I Need You To Like Musicals

Grease & Pippin: Groove vs. Meaning

"Alright, I know this is a musical comedy, but I want my life to mean something."
A prince from the early Middle Ages and an Australian transfer student from the 50s conspire to teach 1970s America some highly uncomfortable lessons about what it means to compromise.  

Cats & Les Miserables: There’s a Pain Goes On and On

Jellicle songs for jellicle pods jellicle songs for jellicle pods jellicle songs for jellicle pods jellicle songs for jellicle pods. Les Miz, at last, we see each other plain. 

Evita & Miss Saigon: Histrionic Histories

Pull up your high-waisted jeans, it's time to cruise from 1978 to 1989 to visit the realm of helicopters and descamisados, an exhausting era defined by belting and bass guitars during which musical theatre asked itself, "what exactly has been going on lately in those funny little countries to the south and east of us?"

My Fair Lady & Carousel: Let the Hellcat Freeze!

Women take some literal and figurative hits in these hit musicals from the so-called Golden Era and here is finally an opinionated cis man to explain it all to you. 

Jesus Christ Superstar & The Music Man: Messiah or Swindler?

Pray for my soul as I take the first big step on the road to the depths of deg-ra-day. Just don't say I'm damned for all time, baby, this episode is TROUBLE with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pod. 

Rent & Hair: Hating Dear Old Mom and Dad

Facing eviction and the aging of Aquarius. 

American Idiot & The Who’s Tommy: Karaoke Hell

Let's explore rock operas and jukebox musicals by way of a weird trippy 70s movie musical and what may very well be the worst documentary ever.

Ragtime & Parade: A Tale of Two Picnics

The Martyr of Marietta squares off against the Silhouette Sellout. Place your bets!

Matilda and Oliver: Child Abuse in Jazz Shoes (Season Premiere)

Do not adjust your smartphone! It's still me, the Sondheim on Adderall guy. I just ran out of Sondheim shows to talk about so I'm pivoting to a new title/concept. 
Welcome to I Need You to Like Musicals. I look forward to taking this journey with you. Please disregard everything I say that you find repellent. 

Bonus - Sondheim in Los Angeles: Review Roundup!

Buckle up, as Mer-L.A. we roll along down Sondset Boulevard and into the George-ous downtown area! We're going to cruise from the Pasadena Playhouse to the Ahmanson Theatre to the Hollywood Bowl, going bum bum bum, bobby baby bobby bubbi all the way. It's time to discuss the many, many Sondheim-related offerings that were available in the City of Angels in 2023! 
Here's the album I just released, in case you want to use it to invalidate any of my opinions you disagree with: https://open.spotify.com/album/1DzLW70QYFzNfuSUtC662R?si=VrO52OMjQO2Bt51TsS50jQ
And here's the goddamn Sondheim on Adderall playlist one more time: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1OgyPwCw0JSjfe4oXvIeHL?si=782314657a1f4491