The High School Musical Podcast
A musical theatre podcast focusing on dramaturgy for high school musical productions. Hosted by Frederick D. Miller, it offers drive-by analysis and insights on the hottest musicals being performed by high school programs across the country. The show aims to provide a unique perspective from an MT dramaturg. Listeners can follow the host on Instagram for more dramaturgical content.
Episodes
Nice Work If You Can Get It
On the season 2 finale of The High School Musical Podcast, Frederick looks at the history of the 2012 musical comedy, Nice Work If You Can Get It. Featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin, set against a new script by Joe DiPietro, Nice Work If You Can Get It is actually an adaptation of a 1926 Gershwin musical comedy, Oh, Kay! The musical tells the story of playboy Jimmy Winter who finds him
Guys and Dolls
What do you get when you cross Christian missionaries, showgirls, and gamblers? Damon Runyon's Broadway, of course! In 1950, Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows' musical adaptation of Runyon's stories took Broadway by storm - and the dice haven't stopped spinning since!Join Frederick as he dives into the history of Guys and Dolls, including its tedious development and the legacy it has c
Godspell
Today, Frederick dives into the history of Godspell, the 1971 Off-Broadway musical that became a phenomenon. Telling various parables from the Gospel of Matthew, Godspell was the brainchild of theatre maker John-Michael Tebelak. Later, a young Stephen Schwartz provided a new score for its Off-Broadway debut. Over 50 years later, Godspell remains a powerful piece for theaters around the country - a
The Prom
On today's episode of The High School Musical Podcast, Frederick discusses one of the hottest shows playing on stages across the United States: The Prom (2016). Inspired by the true story of Constance McMillen, a high school student who was banned from attending her prom for wanting to bring her girlfriend, The Prom is an old fashioned musical comedy for the modern moment.To learn more about F
Mamma Mia!
School is back in session with season 2 of The High School Musical Podcast! On the season premiere, we're taking a quick trip to Greece with the 1999 global phenomenon Mamma Mia!Curious as to how Mamma Mia! is actually closer to the 1920s and 1930s musical comedies than any other era of the Broadway-style musical? Tune in to hear the unique story of how this ABBA jukebox musical charmed audiences
After the Bell #10: Allison Schmitt
On today's season 1 finale of After the Bell, Frederick is joined by New York-based actor and director, Allison Schmitt! Allison is also a - and you might be detecting a theme here - proud Penn State alum!
Tune in to hear all about Allison's journey, including how she met her husband in No Refund Theatre at Penn State, how her passion for theatre manifests itself in her current job, and what she l
The Addams Family
We’re wrapping up season one of The High School Musical Podcast with the musical, The Addams Family! This musical burst onto Broadway in 2010, musicalizing the creepy and kooky Addams family, pulling them straight from the beloved comic strip and putting them right onstage.
Today, The Addams Family is one of the most popular musicals for high schools to produce. It’s got all the makings of a gre
After the Bell #9: Melody Munitz
On this episode of After the Bell, Frederick is joined by New York born, raised, and based performer, writer, and director (and fellow Penn State alum), Melody Munitz! Melody's incredible resume includes leading the National Tour of American Girl Live, over 15 Off-Broadway shows, and most recently playing Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof with North Shore Music Theatre.
Tune into this episode to hear
Fiddler on the Roof
Today, we’re staying put as we take a look at another musical depicting 20th-century Imperial Russia: the 1964 musical, Fiddler on the Roof! This musical, written by Sheldon Harnick, Jerry Bock, and Joseph Stein, was adapted from Sholem Aleichem’s stories, Tevye and his Daughters. However, it wasn’t until director-choreographer Jerome Robbins joined the project that it found its footing.
We’ll dis
After the Bell #8: Eric Mansilla
On today's episode, Frederick is joined by Eric Mansilla, a Central PA-based theatre artist and educator. By day, Eric is the choir director and theatre arts teacher at East Pennsboro Area High School. By night, he is an active performer, director, music director, choreographer, and consultant at many area theatre companies.
Tune in to hear about Eric's journey, what he owes to the educators in hi
Anastasia
On today’s episode, we’re looking at another hit animated movie musical adapted for the Broadway stage with Anastasia. This 2017 stage musical, adapted from the 1997 animated film, explores the question of whether Anastasia Romanov truly survived the 1918 assassination of the Imperial Russian family.
We’ll chat all things Ahrens and Flaherty, as well as notable changes made from the 1997 film to
After the Bell #7: Dr. Amy S. Osatinski
This week on After the Bell, Frederick is joined by Dr. Amy S. Osatinski! Amy is currently an Associate Professor of Theatre History at the Oklahoma City University where she is the Head of the BA in Theatre Innovation & Entrepreneurship. From 2008 to 2013, Amy ran the nationally acclaimed drama program at Heritage High School in Littleton, Colorado. In addition to her work as a scholar and ed
Beauty and the Beast
On today’s episode, we’re discussing the arrival of the Mouse on Broadway in the early 1990s. That’s right—in 1994, the Walt Disney Company headed to Times Square, bringing their stage adaptation of Beauty and the Beast with them. Only, they didn’t get the warm welcome they were expecting.
Today, we’ll dive into the history of Disney on Broadway as we take a look at Howard Ashman and Alan Menken
After the Bell #6: Kaitlin Riley
On this week's episode of After the Bell, Kaitlin Riley joins Frederick to discuss the route she is carving for herself on her journey of being a musical theatre performer as well as sharing insights from her recent experience choreographing a production of Chicago: Teen Edition.
Tune in to hear Kaitlin's story, her history with Chicago, and what advice she has for our student listeners. Then, if
Chicago
Today, we’re leaving behind the Midwest and heading to the seedy streets of 1920s Chicago! This 1975 musical was a collaboration between writers John Kander and Fred Ebb, and famed director-choreographer Bob Fosse. Inspired by the real-life courtroom experiences of journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins, Chicago follows Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly as they fight for attorney Billy Flynn’s representation.
After the Bell #5: Marlie Dietz
On today's episode, Frederick is joined by fellow Cumberland Valley High School alum Marlie Dietz as the two discuss collaborating on CV's 2022 production of FOOTLOOSE. This fall, Marlie will begin her BFA in Musical Theatre at Ohio Northern University!
Tune in as Marlie shares insight into her unique audition process for CV's FOOTLOOSE, what musical theatre means to her, and what advi
Footloose
On today’s episode, we’re sticking with smalltown America as we head to Bomont for the 1998 stage adaptation of the beloved 1984 film, Footloose! This musical follows Ren McCormack and his attempts to overturn Bomont’s ban on public dancing. Along the way, he enlists the help of his classmates and falls in love with the daughter of the preacher responsible for the ban.
We’ll discuss the developm
After the Bell #4: Becki Toth
This week on After the Bell, Frederick is joined by Becki Toth, an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to being an educator, Becki is a professional singer, actor, and director in the Pittsburgh area!
Tune in as the pair discuss Becki's journey to becoming the multi-hyphenate artist she is today, Becki's dynamic relati
The Music Man
Today, we’re discussing Meredith Willson’s valentine to his hometown of Mason City, Iowa—The Music Man! Premiering on Broadway in 1957, The Music Man celebrates smalltown life and follows traveling salesman Harold Hill’s attempts to con the citizens of River City, Iowa.
This show is a staple of Broadway’s Golden Age and follows many of the conventions established by Rodgers and Hammerstein. On t
After the Bell #3: Dr. Bryan M. Vandevender
On today's episode of After the Bell, Frederick is joined by Dr. Bryan M. Vandevender, an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. Bryan is a theatre historian, director, and dramaturg, currently at work on a book project that addresses the American musical in revival.
Frederick and Bryan will discuss the musical of the week - Oklahoma
Oklahoma!
On today’s episode, we’re looking at one of the most influential shows of the modern American musical. When this show burst onto the scene in 1943, audiences weren’t quite sure what to make of it. It opened without a flashy dance number and without a star. All the audience saw was an old woman churning butter and a painted backdrop full of cornfields.
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s i
After the Bell #2: Richard Biever
Today on After the Bell, a bonus podcast series exclusively for our Spotify listeners, Frederick is joined by Richard Biever, the current Program Director of Musical Theatre at Nazareth University in Rochester, NY. Fun fact: Frederick served as Richard's teaching assistant at Penn State University for the popular Intro to Musical Theatre course!
Frederick and Richard will chat all things Into
Into the Woods
On today’s episode, we’re sticking with the fairy tale theme as we journey down the forest path with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical take on the Brothers Grimm stories. The musical—you guessed it—is Into the Woods. This musical has it all, murderous giants, hungry wolves, generational curses—and that’s just the first act.
Since its premiere on Broadway in 1987, Into the Woods has gen
After the Bell #1: Jennifer Anderson Schramm
Today on After the Bell, a bonus podcast series exclusively for our Spotify listeners, our host Frederick Miller is joined by his high school theatre teacher, Jennifer Anderson Schramm, to chat all things Shrek the Musical.For the past 30 years, Jennifer Anderson Schramm has been the Director of Orchestras at Cumberland Valley High School, as well as the Producer and Music Director for Cumberland
Shrek the Musical
On the season premiere, Frederick discusses one of the most popular musicals performed by high schools these days. This musical greenified Broadway in 2008 when it opened and might have made it smell a little rank too. No, we’re not talking about Wicked. I’m talking about the other green hero that sings—the ogre named Shrek.
Shrek the Musical features a score by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyric
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