Broadway Breakdown: Detailed Episode Summary

Episode Title: Matt Reviews: ENGLISH, TEETH, ALL IN and Something DIfferent...
Host: Matt Koplik
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Podcast: Broadway Breakdown

Introduction

In this episode of Broadway Breakdown, host Matt Koplik dives deep into his latest reviews of four Broadway productions: ENGLISH, TEETH, ALL IN Comedy About Love, and Telemachus. True to his style, Matt offers candid, unfiltered opinions, blending insightful analysis with his trademark profanity-laden enthusiasm.

1. Teeth

Timestamp: [02:08]

Matt begins with a comprehensive review of Teeth, a musical adaptation of the 2007 dark horror-comedy film. Co-written by Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacobs, the show explores themes of consent, sexuality, and feminist undertones within a religious community.

Key Points:

• Premise & Adaptation: Teeth centers on Dawn O'Keefe, a member of a deeply religious community grappling with her sexuality and unexpected physical anomalies. Matt emphasizes the show's campy and satirical nature, highlighting its blend of horror and humor.

• Performance Highlights:

  • Elise Alan Lewis shines as Dawn, delivering a nuanced portrayal of her internal struggles.
  • Stephen Pasquale (later replaced by Andy Karl) brings distinct interpretations to the roles of Dawn's stepfather and the gynecologist, with Matt noting Karl's more cartoonish and campy approach compared to Pasquale's satirical style.

• Production Values: Matt praises the show's set design and the innovative inclusion of a "splash section" to accommodate potential on-stage blood effects. He discusses how these practical elements enhance the immersive experience but also notes the limited reach of such features within the theater.

• Narrative & Pacing: Initially critiquing the pacing at Playwrights Horizons for delaying the first Dentata scene, Matt appreciates New World Stages' tighter storytelling, which reaches pivotal moments more swiftly, keeping the audience engaged.

• Commercial Viability: Matt offers a sobering analysis of the show's financial challenges off-Broadway, suggesting that despite its creative strengths, Teeth may struggle to sustain a long run due to high production costs and limited mainstream appeal.

Notable Quote:

"He needs to respect that. And by not respecting Don, that is when Toby falls victim to teeth, to Dentata, one might say."
— Matt Koplik [15:30]

2. All In Comedy About Love

Timestamp: [40:42]

Next, Matt critiques ALL IN Comedy About Love, a collection of comedic short stories performed by a rotating cast of Broadway luminaries. Despite featuring stars like John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, and Renee Elise Goldsberry, Matt expresses skepticism about the show's format and substance.

Key Points:

• Structure & Content: Described as "story time for adults," the show consists of actors narrating and acting out Simon Rich's short stories interspersed with musical interludes by the Bangsons. Matt finds the execution lackluster, citing weak punchlines and minimal emotional depth.

• Performance Dynamics: While praising individual performances, Matt feels the stories themselves lack the comedic impact expected from such a star-studded cast. He notes that John Mulaney bears most of the performance weight, leaving limited space for others to contribute meaningfully.

• Financial Considerations: Matt criticizes the show's pricing strategy, labeling it "highway robbery" due to the perceived mismatch between ticket costs and the production's content value.

• Overall Impression: Despite acknowledging the charm of the performers, Matt concludes that ALL IN falls short as a compelling theatrical experience, likening it to a potential "cash grab" rather than a well-crafted piece of art.

Notable Quote:

"This is not a play. It's not even really a TED Talk. It is story time for adults."
— Matt Koplik [27:15]

3. English

Timestamp: [42:15]

Matt transitions to a favorable review of ENGLISH, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Sanaz Toosi, performed by the Roundabout Theatre Company. The play delves into the lives of Iranian students learning English, exploring cultural identity, personal aspirations, and the challenges of language acquisition.

Key Points:

• Narrative & Themes: Set in Iran in 2008, ENGLISH follows a diverse group of students and their English teacher, Marjane. The play examines why each character strives to master English, highlighting personal dreams, familial relationships, and cultural tensions.

• Character Development:

  • Elam (played by Tala Ash): Ambitious and intelligent, Elam's frustration with her English proficiency reflects deep-seated insecurities.
  • Goli: An 18-year-old passionate about English, her journey showcases resilience and growth despite facing humiliation.
  • Roya: Older and more reluctant, Roya's motivations are tied to her family's immigration plans, revealing her emotional complexities.
  • Omid: A dual citizen with minimal development, Omid serves more as a plot device, a point Matt critiques for lacking depth.

• Performance Excellence: Matt lauds the entire ensemble for their cohesive performances and the seamless integration of naturalistic acting with stage presence. He emphasizes the actors' ability to convey complex emotions and relationships without overshadowing each other.

• Theatrical Techniques: The play's innovative use of language—where characters switch between English with varying accents and Farsi without subtitles—creates an immersive experience. Matt appreciates how this technique emphasizes cultural identity and personal connections.

• Playwright's Intent: Addressing questions about the absence of subtitles for Farsi dialogues, Matt defends the playwright's choice as a way to engage the audience more profoundly, urging listeners to embrace moments of confusion as part of the narrative experience.

Notable Quote:

"When you spend your whole life with one language that is so incredibly different from another and you're learning this new language, you are translating in your head constantly. And it takes so much brain power to be able to not just immediately go to a translation mind frame."
— Matt Koplik [60:45]

Tony Eligibility: Matt believes ENGLISH stands as a strong contender for Tony nominations, particularly lauding Tala Ash's performance as a potential nomination for Leading Actress in a Play.

4. Telemachos

Timestamp: [85:28]

Concluding his reviews, Matt explores Telemachus, a one-man workshop production by Joseph Medeiros, which presents the first four books of Homer's Odyssey performed entirely in Ancient Greek.

Key Points:

• Unique Format: Telemachus is a solo performance where Medeiros embodies multiple characters, using household items as props and integrating audience participation to bring the ancient text to life. Matt is initially skeptical but grows to appreciate the creativity and dedication involved.

• Performance Technique: Medeiros' ability to perform in Ancient Greek challenges traditional Broadway norms, requiring immense memorization and theatrical skill. Matt highlights Medeiros' use of everyday objects to represent various elements of the Odyssey, creating a visually engaging and intellectually stimulating experience.

• Audience Engagement: The interactive nature of the performance, including audience participation in activities like making s'mores, mirrors the oral storytelling traditions of ancient Greece, fostering a communal atmosphere.

• Artistic Merit: Matt praises the production for its ingenuity and passion, despite acknowledging that the extended runtime and use of a non-modern language may not cater to mainstream Broadway audiences. He views Telemachus as a testament to the limitless possibilities of theatrical expression.

• Personal Reflection: Matt reflects on the importance of diverse and challenging art forms, appreciating how Telemachus broadens his understanding of theater beyond conventional musicals and plays.

Notable Quote:

"This is not something that's so not for me was able to engage with me as often as it did and surprise me as much as it did. It reminded me and reminds us all that there is so much out there beyond just Broadway, beyond just musicals, beyond just the English language."
— Matt Koplik [80:00]

Conclusion

Matt wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to explore a wide range of theatrical productions, emphasizing the value of stepping outside one's comfort zone to discover new forms of artistic expression. He teases future episodes, including a possible review of Come From Away, and invites listeners to join the podcast's Discord channel for further discussions.

Final Notable Quote:

"You have to understand the silly as well as understand what you will not be able to understand because some things are beyond your grasp."
— Matt Koplik [84:30]

Additional Notes

• Advertisements & Announcements: The episode includes brief advertisements by Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Alan promoting BroadwayCon and Paramount's Gladiator 2 streaming service. Matt ensures these sections are skipped in the summary as per instructions.

• Community Engagement: Matt frequently references the podcast's Discord channel as a platform for listeners to engage, ask questions, and discuss theater-related topics further.

This episode of Broadway Breakdown offers a multifaceted exploration of contemporary Broadway productions, blending critical analysis with passionate commentary. Whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or new to the scene, Matt Koplik's insights provide valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of Broadway.