Stuff You Should Know: "Give My Regards to the Broadway Episode!" Summary

In the April 24, 2025 episode of "Stuff You Should Know", hosts Josh, Chuck, and Jerry delve into the vibrant and storied world of Broadway. This comprehensive discussion navigates through Broadway’s rich history, its evolution into a global theater hub, iconic productions, the mechanics behind its success, and even its notable flops. Whether you're a theater enthusiast or a casual listener, this episode offers an engaging exploration of everything Broadway has to offer.

1. Introduction to Broadway

The episode kicks off with the hosts expressing their mutual passion for Broadway. Chuck shares his growing interest in musicals and their tradition of annual Broadway trips, highlighting their excitement about upcoming shows like the highly anticipated Broadway revival of "Glengarry Glen Ross" featuring stars such as Kieran Culkin, Bill Burr, and Bob Odenkirk (04:23).

Jerry adds, "Broadway, as in the American home of musicals. The great White Way. You know, where musical theater goes to live and thrive and give it a shot at stardom." (03:16)

2. The Origins of Broadway

The discussion traces Broadway’s roots back to 1732, highlighting its establishment on an old Lenape tribe trail connected to the 13-mile stretch of Manahatta. Initially known as De Heerstraat by the Dutch settlers, it was later anglicized to Broadway.

Chuck explains, "Give my regards to Broadway is from Little Johnny Jones from 1904, written by George M. Cohan." (02:40).

3. Establishment of the Theater District

Oscar Hammerstein I, an immigrant who transitioned from sweeping cigar factory floors to inventing a cigar machine, played a pivotal role in Broadway’s early development. By founding theaters like the Harlem Opera House and the Olympia Theater, Hammerstein laid the groundwork for Broadway as a theater district.

Jerry notes, "Within like a decade, Oscar Hammerstein I built like three major theaters in New York City. And he helped pretty much establish this theater district." (14:27).

The Shubert Brothers further solidified Broadway’s prominence by owning and operating a significant portion of its theaters. Their legacy continues as the Shubert Organization now owns 17 out of 41 Broadway theaters.

4. Broadway's Golden Era: Rodgers and Hammerstein

The partnership between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II revolutionized Broadway with the creation of the book musical—where songs are integral to the plot rather than mere interludes. Their landmark production "Oklahoma!" set a record with 2,212 performances (24:41), establishing them as giants in the industry.

Subsequent hits like "South Pacific," "The Sound of Music," and "The King and I" further cemented their legacy, intertwining compelling narratives with unforgettable music.

Chuck emphasizes, "Giants to this day of the industry, South Pacific, the Sound of Music, the King and I. I mean, their names are basically synonymous with musical theater." (25:25).

5. Evolution of Broadway Productions

Broadway has continuously evolved, embracing new themes and production styles. The introduction of concept musicals like "Showboat" tackled serious social issues such as racism head-on, integrating both white and black performers—a progressive move for its time (22:51).

Jerry highlights, "It was a very dramatic story. It wasn't like, you know, feel good, forget your troubles, come on, get happy kind of thing." (23:42).

6. The Transformative Years: 1950s to 1970s

The mid-20th century saw Broadway embracing blockbuster productions akin to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with shows like "West Side Story," which introduced the triple threat concept—actors who could sing, dance, and act simultaneously (25:57).

Chuck adds, "West Side Story was one of the first ones in 1957 to be like, hey, you're the lead actor. You're also singing, you're also dancing. Cause that's all part of it." (25:57).

"Cabaret" emerged as a groundbreaking concept musical, offering a thematic exploration of Weimar-era Berlin and the rise of Nazism through its narrative and musical cohesion (27:41).

7. Modern Broadway: Blockbusters and Innovations

Broadway’s modern era is characterized by high-budget productions with impressive special effects and enduring popularity. "Phantom of the Opera" stands out with its record-breaking run of 13,981 performances, showcasing elaborate set designs and memorable music (32:42).

Wicked, another contemporary favorite, made headlines as the first show to achieve a $5 million weekly gross in December 2024, driven by a combination of popular demand and the success of its film adaptation (42:36).

Jerry states, "Wicked set a weekly record in December of this past year. Obviously buoyed by the popularity of the movie, but the first ever show to have a $5 million week." (42:36).

8. Iconic Contemporary Musicals

The hosts discuss several modern musicals that have left indelible marks on Broadway:

• "Rent": Jonathan Larson's rock musical addressing addiction, poverty, and AIDS, though Larson tragically passed away before witnessing its premiere (38:07).

• "Mamma Mia!": A jukebox musical featuring ABBA's hits, exemplifying the trend of building shows around popular existing songs (39:14).

• "Hamilton": Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking fusion of hip-hop and historical narrative, reflecting Broadway's continual innovation (41:25).

Jerry reflects on "Company", a series of vignettes about romantic relationships, highlighting Stephen Sondheim's contribution to transforming musical storytelling (29:37).

9. Broadway’s Flops: Lessons in Production

Despite its successes, Broadway has seen its share of failures, which the hosts discuss candidly:

• "Moose Murders" (1983): Infamously closed after a single performance, criticized for its poor execution and baffling title. Jerry mentions, "It's widely considered like the worst show that ever hit Broadway." (44:37).

• "Carrie" (1988): An ambitious adaptation of Stephen King’s novel that failed spectacularly, closing after just five performances despite its $8 million budget (44:37).

• "Turn Off the Dark" (2011): Directed by Julie Taymor with music by Bono and The Edge, this show was plagued with technical issues during its long preview period of 182 performances, becoming one of Broadway’s most notorious flops (45:42).

Chuck summarizes, "Anyhow, it's tough to qualify that because there's plenty of bad shows out there, but Moose Murders just became like the symbol for the worst shows on Broadway." (44:37).

10. Broadway’s Cultural Impact and Listener Engagement

Broadway's influence extends beyond the stage, inspiring various cultural phenomena and even other Broadway shows. The hosts proudly mention that their podcast has inspired two Broadway productions, illustrating the reciprocal relationship between media and theater.

Additionally, the episode features a heartfelt listener mail segment from Cody in Raleigh, celebrating how the podcast has provided companionship to his widowed mother. This personal story underscores the podcast’s role in listeners' lives.

Jerry responds warmly, "Happy birthday, Bonnie. You can't see me right now, but I'm making a heart out of my hands." (51:08).

11. Current State and Future of Broadway

The episode concludes with an overview of Broadway’s current financial health and popularity. The 2023-2024 season reported total grosses of $1.54 billion, attracting more than 12 million attendees and maintaining an average occupancy rate of 89.9% (42:36). This robust performance highlights Broadway's enduring appeal and its ability to adapt to contemporary tastes and economic conditions.

Chuck remarks, "The largest Broadway theater. If you've never been, you might be used to like Broadway in your hometown at like the 5,000 seat theater or something like they have here at the park." (06:32).

Conclusion

This episode of "Stuff You Should Know" offers an in-depth exploration of Broadway, from its historical foundations to its modern-day spectacles. Through engaging dialogue, personal anecdotes, and critical analysis, Josh, Chuck, and Jerry provide listeners with a thorough understanding of Broadway’s evolution, its triumphs, and its challenges. Whether discussing legendary musicals, groundbreaking productions, or infamous flops, the hosts paint a vivid picture of why Broadway remains a cornerstone of American culture.

Notable Quotes:

• Jerry: "Broadway, as in the American home of musicals. The great White Way." (03:16)
• Chuck: "Give my regards to Broadway is from Little Johnny Jones from 1904, written by George M. Cohan." (02:40)
• Jerry: "It's widely considered like the worst show that ever hit Broadway." (44:37)
• Chuck: "Wicked set a weekly record in December of this past year... the first ever show to have a $5 million week." (42:36)
• Jerry: "Happy birthday, Bonnie... I’m making a heart out of my hands." (51:08)

This summary encapsulates the essence of the "Give My Regards to Broadway" episode, providing listeners with a rich and engaging overview of Broadway’s legacy and its continuous influence on the world of theater.