Best Matt Koplik Podcasts (2024)

1
2024 Tony Predictions (Part 2): PRE- Eligibility Rulings!! (w/ David Lynch) 2:02:34

14m ago2:02:34

2:02:34

"OK, who do you have?" The TONY nominations are in 5 days, y'all!! That means we gotta start making some new PREDICTIONS. Recorded a mere 2 hours before the Tony Committee released their second round of Eligibility Rulings, Broadway producer David Lynch stops by the Breakdown to share possible nominations. The two also discuss Matt's actions when t…

1
All the Into the Woods Cast Recordings with Chris Brown 1:20:22

1h ago1:20:22

1:20:22

There's been quite a few cast recordings of Into the Woods. Chris Brown (not that one) joins Kyle to discuss the ones that most people could listen to right now. We are using four productions to frame our discussion of Into the Woods. The Original Broadway Cast (1987) starring Bernadette Peters, Joanna Gleason, and Chip Zien. You can listen to it o…

1
BONUS! Interview w/ SPAMALOT/THE GREAT GATSBY Lighting Designer: Cory Pattak 1:31:56

2d ago1:31:56

1:31:56

"Find your light..." Y'all have been so good that we're treating you to a BONUS episode! An interview with lighting designer extraordinaire Cory Pattak! Cory made his Broadway debut this season with not one, but TWO musicals: SPAMALOT and THE GREAT GATSBY! Cory stops by the Breakdown to discuss the thrill and stress of putting together two very sud…

1
THE GREAT GATSBY, SUFFS and Some Broadway Bullsh*t 1:28:18

20h ago1:28:18

1:28:18

"Everyone's a critic..." We're wrapping up the season very soon!!!! And before we do, we got some more shows for you: THE GREAT GATSBY, PATRIOTS and SUFFS! Matt discusses his opinions on all three. Plus some talk about some of the crazy that's been happening online this week in the community. Let's have fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit …

1
LEMPICKA, STEREOPHONIC & More...and Jack Viertel!! 2:12:15

8d ago2:12:15

2:12:15

"Woman is...or is she?" It's a bonanza!! Matt starts off with his reviews on seeing MERRILY a second time (now *with* Lindsay Mendez), LEMPICKA, THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL and STEREOPHONIC! Plus a new review that has notes for Matt. Plus after all of THAT is an interview with Broadway legend and Jack of All Trades: Jack Viertel. Jack talks with Mat…

1
Children Will Listen and Finale – Into the Woods (with Ben Malone) 1:05:05

8d ago1:05:05

1:05:05

While "Children Will Listen" has been used as a standalone song since the original production premiered, it's part of the entire finale of Into the Woods. Ben Malone joins Kyle to discuss how the musical concludes. You can follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/benmmalone Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benmmalone We are using four p…

1
TOMMY, THE OUTSIDERS & Your Tony Predictions! 2:05:40

15d ago2:05:40

2:05:40

"See Me...and Stay Gold." It's April!!! Which means Tony season has sprung! Matt sees TOMMY and THE OUTSIDERS and gives you his thoughts...and then reads YOUR thoughts on upcoming results for the 2024 Tony Awards. And some of you are BOLD. Let's get some hardware!!! Tix for NYC Gay Men's Chorus concert "Bubblegum Pop" available here: https://nyuski…

1
No One is Alone – Into the Woods (with Charlotte LeMay) 50:33

15d ago50:33

50:33

How can a song whose message is "no one is alone" feel so lonely? Charlotte LeMay returns to dig into the complicated emotions that run through this song. You can contact Charlotte here: charlottelemay1@icloud.com We are using four productions to frame our discussion of Into the Woods. The Original Broadway Cast (1987) starring Bernadette Peters, J…

1
Pennies From Heaven (movie) with Will C. White – Sondheim Adjacent 36:01

18d ago36:01

36:01

Bernadette Peters co-starred in the movie Pennies From Heaven. In this Sondheim Adjacent episode Will C. White returns to discuss if this is a successful musical and the lost art of movie choreography. William's website: http://www.willcwhite.com William's Twitter: https://twitter.com/willcwhite William's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/willc…

1
No More – Into the Woods (with Ryan Mardesich) 47:37

22d ago47:37

47:37

Is the Baker going to run away from his problems or stay and face them? Ryan Mardesich returns to discuss how this song contains some good fatherly advice from an unlikely source. Find out more about Ryan Mardesich on his website: https://www.ryanmardesich.com/welcome And follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanmarrrr/ We are using f…

1
Notebooks, Elephants and Protestors OH MY! (Reviews and Updates on the Season) 1:10:42

1M ago1:10:42

1:10:42

"There is nothing like New York in the SPRING!" A *lot* has changed since our first Tonys episode so Matt has come on to talk through some of it. First Matt gives thoughts after having seen WATER FOR ELEPHANTS and THE NOTEBOOK. Plus what it was like being at the infamous performance of AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE attended by protestors! Matt then goes t…

1
Witch's Lament – Into the Woods (with Shoshana Greenberg) 56:00

29d ago56:00

56:00

The Witch is very upset and expresses her raw nerves through song. Shoshana Greenberg returns to discuss how this song is a prelude to "Children Will Listen" and the interesting acting choices you can make while performing it. Listen and subscribe to the musical theater podcast Scene to Song here: https://scenetosong.podbean.com/ Visit Shoshana's w…

1
THE INHERITANCE w/ Robbie Rozelle 2:34:13

1M ago2:34:13

2:34:13

"He has a story to tell..." It came to Broadway touted as the next ANGELS IN AMERICA. And yet...not every gay man was into it. Then it won the Tony...and some people still weren't into it. But does that make something "Problematic"?? Friend of the pod Robbie Rozelle comes back to the Breakdown to discuss THE INHERITANCE. Matt and Robbie spend an ep…

1
Your Fault / Last Midnight – Into the Woods (with Matt Koplik) 1:44:53

1M ago1:44:53

1:44:53

So whose fault is it? Matt Koplik returns to discuss how the idea of blame is explored in the two songs "Your Fault" and "Last Midnight." Plus they get into detail about what makes a good witch. You can listen to Broadway Breakdown here: https://podtail.com/en/podcast/broadway-breakdown-1/ And you can follow Matt on Instagram here: https://www.inst…

1
AIDA w/ Will Van Dyke 2:31:04

1M ago2:31:04

2:31:04

"We all lead such elaborate lives..." It's sexy! It's dangerous! It's Disney! It's AIDA!!! Broadway music director Will Van Dyke (Pretty Woman, The Heart of Rock n Roll) comes on the Breakdown to discuss with Matt the first Broadway Disney musical "for adults." The two also discuss casting, fashion shows, and duty. TAKE ME IN!!!! Learn more about y…

1
Any Moment / Moments in the Woods – Into the Woods (with Jim Cullen) 59:39

1M ago59:39

59:39

Wouldn't it be good if life were only moments? Well, Jim Cullen discusses with Kyle if it would be or not and how Sondheim uses lyrics and musical themes to communicate complicated ideas into an easily understood feeling. Find Jim on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcullen18/ We are using four productions to frame our discussion of Int…

1
Life With Mikey – Sondheim Adjacent 23:27

2M ago23:27

23:27

James Lapine's second film was Life With Mikey which starred Michael J. Fox. Kyle discusses how he's seen this movie poster for years and what his experience was like watching it for the first time this week. Send feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.com Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels. Patreon:…

1
SLAVE PLAY w/ Marcus Scott 2:37:37

2M ago2:37:37

2:37:37

"Thank you, baby. Thank you for listening..." Welcome back to Problematic(?)! And ooooh boy do we have a DOOZY! Alum of the pod, Marcus Scott, returns to discuss SLAVE PLAY. The show that angered, excited and confused many theatergoers. Matt and Marcus get into the weeds of SLAVE PLAY's 12 Tony nominations and 0 wins, what intimacy is, and whether …

1
So Happy – Into the Woods (with Tommy Iafrate) 56:40

2M ago56:40

56:40

We're back after our intermission! Act 2 of Into the Woods makes us believe that our characters are living their happily ever afters. But lyrically and musically we discover that isn't quite true. Tommy Iafrate joins Kyle to discuss audience expectations and how the book helps support the music in the second half. You can follow Tommy on Twitter: h…

1
2024 Tony Predictions: Bold, Brave and Early (w/ Dylan MacDowell) 2:37:09

2M ago2:37:09

2:37:09

Confident and Uninformed. That's the way to make predictions for Tony nominations THIS early. Breakdown alum Dylan MacDowell (DRAMA) returns to go through every possible candidate for this year's Tony Awards. And Matt spills some tea about exactly *what* Broadway thinks about some of its offerings... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon…

1
The Bean Theme with Steve Bell 42:55

2M ago42:55

42:55

There's a recurring melody throughout the score of Into the Woods which has been referred to as The Bean Theme. Steve Bell returns to go through every time it shows up and offer some suggestions as to why. Send feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.com Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels. Patreon: ht…

1
Tony-Nominee Sally Mayes is here to SING and DISH 1:29:03

2M ago1:29:03

1:29:03

"This bird is singing..." Sally Mayes has been there and back and she can sing all about it to you! A Tony nominee for SHE LOVES ME with multiple awards under her belt, Sally stop by the pod to talk about her upcoming concert series (link for tix below), as well as how her Broadway debut as a swing lead to her winning a Theatre World Award, the 199…

1
Evening Primrose with Mario Mendez 46:25

2M ago46:25

46:25

While not his most popular project, the music of Evening Primrose seems to have grown in popularity over the last few years. Mario Mendez joins Kyle to discuss that phenomenon and a bunch of other topics. Send feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.com Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels. Patreon: htt…

1
Two Sundays with James Pinneri 35:21

2M ago35:21

35:21

The two times "Sunday" appears in Sunday in the Park with George the lyrics are the same but the intention is different. James Pinneri returns to discuss that and other stuff in this intermission episode. Follow James' personal page on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j_pinnizle/ Or his work as a singer: https://www.instagram.com/james_pinneri_…

1
Ever After – Into the Woods (with Durra Leung) 59:17

3M ago59:17

59:17

At the end of Act 1 the characters believe they will be living happily ever after. As upbeat as this song is, does it have some foreshadowing about the darkness that's about to come? Durra Leung returns to talk about fairy tales and Act 1 endings. Check out Durra's website here: https://www.durraleung.com/ We are using four productions to frame our…

1
Harmony (with Alex Asp) – Sondheim Adjacent 35:36

3M ago35:36

35:36

Chip Zien is well known for his role as the Baker in Into the Woods. But he's currently getting great reviews for his performance in Harmony. Alex Asp joins Kyle to discuss the musical that's new to both of them. Follow Alex on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/alexasp44/ Look at the Sondheim Database project here: https://www.sondheimdatab…

1
On the Steps of the Palace – Into the Woods (with Tara Hutchison) 47:40

3M ago47:40

47:40

Here we are stuck in the goo. Tara Hutchison returns to discuss Cinderella and how she might be the most important character from the show. We are using four productions to frame our discussion of Into the Woods. The Original Broadway Cast (1987) starring Bernadette Peters, Joanna Gleason, and Chip Zien. You can listen to it on Apple Music: https:/…

1
THE BOOK OF MORMON w/ Kyle Marshall 2:26:14

3M ago2:26:14

2:26:14

"Turn it off..." Hello! Our name is Broadway Breakdown. And we would like to share with you a Tony winning show. It has so many awesome parts. You simply won't believe how much this show has angered crowds. That's right...it's THE BOOK OF MORMON. The Broadway phenomenon from the creators of SOUTH PARK and AVENUE Q that swept the world, wowed critic…

1
The Mexican Sweeney Todd (with Sixto Montesinos) 32:28

3M ago32:28

32:28

A translated version of Sweeney Todd has been met with excitement in Mexico. It just won their version of the Tony Award for Best Musical. Sixto Montesinos joins Kyle to talk about this production and how it's been adapted for a Mexican audience. You can follow Sixto on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/sixtofmontesinosjr/ You can follow th…

1
MISS SAIGON w/ James Seol 3:28:48

3M ago3:28:48

3:28:48

"The heat is on..." To cover a giant show with giant controversy...you need a giant episode. Yup: it's MISS SAIGON. James Seol (COME FROM AWAY, KPOP) makes his Breakdown debut to discuss the last of the British mega-musicals with Matt. The two discuss a LOT: a mutual belief that Chris is the show's villain, how Kim is actually a survivalist genius …

1
Stay With Me – Into the Woods (with Lucas Rougeux) 1:02:50

3M ago1:02:50

1:02:50

With a shriek we're brought into a mournful song where a mother pleads with their daughter not to leave them. Lucas Rougeux returns to discuss the need to break free from your parents. princes who await you, and not knowing what's out there in the world. You can see more of Lucas' work on his website: https://ljrart.squarespace.com You can also fol…

1
HEATHERS w/ Chelsea Williams 2:16:21

4M ago2:16:21

2:16:21

"What's your damage?" CONTENT WARNING: This episode covers a show that contains and discusses suicide, sexual assault, and mental illness. Please listen with caution. We're venturing back to Off-Broadway with the musical that launched a thousand nodes and a million TikTok accounts...we're talking HEATHERS, y'all. The musical based on the classic cu…

1
The 10 Best Sondheim Songs – 1976 to 1985 (Sondheim Adjacent) 20:42

4M ago20:42

20:42

As a bonus this month Kyle lists what he thinks are the 10 best songs Sondheim wrote from 1976 to 1985. Send feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.com Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/puttingittogetherpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/sondheimpodcast Instagram:…

1
CAROUSEL w/ Juan A. Ramírez 2:47:54

4M ago2:47:54

2:47:54

"If I loved you..." Oh Boy. It's the one listeners of BREAKDOWN have been waiting for. It's Matt's favorite musical. It's perhaps the most famous "problematic" musical. That's right...it's CAROUSEL, BABY!! Theatre critic Juan A. Ramirez (Theatrely, The New York Times) joins the pod to discuss all things Rodgers and Hammerstein. Juan and Matt discus…

1
DEAR EVAN HANSEN (Part 1) & The Broadway Season w/ Ruthie Fierberg 2:18:47

4M ago2:18:47

2:18:47

"All we see is sky for forever..." STORY TIME! Due to reasons, Broadway Breakdown is covering DEAR EVAN HANSEN in two parts...with the second part coming sometime between now and later. Journalist and podcaster Ruthie Fierberg (Why We Theater) joins the Breakdown to lay out her reasonings as to why DEAR EVAN HANSEN is NOT problematic (with no quest…

1
It Takes Two – Into the Woods (with Will C. White) 45:26

4M ago45:26

45:26

We thought one was enough, but it's not true! Will White returns to discuss Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien, and the wonderful moment they share in the woods. William's website: http://www.willcwhite.com William's Twitter: https://twitter.com/willcwhite William's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/willcwhite We are using four productions to frame our …

1
PROMISES, PROMISES w/ Adam Elsberry 2:51:19

4M ago2:51:19

2:51:19

"I'll never fall in love again..." It's turkey lurkey TIME, people! Guncle of the Pod Adam Elsberry returns to talk about one of the hottest shows of the 1960's: PROMISES, PROMISES. Based on the Oscar-winning film THE APARTMENT, it's a show that got HAMILTON level reviews...and wasn't heard from again for a very long time. Matt and Adam discuss the…

1
Agony – Into the Woods (with Tyler Joseph Ellis) 1:10:48

4M ago1:10:48

1:10:48

Agony! Misery! Woe! All words that DON'T describe this week's guest Tyler Joseph Ellis. He joins Kyle to discuss princes, comedy songs, and (perhaps) the best punchline in the show. You can follow Tyler on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylerjosephellis/?hl=en Or on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tylerjosephellis We are using four production…

1
DOWNSTATE w/ Etai Benson 1:55:52

5M ago1:55:52

1:55:52

"...you are a fundamentally evil person..." CONTENT WARNING: Before listening, be advised that this episode discusses a play that deals with troubling subject matter (primarily sexual abuse and suicide). The Breakdown is discussing perhaps the most complex and troubling play NYC has seen in years: DOWNSTATE, by Pulizter Prize winning playwright Bru…

1
Giants in the Sky – Into the Woods (with Erik Stadnik) 1:04:13

5M ago1:04:13

1:04:13

There's a lot of interpretations on what this song means. Maybe they're all correct? Erik Stadnik returns to discuss the metaphor and the legacy of "Giants in the Sky." Erik's podcast So Much Stuff to Sing: https://somuchstufftosing.libsyn.com Erik's Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjcAustenite Erik's Prague Blog: http://erikspragueblog.blogspot.com W…

1
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels OBC with Jonathan Chisolm – Sondheim Adjacent 1:03:11

5M ago1:03:11

1:03:11

Joanna Gleason plays a supporting role in the 2004 Broadway production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Jonathan Chisolm returns to discuss how she uses her comedy skills to elevate her role, and why this show works as well as it does. Jonathan's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Grune123 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jschisolm22/ Twitter: ht…

1
THE KING AND I w/ Corey Lubowich 1:29:44

5M ago1:29:44

1:29:44

"Shall I tell you what I think of you...?" It's the first Rodgers and Hammerstein on Broadway Breakdown! And NOT the one you think! Corey Lubowich (Team Starkid) makes his Breakdown debut to discuss the much loved and much debated R&H classic THE KING AND I. Matt and Corey discuss the joint gumption and prejudice of the show's main characters, the …

1
First and Second Midnight – Into the Woods (with Sam Herriman) 55:52

5M ago55:52

55:52

One midnight gone! Sam Herriman returns to discuss why it's so important to have "First Midnight" in the show. Kyle describes the way the song "Second Midnight" was once much longer. Follow Sam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/samherriman Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samherriman/ The company mentioned at the end of the episode is Light…

1
THE PROM w/ Ali Gordon 2:01:02

5M ago2:01:02

2:01:02

"It's time to dance..." Welcome back to Broadway Breakdown!! And our new series Problematic(?) covering shows that at some point in their legacy have been met with controversy or backlash. Matt is joined by Breakdown legend Ali Gordon to talk about a lighthearted musical that somehow made a few people angry...THE PROM. And no, not because of the on…

1
A Very Nice Prince – Into the Woods (with Christine Chen) 1:14:10

5M ago1:14:10

1:14:10

More of a conversation than a song. In this we see the different between a character who makes decisions fast and one who has a hard time making a single choice. Christine Chen returns to offer her insight into why this song is essential to the show. Christine's Blog: https://acrossthearch.wordpress.com Christine's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Acro…

1
New Shows, Old Problems, Same Broadway w/ Rob Schneider 2:15:10

5M ago2:15:10

2:15:10

"But first: let's stretch." Before launching into our new season of "Problematic(?)" Broadway Breakdown returns with a warm up episode. Rob Schneider (Behind the Curtain) joins the pod to talk with Matt about the upcoming Broadway season, shows that are rumored to come in, Matt's thoughts on HELL'S KITCHEN and how sweetness is killing creativity. L…

1
I Know Things Now – Into the Woods (with Shannon Dohar) 52:14

5M ago52:14

52:14

It is good to know things, right? Shannon Dohar returns to offer her insight into Little Red's realization that she's been forced to grow up quicker than she would have liked. You can listen to Shannon's podcast, So Much Stuff to Sing, here: https://somuchstufftosing.libsyn.com And you can follow Shannon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdoh…

1
Our Little World – Into the Woods (with Matt Steele) 50:57

6M ago50:57

50:57

Our Little World is a song written for the original London cast of Into the Woods. Matt Steele joins Kyle to talk about Rapunzel, mothers, and hair. You can learn more about Divos! here: https://www.divosthemovie.com You can follow Matt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItsMattSteele And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmattsteele/ We are u…

1
I Guess This Is Goodbye / Maybe They're Magic – Into the Woods (with Nathan Beary Blustein) 1:03:36

6M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

I Guess This is Goodbye is a short song about saying goodbye to your best cow. Maybe They're Magic explicitly shows the difference in worldview between the Baker and his wife. Nathan Beary Blustein returns to dig into how these songs fit musically into the score and what they say about the characters. You can find out more about Nathan, by going to…

1
Hello, Little Girl – Into the Woods (with Isy Abraham-Raveson) 56:34

6M ago56:34

56:34

The subtext might not be that hard to pick up on. Isy returns to offer her thoughts on the metaphor of violence and sex when it comes to wolves preying on little girls. Find out more about the podcast What is Sex? here: https://whatissex.buzzsprout.com/894604 Discover more about YES! here: https://yourempoweredsexuality.org/ We are using four produ…

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