Theater History and Mysteries
I take a musical theater production and do a deep dive to find a richer understanding about the lessons the show has for theater and life. And, I’ll never miss an opportunity to pursue any mystery, bizarre coincidence, improbable event, or supernatural suggestion along the way because, in the words of Dirk Gentley, it is all connected.
Released every other Tuesday.
Music by Jon Bruschke and Andrew Howat, arranged, performed, and recorded by Andrew Howat.
Podcasting since 2024 • 17 episodes
Theater History and Mysteries
Latest Episodes
Cats -- from the children's book to the stage. Episode 17 (Cats 3 of 8)
Cats, 3rd episodeA show is about to open in two days. It features a power-packed pair of producers who would re-write Broadway history with two of the biggest musicals of all time, POA and Les Mis. The female lead is i...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 17
•
32:13
Cats -- How did a guy like TS Eliot write "Practical Cats?" Episode 16 (Cats 2 of 8)
TS Eliot is the author of Old Possum’s Guide to Practical Cats. That’s a book of poems that will get transformed into one of the greatest broadway musicals of all time. In fact, it might be the Broadway musical – i...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 16
•
35:02
Cats -- TS Eliot and the road to the musical. Episode 15 (Cats 1 of 8)
TS Eliot had demons. He wrote about his demons. He said that writing poems were like demons escaping from his body, and that when he finished writing them he would experience a “moment of exhaustion, of appeasement, of absolution, a...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 15
•
34:23
Les Miserables -- Is it cool to get rich off of singing about the poor? And why did the show fail in France? Episode 14 (8 of 8)
A young music producer has just seen a production of Jesus Christ, Superstar and was hit by his muse … he wandered the streets of Manhattan, unable to sleep. A native of France, Alain Boublil felt he had to keep walking unt...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 14
•
46:28
Les Miserables -- From novel to stage...and why did it fail in France? Episode 13 (7 of 8)
Errata: At about the 12 minute mark I say that Phantom of the Opera is a Victor Hugo story. It isn't -- it's French, but the author is Gaston LaRoux.A young music producer has just seen a production of Jesus ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 13
•
34:58