Get in, losers. We’re talking about Mean Girls. From it’s earliest self-help origins all the way through to todays “the-trailer-didn’t-say-it-was-a-musical” movie, Jimi and Tommy contemplate the traps of adaptations, memes from old movies, the Jimmy (and Jimi) awards, and Tina Fey’s (literall) love letter to high school theatre. It is, most definitely, fetch.

Mean Girls (Music from the Motion Picture)

Apple Music / Spotify

SHOW NOTES

Check it out for yourself – the book that started it all: Queen Bees & Wannabes (now in it’s 3rd edition) by Rosalind Wiseman.

It’s the best love letter Tommy’s ever recieved – here is Tina Fey’s forward from the high school version of the script.

It’s not our fault we’re, like, in love with her or something. Here’s the incomprable Reneé Rapp stealing the show at the 2018 Jimmy Awards.

A Digestable Quiz Question

One of the creators of this show struck inspirational gold when they read the words “Deathwatch Carnival” in a Reader’s Digest compilation.

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The Bronx is up, the Battery's down, and Jimi and Tommy are right here delving into the Americana classic of a musical On the Town. Lenoard Bernstein (or is it Bernstein), Betty Comden (the bombshell that she is) and Adolph Green (he’s there too) have devised a wonderful, timeless(?) classic in this show which might, indeed, be the FIRST true musical comedy!

SHOW NOTES

It’s like she’s in the room with us! Enjoy the incomparable Christine Pedi…or, perhaps, the real Liza Minnelli answering “Vogue’s” 73 questions.

Tommy’s never seen it, have you? Enjoy The Simpsons musical Springfield Springfield.

Come along with Jay Armstrong Johnson as he takes us on a tour of the newly re-renovated Lyric Theatre for the 2014 production. Did he mention the pit? It’s for the big orchestra. It’s really big. And they have it. In this show. And they really want you to know about it.

The Boettcher Concert Hall (home of the Colorado Symphony) is truly a magnificent space. Next time you’re in Denver, see if you can grab some tickets!

Or if you end up in Glasgow instead, come and enjoy one of Acquire’s musical theatre sing-throughs! Maybe you’ll spy a familiar (single!) podcaster in the company…

We owe a good chunk of research for this episode to Dr. Katherine Baber and her article "Manhattan Women": Jazz, Blues, and Gender in On the Town and Wonderful Town. If you’re doing work in this area, this is a publication worth a read.

And then here’s something for our boys on the front lines! Chattanooga CHOO CHOO!

Or maybe this is why you’re in the show notes: enjoy a baby-faced Lea DeLaria and an even babier-faced Jessee Tyler Ferguson on the Rosie O’Donnell show.

Can’t get enough of Lea DeLaria? Here she is at the Newport Jazz Festival with a swingin’ take on The Ballad of Sweeney Todd.

And, if you want to join Tommy on his whirlwind cab tour of places-that-don’t-exist-anymore in NYC, here’s our itinerary. Buckle up!

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What do you get when you cross Dracula with a podcast? Bite-sized episodes that will have you howling with laughter! Welcome to the official companion podcast for off-Broadway’s Dracula A Comedy of Terrors, now playing at New World Stages. Hosted by blood curdling Broadway veteran Andrew Keenan-Bolger, this podcast takes you inside the show’s (teeny tiny backstage) world with interviews and games featuring the cast and creatives that helped bring this hilarious comedy to life. So grab a wooden stake, a satchel of garlick, pull out your bloody mary recipe, and settle in under your favorite cape for a podcast guaranteed not to drive you batty!

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Want to support the show? Check out our Patreon! ➤

Get ready to delve into the warren of William Finn’s fantastical mind as we voyage into ‘A New Brain.’ Beautifully mirroring the mania of the show itself, this is a manic episode where we dart from deep, impossible discussions about unhoused populations, to analysing the changes between the original and the Encores! production, to learning all about the wonders of Organic Jim. Good luck!

A New Brain (2015 New York Cast Recording)

iTunes / Spotify

SHOW NOTES

Are you ready for the Sondheim Cinematic Universe?

For a MUCH more articulate discussion of Jimi’s ‘Change’ point, check out Scott Miller’s essay on the show!

Any David Lynch fans out there? What do you think a David Lynch musical could possible look like?

What are your opinions on the updates made for the Encores! production? Let us know!

On Tommy’s recommendation listen to only THIS version of ‘Make Me a Song’ for some wonderful Bill Finn goodness!

Please take a few minutes to watch this incredible video of Edinburgh local, Organic Jim.

Remember you can come chat to us about the episode on Twitter and Instagram @jimandtomic! Or if you wanna pop OFF then jump into our email inbox at [email protected]! Or come join us on the discord!

A Butt-tastic Quiz Question

It was widely rumored that lanky dancer Frank Sinatra padded his hindquarters with handkerchiefs to fill out his uniform whilst filming this movie. What show?

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Strike up the band and pull back the curtain on Stephen Schwartz’s odyssey musical - ‘Pippin'. This musical gained legendary status when it was revived recently but we go right back to the start to look at its complex origins with a burgeoning Stephen Schwartz and a high-flying Bob Fosse. We also dissect the various endings that have existed throughout the years and come up with a few of our own, go over some of the incredible handling of its themes and we tell a few home truths…

Pippin (New Broadway Cast Recording)

iTunes / Spotify

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SHOW NOTES

I still think ‘come and waste an hour or two…zoobilee zoo’ is one of the funniest things I’ve ever said. But hey, enjoy Ben Vereen as a snow leopard mayor.

And he’s still got it! But to be fair this was filmed in 2002. But I have no doubts that 20 years later he can still move just as well…

Wanna get liminal? Check out Bo Burnam’s incredible new Netflix special, ‘Inside.’

There’s so much great Andrea Martin content out there but here’s some of the zaniest.

Remember you can come chat to us about the episode on Twitter and Instagram @jimandtomic! Or if you wanna pop OFF then jump into our email inbox at [email protected]! Or come join us on the discord!

A Semi-Autobiographical Quiz Question

Our next show, autobiographical in nature, was written by the author whilst they were recovering from the events contained within the show. What show?

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Get ready for some sycophantic Jim and Tomic as we buckle up and ‘Ride the Cyclone.’ The cast recording for this incredible show by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell has just dropped and we couldn’t wait to talk about it. We talk through the fascinatingly diverse characters, the meaning of life and what this show means for the future of musical theatre!

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Ride the Cyclone (World Premiere Cast Recording)

iTunes / Spotify

SHOW NOTES

Feel free to take part in the new drinking game of ‘How many times does Jimi say that’s so smart?’

Check out this great montage of moments from the Chicago production which gives you a great idea of the amazing production design and how fricking cool Karnak is!

The team did a really interesting interview at the Guggenheim prior to their production at MCC!

If you’re looking for a very succinct timeline of this production from Victoria to Cast Recording then check out superfan Sam’s video here!

Tom waits If you’re looking for a bit of a cool kind of crazy then check out this number from Tom Waits’ ‘The Black Rider’

PERFORM THIS SHOW! As the cogs of live theatre start to turn again why not bring this to your theatre company as a potential option? If you’re in the UK click here, and if you’re in the US click here!

Remember you can come chat to us about the episode on Twitter and Instagram @jimandtomic! Or if you wanna pop OFF then jump into our email inbox at [email protected]! Or come join us on the discord!

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It’s time to ride on those wild geese as we fly into Austria to talk all about potentially the world’s most famous musical, ‘The Sound of Music.’ We try and pull apart why it’s so popular while discussing the real Von Trapp family, the tonal differences between the film and stage show , why Maria is a lesbian icon and discover the best musical theatre themed Hallowe’en costume.

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The Sound of Music (Original Soundtrack Recording)

iTunes / Spotify

SHOW NOTES

A very good place to start is this wonderful video of Julie Andrews meeting the real Maria Von Trapp!

Out of the myriad of documentaries about the Sound of Music that are out there, we thoroughly recommend this one presented by Sue Perkins.

For a totally different perspective on the show (and some other great insight into gender and feminism in the musical theatre!) check out Stacy Wolf’s fascinatingly enjoyable book ‘A Problem Like Maria.’

She worked on it for months and came out with an incredible performance. Here’s Lady Gaga singing a medley of the songs at the Oscars.

Let’s cringe together with Tommy’s first in-person YouTube appearance!

Remember you can come chat to us about the episode on Twitter and Instagram @jimandtomic! Or if you wanna pop OFF then jump into our email inbox at [email protected]! Or come join us on the discord!

A Carnival Quiz QuestionAs far as we know, this is the only musical based (kind of) on a roller coaster. What show?

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Dear Faithful Listeners, this is going to be a good podcast, and here’s why: we’re having an open and honest discussion about the smash hit contemporary musical, ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’ This show has been extremely divisive among its audiences and we try to pick apart why that is in this week’s episode. We talk about some of the changes we would make to the show, how it compares to shows like ‘Next to Normal’ and ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ and discuss how it has impacted the musical theatre community for good!

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Dear Evan Hansen (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

iTunes / Spotify

SHOW NOTES

CW for this episode: suicidal ideation / mental health issues

If you want to dive further into some of the poetry then we thoroiughly recommend checking out the ‘Dear Evan Hansen: Through the Window’ book!

And speaking of books, we have an extremely rare musical-to-book adaptation which gives some new insights into Connor’s life.

There is some great comparison to be made with this show and ‘Next to Normal’ - check out our episode on that show!

if you’re looking for some great mental health storytelling then you NEED to check out Crazy Ex-Girlfriend for some of the best portrayal of this that exists!

Our nerd-dom goes so far as to reading academic writing on musical theatre such as this one on Evan Hansen’s fandom!

Remember you can come chat to us about the episode on Twitter and Instagram @jimandtomic! Or if you wanna pop OFF then jump into our email inbox at [email protected]! Or come join us on the discord!

BIG NEWS! We will be celebrating our 100th episode by recording a LIVE Happy Hour with you! Come and join the party online on the 1st May at 2pm PST/5pm EST/10pm GMT etc.! We've got some big announcements and big giveaways so tweet us your questions and favourite moments using #100HappyHours to be in with a chance of winning!No Quiz Question!

Just stick the 1st of May in your calendars!

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All aboard Hades express (no not the train, the boat this time!) as we join Dionysus and Xanthias on their descent into the underworld in search of the saviour of art in Stephen Sondheim’s ‘The Frogs'. It’s been a while since Jimi and Tommy butted heads but it is alive and well in this episode! Euripedes v. Aeschylus; Shaw v Shakespeare; and now Jimi v. Tommy! They talk about the legitimacy of Greek theatre today, whether or not the 2004 was an improvement and debate if this show should ever be performed again. Who will win?! Tune in to find out…

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The Frogs (2004 Broadway Cast Recording)

iTunes / Spotify

SHOW NOTES

First of all Jimi would like to apologise for the audio difficulties with this episode! Just wanted to get into that 'under the River Styx' vibe...

If you’re interested in finding out more about Greek theatre then we are not the people to come to obviously. But here’s a fantastic BBC documentary about Ancient Greek comedy that will do much better.

Aeneid Saying that if you’re looking for a good translation of the Aeneid (for some reason) Jimi can’t recommend the Robert Fitzgerald one enough.

It’s worth listening to the Library of Congress recording to hear some of the songs that didn’t make it into the 2004 production - also because that way you get to sample Evening Primrose too…

Here’s a really cool interview from some creatives who have worked with or just love The Frogs for Sondheim’s 90th birthday celebrations last year.

Jimi’s journey into intertextuality has obviously only just begun but this is a good place to start if you want to join him!

Tommy can’t recommend ‘The Ground on Which I Stand’ enough. Go read. Now.

BIG NEWS! We will be celebrating our 100th episode by recording a LIVE Happy Hour with you! Come and join the party online on the 24th April at 2pm PST/5pm EST/10pm GMT etc.! We've got some big announcements and big giveaways so tweet us your questions and favourite moments using #100HappyHours to be in with a chance of winning!

Remember you can come chat to us about the episode on Twitter and Instagram @jimandtomic! Or if you wanna pop OFF then jump into our email inbox at [email protected]! Or come join us on the discord!

A (Weird) Romantic Quatement

Looking for love? Have we got the show for you. We’re developing a dating app named after our next show. It pares you with another performer who has played the exact same character in this show. Just here these rave reviews from our two happy couples…

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There is a terrifying craze creeping up on your children, no - it’s not pool, it’s ‘Reefer Madness!’ Whether you’re a fan of the green stuff or not, this musical is an incredible send-up of B-Movies and American politics and has some stonking star turns in its movie adaptation. We talk all about Kristen Bell’s dancing chops, whether this show should be performed in high schools and give some home truths about the world of weed.

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Reefer Madness (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack & Original Los Angeles Cast Recording)

iTunes / Spotify

SHOW NOTES

We can’t recommend the film adaptation of Reefer Madness enough! If you haven’t seen it - get that sorted!

If you’re a real fan then you should probably check out the source material for the musical. Jimi recommends the colorized version for some extra spice.

Father Ted was very much a revolutionary comedy show in the UK. They have incredible commentary on how protest culture can create its own furore with The Passion of St. Tibulus

What’s harder, trading a blue chicken for a Biggoron Sword? Or a paperclip for a house? This guy tells one side of the argument here.

If you’re interested in seeing Kristen Bell’s dancing chops check out this clip from the movie featuring Neve Campbell of all people!

Also if you want to see a wonderful side of Kristen Bell check out her Hot Ones interview (then fall into the YouTube hole of Hot Ones videos)

Ana Gesteyer truly has some pipes. Here’s her singing her rendition of ‘One Mint Julep.’

Jimi made too many references in this episode. Here is episode one of The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo.

Remember you can come chat to us about the episode on Twitter and Instagram @jimandtomic! Or if you wanna pop OFF then jump into our email inbox at [email protected]! Or come join us on the discord!

A Meryl-ly Quiz Question

As far as we can tell, Meryl Streep’s turn as the Witch in the movie version of Sondheim’s Into The Woods was her second role in one of Steve’s shows. What was the first?

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How DID they build Titanic? Maury Yeston and Peter Stone’s 1998 Tony Award winning musical showcases a deeply emotional story with a sensational score. In this episode we discuss why the Titanic tragedy is SUCH a sensation, how they pull off sailing and sinking a ship in various productions of the musical and work out which monumental historic events we could see on a Broadway stage in the future.

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Titanic: A New Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

iTunes / Spotify

SHOW NOTES

If you’re interested in hearing more about the behind-the-scenes of this show then check out Yeston and Stone’s companion book!

The amount of study that has been done into the Titanic and the lives of the people who survived and perished aboard is as immense as the ship herself.

If you’re interested in seeing some footage from the original production - including those straight lines - check out the press reel!

Here’s an incredible video of the opening featuring some of the original cast members, backed by a full symphony orchestra and 250-person choir - as it should be!

If you’re interested in finding out a bit more about the history of the Titanic, check out this fab Scottish history podcast - A Wee Bit Gothic!

Remember you can come chat to us about the episode on Twitter and Instagram @jimandtomic! Or if you wanna pop OFF then jump into our email inbox at [email protected]! Or come join us on the discord!

A Directorial Quiz Question

The original theatrical director of this stage musical would go on to direct not only it’s movie adaptation, but also such great hits as Paul Blart Mall Cop 2. What show?

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