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Matt Reviews: The Queen of Versailles (both of ‘em), Ragtime & A Conversation with Teale Dvornik
Manage episode 522594889 series 1525928
Episode Summary
Matt dives into two major musical events: Broadway’s divisive, new bio-musical The Queen of Versailles and its two different leading ladies, as well as the long-awaited revival of Ragtime. He breaks down the productions’ strengths, stumbles, creative choices, and star performances before welcoming Broadway content creator and author Teale Dvornik for a candid conversation about audience culture, the changing ecosystem around modern theater and her new book History Hiding Around Broadway.
Timestamps
00:00 – Opening & Episode Setup Matt tees up the week’s reviews and previews what’s ahead.
02:10 – The Queen of Versailles A breakdown of the musical’s glossy aesthetic, technical elements, score, staging, and script; Matt’s take on Kristin Chenoweth’s performance; questions about tone, satire, and emotional center; comparisons to other wealth-focused musicals.
23:00 – Ragtime Initial expectations vs. what the production delivers; performances, orchestrations, pacing, and the challenge of modernizing a massive period musical; where this revival succeeds, where it pulls back, and how it reframes the material for 2025 audiences.
45:00 – Interview: Teale Dvornik A thoughtful, candid conversation about Broadway marketing, social-media influence, community behavior, and how digital audiences impact ticket sales, show reputation, and performer well-being. Teale offers insight from inside the industry — and clears up several misconceptions about influencers, access, and online discourse.
Key People Mentioned
The Queen of Versailles
* Kristin Chenoweth, Sherie Rene Scott, Stephen Schwartz, Lindsey Ferrentino, Michael Arden
Ragtime
* Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Terrence McNally, E.L. Doctorow
Interview
* Teale Dvornik
Resources & Links
Broadway Breakdown: Discord
Broadway Breakdown: Substack
Buy History Hiding Around Broadway
Listener Discussion Questions
* What do you think would make The Queen of Versailles work? And could time be kinder to it down the line?
* How should a modern revival approach a large, politically charged musical like Ragtime?
* Has an individual performance changed your opinion on a show?
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com
310 episodes
Manage episode 522594889 series 1525928
Episode Summary
Matt dives into two major musical events: Broadway’s divisive, new bio-musical The Queen of Versailles and its two different leading ladies, as well as the long-awaited revival of Ragtime. He breaks down the productions’ strengths, stumbles, creative choices, and star performances before welcoming Broadway content creator and author Teale Dvornik for a candid conversation about audience culture, the changing ecosystem around modern theater and her new book History Hiding Around Broadway.
Timestamps
00:00 – Opening & Episode Setup Matt tees up the week’s reviews and previews what’s ahead.
02:10 – The Queen of Versailles A breakdown of the musical’s glossy aesthetic, technical elements, score, staging, and script; Matt’s take on Kristin Chenoweth’s performance; questions about tone, satire, and emotional center; comparisons to other wealth-focused musicals.
23:00 – Ragtime Initial expectations vs. what the production delivers; performances, orchestrations, pacing, and the challenge of modernizing a massive period musical; where this revival succeeds, where it pulls back, and how it reframes the material for 2025 audiences.
45:00 – Interview: Teale Dvornik A thoughtful, candid conversation about Broadway marketing, social-media influence, community behavior, and how digital audiences impact ticket sales, show reputation, and performer well-being. Teale offers insight from inside the industry — and clears up several misconceptions about influencers, access, and online discourse.
Key People Mentioned
The Queen of Versailles
* Kristin Chenoweth, Sherie Rene Scott, Stephen Schwartz, Lindsey Ferrentino, Michael Arden
Ragtime
* Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Terrence McNally, E.L. Doctorow
Interview
* Teale Dvornik
Resources & Links
Broadway Breakdown: Discord
Broadway Breakdown: Substack
Buy History Hiding Around Broadway
Listener Discussion Questions
* What do you think would make The Queen of Versailles work? And could time be kinder to it down the line?
* How should a modern revival approach a large, politically charged musical like Ragtime?
* Has an individual performance changed your opinion on a show?
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com
310 episodes
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