Best Jack Mells Podcasts (2024)

1
DOGFIGHT with Frankie Errington 1:23:11

1h ago1:23:11

1:23:11

We had "Some Kinda Time" creating an episode all about the terrific musical DOGFIGHT. This off-Broadway offering from Pasek & Paul (pre-Evan Hansen) was both critically appreciated and feared for its unusual premise when it premiered in 2012, but this week's conversation with the talented Frankie Errington (San Diego Critics nominee for DOGFIGHT) r…

1
NEWSIES with Dillon Klena 1:29:11

1h ago1:29:11

1:29:11

Send out the call! We're not on strike, but we are covering the biggest hit to start out as a bigger flop (not a bad word). NEWSIES meant a lot to those of us who grew up in the 90s and, thanks to the stage adaptation that fouette'd all over Broadway in 2012, it will continue to mean a lot to future generations. The story of unity and speaking trut…

1
AVENUE Q with Sarah Hester Ross 1:18:43

20d ago1:18:43

1:18:43

"A spoonful of comedy helps the feminism go down," says this week's guest, the musical comedian and TikTok sensation Sarah Hester Ross. Sarah's personal blend of music and comedy makes her a perfect guest to discuss the musical AVENUE Q. Filled with puppets, paradoxes, and porn, this controversial 2004 Best Musical winner used comedy to help adults…

1
FALSETTOS with Michael Rupert 1:06:09

1M ago1:06:09

1:06:09

We're feeling a lot of pride (see what we did there?) about covering the musical FALSETTOS this month. Jeff calls this show the "M word," and our guest calls it "twelve years of his life." Tony-winner Michael Rupert (SWEET CHARITY, LEGALLY BLONDE, ON THE TOWN) began playing the role of Marvin off-off-Broadway in 1980 when MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS (or…

1
HAIR with Jordan Dobson 1:19:55

2M ago1:19:55

1:19:55

"The musical of a generation! The show that changed musical theatre forever! The last musical to top the pop charts!" There's always plenty of hyperbole surrounding HAIR. This week, we're getting to the heart of it, and you might be surprised by how relatable it feels. Jordan Dobson (HADESTOWN, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, BAD CINDERELLA, WEST SIDE STORY) jo…

1
BARE with Natalie Wachen 1:25:10

3M ago1:25:10

1:25:10

BARE: A POP OPERA was edgy and (dare we say) groundbreaking when it took Los Angeles by storm in 2000. Twelve years following that electric debut, the show was retooled to become BARE: THE MUSICAL. Despite both versions having loyal fans, both were unable to thrive in the New York theatre scene. Still, that hasn't stopped BARE from being one of the…

1
FOLLIES with Jack Viertel 1:08:09

2M ago1:08:09

1:08:09

FOLLIES is a Stephen Sondheim musical about looking in the mirror. What might you see? A theater? Or a parking lot? Here to discuss this complex show is the very definition of a multi-hyphenate. Jack Viertel is a producer-writer-artistic director who was not only the force behind hit musicals like Smokey Joe's Cafe and The Prom but oversaw twenty y…

1
PATREON! Preview- The Tony Awards with Eila Mell & Heather Hitchens 16:51

3M ago16:51

16:51

Once a year, we share a PATREON! preview on our main feed to showcase the amazing bonus content you might be missing by not being a subscriber! It may only be April, but today's episode was too good not to share. In celebration of over 75 years of Tony Awards excellence, the American Theatre Wing recently commissioned the creation of a new book abo…

1
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS with Sara Gettelfinger 57:17

3M ago57:17

57:17

We have a theme this month! Both of the musicals we're covering this April are powerful examples of "pastiche" in musical theatre. The way the composers of these shows reference styles and works of the past bring depth and context to their stories and characters. First up, the 2004 musical DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, a show as raucous as it is sophist…

1
STEEL PIER with Colden Lamb 1:29:06

3M ago1:29:06

1:29:06

STEEL PIER didn't win any of its eleven Tony nominations back in 1997, but it was the winner of our PATREON! poll earlier this year. That's why this week we're dedicating a full episode to this golden-aged, millennial musical. Joining us is STEEL PIER's all-time biggest fan, Colden Lamb. No matter what you might think of this show, it might be time…

1
KISS ME KATE with Lesli Margherita 1:16:56

4M ago1:16:56

1:16:56

In 1949, KISS ME KATE won the first ever Best Musical Tony Award. Now it's 2024... and we still love it! Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita (Broadway's MATILDA, DAMES AT SEA) joins us to celebrate women and Cole Porter (in that order) as we dive headfirst into this silly and often deeply romantic show. Bonus points to those who can recite "We Op…

1
NINE with Kim Criswell 1:41:41

5M ago1:41:41

1:41:41

NINE surprised Broadway in 1982 when it opened last minute and proved to be a formidable foe to the other big hit of the season, DREAMGIRLS. It was also a musical that couldn't seem to escape drama, whether onstage at the hands of lead character Guido Contini or off. Here this week to discuss the highs and lows of this stylish and somewhat avant-ga…

1
GROUNDHOG DAY with Ste Clough 1:26:42

6M ago1:26:42

1:26:42

Happy Groundhog Day! We're celebrating with a special Friday release about, you guessed it, the musical GROUNDHOG DAY. It's a show you've either enjoyed seeing in the West End, on Broadway, in Melbourne, or you missed it. Well, if you think not seeing it means you're getting an early spring this year, you're wrong! Six more weeks of winter for you.…

1
FINIAN'S RAINBOW with Joe Aaron Reid 1:05:56

6M ago1:05:56

1:05:56

Today we're ushering in Black History Month with an episode dedicated to FINIAN'S RAINBOW, a 1947 musical with a pitch perfect score ("Old Devil Moon," anyone?), zany satirical book, and surprisingly groundbreaking history. Broadway cast alum from the 2009 revival Joe Aaron Reid (CHICAGO, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, IF/THEN) joins us for a magically delic…

1
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with Kim Huber 1:31:06

6M ago1:31:06

1:31:06

It's a tale as old as "dressing like merchandise from Bed Bath & Beyond." This week we're looking at the blockbuster musical BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, a show that changed Broadway (to steal a line from another musical megahit with a strong female protagonist) "for good." Original cast member Kim Huber (SUNSET BOULEVARD, MARIE CHRISTINE) joins us to pro…

1
THE COLOR PURPLE with Angela Robinson 1:17:11

7M ago1:17:11

1:17:11

It's our last episode of 2023, just in time for Christmas, just like the new film version of the stage musical THE COLOR PURPLE. It's a piece that has only deepened in our cultural psyche since it premiered on Broadway in 2005, but for those who experienced "the purple effect" from the beginning, this has always been a monumental work. Actress, tea…

1
THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD with Eila Mell 1:07:26

8M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

And now for this year's, "Musical You Didn't Know is Actually a Christmas Musical..." THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD. This 1985 crowd pleaser is maybe the first (if not only) Broadway musical who's ending depended completely on the audience (and we're not just talking about the length of the curtain call). Put on your detective caps and join author and…

1
NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 with Act of Faith 1:21:06

8M ago1:21:06

1:21:06

If two's company and three's a crowd, then what's four? A party? Well then that's what we've got this week, and the party's theme is the musical NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812. Kyle, Jeremy, and Dana from the musical mockumentary series "Act of Faith" join us to prove just how much they love this unique, electropop opera from 2016. And w…

1
DEAR EVAN HANSEN with Robert Bannon 1:45:50

9M ago1:45:50

1:45:50

Coming in at a healthy 1 hour and 40 minutes, this match, I mean episode, on DEAR EVAN HANSEN explores it all. In one corner, a podcast host fighting for empathy. In another, a podcast host fighting for justice. Who will win?! We couldn't have asked for a better guest this week than talented performer and host of The Roundtable on the Broadway Podc…

1
JEKYLL & HYDE with Rebecca Spencer 1:20:26

9M ago1:20:26

1:20:26

Time to celebrate (and modulate) this year's spooky season with an episode on the gothic pop musical sensation JEKYLL & HYDE. Not only is this listener request's road to Broadway an epic journey, so is our guest's relationship to it. Rebecca Spencer originated the role of Lisa (Emma) Carew in the world premiere of JEKYLL & HYDE in 1990 only then to…

1
PIPPIN with Chris Adams & John Rubinstein 1:24:44

10M ago1:24:44

1:24:44

PIPPIN. It's a musical with a lot to discuss which is probably why so many of you have requested it! This week, we welcome two wonderful guests with "magic to do" that will help make it happen. Podcaster and author Chris Adams (Out for Blood) joins us from the UK to talk about the hills & valleys and eagles & rivers that went into making a musical …

1
COME FROM AWAY (Maui Reissue) with Hōkū Pavao & Geno Carr 1:16:23

11M ago1:16:23

1:16:23

A great musical will often grow and change as its audience does, and as the people of Maui continue the long road of processing the recent devastation left by deadly wildfires, we realized it was time to relook at the musical COME FROM AWAY. In this newly edited reissue from 2020, Jeff not only speaks with original Broadway cast member Geno Carr ab…

1
SWEET CHARITY with Dylis Croman 1:16:41

11M ago1:16:41

1:16:41

IMPORTANT: In the wake of the Maui fires this past month, thank you for your patience as Jeff prioritized his schedule. We hope you enjoy this new episode of "A Musical Theatre Podcast." In the year 1966, many iconic characters arrived on Broadway, among them: Mame Dennis, Don Quixote, and the focus of today's episode, Charity Hope Valentine. Her m…

1
BE MORE CHILL with Joe Iconis 1:02:45

12M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

In 2017, the original cast album of BE MORE CHILL was one of the most streamed cast recordings of the year, and it had yet to premiere on Broadway. In fact, it hadn't been performed since its world premiere in New Jersey two years earlier! The epic story of how this modern Faustian musical became a fan favorite is one for the ages, and this week, w…

1
URINETOWN with Kikau Alvaro 1:14:20

1y ago1:14:20

1:14:20

Chances are if you're alive in 2023, you've been to Urinetown... the place not the musical. That's because despite being a hit back in 2001, the near apocalyptic state that URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL hilariously captures is somehow more relatable than ever: greedy corporate CEO's, environmental disasters, progressives with grand platitudes... sound fam…

1
PASSION with Ben Rimalower 1:09:47

1y ago1:09:47

1:09:47

PASSION has maybe the most complex approach to exploring love in all of Musical Theatre, so of course the legends Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine were behind it. Here this week to discuss these collaborators and their evocative "passion project" is Ben Rimalower, whose latest project is a podcast spotlighting another of their collaborations, INTO…

1
CARNIVAL! with Debbie Gravitte 1:03:56

1y ago1:03:56

1:03:56

CARNIVAL! is a 1961 musical that is simultaneously beautiful, hopeful, sad, and a great exercise for us in 2023. Set those literal minds on standby as Tony-winner Debbie Gravitte (JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY, ZORBA, CHICAGO) joins us to remember this special piece from our musical theatre history and the 2002 Encores! production in which she starred w…

1
TICK, TICK... BOOM! with Taylor J. Williams 1:18:30

1y ago1:18:30

1:18:30

A brand new episode mid week?? What is happening? Short answer: The Tony Awards. This Sunday we celebrate the most recent Broadway season by honoring the best of the best, and it just so happens our guest this week is one of the nominees! Taylor J. Williams has helped create more Broadway musicals than most of us have seen in person, and he also ha…

1
WAITRESS with Jessie Mueller 1:15:20

1y ago1:15:20

1:15:20

The musical WAITRESS emerged from the 2016 Broadway season (supposedly dominated by HAMILTON) as something similar to its protagonist's famous pies: a hit on the outside thanks to secret ingredients on the inside. One of those ingredients happens to be this week's guest, Tony-winning actress Jessie Mueller (BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, CAROU…

1
KIMBERLY AKIMBO with John Clancy 1:10:36

1y ago1:10:36

1:10:36

Today "A Musical Theatre Podcast" welcomes its first orchestrator! John Clancy (SHREK THE MUSICAL, MEAN GIRLS, THE PROM) has been a long time collaborator with composer Jeanine Tesori and was just nominated for a Tony Award for his work on their new musical KIMBERLY AKIMBO. It isn't often that we get to cover musicals from our current theatre histo…

1
The D.O.C. Interview On His Documentary, Work With Dr. Dre, The Codefendants 42:19

1y ago42:19

42:19

The D.O.C. joins this episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast. He discusses his new documentary, his first verse in 19 years, performing for the first time in 33 years and more. He also details his formula for how to be a great MC.0:00 The D.O.C. has begun performing again for the first time in 33 years3:15 The D.O.C discusses wh…

1
MACK & MABEL with Robert Viagas 1:06:39

1+ y ago1:06:39

1:06:39

In 1974, a teenage Robert Viagas (future founding editor of Playbill.com) entered a Broadway theatre and watched the brand new musical from the legendary team of HELLO, DOLLY! Twenty five years later, a teenage Jeffrey Scott Parsons listened to that musical's original cast recording and couldn't figure out why MACK & MABEL was a flop. In this week'…

1
Jack Harlow Calls Out Whites Who Want To Be Black From Afar 1:44:44

1+ y ago1:44:44

1:44:44

ack Harlow's Jackman. album is his best yet and also his most controversial. We discuss the album, the best and worst posthumous Rap albums of all-time, Pras Michel's conviction and more on this week's episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast.0:00 Intro2:34 Jack Harlow’s Jackman. album is his best yet13:41 Jack Harlow blasts white…

1
Dear Mama Shows There Is Still So Much We Don't Know About Tupac 1:43:56

1+ y ago1:43:56

1:43:56

In this week's episode of AFH's What's The Headline podcast, we discuss our new partnership with BET to let fans decide who is the Greatest Rap Crew Of All-Time. We also review the new Dear Mama docuseries about Tupac and Afeni Shakur, remember Ahmad Jamal, discuss how AI will transform the music business and more.0:00 Intro3:00 Ambrosia For Heads …

1
THE PRODUCERS with Michael Kostroff and Julie Garnyè 1:16:29

1+ y ago1:16:29

1:16:29

Mel Brooks' valentine to musical theatre THE PRODUCERS broke all kinds of Broadway records offstage in 2001, while onstage its zany characters wrote the book on how one should not behave in professional theatre. This week we sit down with longtime "Max Bialystock" Michael Kostroff and his writing partner Julie Garnyè to discuss comedy, goose step c…

1
Reviewing Black Thought & El Michels Affair's Glorious Game Album 2:01:56

1+ y ago2:01:56

2:01:56

In this week's episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline, we review Black Thought and El Michel Affair's new Glorious Game album and take an in-depth look at how his solo releases have impacted his legacy as an MC. We also discuss the new J. Dilla documentary, Snoop Dogg's career-altering decision 30 years ago, and more.0:00 Intro4:55 Blac…

1
Royce 5’9 Explains How He’s Taking Control Of His Music Destiny 2:06:30

1+ y ago2:06:30

2:06:30

Royce 5'9 joins this week's episode of What's The Headline, along with his 25-year business partner, Kino Childrey. This is not an interview. It is an amazing conversation between trusted colleagues and friends. Here's what we discussed:0:00 Royce 5’9 joins AFH for a special edition of What’s The Headline0:10 How 2020 transformed Hip-Hop3:00 Why Ro…

1
The LOX & Dipset Want A Verzuz Rematch ... Should They Do It? 1:57:04

1+ y ago1:57:04

1:57:04

This week in Hip-Hop was jam-packed. We discuss Nipsey Hussle's legacy 4 years later, the potential Verzuz rematch between The LOX and Dipset, protests against Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Akademik's criticism of J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and new music from Larry June & Alchemist, DJ Drama, Royce 5'9, Tyler, The Creator and more.0:00 Intro6:00 Rem…

1
MAN OF LA MANCHA with Kiki Ball-Change 1:14:44

1+ y ago1:14:44

1:14:44

MAN OF LA MANCHA may be almost 60 years old, but get ready to hear it in a whole new light. New York's Broadway Bimbo Kiki Ball-Change joins us to discuss the "drag" of Don Quixote, and what the hope of "The Impossible Dream" can symbolize for each new generation, including the current queer one. This is a funny and profound conversation about a mu…

1
JAY-Z, J. Cole, Kendrick & More Share Their Secrets To Success 1:45:10

1+ y ago1:45:10

1:45:10

This week, J. Cole released his first interview in years, and it was INSPIRATIONAL. On this week's episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline, we break down Cole's interview and compare his secrets to success with those of Kendrick Lamar, Rapsody, Big K.R.I.T., Ab-Soul and JAY-Z. The similarities are fascinating...We also discuss how Tupac …

1
Logic Has Made It Hard To Like Him & It’s Not Just Joe Budden 1:28:46

1+ y ago1:28:46

1:28:46

On this week's episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast, we take a hard look at the conflicting versions of himself that Logic has presented over the years. We also discuss the passing of music great Bobby Caldwell, Just Blaze's status as at Top 10 Hip-Hop producer, and some new music by Statik Selektah, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface …

1
SHREK THE MUSICAL with Martín Acuña 1:07:29

1+ y ago1:07:29

1:07:29

To quote listener Casey in her request for us to cover SHREK THE MUSICAL, "This show has absolutely no right being as good as it is." And she's right. Even with two Pulitzer Prize winning writers behind it, you might be shocked to find how deep the psychology of "the first musical with a fart song" actually goes. This week fellow podcaster Martín A…

1
Melle Mel Explains Why Busta Rhymes Is Greater Than JAY-Z 1:48:48

1+ y ago1:48:48

1:48:48

On this week's episode of AFH's What's The Headline, we discuss Grandmaster Melle Mel's sharp critique of Billboard and VIBE's list of the 50 Greatest Rappers Of All Time, and his comments about JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem and Lil Wayne. We also talk about Jadakiss taking record labels to task about some of the content they promote. We discuss Sn…

1
How Biggie Went From Ashy To Classy: By People Who Styled Him 19:11

1+ y ago19:11

19:11

Biggie Smalls was the illest…Big had a top-notch flow, a booming voice, and lyrics drenched in authenticity and humor. The all-time great MC born Christopher Wallace said it was all a dream, and then he took us on a ride from his time as a stressed-out kid in the streets of Bed-Stuy…to when he made that dream a reality by becoming one of the bigges…

1
SHUFFLE ALONG with Caseen Gaines 1:22:51

1+ y ago1:22:51

1:22:51

How do a Jeffrey Scott Parsons, Caseen Gaines, and Audra McDonald all make it to adulthood without knowing SHUFFLE ALONG? This isn't the beginning of a comedic bit by Miller & Lyles; it's the beginning of a wonderful conversation about a game changing musical too few people know about. Author of the new book "When Broadway Was Black" Caseen Gaines …

1
Remembering The Life & Legacy Of Dave From De La Soul 1:52:58

1+ y ago1:52:58

1:52:58

On this week's episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline, we discuss the life and legacy of Dave from De La Soul. We also talk about Billboard's recent list ranking the top 50 rappers of all-time, debate whether Drake has surpassed Lil Wayne, and more. We also breakdown the sale of Quality Control, Pharrell's new position at Louis Vuitton …

1
COMPANY with Nikki Renee Daniels & Teri Ralston 1:17:52

1+ y ago1:17:52

1:17:52

Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY is often defined as the first "concept musical" in theatre history, but this week we explore how universal this legendary musical is. Here to help us are Nikki Renee Daniels ("Jenny" from the recent Tony-winning Broadway revival, and the first Black woman to play "Bobbie"), and Teri Ralston ("Jenny" from the original Tony…

1
The Highs & The Lows Of The 2023 Grammy Awards 1:25:50

1+ y ago1:25:50

1:25:50

On this week's episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline, we breakdown the highs and the lows of the 2023 Grammy Awards, with deep dives on the year's biggest surprises, best performances and the most important Hip-Hop moments. 0:00 Intro 5:08 The lead up to the 2023 Grammy Awards 13:40 Slick Rick is honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievem…

1
SHOW BOAT with Thomas S. Hischak 1:04:58

1+ y ago1:04:58

1:04:58

There would be no OKLAHOMA! without SHOW BOAT. Hard stop. So why does the former get the glory of marking the beginning of modern musical theatre? Today, historian and author Thomas S. Hischak joins us to discuss the singular splash of the 1927 epic musical SHOW BOAT, and how its creators set out to make a truly American musical. Whether or not you…

1
Black Sheep Is Suing Universal Music For $750 Million 1:18:18

1+ y ago1:18:18

1:18:18

On this episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline, we discuss De La Soul's announcement that music they recorded for Tommy Boy is coming to streaming services, as well as Black Sheep's lawsuit against Universal Music Group for $750 million. We also talk about Dr. Dre's impending sale of his music catalog, as well as new music from Skyzoo a…

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