk about Sheryl’s remarkable career, from star turns on Broadway in “Dreamgirls”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, and “Wicked”; to her advocacy efforts combatting HIV/AIDS stigma; and her latest gig as a producer of “Thoughts of a Colored Man”, a new play coming to Broadway this fall. Tune in to hear all about the creation of “Dreamgirls” from the original Deena Jones!

This week’s music: “Move”, “When I First Saw You”, “Fake Your Way To The Top”, “I Am Changing”, “The Firing of Jimmy”, “Dreamgirls”, “Listen”, “One Night Only”, “Dreamgirls (Finale)”, all from “Dreamgirls”. “Applause”, from “Applause”, and “Killing Me Softly with His Song”, The Fugees


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Episode 98: Jennifer Simard: More

On this week’s episode, Jamie and Rob sit down with their season one and two co-host Jennifer Simard for a reunion conversation. Together, they talk about Jennifer’s pandemic experience as a working actor, her remarkable career on stage, her mentors, and her excitement about getting back on Broadway in “Company” this fall. At the top, Jamie and Rob announce that the upcoming 100th episode of The Fabulous Invalid Podcast will also be the final regular episode of the series.

This week’s music: “Never” from “On The Twentieth Century”, “I Will Loved Tonight”, from “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”, “Put On Your Sunday Clothes”, “Hello, Dolly! The New Cast Recording”, “More” from “Stephen Sondheim at the Movies”, “ 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, from “ 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, “Never Can Say Goodbye /Torn Between Two Lovers”, “Disaster!”, “Stars” from “Mean Girls”.


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Bonus Episode: Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

On this special bonus episode, Jamie and Rob return to the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival in Garrison, New York to check back in with Artistic Director Davis McCallum. Together, they discuss what it has been like producing theatre during a global pandemic, the shows they have playing this summer, and some exciting future plans for the company. Following this short new interview, you can listen to the episode-length feature on the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival from summer 2019.

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Episode 97: Working: The Industry Standard Group: Rob Laqui and Sammy Lopez

On this week’s episode, Jamie and Rob chat with Rob Laqui and Sammy Lopez, two founding members of The Industry Standard Group (TISG), a new multicultural commercial investment and producing organization aiming to make theatre accessible, inclusive, and more equitable. With a unique focus on addressing current disparities in the commercial producing sector, TISG is focused on promoting work reflecting diversity, increasing the presence of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) investors and producers in the commercial producing field, and expanding the access and opportunities granted to BIPOC communities within the industry. Tune in to learn more!

This week’s music: “Something To Point To" from "Working"

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Episode 96: Daryl Roth: Every Project is a New Beginning

On this week’s episode, Jamie and Rob chat with 12-time Tony Award-winning producer and theatre owner Daryl Roth, who holds the singular distinction of producing 7 Pulitzer Prize winning plays. Together, they discuss Daryl’s latest project, the socially distanced light and sound experience “Blindness”—which is currently running at her theatre on Union Square—along with her remarkable career, including the genesis of “Kinky Boots”, and her approach to producing.

This week’s music: “Way Down Hadestown” from “Hadestown Original Broadway Cast Recording”, “Raise You Up/Just Be” from “Kinky Boots Broadway Cast Recording”.

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Episode 95: Raymond J. Lee: Good Will Win

On this week’s episode, Jamie and Rob chat with Broadway actor and activist Raymond J. Lee. Together, they discuss Ray’s career, his deep love for Disney, the challenges of being a parent during a pandemic, and the importance of representation on stage. From “Mamma Mia!” to “Aladdin”, “Groundhog Day”, “Soft Power”, and Britney Spears ... Ray’s got the range, and he’s optimistic about Broadway’s future.

This week’s music: “Part Of The World”, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid: Motion Picture Soundtrack”, “Anything Goes” from “Anything Goes, New Broadway Cast Recording”. “I’m with Her”, “from “Soft Power”. “Hawaii/Waiting for You”, from “Honeymoon in Vegas, Original Broadway Cast Recording”. “Nobody Cares”, and “Day One”, from “Groundhog Day”, “Old Fashioned Lesbian Love Story” from “The Wild Party” (Encores). “Good Guy With A Gun”, “Democracy, reprise”, both from “Soft Power”. “Volez Vous” from “Mamma Mia, Original Cast Recording”.

Episode 94: Jessica Paz: The Sweetest Sounds

This week, Jamie and Rob continue exploring the mission of the podcast by speaking with sound designer Jessica Paz. Together, they discuss this newest, most mysterious, and oft-overlooked and under-appreciated field of stagecraft, diving into the challenges and secrets of Jessica’s Tony Award-winning work on “Hadestown”. What do Scuba diving, raccoons, magical iPads, and pizza have to do with sound design? Tune in to find out!

This week’s music: “Hittin’” from “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring In ‘Da Funk”, “Any Way the Wind Blows” and “Livin’ it Up On Top” from “Hadestown, Original Broadway Cast” and “The Sweetest Sounds/I Can Feel It” from “Sibling Revery”.


Episode 93: Charlie Rosen: One Man, 70 Instruments

This week, Jamie and Rob round out the mission of the podcast by speaking with Broadway musician, music director, music supervisor, conductor, composer, and orchestrator Charlie Rosen. Together, they chat about Charlie’s life and career in the music world, from his Broadway debut at age 18 to his Tony Award-nominated orchestrations for “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”, and his work beyond the stage in film, TV, podcasts, and video games. Tune in to find out about the strangest instrument Charlie has orchestrated into a musical score!

This week’s music: “Entr’Acte” from “Honeymoon In Vegas: The Musical, Original Broadway Cast Recording”. “Backstage Romance” from “Moulin Rouge, Original Broadway Cast Recording”, “Sunday” from “Sunday In The Park With George”. “Populism Yea Yea” from “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”. “Here I Come”, from “13, Original Broadway Cast Recording”, “Squib Stalks” from “Be More Chill, Original Broadway Cast Recording”, “Overture” from “Honeymoon In Vegas: The Musical, Original Broadway Cast Recording”.

Episode 92: We Got Annie: Ann Reinking (1949-2020)

On this week’s episode, Jamie and Rob continue their season-long theme of their “favorite things” by paying tribute to the singular life and work of Broadway dancer, actor, choreographer, director, and Fosse muse Ann Reinking, who passed away in December 2020. In addition to sharing their own reflections on Ann’s remarkable career, Jamie and Rob are joined by Candy Brown (“Pippin”), Marilu Henner (“Over Here!”, “Chicago”), Bebe Neuwirth (“Sweet Charity”, “Chicago”), and Michael Berresse (“Chicago”) who share their own intimate remembrances of their dear friend and colleague. “We Got Annie” is a celebration of one of Broadway’s greatest legends, the unique gifts of her talent, and the indelible impact she made upon theatre history.

This week’s music: “Magic To Do” and “War Is A Science” from “Pippin”, “Long Ago and Far Away” by James Taylor, “Charlie’s Place” from “Over Here! Original Broadway Cast”, “Voices and Visions” from “Goodtime Charley, Original Cast Recording”. “Hot Honey Rag”, “Me and My Baby” from “Chicago, New Broadway Cast Recording”. “Sing Sing Sing” from “Fosse”, “They’ll Be Some Changes Made” from “All That Jazz, Original Soundtrack Collection”, “We Got Annie” “Annie Motion Picture Soundtrack”, “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This” from “Sweet Charity, 1986 Broadway Cast”, “Entr’acte”, “All That Jazz”, “Roxie”, “I Am My Own Best Friend” and “Nowadays” from “Chicago, New Broadway Cast Recording”. “Everything Old Is New Again” from “All That Jazz, Original Soundtrack Collection”.

Episode 91: Selling the Show: Broadway Marketing, from Triton Gallery to SpotCo

On this week’s show, Jamie and Rob decide to examine their shared love for Broadway posters by taking a closer look at the world of Broadway marketing. First up, they chat with Drew Hodges, founder of SpotCo (a marquee Broadway marketing, advertising, and branding firm) about his iconic ad campaigns for shows like “Rent” and “Chicago”. Then, they chat with Roger Puckett, founder of Triton Gallery, the world’s only art gallery devoted exclusively to preserving and promoting the Broadway show poster as an art form. Tune in to discover the secret of what makes a good show poster, and to learn more about the fascinating history behind these beloved pieces of memorabilia.

This week’s music: “Razzle Dazzle” from “Chicago: The Musical, New Broadway Cast Recording, 1997”, “Rent” from “Rent”, “Entra’Act” from “Chicago: The Musical, New Broadway Cast Recording, 1997”, “Prologue” from “Follies, Original Broadway Cast”, “Anyone Can Whistle”, from “Anyone Can Whistle”, “Beautiful Girls” from “Follies, Original Broadway Cast”, “ Overture” from “ Cats, Broadway Cast Recording”, “Finale” from “Chicago: The Musical, New Broadway Cast Recording, 1997”.

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Episode 90: Stopping the Show: Jamie’s Top Ten Showstoppers

On this week’s show, Jamie and Rob talk through Jamie’s personal top ten list of showstopping production numbers, celebrating some of the greatest moments in Broadway musical theatre history. They take a look at the extraordinary work of choreographers like Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Tommy Tune, Onna White, Jerome Robbins, Gower Champion, and Agnes DeMille, and dig into some of the more unheralded contributions from composer/lyricists, orchestrators, dance arrangers, and designers that combined with top-notch performers to make the best showstoppers. What’s number one? Tune in to find out.

 This week’s music: “Glory” from “Pippin”, “Overture”, and “Mame” from “Mame”.  “42nd Street” from “42nd Street (Original Recording)”, “Wedding Dance” from “Fiddler on the Roof (New Broadway Cast Recording)”.  “Steam Heat” from “The Pajama Game”, “Dance at the Gym: Bass, and Jump” from “Bernstein: West Side Story”, “Ballet” from “Oklahoma! (1998 Royal National Theatre Cast Recording)”, “Turkey Lurkey Time” from “Promise, Promises”.  “The Rich Man’s Frug” from “Sweet Charity (Original Cast Recording)”, “H-A-P-P-Y / We’ll Take A Glass” from “Grand Hotel” and “The Music and the Mirror” from “A Chorus Line”.

Episode 89: Jerry Herman: Poet of the Showtune, Part Two

For a special, two-part show, Jamie and Rob take an in depth look at the life, work, and legacy of Broadway composer and lyricist Jerry Herman—“the poet of the showtune”.  They chat with performers Joel Grey, Florence Lacey, Lee Roy Reams, and Alix Korey, music director Andy Einhorn, producer Barry Brown, and actress and cabaret star Molly Pope.  Part two focuses on his lesser known shows, “Milk and Honey”, “Dear World”, and “Mack and Mabel”, and his ultimate comeback hit: “La Cage aux Folles”.  Tune in to discover why there really is no tune like a showtune!

This week’s music: “Overture”, “Milk & Honey”, Shalom”, “Let’s Not Waste A Moment”, all from “Milk & Honey, Original Cast Recording”.  “Overture”, “Each Tomorrow Morning”, “I Don’t Want to Know”, “Dear World”, all from “Dear World, Original Cast Recording”.  “I Promise You A Happy Ending” from “Gifts of Love”.  “Look What Happened to Mabel” from “Mack & Mabel, 1995 London Cast Recording”.  “Just Go to the Movies” from “A Day In Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, Original Cast”.  “Two A Day”, and “Kiss Her Now”, and “Jerry’s Girls” from “Jerry’s Girls”.  “It’s Today” from “An Evening with Jerry Herman”. “Finale”, “Prelude”, “A Little More Mascara”, “The Finale”, all from “La Cage aux Folles, Original Broadway Cast”.  “The Best of Times” courtesy of Molly Pope.  “I Am What I Am” and “Look Over There”, from “La Cage aux Folles, Original Broadway Cast”.  “Miss Whats Her Name”, from “Miss Spectacular”.  “I’ll Be Here Tomorrow” sung by Jerry Herman.

Episode 88: Jerry Herman: Poet of the Showtune, Part One

For a special, two-part show, Jamie and Rob take an in depth look at the life, work, and legacy of Broadway composer and lyricist Jerry Herman—“the poet of the showtune”.  They chat with performers Joel Grey, Florence Lacey, Lee Roy Reams, and Alix Korey, music director Andy Einhorn, producer Barry Brown, and actress and cabaret star Molly Pope.  Part one focuses on “Hello, Dolly!” and “Mame”, two of Jerry’s biggest hits, and “The Grand Tour”, one of his biggest flops.  Tune in to discover why there really is no tune like a showtune! 

This week’s music: “Overture”, “Mame, Original Cast Recording”. “I Wanna Make the World Laugh”, “Mack & Mabel, Original Cast Recording”, “Dancing”, and “Put on Your Sunday Clothes”, from “Hello, Dolly! New Broadway Cast (2017)”, “Mame”, “Mame, Original Cast Recording”. “It’s Today” from “An Evening with Jerry Herman”, and “It’s Today”, from “Mame, Original Cast Recording”. “Showtune”, from “Parade”. “We Need A Little Christmas”, from “Mame, Original Cast Recording”. “Just Leave Everything to Me” and “Before the Parade Passes By”, from “Hello, Dolly! Original Motion Picture Soundtrack”. “If He Walked Into My Life” from “The Best of Eydie Gormé”. “Hello, Dolly! from “Hello, Dolly! New Broadway Cast (2017)”. “I’ll Be Here Tomorrow”, “Mrs. S L Jacobowsky”, “I Belong Here”, and “Marianne”, all from “The Grand Tour Original Broadway Cast”.

Episode 87: A Christmas Carol: Past, Present, and Future

This week, Jamie and Rob put together their first ever holiday episode, taking a look at the perennial classic “A Christmas Carol”. First, they explore the history behind the Charles Dickens novella and its leap to the stage. Then, they chat with director Michael Arden and actor Jefferson Mays about their new production of “A Christmas Carol”, which premiered at the Geffen Playhouse in 2018 and is now a special film event available to stream for the holiday season. To close out the episode, Jamie and Rob talk about the many film, stage, and television adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” over the years, including their favorites. Bah Humbug or Merry Christmas!

This week's music: "The Winter Solstice", "Coventry Carol", and "Star of Wonder" by Sufjan Steven. "Scrooge" from "A Muppet's Christmas Carol". "Abundance & Charity" and "A Place Called Home," from "A Christmas Carol: The Musical".

FOR TICKETS and MORE INFO: https://www.achristmascarollive.com/

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Episode 86: West Side Story

On this week’s show, Jamie and Rob take a deep dive into one of their favorite musicals: “West Side Story”. After exploring the fascinating story behind the creation of this landmark classic musical, they chat with Belgian director Ivo van Hove about his re-imagined 2020 Broadway production. Then, they moderate an exclusive discussion with Broadway legend Carol Lawrence and Broadway’s latest sensation Shereen Pimentel—the original and current Maria in conversation across 63 years! How do they really feel about “I Feel Pretty”? Tune in to find out.

This week's music: "Prologue", "West Side Story, Original Broadway Cast". "Prologue", "Bernstein: West Side Story, San Francisco Symphony". "Something's Coming", "West Side Story 2020 Revival". "Cool", "I Have A Love", from "West Side Story, Original Broadway Cast". "Tonight (Quintet)" "West Side Story, New Broadway Cast Recording, 2009". "Mambo", "Bernstein: West Side Story, San Francisco Symphony". "Rumble", "Tonight", "America", and "Krupke", from the "West Side Story 2020 Revival". "Overture", "Dance at the Gym" and "Prologue" from "West Side Story; Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". "I Feel Pretty" "I Have A Love", and "Tonight", from "West Side Story, Original Broadway Cast".

Episode 85: Vanessa Williams: Where You Are

Jamie and Rob kick off season three with 11-time Grammy Award nominated recording artist and Tony Award nominated star of stage and screen Vanessa Williams, one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry. Together, they discuss Vanessa’s work as a founder of Black Theatre United, her 1994 Broadway debut in “Kiss of the Spiderwoman, her West End debut in “City of Angels, the current shut down, her reflections on the work of Stephen Sondheim, and what she hopes to see when live performance returns.

 This week’s music: “Save the Best for Last”, “And the Moon Grows Dimmer”, “I Do Miracles”, “Where You Are”, “Gimmie Love”, “Kiss of the Spiderwoman” all from the 1994 cast recording of “Kiss of the Spiderwoman”.  “Good Thing Going”, “Losing My Mind/Not A Day Goes By”, and “Good Thing Going”, from “Sondheim on Sondheim”.  “Children Will Listen” from “Into the Woods”.  “Any Place I Hang My Hat is Home”, from “St. Louis Woman” and “Happy Days Are Here Again”

 

Episode 84: It’s A Hit! Part Three

On this week’s show, Jamie and Rob close season two with the final installation of their special three part mini-series looking at some of the biggest Broadway musical hits of all time.  In part three, the British Invasion lands on our shores, and a Windy City murderess, an iconic mask, a helicopter, and La Vie Bohème visit Broadway! At the top of the episode, the always fabulous Jennifer Simard stops by to check in and say farewell for the summer.

This week’s music: “Overture”, “McCavity”, “Memory”, and “Skimbelshanks" from “Cats”, “La Journée”, “I Dreamed A Dream”, “Turning” from “Les Miserables”, “Overture”, and “Wishing You Were Here” from “The Phantom of the Opera”.  “Movie In My Mind”, “I’d Give My Life For You” and “American Dream” from “Miss Saigon”, Willamania” from “The Will Rogers Follies”, “Rent”, “I’ll Cover You”, “Seasons Of Love” and “Take Me For What I Am” all from “Rent”.  “Overture”, “I Can’t Do It Alone”, “All That Jazz” from Chicago” “He Lives In You”, from “The Lion King”, “Overture” and “The Face” from “The Producers”.  “Mamma Mia” and “The Winner Takes All”, from “Mamma Mia”, “Popular”, “For Good” from “Wicked” and “I Believe” from “The Book of Mormon”.