Settling Scores: The Musical Theatre Podcast

Is NINE a 10?

"NINE" is a captivating musical that follows the story of Guido Contini, a famous Italian film director, as he navigates a mid-life crisis and creative block. Set in Venice, the musical delves into Guido's relationships with the various women in his life, including his wife, mistress, muse, and mother. Through vibrant music and compelling storytelling, "NINE" explores themes of love, lust, and the pursuit of artistic fulfillment.
Join us as Lenny and Forrest debate the merits and shortcomings of the cast recordings, yet still manage to remain friends.
We think...

A Tribute to Broadway Icon Chita Rivera

 
Join us for a special edition episode celebrating the remarkable artistry and enduring talent of Chita Rivera, a true icon of the Broadway stage. 

She Loves Me, But Do We Love Her?

Content Warning: This episode contains a brief mention of an attempted suicide by one of the characters. 
Scoop yourself a bowl of ice cream, dab on some perfume, and make sure you’re in a “romantic atmosphere” dear friends, because in this episode, we’re delving into the musical “She Loves Me.” This show is one of several reincarnations of the 1937 play Parfumerie by Hungarian playwright Miklós László. (You might remember another popular adaptation — the film You've Got Mail, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.) “She Loves Me” premiered back in 1963 and was revived in 2016, and it became the very first Broadway show to be live-streamed. It follows the story of two feuding perfume shop employees who unknowingly find solace in each other as secret pen pals, and they inevitably, hilariously fall in love. 
So do WE love HER? Yes, we most assuredly DO!
 
 

Shave and a Haircut: Two Bits About Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, was Stephen Sondheim’s tenth show and is generally considered his masterwork, a melodically and dramatically adventurous piece that’s been produced in both musical theatre and opera houses the world over. Though billed as a musical, it’s roughly 80 percent sung, meaning it feels more like it’s been baked into an operetta (pun very much intended), complete with a semi-domesticated serial killer and an upwardly mobile cannibal cook. The original 1979 Broadway production won eight Tony Awards, including recognition as the season’s best musical. Its ravishing, deeply emotional music combined with zany moments of levity have made it a favorite for many, but our hosts have both love and gentle (and hilarious!) criticism to share with those who care to attend our tale...er...podcast.

1776: Finding the Fabulous and the Funny in the Founding Fathers

"1776" tells the story of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in...you guessed it...1776. The show premiered on Broadway in 1969 and went on to win three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the score, major recordings, and the movie, finding the fabulous and the funny in this amazing, irreverent take on our all-too-human founding fathers.