By Nicole Ackman 

The 75th annual Tony Awards were held last Sunday night, and it was a memorable show with some incredible wins, fantastic musical performances, one hell of a committed host, and a lot to ponder about after it was all over. What did Dan Bayer, Lauren LaMagna & Cody Dericks, and I think of the show? Tune in below to listen to our thoughts on this free full-length episode. Thank you and we hope you enjoy!

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Matt Neglia 
​
The 75th annual Tony Awards are this Sunday, with Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose hosting. The Next Best Theatre team already delivered our predictions via. the podcast a few days ago but for those who want to read them, you can click down below to see what we're predicting.

​We hope you all enjoy the show!

By Lauren LaMagna 

After finally having an entire Broadway season, the 75th annual Tony Awards are being held this Sunday, June 12th, and we're here to give you our predictions on who we think will win. We have Nicole Ackman, Cody Dericks & Dan Bayer joining me for this fun episode. Like with our Tony Nomination predictions episode, there is no Patreon exclusive full-length version of the podcast for the winner predictions episode. You can listen to it below in full, and we'll be back with one more full-length episode this season to give you our reactions to the show once the winners have been announced.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Dan Bayer 

After what feels like an eternity since the pandemic changed the face of the American theatre scene, we can officially say Broadway is back as Nicole Ackman, Cody Dericks, Lauren LaMagna, and I go through a whole season of shows eligible for this year's Tony Award Nominations. The announcement for the nominations will occur on May 9th, and for this episode, we all come together to give our thoughts on what will be nominated and what might miss out. Please give this full-length episode a listen, and if you like what you hear, you can subscribe to our Patreon for our other non-Tony-specific episodes throughout the year. We'll be back post-nominations at the beginning of June to give our final predictions on the winners with another episode following the big show on June 12th (which we recently found out will be hosted by recent Oscar-winner Arianna DeBose) to discuss the fallout of the 75th annual Tony Awards. Enjoy!

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Cody Dericks 

After a bit of a hiatus during the film awards season, the Next Best Theatre team is back to reflect on the 2021 film year and all of the movie musicals it brought us. We discuss eight films in total, ranging from very poor to near-masterpiece levels of greatness. Joining me for this wholesome discussion are ​ Nicole Ackman, Dan Bayer, Lauren LaMagna, and Casey Lee Clark. We hope you enjoy it!

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Nicole Ackman 

Was the wait worth it? The 74th Annual Tony Awards were held ten days ago, and we're still trying to process all of the winners, snubs, musical numbers, speeches, and surprises. It was a night to remember as Broadway came roaring back after closing its doors for over a year. What did Dan Bayer and I think of the show? Tune in below to listen to our thoughts on this free full-length episode.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Nicole Ackman 

After a long delay, we’re thrilled to share our predictions for the 74th Tony Awards ahead of the show on Sunday. It’s been a long time since many of these shows were on Broadway, and some will return, while others won’t. These Tony Awards might be very late, but it’s exciting to be able to celebrate theatre as Broadway is beginning to reopen. Have a listen and hear what myself, Dan Bayer, Casey Lee Clark, Lauren LaMagna, and Michael Schwartz are predicting to win.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Michael Schwartz ​

Join the Next Best Theater team for a wild, wild party. That's right; we're tackling both the Andrew Lippa and John Michael LaChuisa iterations of "The Wild Party." Not only were there two stage adaptations of the classic poem, but they both debuted on New York stages in the same season. Join Nicole Ackman, Dan Bayer, Casey Lee Clark, Cody Dericks, Lauren LaMagna, and me as we take a deep dive into both productions, state our favorite elements, and compare and contrast. It's sure to be a wild, wild time!

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox, or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Cody Dericks 

The time has come for the Next Best Theatre team to explore the influential, groundbreaking rock musical “Spring Awakening.” We discuss both the original Broadway production and the Deaf West Theatre revival, along with its impact, themes, and more! Joining me for this discussion are ​ Nicole Ackman, Dan Bayer, Lauren LaMagna, and Michael Schwartz. Enjoy, Guilty Ones!

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Michael Schwartz 

As the world anticipates the cinematic adaptation of Lin Manuel Miranda's "In The Heights," the Next Best Theater team takes a deep dive into the Tony-winning musical that inspired the new motion picture. From its off-Broadway roots to cultural impact over a decade later, "In The Heights" has developed a tremendously successful life of its own. Joining me for this podcast, I have Nicole Ackman, Dan Bayer & Casey Lee Clark. Listen below for our full thoughts and be sure to check out the film when it arrives in theaters and HBO Max later this month!

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Cody Dericks 

After taking a bit of a break from our last episode, we are back to discuss one of the biggest and most influential musicals of all time on the heels of its 25th anniversary. We look back on "Rent" in all of its forms, whether that be on stage, as a soundtrack or as a movie. We talk about the characters, the songs, the story, what the musical means to each of us and more! Joining me for this discussion is Nicole Ackman, Dan Bayer, Casey Lee Clark and Lauren LaMagna. After the discussion we have a special one on one interview with the musical's star Anthony Rapp. Be sure to take a listen down below and enjoy! "To hand-crafted beers made in local breweries. To yoga, to yogurt, to rice and beans and cheese." TO RENT!!!

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Dan Bayer 

As we begin a new year, there may not be any sign of an actual date for the Tony Awards or a timeframe for the return of live theater, but with a new administration and the continued rollout of the vaccine, it feels like a new world anyway. With that in mind, the Next Best Theater team decided to take a look at the under-utilized form of musical storytelling, the song cycle, in the form of Jason Robert Brown's "Songs For A New World." Join Nicole Ackman, Casey Lee Clark, Cody Dericks, and myself as we journey through the sixteen "moments" of the first produced work of one of the great contemporary musical theater composer-lyricists.

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Theatre Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

​By Nicole Ackman 

2020 has been a strange year for theatre fans everywhere as most theaters have remained closed since mid-March. In this episode, we discuss the ways that we have engaged with theatre despite not being able to go in person from the Sondheim birthday concert to watching filmed musicals online, whether through the National Theatre or StarKid’s YouTube channel. We also talk about the resilience of the theatre community, the Ratatouille Tik Tok musical, and some organizations that could use your help. Take a listen to hear from myself, Michael Schwartz, Dan Bayer,Casey Lee Clark & Lauren LaMagna.

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this episode along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here.

By Lauren LaMagna 

For this month, we are talking about the wholesome Tony Award nominated musical "The Prom." The Broadway smash hit will be adapted into a feature length film next month, directed by Ryan Murphy. So, we wanted to come together about what makes the show work so well, what our favorite musical numbers are in it, what our hopes are for the feature film and more! Take a listen down below to hear from myself, Michael Schwartz, Nicole Ackman, Dan Bayer, Casey Lee Clark & Cody Dericks on this latest episode from the Next Best Theatre team.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Michael Schwartz 

In what has been undoubtedly the oddest Tony season of our lifetimes, the 74th annual Tony Award nominations were announced this past Friday for the 2019-2020 Broadway season. Due to the pandemic, the selection was somewhat limited which led to more than a few surprising choices and even exclusions. The ceremony will be held virtually later this year (date currently unspecified) and we will be back for our winner predictions then with another free episode. Until then, take a listen down below to hear from myself, Nicole Ackman, Dan Bayer, Casey Lee Clark, Cody Dericks & Lauren LaMagna on this free full-length episode.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Michael Schwartz 

In our latest episode, the team discusses recent Broadway and West End musical revivals that we think worked well...and those that we think didn’t work well. From the Lincoln Center’s extravagant productions of golden age musicals to the recent revival of “Company” that changed Bobby to Bobbie, we get to the bottom of what we look for in a great revival. Joining me for the episode are Nicole Ackman, Dan Bayer, Casey Lee Clark & Lauren LaMagna.

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this episode along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here.

By Nicole Ackman 

On the latest episode of Next Best Theatre, we discuss stage musical adaptations of films like “Hairspray,” “Beetlejuice,” and “The Producers.” These screen to stage adaptations have been popular for many years and often seem to dominate Broadway. We share our favorites, the ones we think didn’t work, and even discuss the musicals that we prefer to their original movies. Joining me for the episode are Michael Schwartz, Dan Bayer,Casey Lee Clark, Cody Dericks & Lauren LaMagna.

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Theatre Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here.

By Michael Schwartz

Hey hobo man! Hey Dapper Dan! As we live through tumultuous times, we all need reminders of joy in the world. One of the all-great joy enhancers in the theatre world is Martin Charnin and Charles Srouse's 1977 blockbuster sensation, "Annie." Nicole Ackman, Dan Bayer, Casey Lee Clark, Lauren LaMagna & I dive into nostalgia with recollections of our own relationships with the material and what the plucky curly-haired orphan means to us and our love of theatre.
​
This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Theatre Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Michael Schwartz 

​We are not throwing away our shot! To commemorate five years of "Hamilton" on Broadway, the NBT team examines Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s masterpiece and the impact it has had on the world since 2015. We also build anticipation ahead of the Disney+ filmed recording, which drops on July 3. Join us to celebrate the brilliance of "Hamilton" and come to remember just how important it is to the theatre community. Joining me for this episode we have Nicole Ackman, Dan Bayer, Casey Lee Clark, Cody Dericks & Lauren LaMagna.

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Theatre Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Dan Bayer 

Happy Pride, everyone! In honor of Pride Month 2020, the Next Best Theater team decided to talk about the history of LGBTQ+ representation on stage, starting with a brief historical overview and then talking about seven plays and musicals that marked a major moment for queer characters. The theater world still has a long ways to go in terms of equal representation for all minorities, but in the spirit of the season, let's celebrate what strides have been made by looking at what has gotten us here. Come join us on our journey and be sure to let us know your favorite queer plays, musicals, characters, and writers in the comments and on Twitter! Joining me for this episode we have Cody Dericks, Nicole Ackman, Michael Schwartz, Casey Lee Clark & Lauren LaMagna.

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Theatre Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Michael Schwartz 

To commemorate Mother's Day earlier this month and all of the wonderful mothers who dedicate their lives to their families, the NBT team takes a deep dive into our favorite mothers of Broadway. From "Into the Woods" to "Fun Home" and everything in between, we salute the maternal figures of the stage we have come to know and love over the years. Give a listen and let us know your favorite mothers of Broadway. Joining me for this episode we have Nicole Ackman, Dan Bayer, Casey Lee Clark, Cody Dericks and for the first time ever Lauren LaMagna.

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Theatre Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Nicole Ackman 

With theaters across the country, and even the world, closed because of the quarantine, theatre can seem completely inaccessible. Broadway theaters closed on March 12 and are currently set to remain closed until at least June 7, and regional theatres have followed suit. While most people are stuck at home, this is the perfect time to explore some of the options for filmed theatre that exist online. While watching a filmed production doesn’t exactly recreate the experience of seeing a show in person, filmed theatre is a unique and worthwhile form of its own. Many productions already exist online and countless theatres are making their shows available right now because we’re all stuck at home.

Whether you’re missing the theater experience or you want to take advantage of this time to learn more about theatre, here are some great sources for filmed productions to watch.

By Nicole Ackman 

On this month’s Next Best Theatre episode, Michael Schwartz, Casey Lee Clark, Dan Bayer, Cody Dericks and I talk about our experiences with and our thoughts on filmed theatre. We discuss some of the best ways that you can watch theatre digitally during quarantine and even make some recommendations!

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Theatre Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here.

By Dan Bayer 

For this month, the Next Best Theatre team is celebrating the legendary composer, Stephen Sondheim. Winner of 8 Tony Awards and the brilliant mind behind "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (1962), "Company" (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Into the Woods (1987), he also wrote the lyrics for West Side Story (1957) & Gypsy (1959). His resume speaks for itself and a few days ago, he celebrated his 90th birthday. Here to celebrate him and his work with me are Michael Schwartz, Nicole Ackman, Casey Lee Clark & Cody Dericks.

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Theatre Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Nicole Ackman 

For this month, the Next Best Theatre team has a special Valentine’s Day themed episode for our listeners. Michael Schwartz, Casey Lee Clark, Dan Bayer, Cody Dericks, and I share our favorite musical theatre love songs. We discuss songs from shows from “Carousel” to “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” We finish by talking a bit about our favorite Broadway couples. Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Next Best Theatre!

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Theatre Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.