Liberation (w/ Amanda Wheeler)

Schmigadoon! (w/ Brian Crowley)

Schmigadoon! began as the Emmy-winning musical comedy series created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio for Apple TV+, lovingly parodying and celebrating the Golden Age musicals that shaped Broadway. The story follows a modern couple who stumble into a magical town where life unfolds like a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, complete with elaborate production numbers, larger-than-life characters, and a lesson or two about love along the way. After earning a devoted fanbase on television, the property made the leap to the stage with a new adaptation that embraces the joy, spectacle, and sincerity of the musicals that inspired it while carving out its own identity as a contemporary Broadway crowd-pleaser. Host Andrew Cole is joined by guest host Brian Crowley to unpack the production's Broadway debut and why it feels destined to become a future regional and community theater favorite. Directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, the production features a score and book by Cinco Paul and stars Alex Brightman, Sarah Chase, Ana Gasteyer, McKenzie Kurtz, Max Clayton, and a talented cast of Broadway veterans. Together, Andrew and Brian discuss the production's dazzling design work, its affectionate references to musical theater history, standout performances across the cast, and why Schmigadoon! succeeds as both a loving satire and a genuinely heartfelt celebration of Broadway itself. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction / Welcome Brian Crowley 11:29 Setting the Stage 12:41 Hot Takes 35:24 Big Feels 45:28 Should You See It? 50:07 Outro ***** ABOUT THE SHOW Get Tickets to Schmigadoon!: https://schmigadoonbroadway.com/tickets/ [https://schmigadoonbroadway.com/tickets/] ***** GUEST HOST LOVE Watch Brian Whistle: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhistletone [https://www.youtube.com/@thewhistletone] Connect w/ Brian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhistletone [https://www.instagram.com/thewhistletone] Follow Brian on TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/thewhistletone [https://www.instagram.com/thewhistletone] ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify] YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube] Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple] Instagram - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram] Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon] TikTok - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok]

Art / Punch / All Out (w/ Sean Reilly & Brent McCreary)

In this special rapid-fire grab bag episode, Critical Darling tackles three productions that have slipped through the cracks so far during the season: Yasmina Reza's Tony Award-winning comedy Art, the Manhattan Theatre Club drama Punch, and Simon Rich's comedy event All Out: Comedy About Ambition. Rather than the show's usual deep-dive format, Andrew offers quick-hit reviews and reflections on each production on the quest to complete his mission of covering every major Broadway play and musical from the season. Along the way, Andrew is joined by two returning fan-favorite guest hosts. Sean Reilly returns to unpack Punch, the true-story drama about restorative justice, accountability, and forgiveness, while Brent McCreary joins the conversation on All Out, Simon Rich's star-studded evening of comedy featuring music from Lawrence. Together, they discuss everything from celebrity-driven revivals and Broadway economics to the power of redemption stories and New York City's enduring hold on the people who love it. It's a fast-moving collection of hot takes, big feels, and final verdicts on three productions that helped define Broadway's 2025–26 season. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction 1:49 Setting the Stage - Art 3:08 Hot Takes - Art 8:35 Big Feels - Art 14:10 Should You See It? - Art 16:36 Setting the Stage - Punch 17:49 Hot Takes - Punch 24:01 Big Feels - Punch 27:28 Should You See It? - Punch 32:01 Setting the Stage - All Out 33:31 Hot Takes - All Out 47:03 Big Feels - All Out 49:04 Should You See It? - All Out 51:00 Outro ***** ABOUT THE SHOWS More on Art: https://artonbroadway.com/ [https://artonbroadway.com/] More on Punch: https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/shows/2025-26-season/punch/ [https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/shows/2025-26-season/punch/] More on All Out: https://alloutbroadway.com/ [https://alloutbroadway.com/] ***** GUEST HOST LOVE Watch SNL Skit Woodbridge High School Drama Club Sketch: youtube.com/watch?v=323v_FtWqvo&themeRefresh=1 [http://youtube.com/watch?v=323v_FtWqvo&themeRefresh=1] Follow Sean on IG: https://www.instagram.com/stufffromsean/ [https://www.instagram.com/stufffromsean/] Check out Sean's Scholarship Initiative: https://afs.org/global-stem/ [https://afs.org/global-stem/] Follow Brent: https://www.instagram.com/crazyforconcerts/ [https://www.instagram.com/crazyforconcerts/] ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify] YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube] Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple] Instagram - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram] Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon] TikTok - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok]

Fallen Angels (w/ Eric Emch)

Fallen Angels (w/ Eric Emch) Fallen Angels is one of Noël Coward's sharpest early comedies, a 1925 comedy of manners that follows two married women whose lives spiral into chaos after learning that a former French lover they once shared is returning to London. Set among the British upper class between the wars, the play balances sparkling wit, physical comedy, and surprisingly modern observations about friendship, marriage, and female agency. Now revived on Broadway by Roundabout Theatre Company at the Todd Haimes Theatre, the production embraces both the elegance and absurdity of Coward's writing, transforming the century-old text into a fast-paced theatrical cocktail filled with champagne, chaos, and razor-sharp one-liners. Host Andrew Cole is joined by creative director Eric Emch to unpack the revival's standout performances, design work, and the emotional undercurrents beneath all the comedy. Directed by Scott Ellis, the production stars Kelli O'Hara and Rose Byrne as the gloriously unraveling Julia and Jane, alongside Tracy Chimo, Asif Mandvi, Christopher Fitzgerald, and Mark Consuelos. Together, Andrew and Eric discuss Coward's enduring fascination with glamorous, complicated women, why the production feels surprisingly modern despite being written 100 years ago, and if this revival succeeds via pure theatrical escapism. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro / Welcome Eric Emch 10:35 Setting the Stage 11:50 Hot Takes 28:31 Big Feels 37:34 Should You See It? 42:24 Outro ***** ABOUT THE SHOW See Fallen Angels on Broadway: https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/get-tickets/2025-2026-season/fallen-angels [https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/get-tickets/2025-2026-season/fallen-angels] Watch Kelli O'Hara's "My Life in the Theatre" Video: https://playbill.com/article/my-life-in-the-theatre-kelli-ohara [https://playbill.com/article/my-life-in-the-theatre-kelli-ohara] ***** GUEST HOST LOVE Learn More About Eric: https://ericemch.com/ [https://ericemch.com/] ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify] YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube] Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple] Instagram - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram] Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon] TikTok - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok]

Joe Turner's Come and Gone (w/ Brett Radek)

Joe Turner's Come and Gone is one of August Wilson's most celebrated plays and part of his 10-play American Century Cycle chronicling Black life across the 20th century. First premiering at Yale Repertory Theatre before transferring to Broadway in 1988, the play is set in a Pittsburgh boarding house in 1911 during the Great Migration and follows a community of Black travelers, workers, and dreamers searching for identity, connection, and belonging in the shadow of slavery's aftermath. Widely regarded as one of Wilson's most spiritually rich works, Joe Turner's Come and Gone blends realism, folklore, music, and memory into a meditation on displacement, healing, and the lifelong search for one's "song." Host Andrew Cole is joined by actor, director, and producer Brett Radek to unpack the current Broadway revival directed by Debbie Allen. The production stars Taraji P. Henson as Bertha Holly, Cedric the Entertainer as Seth Holly, Joshua Boone as Harold Loomis, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Bynum Walker. Together, Andrew and Brett discuss the production's emotional power, the muscular beauty of Wilson's writing, the show's exploration of trauma and self-discovery, and why this revival feels both deeply historical and urgently contemporary. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro / Welcome Brett Radek 12:33 Setting the Stage 14:53 Hot Takes 40:30 Big Feels 48:02 Should You See It? 51:26 Outro ***** ABOUT THE SHOW See Joe Turner on Broadway: https://joeturnerbway.com/ [https://joeturnerbway.com/] ***** GUEST HOST LOVE Follow Brett on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brettradek/ [https://www.instagram.com/brettradek/] Follow Out/Play NYC on IG: https://www.instagram.com/outplaynyc [https://www.instagram.com/outplaynyc] Support Out/Play NYC: https://linktr.ee/outplaynyc [https://linktr.ee/outplaynyc] ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify] YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube] Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple] Instagram - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram] Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon] TikTok - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok]

Beaches (w/ Chris Crowthers)

Beaches is the new Broadway musical adaptation of Iris Rainer Dart's bestselling 1985 novel, which also inspired the beloved 1988 film starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. Tracing the decades-long friendship between aspiring performer C.C. Bloom and the more reserved Bertie White, the story follows the pair from childhood through love, ambition, heartbreak, and the many seasons of life that shape their bond. After previous stage incarnations in Arlington, Chicago, and Calgary, Beaches arrived on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre with a new creative team and a fresh musical adaptation centered more closely on Dart's original novel. Host Andrew Cole is joined by actor, fitness coach, and entrepreneur Chris Crowthers to unpack the production's Broadway debut and the emotional themes at the heart of the story. Directed by Lonny Price and Matt Cowart, the production stars Jessica Vosk as C.C. Bloom and Kelli Barrett as Bertie White. Together, Andrew and Chris discuss Vosk's star-making performance, the show's visual design, the challenges of adapting such an iconic film for the stage, and this moving meditation on friendship, chosen family, and the rare people who stay beside you through every chapter of life. ***** CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro / Welcome Chris Crowthers 8:09 Setting the Stage 9:39 Hot Takes 28:26 Big Feels 44:45 Should You See It? 51:34 Outro ***** ABOUT THE SHOW Visit the Website: https://beachesthemusical.com/ [https://beachesthemusical.com/] ***** GUEST HOST LOVE Follow Chris on IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrcrowthers/ [https://www.instagram.com/mrcrowthers/] Follow Project Weekend on IG: https://www.instagram.com/projectweekendny/ [https://www.instagram.com/projectweekendny/] Shop at Project Weekend: https://www.projectweekendny.com/ [https://www.projectweekendny.com/] ***** SUPPORT CRITICAL DARLING Spotify - Follow, Listen & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-spotify] YouTube - Subscribe & Watch https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-youtube] Apple Podcasts - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-apple] Instagram - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-instagram] Amazon Music - Follow & Listen https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-amazon] TikTok - Follow & Connect https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok [https://tinyurl.com/critical-darling-tiktok]