Broadway Breakdown

Dreamgirls: Broadway’s Motown Epic and the Tony Race of 1982In this two-part deep dive, host Matt Koplik and guest Jason Veasey (Broadway’s A Strange Loop, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building) revisit Dreamgirls, the groundbreaking 1981 musical that blended Motown-inspired storytelling with Michael Bennett’s cinematic staging. Part One explores the show’s tumultuous development, its powerhouse original cast, and the infamous Tony Awards face-off with Nine.Broadway Breakdown Links to Join:Broadway Broadway Discord: HereBroadway Breakdown Substack: HereTickets to Broadway Breakdown: A Cabaret Now HereGuest: Jason VeaseyJason Veasey (@veaseyville) is a Broadway and television actor best known for originating roles in the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Strange Loop. His screen credits include Only Murders in the Building and the upcoming series Best Medicine. With deep roots in musical theater history and lived experience as a Black performer navigating Broadway, Jason brings sharp insight and heartfelt perspective to this Dreamgirls deep diveTimestamps00:01 – Welcome02:14 – A brisk plot rundown: Effie, Deena, Lorrell, and Curtis Taylor Jr.05:12 – Jason’s first encounters with Dreamgirls in Black cultural memory12:16 – The Actor’s Fund concert: Audra, Lillias, Heather, and the power of divas16:22 – Michael Bennett’s original staging: spectacle, storytelling, and critical pushback27:41 – Early development: Nell Carter, Loretta Devine, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and endless workshops43:36 – The 1982 Tony Awards: Dreamgirls vs. Nine, Bennett vs. Tune53:17 – The politics of race, spectacle, and creative control on BroadwayKey People MentionedCreators: Michael Bennett (director/choreographer), Tom Eyen (book/lyrics), Henry Krieger (music)Original Cast: Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine, Cleavant Derricks, Ben Harney, Obba BabatundéNotable Later Performers: Audra McDonald, Heather Headley, Lillias White, Beyoncé, Anika Noni Rose, Jennifer HudsonIndustry Figures: Joseph Papp, Bob Avian, Mark Shaiman, Frank RichResources & Links1982 Tony Awards Performance – Jennifer Holliday2001 Actor’s Fund Concert Album“The Story of Dreamgirls” DocumentaryVanity Fair: Dreamgirls, Nine, and the Greatest Face-Off in Tony Award HistoryFrank Rich’s Original NYT Review (1981)Sheryl Lee Ralph Interview ClipListener Discussion QuestionsWhat do you think makes Dreamgirls resonate across generations—even for people who never saw it on stage?How do you feel about Michael Bennett’s use of spectacle: brilliant storytelling or overcompensation?Which Dreamgirls performance (on stage, in concert, or on film) stands out most to you, and why? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

Broadway Breakdown Announcements, Heathers Off-Broadway Return + Ron Fassler on Broadway’s Juiciest Replacement StoriesThis episode kicks off a new season of Broadway Breakdown with some big announcements, followed by a double feature: Matt’s in-depth review of the Heathers revival at New World Stages, followed by a conversation with actor, writer, and historian Ron Fassler about his new book The Show Goes On: Broadway, Hirings, Firings, and Replacements. From high school cliques and camp satire to Broadway’s backstage legends, it’s a jam-packed return.Ron Fassler is a longtime Broadway insider whose fifty years of theatergoing have made him a walking encyclopedia of stage history. An actor turned author, he’s written extensively about the greats (and near-misses) of Broadway past. His latest book dives into the wild, heartbreaking, and often hilarious realities of replacement casting, making him the perfect guest to unpack the lore of Broadway survival stories.Resources & LinksBroadway Breakdown Substack – essays, reviews, and extras from the podDiscord community – join the conversation with other BreakdownersTickets to Broadway Breakdown Cabaret – Nov 14 at Green Room 42Ron Fassler’s The Show Goes On (available directly from the author, not Amazon)Timestamps0:00 – Announcements & Updates19:04 – Heathers Review54:20 – Ron Fassler InterviewKey People MentionedHeathers creative team: Laurence O’Keefe & Kevin Murphy (music & lyrics), Andy Fickman (director)Original film cast: Winona Ryder, Christian SlaterHeathers Off-Broadway revival cast: McKenzie Kurtz, Elizabeth Teeter, Erin Morton, Casey Likes, Lorna CourtneyRon Fassler’s book subjects: Beanie Feldstein, Lea Michele, Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Henry Goodman, Richard Dreyfuss, Hugh Jackman, Patti LuPone, Glenn Close, Liza Minnelli, Richard Burton, Anne Miller, Robert Goulet, Cliff GormanListener Discussion Questions"Do you think Heathers works better as a biting teen satire film or as a campy, optimistic musical?""What’s the most surprising or memorable replacement casting you’ve ever seen (or wish you had)?""For theater adaptations: should musicals lean into optimism, or stay true to a darker original source?" This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

Broadway Breakdown is back to cut through the surface-level theater chit chat with a new season and some podcast updates! Each week brings something new—reviews of the latest shows, sharp Tony Award predictions, or deep dives into the musicals and plays that shaped Broadway history.This season features explorations of Dreamgirls, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and more—complete with behind-the-scenes drama, cultural context, and plenty of diva energy.Subscribe and join Matt every week as he and his guests celebrate, question, and occasionally roast the art form they love most. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"Behold, the hills of tomorrow..."Get a taste of what's to come with this pilot episode of a new series "I Was There" talking with Broadway artists with long and rich careers, telling us their stories. First up! Conductor/Music Director/Supervisor David Loud! David has worked on such incredible productions as She Loves Me (1993), Ragtime, Master Class as well as having been in the original production of Merrily We Roll Along!! Incredible! Order David Loud's book "Facing the Music" here! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Facing-the-Music/David-Loud/9781682451915Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Here! https://discord.gg/Wf8fguRHJoin the Broadway Breakdown Substack Here! https://bwaybreakdown.substack.com/Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

SURPRISE! Bonus ep! Matt talks with David Hovey about the work happening at Covenant House, as well as the starry event on August 10th Sleep Out: Stage and Screen event. Learn more about Covenant House Here! https://www.covenanthouse.org/Donate to Matt's Fundraising Page Here! https://www.sleepout.org/participants/61110 Learn more about Sleep Out: Stage and Screen Here! https://www.sleepout.org/pages/2509?eventID=1152Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"Blue..."The 2025-2026 Broadway season kicks off with icon Jean Smart's one woman show CALL ME IZZY. Plus a production of MACHINAL, which launches the first season of the brand new New York Theatre Company. What did Matt think? Well...take a listen...Join the Broadway Breakdown Substack here! https://bwaybreakdown.substack.com/Or the Broadway Breakdown Discord Here! https://discord.gg/EhRe3dVrLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"And what did YOU think of that performance...?"The 2024-2025 Broadway season has come to a close and with it, the Tony Awards. Daddy of the pod Robert W. Schneider returns to Breakdown to discuss with Matt the highs of the ceremony, debate some winners, and some tea Matt got from the Maybe Happy Ending after party! KICK IT!Wanna join the Broadway Breakdown Substack? The Discord? Links below!https://bwaybreakdown.substack.com/https://discord.gg/EhRe3dVrLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"What I expect...what I want...and what I dream..."The 2025 Tony Awards are ALMOST HERE! This means it's time for a final, FINAL prediction episode with Awards Expert Sam Eckmann (GoldDerby). Unfortunately this has been a chaotic race and thus, Matt and Sam find themselves talking in circles convincing each other of what might happen and what they want to happen. It's fun. It's mess. It's Broadway.Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel here! https://discord.gg/RDs2Bz47Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"Ever hear about...?"Matt goes through the last couple of decades of winners to debunk and clarify some ol' Tony Awards myths...as well as discover some trends! Take a listen and win your Tony pool!Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here: https://discord.gg/RDs2Bz47Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

BIG NEWS! MATT GOT A NEW MIC! But he isn't quite sure if he's figured it out yet. So be patient this episode.Oh! And Matt went to London again with his mom and sister! Matt's mom joins for the first half to discuss their London adventures as well as the 5 shows they took in while staying in Fitzrovia for the week:-The Comedy About Spies, Oliver!, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, My Neighbour Totoro, and Dear England. It's a fun time!Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel here! https://discord.gg/UTGVBprYtrLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

And episode so long...we have to split it in two!Matt saw Every. Single. Broadway. Show. This. Season. And my God is he gonna do the Lord's work and rank it all for you. Because why the F**K NOT?! Enjoy Part 1!Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel here! https://discord.gg/UTGVBprYtrLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

And just like that...we finished!Matt wraps up his *unofficial* ranking of every Broadway show for the 2024-2025 Broadway Season. Was it worth it???Join the fun at the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel here! https://discord.gg/UTGVBprYtrLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

And a few other shows, actually...Matt saw a whole bunch of stuff. Not just what's in the title. He also saw WONDERFUL TOWN at Encores, the final performance of ZORBA at J2 Spotlight and had a second viewing of DEATH BECOMES HER. It's a lot! Maybe he said some coherent things? Let's see!Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel here!: https://discord.gg/UTGVBprYtrTIME STAMPS (give or take, based on commercials):Wonderful Town/Zorba: 6:00Real Women Have Curves: 34:00Death Becomes Her 2.0/Old Friends/Dead Outlaw: 1:04:00Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"Where's the pudding at?!"The 2025 Tony nominations have arrived! And boy are there THOUGHTS. Joining Matt is Breakdown friends Rachael and Will Anderson aka The Theater Lovers!! Listen to their thoughts on the whole slew of nominations, Taylor Swift lore, and a new series of movies Matt plans to make. Enjoy!Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here!: https://discord.gg/UTGVBprYtrLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

'Cause why the f**k not?! Let's be bold and brave with the Tony nominations before the big announcement day!Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here!: https://discord.gg/bbcbvZauLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"This is IT!"Matt saw SOOOO much Broadway this week, he couldn't fit it all into one episode. So, he's chosen to cover LCT's revival of FLOYD COLLINS, Roundabout's revisal of PIRATES and 54 Below's...sorry, Broadway's JUST IN TIME. Listen! Discuss!Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel here!!! https://discord.gg/bbcbvZauLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"And what do YOU think of pudding?"Matt scans the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel to get a sense of what listeners feel are likely to get nominated at the 2025 Tony Awards. And the responses are something!!Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here: https://discord.gg/FqnJwJrrLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

...were they worth it?Matt went and saw GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, STRANGER THINGS, GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK and OTHELLO and talks briefly about all of them, but more importantly what their very existence means for Broadway. Plus! Two Off-Broadway musicals that might've restored his faith. *Might* have.Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel here!: https://discord.gg/QssGH9KELearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"To quote Taylor Swift..."Matt sees the latest work by Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins, PURPOSE, as well as the Broadway premiere of JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN. Was JOHN *actually* Matt's nightmare? Which actor in PURPOSE gave Matt life? Find out!!Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here!: https://discord.gg/QssGH9KELearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com

"Fade in on a girl..."Matt has returned from SMASH and is here to talk about what he thought did and didn't work about the new Comedy about a Musical! Enjoy!Join the Broadway Breakdown Discord Channel Here! https://discord.gg/QssGH9KELearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com