Musical Theater Deathmatch

By Andrew Favaloro & Kelsey Goldman

In each episode of Musical Theater Deathmatch (or MTD, as the cool kids are calling it), our two hosts, Andrew and Kelsey, invite a guest on to argue about two musicals loosely connected by a theme (e.g. "Musicals based on gothic horror stories", or "Shows we really liked in high school and now cringe about"). In the end, only one musical can win the deathmatch - it's a fun way to compare an art form we deeply love, and think about what makes musicals work or not. And also, make silly jokes.

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Ep 6. West Side Story vs. In the Heights with Kara Chu Nelson

Musical Theater DeathmatchAug 17, 2021

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01:13:18

Ep 6. West Side Story vs. In the Heights with Kara Chu Nelson

Our theme this month is "Love and Loss in Manhattan," and we're putting a modern classic, In The Heights, against a classic classic, West Side Story. Our guest this month is actress Kara Chu Nelson. We talk about what makes West Side Story so strong a musical, why In The Heights is so personal to all of us, and Andrew tortures Kelsey and Kara with a round of DJ Run That Back. Man he's getting annoying with these games.

Kara is also the mind behind Club Cafe's Broadway Trivia Night on September 16 - for tickets and more info, visit https://www.clubcafe.com/events/broadway-trivia/

Aug 17, 202101:13:18

#5 Oklahoma! v. South Pacific w/ Rob Shapiro

Our guest Rob Shapiro (@thatrobshapiro) joins us to help us decide on Rodgers & Hammerstein's Magnum Opus: Oklahoma! or South Pacific. We talk a lot about historical contexts, nostalgia, and play a new game called Obfuscated Acronym! And maybe we come up with a better sign off? (No we don't) You should check out Ruin My Life

Mar 09, 202101:12:41

#4 - Spongebob Squarepants vs. Groundhog Day w/ Sarah Sheppard

A Content Warning: Groundhog Day is a pretty dark story, and we will be discussing it in terms of depression, including talking about suicide. If you might find such topics hard to listen to, you should skip this episode.

It's a Musical Theater Lovefest, as we talk about two shows that are (and I quote) "Better than they have any right to be." We'll discuss all of the surprising talent behind Spongebob, how relatable Groundhog Day is, the nature of adaptation, and play a new game entitled Wide Path!

You should check out Ruin My Life

Jan 02, 202101:32:17

#3 Spamalot vs. The Sound of Music w/ Hannah Seusy

Travel back in time with Kelsey, Andrew, and guest Hannah Seusy (@hseusy) to the years 1998 and 2007 as they revisit the first shows they saw on Broadway: for Kelsey, that's The Sound of Music, and for Andrew it's Spamalot. Discover how much Andrew likes yodeling, Kelsey's true feelings about Monty Python, and play a new game called It Doesn't Take a Genius!

Go Vote!

Dec 01, 202001:14:48

#2 Beetlejuice vs. The Addams Family w/ Jason Edwards

Happy Halloween, MTD fans! We sit down with Jason Edwards from Ruin My Life (@RuinMyLifeCast) and guest writer on The Misery Loves Company podcast (https://www.mlcpodcast.com) to discuss 2010's The Addams Family Musical and 2019's Beetlejuice the Musical. As we meander, we also discuss the Podcast Krampus, Podcast Karaoke, what other spooky shows should be adapated for stage, and a new bit called "Previous Credits Include".

Happy November everyone! GO VOTE!

Nov 01, 202001:16:23

#1: Sweeney Todd vs. A Chorus Line w/ Ellen Shadburn

God I hope Sweeney gets it - join us as we break down 1976's A Chorus Line and 1979's Sweeney Todd with special guest Ellen Shadburn. We'll talk about her experiences auditioning for both shows in her high school theater department (and other ambitious shows her school tackled), the lasting legacy of both these musicals, and a new segment entitled: Ben Brantley's Burn Book.

Who will win this deathmatch? Only one way to find out!

Oct 01, 202057:07