Half Hour with Jeff & Richie (Post-Show Broadway Discussions and Interviews)
"Half Hour with Jeff & Richie" is the ultimate podcast for Broadway fans. With Jeff Malone & Richie Grasso as your lively hosts, prepare for a thrilling and intellectually engaging exploration of Broadway. This show is all about exclusive interviews with talent and creatives from the industry, captivating analysis of the plays and musicals we see, and a celebration of the artistry, dreams, and legends that define Broadway. Whether you're a seasoned theatre enthusiast, an aspiring artist, or simply someone who appreciates the power of storytelling, "Half Hour with Jeff & Richie" is your go-to companion. Join us on this exhilarating journey as we uncover the mesmerizing world of Broadway and delve into its rich themes that lie beyond the curtain.
Episodes
January 1, 2026 • 33 mins
In this episode of “Half Hour”, we look back at the 2025 Broadway and Off-Broadway year, from new works like John Proctor Is the Villain and Buena Vista Social Club to other standout plays and musicals that stayed with us. We revisit memorable actor performances, reflect on the most talked-about Tony Awards moments, and share how listener support helped the show double its audience from 2024 to 2025.
The conversation then turns to...
Mark as Played
December 26, 2025 • 37 mins
In this episode of Half Hour, we unpack Masquerade, the immersive revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera now running in New York City. We break down the concept of the experience, how the story is structured and guided through multiple spaces, and the way the production uses intimacy to bring audiences inside the Paris Opera House.
We discuss the interaction between cast and audience, from guided movement throug...
Mark as Played
December 22, 2025 • 32 mins
In this episode of “Half Hour”, we take a deeper dive into the 2025 Off-Broadway revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at New World Stages, directed by Danny Mefford. We unpack the show’s evolution from its original improv-driven concept into a more traditional musical, and how that history informs the current production.
We break down the staging and scenic design, the interactive spelling bee format, and the ense...
Mark as Played
December 15, 2025 • 31 mins
In this episode of “Half Hour”, we take a deeper dive into the 2025 Off-Broadway production of A Christmas Carol at Perelman Performing Arts Center, adapted by Jack Thorne and staged by Matthew Warchus and Thomas Caruso. Drawing on our experience with the 2019 Broadway run, we break down how the story, structure, and use of traditional Christmas carols land in this new in-the-round configuration.
We examine the production’s immers...
Mark as Played
December 11, 2025 • 31 mins
In this episode of Half Hour, we take a deeper dive into the 2025 Broadway production of Oedipus at Studio 54, directed by Robert Icke and starring Mark Strong and Lesley Manville. We break down the plot and concept, looking at how the production reframes Sophocles’ tragedy as an election-night political drama and what that does to the story’s sense of inevitability and fate.
The conversation covers the direction and translation, ...
Mark as Played
December 8, 2025 • 31 mins
In this episode of Half Hour, we take a closer look at Messy White Gays, the new Off-Broadway play by Drew Droege, directed by Mike Donahue, and set in a Hell’s Kitchen apartment on a disastrous Sunday morning. We unpack the plot and concept, from the premise of Brecken and Caden hiding their throuple mate’s body in a credenza to the show’s use of satire, farce, and niche queer comedy. We also discuss direction, design, costumes, a...
Mark as Played
December 4, 2025 • 31 mins
In this episode of “Half Hour”, we take a deeper dive into the Broadway musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), now playing at the Longacre Theatre. We unpack the show’s rom-com structure, how the title frames the central journey across New York, and where the book and concept land for us. We also examine the contemporary score by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, the production’s direction by Tim Jackson, and the scenic and ...
Mark as Played
December 1, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode of "Half Hour", we break down Wicked: For Good, from the expanded plot and character arcs to the performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande under Jon M. Chu’s direction, and how part two of the film plays against the first installment and audience expectations. We also react to the closing announcement for The Queen of Versailles at the St. James Theatre, examining what may have gone wrong commercially and crit...
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In this episode of “Half Hour,” we take a sharper look at the new Broadway musical The Queen of Versailles at the St. James Theatre, tracing Jackie and David Siegel’s rise, their unfinished Orlando mega-mansion, and the show’s transformation of Lauren Greenfield’s documentary into a full-scale musical. We dig into Stephen Schwartz’s score, Lindsey Ferrentino’s book, and Michael Arden’s staging, asking how the music, design, and per...
Mark as Played
November 24, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode of “Half Hour”, we take a closer look at Meet the Cartozians, Talene Monahon’s new play at Second Stage Theater’s Irene Diamond Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center. We trace the dual timelines, from an Armenian American family fighting for legal recognition in the 1920s to a present‑day descendant navigating reality‑TV fame and social media, and how the play uses that structure to ask who gets to belong in...
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November 20, 2025 • 35 mins
In this episode of Half Hour, Jeff and Richie take a close look at the 2025 Broadway revival of Ragtime at Lincoln Center Theater’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, with Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz, and Colin Donnell leading the cast. They compare Lear deBessonet’s Broadway staging to the earlier New York City Center presentation, weighing the strength of the performances, the impact of a more pared-back production, and h...
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November 17, 2025 • 26 mins
In this episode of “Half Hour”, the conversation covers dynamic ways to promote school theater, including Brewster High School’s viral TikTok show announcements and the power of student participation. We discuss the early closing of Rob Lake’s Magic with special guests The Muppet, Caissie Levy’s exit from The Lost Boys, and the latest Broadway grosses for the week ending November 9th.
Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourP...
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November 13, 2025 • 32 mins
In this episode of “Half Hour”, we cover Liberation at the James Earl Jones Theatre. Bess Wohl’s new play captures complex power dynamics and contemporary questions about equality, anchored by an ensemble cast and Whitney White’s direction. We dig into the production’s treatment of solidarity, feminism, and generational change, examining how moments of vulnerability emerge as agents for progress.
Follow and connect with all thing...
Mark as Played
November 10, 2025 • 30 mins
In this episode of “Half Hour”, we break down the 2025 City Center Encores revival of Bat Boy: The Musical. The discussion covers creative staging, the cast's performances, standout performances by Kerry Butler and Taylor Trensch, and musical updates that define the production. We reflect on Bat Boy’s continued relevance, its humor, and how the show balances transformation, talent, and energy.
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November 6, 2025 • 29 mins
In this episode of Half Hour with Jeff & Richie, we share our post-show thoughts on Romy & Michele: The Musical at Stage 42. Laura Bell Bundy and Kara Lindsay lead the cast and bring strong comedic timing, but as we discuss, the show’s energy is often driven more by nostalgia and visual flair than by its score. There’s no shortage of inventive staging or vibrant costumes. Yet, industry reviews and our own experience highlight the a...
Mark as Played
November 4, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode of “Half Hour”, we review the 2025 Broadway revival of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot at the Hudson Theatre. The production features Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, with direction by Jamie Lloyd. We discuss our initial impressions, the impact of casting choices, and the audience’s response. Topics include stunt casting, design details, the play’s themes of waiting and existentialism, and the importance of bringing...
Mark as Played
October 27, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode of Half Hour with Jeff & Richie, we explore Little Bear Ridge Road, the new Broadway play by Samuel D. Hunter at the Booth Theatre. Featuring Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock, directed by Joe Mantello, the story follows an aunt and nephew as they navigate family ties, the influence of media, and what it means to be stuck in life. We examine key design choices, notable performances, audience reception, and discuss the ...
Mark as Played
October 24, 2025 • 29 mins
In this episode of Half Hour, we discuss the 2025 Broadway revival of Art at the Music Box Theatre. Starring Bobby Cannavale, Neil Patrick Harris, and James Corden. Yasmina Reza’s Tony-winning play returns with sharp performances and striking design. We explore the tension between friendship and perception at the heart of the story, and how this new production connects with audiences today.
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Mark as Played
October 22, 2025 • 27 mins
In this Theatre Chat episode of Half Hour with Jeff & Richie, we discuss Broadway’s upcoming revival of Cats: The Jellicle Ball, the stage adaptation of Schmigadoon, and our review of the new movie musical Kiss of the Spider Woman. We also track current Broadway grosses and examine how star casting continues to drive box office trends.
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October 16, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode of Half Hour with Jeff & Richie, we review the Broadway production Punch, written by James Graham and currently at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Based on a true story, the play centers on themes of restorative justice and emotional accountability. We break down the direction, design, and Will Harrison’s performance as Jacob, highlighting key elements that may position the production for Tony A...
Mark as Played
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