Half Hour with Jeff & Richie (Post-Show Broadway Discussions and Interviews)

In this Spotlight Series episode of “Half Hour,” we expand the conversation with Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell about his work on The Devil Wears Prada and the process of reimagining a familiar story for the West End stage.

Mitchell discusses joining the project, returning to Elton John’s early demos, and finding the emotional center of the musical through Andy Sachs’ journey. He also breaks down the work behind major stage moments, from transitions and act endings to the fashion-driven visual language of Paris and the Met Ball. The conversation includes his approach to casting Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly and the collaboration behind a production that brings together music, choreography, costumes, design, and storytelling.

We also speak with Mitchell about the future of The Devil Wears Prada, the development of Coyote Ugly, the national tour of BOOP! The Musical, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Bares, and his hopes for a future Legally Blonde revival.

Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Share your thoughts on this conversation in the Spotify comments: What part of Jerry Mitchell’s creative process stood out to you, and who would you like “Half Hour” to feature next? If you enjoy these discussions, follow “Half Hour” and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Half Hour,” we take a deeper dive into Hudson Valley Shakespeare’s Les Misérables, now playing at the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center in Garrison, New York. We break down the plot, the June Rebellion of 1832, and how director Jenn Thompson’s outdoor staging uses the Hudson Valley landscape, a smaller ensemble, double casting, and a central French flag to reshape the story’s scale and emotional impact.

We discuss Josh Young’s Jean Valjean, Haley Dortch’s Fantine and Enjolras, Denis Lambert’s Javert, Ana Paola Garcia’s Cosette, Haley Rose Ciaramella’s Éponine, David Beach and Nance Williamson as the Thénardiers, and the creative choices that bring the musical’s ideas of mercy, faith, justice, sacrifice, and hope into focus. We also talk about the new Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center, what a permanent home means for Hudson Valley Shakespeare, and why Les Misérables continues to connect with audiences.

Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. Share your thoughts on this production in the Spotify comments, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show discussions, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Half Hour,” we take a deeper dive into The Hunger Games: On Stage, now playing at Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre in London. We break down the plot, the concept behind the production’s arena-style staging, and how this first theatrical adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ story brings the audience into the world of Panem.

We discuss Matthew Dunster’s direction, Conor McPherson’s adaptation, the in-the-round design, choreography, illusions, aerial work, and the production choices that shape the experience. We also talk about Mia Carragher as Katniss Everdeen, Tamsin Carroll as Effie Trinket, Stavros Demetraki as Caesar Flickerman, and why the show gives characters including Haymitch, Effie, and Caesar new space onstage.

Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠. Share your thoughts on this production in the Spotify comments, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show discussions, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Half Hour,” we take a deeper dive into The Devil Wears Prada, now playing at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End. We break down the musical’s plot and concept, how the stage adaptation reshapes the story of Andy Sachs and Miranda Priestly, and what changed from its Chicago tryout to this West End production. We discuss Elton John’s score, the lyrics by Shaina Taub and Mark Sonnenblick, Jerry Mitchell’s direction and choreography, and the production design by Tim Hatley and Gregg Barnes, along with performances including Vanessa Williams as Miranda, Stevie Doc as Andy, Taila Halford as Emily, and Matt Henry as Nigel.

Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Share your thoughts on this production in the Spotify comments, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show discussions, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Half Hour, we discuss Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody, now playing Off-Broadway at The Club in New York City. Inspired by the hockey romance series and TV adaptation, the show uses a fast-moving parody format, a small cast, and a sharp comic structure to tell a story that works best for audiences familiar with the source material. We talk about the plot, the “Susans,” the performances, the venue, and the audience participation moment that pulled Jeff onstage. We also share our thoughts on the production design, the pacing, and where the show might go next as it continues to build buzz.

Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Share your thoughts on this production in the Spotify comments, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show discussions, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices