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”.

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”.

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”.

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”.

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”.

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.

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".

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”

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”.

On this week’s show, Jamie and Rob dive back into their special three part mini-series looking at some of the biggest Broadway musical hits of all time.  In part two, they visit Rydell High, a little orphan named Annie, and perhaps two of the greatest musicals ever.

This week’s music: “Greased Lightning” and “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” from “Grease” and “Grease” from “Grease: New Broadway Cast, 2007”, “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile”, “Little Girls”, and “Tomorrow(reprise)” “Apples”, all from “Annie”.  “Montage, Pt 1”, “The Music and the Mirror”, “One” from “A Chorus Line”, “Oh, Calcutta” from “Oh, Calcutta”.  “Poison Ivy”,  “On Broadway”, “Yakety Yack”, “I’m A Woman”  from “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”, “We’re In The Money”, “Overture / Audition”, “42nd Street” “Finale” from “42nd Street, Original Broadway Cast” and “Overture / Audition” from “42nd Street, London Cast”.

On this week’s episode, Jamie and Rob return to the world of famous (and infamous!) Broadway flop musicals with part two of our look at these flawed and fabulous gems. We investigate Dude(s), space travel, sequels, VAMPIRES and much, much more.  And, we finish out the show with a bit more about “Carrie” from the legendary Betty Buckley.

This week’s music: “So Long Dude” and “Pears and Apples”, from “Dude”, “In A Little Town”, from “The Human Comedy”, “Movin’ Out” and “Well I’m Not” from “Bring Back Birdie”, “But You Go On”, from “Annie 2: Miss Hannigan’s Revenge”,”I’m Leaving Texas” from “The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public”,  “Overture”, and “Garlic” from “Dance of the Vampires”, “Who Will Love Me As I Am?” from “Side Show”,“Tell My Father” from “The Civil War”, “Everything Taboo”, and “Stranger In This World”, from “Taboo”, and “Eve Was Weak” from “Carri

On this week’s episode, Jamie and Rob dive into the world of famous (and infamous!) Broadway flop musicals with a special two-part show focusing on these flawed and fabulous gems. They kick it all off with a look back at “Carrie” (1988) with word from its original star, the incredible Betty Buckley, who provides a rare peak into that experience.  Then, Rob and Jamie move on to discuss such musicals as “Kelly” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, and some less “successful” works by Rodgers & Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim. Part two follows next week.

This week’s music: “Overture”, “Eve Was Weak”, “Carrie”, and “Out For Blood”, from “Carrie”.  “Opening: Joseph Taylor, Jr.” and “The Gentlemen Is A Dope”, from “Allegro”, “Sweet Thursday”, “Overture”, from “Pipe Dream”, “Me And My Town” from “Anyone Can Whistle”, “Overture”, “Like It Was”, from “Merrily We Roll Along”, and “Who Needs Her” from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.

On this week’s show, Jamie and Rob celebrate the recent release of the “Soft Power” cast album with the musical within a play’s Tony Award winning composer Jeanine Tesori, best known for writing the scores to “Fun Home”, “Caroline, or Change”, and “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, among others.  Together, they talk about the unique inception and development of “Soft Power”.  Then, Jeanine offers a master class in musical theatre composition as they dive deep into the album with a discussion and analysis of the intention and craft behind each song—from overture to finale!

 This week’s music: “Soft Power: Original Cast Recording"

On this week’s show, Jamie and Rob bring you an interview with the extraordinary choreographer Camille A. Brown, who in the last year alone worked on the Metropolitan Opera’s production of “Porgy and Bess”, The Public Theater’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow Is Enuf”, and “Toni Stone” for Roundabout, and earned a Tony Award nomination for her work on Manhattan Theatre Club’s “Choir Boy”.  Camille speaks candidly about her career, what inspires her, and why representation matters.  To close, Rob takes a look at other trailblazing black female choreographers who have worked on Broadway (sadly, the list is short).

The Week’s Music: The "Theme from Fame”, “Mama Will Provide” from “Once on This Island: New Broadway Cast”, “Forget About the Boy” from “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “I’ve Got A Feeling I’m Falling” from “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, “I’ll Never Say No” from “The Unsinkable Molly Brown: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack”, and “If You Believe”, from “The Wiz”.

We love a list! On this week’s show, Rob and Jamie discuss Rob’s top ten favorite shows from 2019 (plus a few of his honorable mentions) as reviewed on Stage Left. Tweet us your top ten @fabulousInvalid!

This week’s music: “Burning Down The House”, “American Utopia”, “Election Night”, from “Soft Power”, “Prologue”, and “Who’s That Woman” from “Follies: 2018 National Theater Recording”, “Road To Hell”and “Road To Hell, reprise”, from “Hadestown”and “Today” from “A Strange Loop”.

On a special summer bonus episode, Jamie and Rob travel up to Garrison, New York to experience the magic of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. After a picnic on the great lawn at Boscobel House and Gardens, and a performance of “Much Ado About Nothing”, they speak with conservatory company member Kayla Coleman, Director of Education and company member Sean McNall, and Artistic Director Davis McCallum, then catch the company’s first-ever musical, “Into the Woods”. Rob also offers a brief history of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.

This week’s music: From “Into the Woods”, “I Know Things Now”, “Maybe They’re Really Magic”, “Ever After”.

For the season one finale, Jamie, Rob, and Jennifer sit down for an exclusive interview with former First Lady, Senator, Secretary of State, presidential candidate, and Broadway’s biggest fan Hillary Rodham Clinton. They discuss theater and politics (what’s the difference?) and dive deep into Secretary Clinton’s lifelong love of the arts. Then, Jamie gives us a little background on Rob. And that’s a wrap for season one!

This week’s music: “Hair” and “Good Morning, Star Shine” from Hair the New Broadway Cast Recording, “Camelot” from the original cast recording of Camelot, “Overture” from The Band’s Visit, “The Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton, and “Why We Build The Wall” from Hadestown.

On this week’s episode, Rob, Jamie, and Leslie—and a couple of special guests—recap the 2019 Tony Awards live from the O&M “After After Party” at The Carlyle Hotel.

This Week’s Music: “Well Did You Evah” from the film “High Society,” ”Livin’ It Up On Top” and “Wait For Me” from Hadestown, Leslie Kritzer singing “Day-O” and “No Reason” from Beetlejuice, “Just My Imagination” from Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, and “We’ll Take A Glass” from the Tony broadcast.

On this week’s episode, Rob and Jamie are back at Orso for one final time this season. They are joined by actor and producer Tom Hulce who was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the film “Amadeus,” and is the producer of the Broadway hits Spring Awakening, American Idiot, and this season’s 12-time Tony Award-nominated sensation Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.

This week’s music: “It’s Not About Me” and “Unruly Heart” from The Prom.  “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” and “Papa Was A Rollin' Stone” all from Ain’t Too Proud: The Life And Times of the Temptations., “Mamma Who Bore Me” and “The Bitch Of Living” from Spring Awakening, and  “Poor Little Person” from Henry, Sweet Henry.

On this week’s episode, Rob and Jamie go over Rob’s “Stage Left” 2019 Tony Award predictions of who “should win” vs. who “will win” in each of the 26 Tony Award categories. Agree? Disagree? Let us know on social media!