I am a behind the scenes nerd. Remember when DVDs had the bonus of all the BTS stuff? I’d watch that first so I had an inside scoop before watching the movie. Alternately, I have always loved musicals, but there was never a bonus DVD offered for the theater. We’ll, now you have it in this podcast. I have been BINGING all these episodes and loving every moment of it! You. Will. Love. It! Come on by, because how the sausage gets made really is the best part! Thanks for all the research you do Jeff, and I’m on my way to listen to another episode!!

This is what Rupert Holmes told me about the voting for Datchery, Murderer and lovers back in 2008 Thank him for his interest. I think it's safe to say the majority of the time Datchery is Bazzard, maybe as much as 80%. It's built into the dynamic of the character and the show. The audience does this to give a starring moment to an actor who has mentioned in Act One that he never gets the spotlight. It has nothing to do with logic. It is easier to tell you who the least likely murderers are, and this generally depends on the performers. John Jasper is rarely voted because he's too obvious. Durdles is a candidate that some productions offer and he almost never gets it. Neville very rare. Puffer not often because the audience likes her too much. Bazzard almost never, but that's because he's usually Datchery. So the three top candidates are generally Crisparkle, Rosa and Helena. Which varies from production to production. Hip audiences tend to like Crisparkle, especially if he plays the role benign. They also like Rosa especially if she acts very goody-two-shoes and virtuous -- "what me?" Younger audiences go for Helena, because she seems a bit villainous in a good way. We can imagine her doing it. But a strong performer can override the dynamics of the play. It also, as you know, can depend on where the actors are standing in line when the voting takes place. People in the first slots tend to lose ... the last three positions are the "power positions." It is also where the suspect characters are positioned on the stage, The power positions are the first few Stage Right. The positions can also change from show to show. Lovers are invariably the silliest combinations. Never anything sensible. The audience wants to mismatch the couples as best they can. If the Puffer is a good performer and has not been voted Murderer, then it's very often her with either Durdles, Deputy, Bazzard or Crisparkle. You often get Helena Landless with the same gents, particularly Durdles ... but nowadays you often get the brother and sister, Helena and Neville. Rosa is often paired with Durdles, especially if he seems very lecherous. I never see Jasper and Rosa, Neville and Rosa ...

I love Jeff’s podcast. I started listening to it about a year ago. Now I’m going back to enjoy earlier episodes I’ve missed. I just finished the A Little Night Music episode with guest Tom Zohar. They both made me laugh out loud in real life! A perfect duet! Jeff, keep up the excellent work—I always look forward to hearing you laugh and engage with your guests.

Jeff is the kindest, loveliest person. Listening to these conversations feels like a cozy chat with an old friend.

This podcast is such a wonderful love letter to musical theater. Jeff covers the greats and the lesser known shows one after another with such joy. He approaches each one like a true fan and manages to dig out previously unknown wonderful nuggets of information, plus stories from behind the scenes that will delight everyone. Not all listeners know what a show stopping ‘triple threat’ performer Jeff is (well, I do!) besides being such a fantastic podcaster. He’s a true gift to musical theater on every levels. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m not big into podcasts but this one has me hooked! I’ve listened to every episode and anxiously wait for each new one. The episodes are thorough and well thought out and he gets wonderful guests. If you’re at all interested in musical theatre, you have to give this one a try!!

I’ve just been introduced to this podcast, and I’ve already listen to four. Without naming names, it is so much better than the other Broadway cast podcast.I had been listening to. Unlike that one, it does not deal with gossip, put downs, and the hosts are just plain fun!!! I can’t wait to hear more.

Lovely, lively and informative chats populate this series. This isn’t a nuts-and-bolts making-of series, but rather a discussion of why these shows have an impact, both now and when originally produced. You do get a general walk through the storytelling but always through the prism of why it is significant. Well done!

I love this podcast!!! Especially since it covers all my favorite shows. I always have to go back and listen to the cast recordings or deep dive into YouTube after every episode. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the new year!!!

This is my favourite musical theatre podcast. Jeff brings on guests from Broadway and the West End every episode, and it's introduced me to shows new and old that either I didn't know before or I came to know better. If you are a fan of the stage, you need to be subscribed to this show!

A friend recommended this podcast to me a few months ago, and I’ve basically been listening non-stop since! Jeff is such a great host and getting to take a peek into the world of each show with a special guest who has a connection to each show is such a fun and engaging format. As a Musical lover and performer, listening to this show helps me feel connected in a deeper way to my people and my passion for this art form, no matter where I am.

I don’t remember the last time I binged a podcast but I truly cannot get enough of this charming, funny, intelligent content shared in this show. The host and guests do a wonderful job of blending personal experiences with personal anecdotes, making this show something all musical theatre fans will treasure.

This podcast has such thoughtful insights, is so well researched, hosts great guests, and is my favorite way to learn about new shows or celebrate shows I’ve loved for years. I’m also happy to share I’ve gained new appreciation for shows I once judged from this pod, Thank you!

I’m sad! I have been binging this podcast for the last 2 months as I have commuted to and from rehearsals and shows and I still have one weekend left but am all caught up on the episodes. The insights, commentary, and personal connection (often sweet and touching) that Jeff brings to this show is unparalleled. Unlike just about any other Broadway related podcast Jeff discusses how this art form affects and changes us personally and as a society (can’t wait for the She Loves Me episode-one of my top three favs, just listen to it, you’ll get it). It is so much more than discussing the crazy histories and stories surrounding some of the greatest musicals and artists of all time, and new artists, or talking through a synopsis of an off-hand forgotten “flop”, he breathes life and engagement into the connection of theater to our shared human experience. And the guests! The guests. Some of our great local southern CA performers to former and current Broadway actors, directors, stage managers, composers, and even Tony, Emmy, and/or Oscar winners. If you are new to musical theater or have performed or taught musical theater for many—many years, and only have time for one podcast, this is the podcast tor you!

Jeff is so personable, and I love the way anecdotes and history are mixed in with a rundown of the story and songs. Most of the guests have been involved with a professional production of each show in one way or another, which totally adds to the fun. The only thing missing is enough money to buy the rights to listen to some of the songs! Guess we’ll just have to support the artists by seeing the shows and buying the recordings ourselves. Not a problem!

Trolling through Itunes for a good podcast often leads to a dead end. But sometimes one will find a diamond hiding in plain sight, which is what I found when I stumbled across A Musical Theatre Podcast. That the podcast logo is based on a classic not-so-well-known show helped me both see that I found a podcast about musicals, but also one where the host was savvy enough to know Miss Marmelstein. The host Jeffery is smart, kind, and knows a lot about the genre. He's young too, and when he's paired with a guest like Tom Zohar (the A Little Night Music episode was hilarious!), or Cindy and Christine (My Fair Lady episode- great takes on the mysogeny that exists in musicals from the golden age), the podcast really flies with emotion, honesty, and humor. I listen to other musical theatre podcasts, but this one is the one I enjoy most. BRAVO Jeffery Scott Parsons! You are a fresh voice in the sometimes stodgy world of music podcasts. 5 Stars!

I’m a big musical theatre fan and Jeff does such an incredible job giving his audience behind the scenes, scholarly, interesting, important, funny, insights into these shows. He is a giving and generous interviewer and knows how to get the best out of his guests. If you are a fan of musical theatre this podcast will feed your hunger for it. If anyone is not a fan of musical theatre, this podcast is an incredible lesson in historic works of art. For any student of theatre, this should be added to your methods when researching a particular show. I’m a big fan of this podcast! Well done!

This is the podcast about musicals you’ve been looking for. The guests are insightful, the conversation glitters. Every episode is a treasure.

Listening to the Podcast always brings me joy. I especially like listening to it while I am driving in L.A. traffic because it makes the time fly.

As a non church goer this podcast is my Sunday church service TBH. Jeff does a wonderful job discussing the cultural impacts of musical theatre while also dissecting the plot, score, and process of a weekly selected musical with a selected guest. This podcast is a college level class. Bravo!

I’ve been listening to Musicals Taught Me Everything I Know (also another amazing musical themed podcast) before starting our podcast Talking Musical History. I just listened to the Rent episode before we record our episode, for research. It’s a wonderful discussion of fan favorites of the stage and screen. This is made musical theatre nerds and for musical theatre nerds, as well as those finding out all about different shows. Definitely a must listen to all that are looking for an in depth analysis and discussion of various musicals that have come into our world.

As a newcomer to musical theatre, this is a great way to learn about the art form. I’m sure many of the references go over my head, but the host makes it enjoyable to listen to anyways.

Such an entertaining and educational podcast! I love the different guests each week. Everyone brings their own knowledge and love for the art form. Definitely a great listen!

Act I of MERRILY does NOT end with Not A Day Goes By, in fact in ends with Now You Know which is a much better ending and negates a lot of the commentary you make in the podcast about how tough the end of Act I is. In fact, by ending with Now You Know, it reinforces the friendship among Mary, Charlie and Frank. Isn’t that what friends are for - to help you thru the hardest times in life (like divorce). I enjoy this podcast, but I’d really like accuracy whenever possible.

My favorite listening! The best Musical Theatre related podcast out there! Jeff is smart and informative and most importantly FUN! Love it!!

Okay, listen. I LOVE THIS PODCAST. When I first started listening, I binged over a dozen episodes in a week and now I avidly listen to each new episode almost immediately upon its release. I can’t get enough. Jeff, the host, is personable, knowledgeable, hilarious and his genuine love for the world of musical theatre is infectious. I have discovered multiple incredible shows that I had never even heard of through this podcast and the discussion on the deeper meanings behind some of these musicals feels like therapy - so many warm fuzzies and 🤯 moments. WHAT MORE CAN I SAY, PEOPLE. Just listen to it.

This is the best musical podcast out there. Engaging, funny, and sweet. Well done

Don’t be a fool: Listen to this MT podcast! XOXO

Just discovered this pod & I fell in love right away. From the guests to the topics to the theatre history, this podcast is an absolute joy.

Who can't resist Jeffrey Scott Parsons and his insight to Musical Theatre! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can NOT wait to hear and listen and SAVOR every morsel!

This is an “Of course, Jeff should be doing this!” I can’t wait to listen while I’m driving or pretending I’m going to bed, at night.

I just need this to be a daily show. Too much?

Jeffrey Scott Parsons and A Musical Theatre Podcast are EVERYTHING.

Can’t think of anyone who knows more about Musical Theatre than Jeffrey Scott Parsons!! Love this ❤️

Can’t wait to hear more!