Flop of the Heap Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:05:11 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462708 en-us © 2026 Flop of the Heap yes 9949646f-3744-5b23-a426-2681aceb0b89 Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow episodic false Get excited for what's being referred to by 'industry professionals' as "Musical Science Theatre 3000," "Just the schadenfreude I needed!" and "Something to listen to instead of the president's whining," when John and Marla, both 'industry professionals,' bring to you, Flop of the Heap, the podcast where failure is always an option! Like B-Movies? Try B-Musicals! Available now on your internet enabled device.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow https://storage.buzzsprout.com/xgc767ofa4qr19xh9412ga5z3oe5?.jpg Flop of the Heap Do I Hear A Waltz? - "A Sad Little Comedy With Songs" Do I Hear A Waltz? - "A Sad Little Comedy With Songs" Music by Richard Rodgers

Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Book by Arthur Laurents

Directed by John Dexter

Choreographed by Herbert Ross

Starring Elizabeth Allen & Sergio Franchi

Opened March 18, 1965

Closed after 220 performances.

]]> Music by Richard Rodgers

Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Book by Arthur Laurents

Directed by John Dexter

Choreographed by Herbert Ross

Starring Elizabeth Allen & Sergio Franchi

Opened March 18, 1965

Closed after 220 performances.

]]> Marla Alpert & John Bow Buzzsprout-19081101 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400 4091 Do I Hear A Waltz?, Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rodgers, Arthur Laurents, Elizabeth Allen, Sergio Franchi, Flop, Broadway 7 3 full false Darling of the Day - "A Kiss of Death Production" Darling of the Day - "A Kiss of Death Production" Music by Jule Styne

Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg

Book by Nunnally Johnson (uncredited)

Directed by Noel Willman, replacing Steven Vinaver, replacing Albert Marre, who replaced Steven Vinaver, who replaced Peter Wood.

Choreographed by Lee Theodore, replacing Peter Gennaro

Starring Vincent Price & Patricia Routledge

Opened January 27, 1968

Closed after 31 performances!

]]> Music by Jule Styne

Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg

Book by Nunnally Johnson (uncredited)

Directed by Noel Willman, replacing Steven Vinaver, replacing Albert Marre, who replaced Steven Vinaver, who replaced Peter Wood.

Choreographed by Lee Theodore, replacing Peter Gennaro

Starring Vincent Price & Patricia Routledge

Opened January 27, 1968

Closed after 31 performances!

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-18886635 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400 3805 Darling of the Day, Flop, Broadway, Vincent Price, Patricia Routledge, Jule Styne, E. Y. Harburg, Nunnally Johnson, Walter Kerr, Priam Farll 7 2 full false THE 1ST SEXENNIAL FLOPPY AWARDS! THE 1ST SEXENNIAL FLOPPY AWARDS! John & Marla pick the Best Songs from Broadway's messiest messes.

The most prestigious award on Broadway only happens once every 6 years.

... And The Floppy goes to ... ?

Tune in to find out!


]]> John & Marla pick the Best Songs from Broadway's messiest messes.

The most prestigious award on Broadway only happens once every 6 years.

... And The Floppy goes to ... ?

Tune in to find out!


]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-18673510 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500 2725 Broadway, Showtunes, Flop, Broadway Flop, Awards, Worst Awards, John Anker Bow, Marla Alpert, Flop of the Heap, Jerry Herman, Carol Channing 7 1 full false Bravo Giovanni - "Like Vesuvian Lava Over Pompeii" Bravo Giovanni - "Like Vesuvian Lava Over Pompeii" Music by Milton Shafer

Lyrics by Ronny Graham

Book by A.J. Russell

Directed by Stanley Prager

Choreographed by Carol Haney

Starring Cesare Siepi, Michele Lee, George S. Irving, Maria Karnilova, David Opatoshu & Lainie Kazan

Opened on Broadway May 19, 1962

Closed after 76 performances!

]]> Music by Milton Shafer

Lyrics by Ronny Graham

Book by A.J. Russell

Directed by Stanley Prager

Choreographed by Carol Haney

Starring Cesare Siepi, Michele Lee, George S. Irving, Maria Karnilova, David Opatoshu & Lainie Kazan

Opened on Broadway May 19, 1962

Closed after 76 performances!

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-18201707 Mon, 17 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0500 3600 Lainie Kazan, Bravo Giovanni, Michele Lee, Cesare Siepi, George S. Irving, Maria Karnilova, Stanley Prager, Carol Haney, Flop, Broadway, Musicals, 6 9 full true Chess - "A Noisy, Over-Milked, Musical Mess" Chess - "A Noisy, Over-Milked, Musical Mess" Music by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus

Book & Lyrics by Tim Rice

Directed by Trevor Nunn (Replacing Michael Bennett)

Starring David Carroll, Philip Casnoff, Judy Kuhn, Harry Goz & Marcia Mitzman

Opened on Broadway April 28, 1988

Closed after 68 performances!

]]> Music by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus

Book & Lyrics by Tim Rice

Directed by Trevor Nunn (Replacing Michael Bennett)

Starring David Carroll, Philip Casnoff, Judy Kuhn, Harry Goz & Marcia Mitzman

Opened on Broadway April 28, 1988

Closed after 68 performances!

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-17920924 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400 3870 Chess, Musical, Flop, Chess Musical, Abba, Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, Björn Alvaeus, Musicals, Musical Flops, Judy Kuhn, Philip Casnoff, David Carroll, Bobby Fischer 6 8 full false The Body Beautiful - "Not-Too-Clever Lightweight" The Body Beautiful - "Not-Too-Clever Lightweight" Music by Jerry Bock

Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

Book by Joseph Stein & Will Glickman

Directed by George Schaefer

Starring Steve Forrest, Jack Warden, Mindy Carson, Barbara McNair & Lonnie Sattin.

Opened on Broadway January 23, 1958

Closed after 60 performances!

]]> Music by Jerry Bock

Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

Book by Joseph Stein & Will Glickman

Directed by George Schaefer

Starring Steve Forrest, Jack Warden, Mindy Carson, Barbara McNair & Lonnie Sattin.

Opened on Broadway January 23, 1958

Closed after 60 performances!

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-17572630 Mon, 28 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400 4192 The Body Beautiful, Bock & Harnick, Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, Flop, Broadway, Broadway Flops, Joseph Stein, Mindy Carson 6 7 full false BONUS Chit-Chat & Listener Mail Episode!! BONUS Chit-Chat & Listener Mail Episode!! Marla & John chat about this & that and read some listener mail.

June is Bustin' Out All Over!

]]> Marla & John chat about this & that and read some listener mail.

June is Bustin' Out All Over!

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-17223273 Mon, 02 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0400 1373 Flop, Broadway, Broadway Flop, Musicals, Judy Kuhn, Theatre, Marla Alpert, John Bow, John Anker Bow, Listener Mail 6 6 full false Harrigan 'n' Hart - "A Silly Little Valentine" Harrigan 'n' Hart - "A Silly Little Valentine" Music by Max Showalter

Lyrics by Peter Walker

Book by Michael Stewart

Featuring music by Harrigan & Hart

Directed by Joe Layton

Starring Mark Hamill, Harry Groener, Chrisitne Ebersole, Armelia McQueen & Tudi Roche

Opened on Broadway January 31, 1985

]]> Music by Max Showalter

Lyrics by Peter Walker

Book by Michael Stewart

Featuring music by Harrigan & Hart

Directed by Joe Layton

Starring Mark Hamill, Harry Groener, Chrisitne Ebersole, Armelia McQueen & Tudi Roche

Opened on Broadway January 31, 1985

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-17223245 Mon, 26 May 2025 07:00:00 -0400 3766 Harrigan 'n' Hart, Mark Hamill, Harry Groener, Christine Ebersole, Armelia McQueen, Tudi Roche, Joe Layton, Edward Harrigan, Ned Harrigan, Tony Hart, Syphilis, Flop, Broadway, Broadway Flop, Bowery 6 5 full false It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman! - "Half-Sly Vaudeville" It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman! - "Half-Sly Vaudeville" Music by Charles Strouse

Lyrics by Lee Adams

Book by David Newman & Robert Benton

Directed & Produced by Harold Prince


Starring Jack Cassidy, Linda Lavin, Bob Holiday, Patricia Marand & Michael O'Sullivan


Opened on Broadway March 29, 1966

]]> Music by Charles Strouse

Lyrics by Lee Adams

Book by David Newman & Robert Benton

Directed & Produced by Harold Prince


Starring Jack Cassidy, Linda Lavin, Bob Holiday, Patricia Marand & Michael O'Sullivan


Opened on Broadway March 29, 1966

]]> John Anker Bow & Connor McAndrews Buzzsprout-17135959 Mon, 12 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400 3712 Superman, Linda Lavin, Broadway, Flop, Broadway Flop, Bob Holiday, It's a Bird, It's a Plane, Charles Strouse, Hal Prince, Harold Prince, Lee Adams, Broadway Shows 6 4 full false Shinbone Alley - "A Maze of Mediocrity" Shinbone Alley - "A Maze of Mediocrity" Music by George Kleinsinger

Lyrics by Joe Darion

Book by Joe Darion & Mel Brooks

Directed by Nobody

Starring Eartha Kitt & Eddie Bracken

Opened on Broadway April 13, 1957

]]> Music by George Kleinsinger

Lyrics by Joe Darion

Book by Joe Darion & Mel Brooks

Directed by Nobody

Starring Eartha Kitt & Eddie Bracken

Opened on Broadway April 13, 1957

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-16922775 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400 3922 Shinbone Alley, Flops, Broadway, Eartha Kitt, Eddie Bracken, Joe Darion, Mehitabel, Archie, cockroach 6 3 full false The Gay Life - "House Frau, Mouse Frau" The Gay Life - "House Frau, Mouse Frau" Music by Arthur Schwartz

Lyrics by Howard Dietz

Book by Kay Kanin & Michael Kanin

Directed by Gerald Freedman & Herbert Ross

Starring Walter Chiari, Barbara Cook, Jules Munshin, Loring Smith, Jack Adams & Elizabeth Allen

Opened on Broadway November 18, 1961

]]> Music by Arthur Schwartz

Lyrics by Howard Dietz

Book by Kay Kanin & Michael Kanin

Directed by Gerald Freedman & Herbert Ross

Starring Walter Chiari, Barbara Cook, Jules Munshin, Loring Smith, Jack Adams & Elizabeth Allen

Opened on Broadway November 18, 1961

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-16679131 Mon, 24 Feb 2025 07:00:00 -0500 4017 The Gay Life, Barbara Cook, Walter Chiari, Arthur Schwartz, Howard Dietz 6 2 full false Rocky - "My Nose Ain't Broken" Rocky - "My Nose Ain't Broken" Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Thomas Meehan & Sylvester Stallone
Directed by Alex Timbers
Choreography by Steven Hoggett & Kelly Devine

Starring Andy Karl, Margo Seibert, Terence Archie, Danny Mastrogiorgio, Dakin Matthews & Jennifer Mudge

Opened on Broadway March 13, 2014

]]> Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Thomas Meehan & Sylvester Stallone
Directed by Alex Timbers
Choreography by Steven Hoggett & Kelly Devine

Starring Andy Karl, Margo Seibert, Terence Archie, Danny Mastrogiorgio, Dakin Matthews & Jennifer Mudge

Opened on Broadway March 13, 2014

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-16507262 Mon, 27 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0500 3744 Rocky, Rocky Musical, Andy Karl, Flop, Broadway, Broadway Flop, Thomas Meehan, Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens 6 1 full false Into the Light - "Thin Fabric" Into the Light - "Thin Fabric" Music by Lee Holdridge
Lyrics by John Forster
Book by Jeff Tamborino
Directed by Michael Maurer

Starring Dean Jones, Thomas Batten, Susan Bigelow, Danny Gerard & Gordon Stanley

Opened on Broadway October 22, 1986

]]> Music by Lee Holdridge
Lyrics by John Forster
Book by Jeff Tamborino
Directed by Michael Maurer

Starring Dean Jones, Thomas Batten, Susan Bigelow, Danny Gerard & Gordon Stanley

Opened on Broadway October 22, 1986

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-16353848 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0500 3600 Dean Jones, Into the Light, Flop, Flop of the Heap, Mime, Broadway, Broadway Flop, Susan Bigelow 5 9 full false Cry For Us All - "CLUNK!" Cry For Us All - "CLUNK!" with Special Guest Host Connor McAndrews

Music by Mitch Leigh

Lyrics by Phyllis Robinson & William Alfred

Book by William Alfred & Albert Marre

Directed by Albert Marre

Starring Joan Diener, Steve Arlen, Robert Weede, Tommy Rall & Helen Gallagher.

Opened on Broadway April 8, 1970

]]> with Special Guest Host Connor McAndrews

Music by Mitch Leigh

Lyrics by Phyllis Robinson & William Alfred

Book by William Alfred & Albert Marre

Directed by Albert Marre

Starring Joan Diener, Steve Arlen, Robert Weede, Tommy Rall & Helen Gallagher.

Opened on Broadway April 8, 1970

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-16060207 Wed, 06 Nov 2024 13:00:00 -0500 4204 Flop, Broadway, Cry For Us All, Mitch Leigh, Helen Gallagher, Musicals, Robert Weede, Joan Diener, Hogan's Goat, Albert Marre 5 8 full false The Pirate Queen - "All Plot, No Heart" The Pirate Queen - "All Plot, No Heart" Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
Lyrics by Alain Boublil, Richard Maltby, Jr. & John Dempsey
Book by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg & Richard Maltby, Jr.

Directed by Frank Galati

Starring Stephanie J. Block, Hadley Fraser, Linda Balgord, Marcus Chait, Jeff McCarthy & William Youmans

Opened on Broadway April 5, 2007.

]]> Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
Lyrics by Alain Boublil, Richard Maltby, Jr. & John Dempsey
Book by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg & Richard Maltby, Jr.

Directed by Frank Galati

Starring Stephanie J. Block, Hadley Fraser, Linda Balgord, Marcus Chait, Jeff McCarthy & William Youmans

Opened on Broadway April 5, 2007.

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-15755713 Mon, 16 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400 3483 Stephanie J. Block, The Pirate Queen, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, Hadley Fraser, Linda Balgord, Pirates, Flop, Broadway, Marcus Chait, Jeff McCarthy, William Youmans, Les Mis, Graciela Daniele 5 7 full true Rags - "Another load of human dirt" Rags - "Another load of human dirt" Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by Joseph Stein
Revisions by David Thompson

Directed by Gene Saks

Starring Teresa Stratas, Larry Kert, Lonny Price, Judy Kuhn, Terrence Mann & Dick Latessa

Opened on Broadway August 21, 1986.

]]> Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by Joseph Stein
Revisions by David Thompson

Directed by Gene Saks

Starring Teresa Stratas, Larry Kert, Lonny Price, Judy Kuhn, Terrence Mann & Dick Latessa

Opened on Broadway August 21, 1986.

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-15338704 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400 3978 Rags, Flop, Broadway, Lonny Price, Teresa Stratas, Judy Kuhn, Larry Kert, Terrence Mann 5 6 full false BONUS June Listener Mail Episode!!! BONUS June Listener Mail Episode!!! Marla & John read some listener mail and go off on several random tangents in this very special bonus episode!!!!

]]> Marla & John read some listener mail and go off on several random tangents in this very special bonus episode!!!!

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-15205806 Mon, 17 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400 1302 Flop, Broadway, Broadway Flops, Listener Mail, John Anker Bow, Marla Alpert, Raggedy Ann, Rags, Flahooley 5 5 bonus false Peg - "Look at Me, I'm Peggy Lee!" Peg - "Look at Me, I'm Peggy Lee!" John & Marla break down the unmitigated disaster that was the Peggy Lee musical.

Music by Paul Horner
Lyrics by Peggy Lee
Book by Peggy Lee (originally by William Luce)
Also featuring songs by Johnny Mercer, Joe McCoy, Richard Rodgers and Lieber & Stoller.
Directed by Robert Drivas, replaced by Cy Coleman
Starring Peggy Lee

Opened on Broadway December 14, 1983.

]]> John & Marla break down the unmitigated disaster that was the Peggy Lee musical.

Music by Paul Horner
Lyrics by Peggy Lee
Book by Peggy Lee (originally by William Luce)
Also featuring songs by Johnny Mercer, Joe McCoy, Richard Rodgers and Lieber & Stoller.
Directed by Robert Drivas, replaced by Cy Coleman
Starring Peggy Lee

Opened on Broadway December 14, 1983.

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-15204626 Mon, 10 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400 3460 Peggy Lee, Peg, Cy Coleman, Robert Drivas, Lunt-Fontanne, Flop, Musicals, Broadway, Paul Horner, Miss Piggy, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jay Leonhart, 5 4 full false Sail Away - "A Cruise to Nowhere" Sail Away - "A Cruise to Nowhere" Special Guest Host Connor McAndrews joins John to discuss this titanic Broadway flop!

Music by Nöel Coward
Lyrics by Nöel Coward
Book by Nöel Coward
Direction by Nöel Coward
Poster Design by Nöel Coward
Casting by Nöel Coward
Re-casting by Nöel Coward

Starring Elaine Stritch (and some other people).

Opened on Broadway October 3, 1961

]]> Special Guest Host Connor McAndrews joins John to discuss this titanic Broadway flop!

Music by Nöel Coward
Lyrics by Nöel Coward
Book by Nöel Coward
Direction by Nöel Coward
Poster Design by Nöel Coward
Casting by Nöel Coward
Re-casting by Nöel Coward

Starring Elaine Stritch (and some other people).

Opened on Broadway October 3, 1961

]]> John Anker Bow & Connor McAndrews Buzzsprout-15012940 Mon, 06 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400 4249 Elaine Stritch, Sail Away, Noel Coward, Nöel Coward, Joe Layton, Grover Dale, Broadway, Flop, Broadway Flops, Mimi Paragon, James Hurst, Patricia Harty, Margalo Gilmore, Alice Pearce, Paul O'Keefe, Disaster 5 3 full false Bring Back Birdie - "A Gloomy Middle Age" Bring Back Birdie - "A Gloomy Middle Age" John & Marla discuss the short-lived sequel to 'Bye Bye Birdie' in this tribute episode to the late Chita Rivera.

Music by Charles Strouse.
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Book by Michael Stewart
Directed, Choreographed (and Conceived!) by Joe Layton

Starring Chita Rivera, Donald O'Connor, Maria Karnilova, Marcel Forestieri, Robin Morse, Evan Seplow, Jeb Brown & Lynda Ferguson

]]> John & Marla discuss the short-lived sequel to 'Bye Bye Birdie' in this tribute episode to the late Chita Rivera.

Music by Charles Strouse.
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Book by Michael Stewart
Directed, Choreographed (and Conceived!) by Joe Layton

Starring Chita Rivera, Donald O'Connor, Maria Karnilova, Marcel Forestieri, Robin Morse, Evan Seplow, Jeb Brown & Lynda Ferguson

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-14845961 Mon, 08 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400 4036 Bring Back Birdie, Bye Bye Birdie, Chita Rivera, Donald O'Connor, Robin Morse, Evan Seplow, Jeb Brown, Maria Karnilova, Maurice Hines, Marcel Forestieri, Joe Layton, Charles Strouse, Lee Adams, Michael Stewart, 1981, Flop, Broadway, Broadway Flops 5 2 full false Flora, The Red Menace - "Milk & Cookies for the Kids!" Flora, The Red Menace - "Milk & Cookies for the Kids!" Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb 
Book by George Abbott & Robert Russell

Opened on Broadway May 11, 1965

]]> Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb 
Book by George Abbott & Robert Russell

Opened on Broadway May 11, 1965

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-14483731 Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0500 3920 Flora, Flora the Red Menace, John Kander, Fred Ebb, Liza Minnelli, Bob Dishy, Mary Louise Wilson, George Abbott, Communism, Flop, Broadway, Broadway Flop 5 1 full false Pickwick - "What the Dickens?" Pickwick - "What the Dickens?" Music by Cyril Orandel
Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Book by Wolf Mankowitz

Opened on Broadway October 4, 1965

]]> Music by Cyril Orandel
Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Book by Wolf Mankowitz

Opened on Broadway October 4, 1965

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-14201382 Mon, 25 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500 3963 Pickwick, Leslie Bricusse, Harry Secombe, David Merrick, Charles Dickens, Flop, Broadway, Broadway Flops, Cyril Orandel, Wolf Mankowitz, The Pickwick Papers, Flop of the Heap, Roy Castle, Davy Jones, Charlotte Rae, Peter Bull, Anton Rodgers, Aubrey Woods 4 18 full false Bonus Bitching Episode! Bonus Bitching Episode! John & Marla read listener mail, ask each other flop trivia and generally bitch about the Sweeney Todd revival stunt casting.

]]> John & Marla read listener mail, ask each other flop trivia and generally bitch about the Sweeney Todd revival stunt casting.

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-14008648 Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:00:00 -0500 4035 Flop, Sweeney Todd, Listener Mail, Broadway, Broadway flops, Gatsby Musical, Boop Musical 4 17 bonus false The Woman In White - "Houseguest, Mouse Guest" The Woman In White - "Houseguest, Mouse Guest" Guest host Connor McAndrews joins Marla AND John to discuss Andrew Lloyd Webber's spooky Victorian flop: THE WOMAN IN WHITE.

Spooky Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Spooky Lyrics by David Zippel
Spooky Book by Charlotte Jones
Spookily Directed by Trevor Nunn

Starring Maria Friedman, Michael Ball, Jill Paice, Adam Brazier & Ron Bohmer.

Opened on Broadway November 17, 2005.

]]> Guest host Connor McAndrews joins Marla AND John to discuss Andrew Lloyd Webber's spooky Victorian flop: THE WOMAN IN WHITE.

Spooky Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Spooky Lyrics by David Zippel
Spooky Book by Charlotte Jones
Spookily Directed by Trevor Nunn

Starring Maria Friedman, Michael Ball, Jill Paice, Adam Brazier & Ron Bohmer.

Opened on Broadway November 17, 2005.

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow with Connor McAndrews Buzzsprout-13863194 Mon, 30 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400 4063 The Woman in White, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Broadway, Flops, Broadway Flops, Michael Ball, Michael Crawford, Trevor Nunn, David Zippel 4 16 full false Grind - "Bomb in a Butter Churn" Grind - "Bomb in a Butter Churn" Guest host Connor McAndrews joins John to dissect this '80s flop:  GRIND.

Music by Larry Grossman
Lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh
Book by Fay Kanin
Directed by Harold Prince

Starring Ben Vereen, Leilani Jones, Stubby Kaye & Timothy Nolen.

Opened on Broadway April 16, 1985

]]> Guest host Connor McAndrews joins John to dissect this '80s flop:  GRIND.

Music by Larry Grossman
Lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh
Book by Fay Kanin
Directed by Harold Prince

Starring Ben Vereen, Leilani Jones, Stubby Kaye & Timothy Nolen.

Opened on Broadway April 16, 1985

]]> John Anker Bow with Connor McAndrews Buzzsprout-13719388 Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400 4234 Grind, Ben Vereen, Carol Woods, flop, Broadway, Leilani Jones, Stubby Kaye, Timothy Nolen 4 15 full false I Had A Ball - Part 2 - "You're A Fraud, Freud" I Had A Ball - Part 2 - "You're A Fraud, Freud" Connor & John continue their exploration of I Had A Ball.

Lots of song clips and more Buddy Hackett impressions.

Enchanted Blissville in Old New Kissville.

]]> Connor & John continue their exploration of I Had A Ball.

Lots of song clips and more Buddy Hackett impressions.

Enchanted Blissville in Old New Kissville.

]]> John Anker Bow with Connor McAndrews Buzzsprout-13607172 Mon, 18 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0400 3195 I Had A Ball, Buddy Hackett, Karen Morrow, Broadway, Flop, Broadway flop, Musicals, Theatre, Richard Kiley 4 14 full false I Had A Ball - Part 1 - "Can It Be Possible?" I Had A Ball - Part 1 - "Can It Be Possible?" Music & Lyrics by Jack Lawrence & Stan Freeman
Book by Jerome Chodorov
Starring Buddy Hackett

Opened on Broadway December 15, 1964

]]> Music & Lyrics by Jack Lawrence & Stan Freeman
Book by Jerome Chodorov
Starring Buddy Hackett

Opened on Broadway December 15, 1964

]]> John Anker Bow with Connor McAndrews Buzzsprout-13564244 Mon, 11 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0400 3547 Buddy Hackett 4 13 full false Listener Mail Special!!! Listener Mail Special!!! Marla & John read listener mail in this very special episode of FLOP OF THE HEAP!!!

]]> Marla & John read listener mail in this very special episode of FLOP OF THE HEAP!!!

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-13477796 Mon, 28 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400 2480 4 12 bonus false Bad Cinderella - Part 2 - "Wacko Storybook Dumpster Fire" Bad Cinderella - Part 2 - "Wacko Storybook Dumpster Fire" Part 2 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's blind stab at teen pop realness.

]]> Part 2 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's blind stab at teen pop realness.

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-13399379 Mon, 14 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400 3096 4 11 full false Bad Cinderella - Part 1 - "Bibbidi Bobbidi Basic" Bad Cinderella - Part 1 - "Bibbidi Bobbidi Basic" Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by David Zippel
Book by Emerald Fennell & Alexis Scheer

Opened on Broadway March 23, 2023

]]> Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by David Zippel
Book by Emerald Fennell & Alexis Scheer

Opened on Broadway March 23, 2023

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-13358807 Mon, 07 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0400 3853 Bad Cinderella, Broadway, Broadway Flop, Flop, Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Zippel 4 10 full true Dear World - Part 2 - "Take the Stitches Out" Dear World - Part 2 - "Take the Stitches Out" Part 2 of Dear World with guest host Connor McAndrews!

Get ready forrrr.....  Criticalllll.....  Receptionnnnn!!!

]]> Part 2 of Dear World with guest host Connor McAndrews!

Get ready forrrr.....  Criticalllll.....  Receptionnnnn!!!

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-13153458 Mon, 03 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0400 3392 4 9 full false Dear World - Part 1 - "Get Off That Critical List" Dear World - Part 1 - "Get Off That Critical List" Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee
Opened on Broadway February 6, 1969

Guest Host: Connor McAndrews

]]> Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee
Opened on Broadway February 6, 1969

Guest Host: Connor McAndrews

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-13108909 Mon, 26 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0400 4212 4 8 full false Very Warm For May - "Not So Hot For November" Very Warm For May - "Not So Hot For November" Music by Jerome Kern
Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Opened on Broadway November 17, 1939

]]> Music by Jerome Kern
Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Opened on Broadway November 17, 1939

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-12855745 Mon, 15 May 2023 20:00:00 -0400 3074 4 7 full false Starmites - "The Cruelty, Milady; Milady, the Cruelty" Starmites - "The Cruelty, Milady; Milady, the Cruelty" Music & Lyrics by Barry Keating
Book by Stuart Ross & Barry Keating
Opened on Broadway April 27, 1989

]]> Music & Lyrics by Barry Keating
Book by Stuart Ross & Barry Keating
Opened on Broadway April 27, 1989

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-12712284 Mon, 24 Apr 2023 11:00:00 -0400 3364 4 6 full false Diana- Episode 2- "Jolly Well Done" Diana- Episode 2- "Jolly Well Done" Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-12475994 Mon, 20 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0400 2138 full false Diana- Episode 1- "Better Than A Wank" Diana- Episode 1- "Better Than A Wank" Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-12475862 Mon, 20 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0400 2802 full false Mack and Mabel - Part 2 Mack and Mabel - Part 2 Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Michael Stewart
Opened on Broadway October 6, 1974 at the Majestic.

]]> Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Michael Stewart
Opened on Broadway October 6, 1974 at the Majestic.

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-12247208 Mon, 13 Feb 2023 21:00:00 -0500 3625 4 3 full false Mack and Mabel- Part 1 Mack and Mabel- Part 1 Music and Lyrics- Jerry Herman
Book- Michael Stewart

]]> Music and Lyrics- Jerry Herman
Book- Michael Stewart

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-12198065 Mon, 06 Feb 2023 18:00:00 -0500 2517 full false Sherry - "A Lovely Liver's About To Die" Sherry - "A Lovely Liver's About To Die" Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-12054864 Mon, 16 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0500 3946 full false Breakfast At Tiffany's - "A Bucket Of Ribs, A Bottle Of Corn" Breakfast At Tiffany's - "A Bucket Of Ribs, A Bottle Of Corn" Breakfast at Tiffany's- 1966 - Majestic Theatre

Music/Lyrics- Bob Merrill
Book- Edward Albee

]]> Breakfast at Tiffany's- 1966 - Majestic Theatre

Music/Lyrics- Bob Merrill
Book- Edward Albee

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-11650505 Mon, 07 Nov 2022 18:00:00 -0500 3772 full false Lysistrata Jones- "Give Up Givin' It Up!" Lysistrata Jones- "Give Up Givin' It Up!" Lysistrata Jones- Walter Kerr- 2011

Music and Lyrics- Lewis Flinn
Book- Douglas Carter Beane

]]> Lysistrata Jones- Walter Kerr- 2011

Music and Lyrics- Lewis Flinn
Book- Douglas Carter Beane

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-11432306 Mon, 03 Oct 2022 19:00:00 -0400 3113 full false Subways Are For Sleeping- "Wake up. Get Out. Go up. Cross over." Subways Are For Sleeping- "Wake up. Get Out. Go up. Cross over." Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-10666962 Mon, 23 May 2022 12:00:00 -0400 4135 full false Anyone Can Whistle- Part 2 Anyone Can Whistle- Part 2 Join John, Marla, and Special Guest, Connor McAndrews on our first Sondheim flop adventure. Find Connor on Insta @connormcandrews and @southphillybarefootcontessa

Anyone Can Whistle- 1964- The Majestic

Music and Lyrics- Stephen Sondheim
Book- Arthur Laurents

]]> Join John, Marla, and Special Guest, Connor McAndrews on our first Sondheim flop adventure. Find Connor on Insta @connormcandrews and @southphillybarefootcontessa

Anyone Can Whistle- 1964- The Majestic

Music and Lyrics- Stephen Sondheim
Book- Arthur Laurents

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-10159418 Mon, 28 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -0500 3151 full false Anyone Can Whistle- Part 1 Anyone Can Whistle- Part 1 Join John, Marla, and Special Guest, Connor McAndrews on our first Sondheim flop adventure. Find Connor on Insta @connormcandrews and @southphillybarefootcontessa

Anyone Can Whistle- 1964- The Majestic

Music and Lyrics- Stephen Sondheim
Book- Arthur Laurents

]]> Join John, Marla, and Special Guest, Connor McAndrews on our first Sondheim flop adventure. Find Connor on Insta @connormcandrews and @southphillybarefootcontessa

Anyone Can Whistle- 1964- The Majestic

Music and Lyrics- Stephen Sondheim
Book- Arthur Laurents

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-10119698 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 23:00:00 -0500 2859 full false Home Sweet Homer- Was He Guarding or Barding? Home Sweet Homer- Was He Guarding or Barding? Home Sweet Homer- 1976- The Palace Theatre

This one's a real Odyssey.

Music- Mitch Leigh
Lyrics- Charles Burr and Foreman Brown
Book- Roland Kibbee and Albert Marre

]]> Home Sweet Homer- 1976- The Palace Theatre

This one's a real Odyssey.

Music- Mitch Leigh
Lyrics- Charles Burr and Foreman Brown
Book- Roland Kibbee and Albert Marre

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-9900954 Mon, 17 Jan 2022 12:00:00 -0500 3858 full false Smile - "Where the Hell is my Diaphragm?" Smile - "Where the Hell is my Diaphragm?" Join John and special guest Marc Tumminelli, as they discuss a pageant of a disaster. If Marla is your least favorite co-host of Flop of the Heap, this is the episode for you!

Smile- Lunt- Fontanne- 1986
Book- Howard Ashman
Music- Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics- Howard Ashman

]]> Join John and special guest Marc Tumminelli, as they discuss a pageant of a disaster. If Marla is your least favorite co-host of Flop of the Heap, this is the episode for you!

Smile- Lunt- Fontanne- 1986
Book- Howard Ashman
Music- Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics- Howard Ashman

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-9774817 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0500 3906 full false Dance of the Vampires- "I'll Show You Yours, If You Show Me Mine" Dance of the Vampires- "I'll Show You Yours, If You Show Me Mine" The Halloween Special No One Asked For.

Dance of the Vampires- The Minskoff Theatre- 2002
Book- David Ives and Michael Kunze
Lyrics- Jim Steinman and Don Black

]]> The Halloween Special No One Asked For.

Dance of the Vampires- The Minskoff Theatre- 2002
Book- David Ives and Michael Kunze
Lyrics- Jim Steinman and Don Black

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-9428026 Mon, 25 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0400 3730 full false Triumph of Love- "Hey Mona Justa Say Cheesa" Triumph of Love- "Hey Mona Justa Say Cheesa" How could a musical with so many great actors fail so miserably?

Triumph of Love- The Royal Theatre- 1998
Book- James Magruder
Composer- Jeffrey Stock
Lyrics- Susan Birkenhead

]]> How could a musical with so many great actors fail so miserably?

Triumph of Love- The Royal Theatre- 1998
Book- James Magruder
Composer- Jeffrey Stock
Lyrics- Susan Birkenhead

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-9389304 Mon, 18 Oct 2021 12:00:00 -0400 3286 full false Legs Diamond- "Let Me See Your Knockers" Legs Diamond- "Let Me See Your Knockers" We're serving up a legendary flop this week! What does a flamboyant Australian  pop singer have in common with  a ruthless New York mobster? Aside from having a pair of legs, probably not much.

Legs Diamond- 1988- The Mark Hellinger Theatre
Music and Lyrics- Peter Allen
Book- Harvey Fierstein 

]]> We're serving up a legendary flop this week! What does a flamboyant Australian  pop singer have in common with  a ruthless New York mobster? Aside from having a pair of legs, probably not much.

Legs Diamond- 1988- The Mark Hellinger Theatre
Music and Lyrics- Peter Allen
Book- Harvey Fierstein 

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-8963434 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 17:00:00 -0400 4230 full false Raggedy Ann- "You're Sick, Sick, Sick" Raggedy Ann- "You're Sick, Sick, Sick" Join us as we explore  Raggedy Ann, not the beloved children's' doll, but the brutally panned musical featuring said beloved children's' doll... and lots of death. How did a show written by the man who brought us "C is for Cookie" get so very dark? Let's find out!

Raggedy Ann- 1986- Nederlander Theatre
Music and Lyrics- Joe Raposo
Book- William Gibson

]]> Join us as we explore  Raggedy Ann, not the beloved children's' doll, but the brutally panned musical featuring said beloved children's' doll... and lots of death. How did a show written by the man who brought us "C is for Cookie" get so very dark? Let's find out!

Raggedy Ann- 1986- Nederlander Theatre
Music and Lyrics- Joe Raposo
Book- William Gibson

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-8891000 Mon, 19 Jul 2021 22:00:00 -0400 3949 full false The Rink- “An Emancipated Pain In My Ass” The Rink- “An Emancipated Pain In My Ass” Strap on your rollerskates, as we follow Chita Rivera, Liza Minelli, and Jason Alexander on this journey that looks much more like a brutal roller derby match, than a relaxing lap around the rink.

The Rink- The Martin Beck Theatre- 1984
Music- John Kander
Lyrics- Fred Ebb
Book- Terrence McNally

]]> Strap on your rollerskates, as we follow Chita Rivera, Liza Minelli, and Jason Alexander on this journey that looks much more like a brutal roller derby match, than a relaxing lap around the rink.

The Rink- The Martin Beck Theatre- 1984
Music- John Kander
Lyrics- Fred Ebb
Book- Terrence McNally

]]> Buzzsprout-8811585 Mon, 05 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400 4018 full false Wildcat- “We’d Get the Spanish Flu” Wildcat- “We’d Get the Spanish Flu” John and Marla go West to search for Broadway Oil, and find only tar. Find out what made Lucille Ball’s only musical performance so “lame.” Shenanigans ensue.

Wildcat- 1960 - Alvin Theatre
Music- Cy Coleman
Lyrics- Carolyn Leigh
Book- N. Richard Nash

]]> John and Marla go West to search for Broadway Oil, and find only tar. Find out what made Lucille Ball’s only musical performance so “lame.” Shenanigans ensue.

Wildcat- 1960 - Alvin Theatre
Music- Cy Coleman
Lyrics- Carolyn Leigh
Book- N. Richard Nash

]]> Marla Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-8736664 Mon, 21 Jun 2021 05:00:00 -0400 3824 full false Taboo- "Did You See the Size of That!?" Taboo- "Did You See the Size of That!?" A very special pride episode! Heart on our sleeves, eye shadow in our creases, we take a trip to 1980s London, to meet Boy George and the Blitz Kids.

Taboo- 2003- Plymouth Theatre
Music and Lyrics- Boy George
Book- Mark Davies Markham and Charles Busch

]]> A very special pride episode! Heart on our sleeves, eye shadow in our creases, we take a trip to 1980s London, to meet Boy George and the Blitz Kids.

Taboo- 2003- Plymouth Theatre
Music and Lyrics- Boy George
Book- Mark Davies Markham and Charles Busch

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-8649190 Mon, 07 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400 4239 full false Via Galactica- "Shall We Friend" Via Galactica- "Shall We Friend" Shall we friend? Shall we, friend? Shall we friend. Shall, we friend. Shall we friend! Shall, we, friend! Fan of Sci-fi? You won't be after this episode. 

Via Galactica- Uris Theatre- 1972

Music- Galt MacDermot
Lyrics- Christopher Gore
Book- Christopher Gore and Judith Ross

]]> Shall we friend? Shall we, friend? Shall we friend. Shall, we friend. Shall we friend! Shall, we, friend! Fan of Sci-fi? You won't be after this episode. 

Via Galactica- Uris Theatre- 1972

Music- Galt MacDermot
Lyrics- Christopher Gore
Book- Christopher Gore and Judith Ross

]]> Buzzsprout-8403248 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400 3780 2 9 full false Tenderloin- "Reverend Brock Testifies!!!" Tenderloin- "Reverend Brock Testifies!!!" Tenderloin is on the menu, and it is a bit tough. If you are, both, pious and kick line-adverse, this is the show for you. 

Tenderloin- 1960- The Richard Rodgers Theatre
Music- Jerry Brock
Lyrics- Sheldon Harnick
Book- George Abbott and Jerome Weidman

]]> Tenderloin is on the menu, and it is a bit tough. If you are, both, pious and kick line-adverse, this is the show for you. 

Tenderloin- 1960- The Richard Rodgers Theatre
Music- Jerry Brock
Lyrics- Sheldon Harnick
Book- George Abbott and Jerome Weidman

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-8318447 Mon, 12 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0400 3623 2 8 full false Dance A Little Closer- "Headin' For Armageddon" Dance A Little Closer- "Headin' For Armageddon" It's the end of the world as we know it!... for the cast and crew of this 1980s flop. Nuclear war has never been less interesting, and singing about it should help, but it doesn't. Take shelter, and give this one a listen.

Dance A Little Closer- 1983- Minskoff Theatre
Music- Charles Strouse
Book and Lyrics- Alan Jay Lerner

]]> It's the end of the world as we know it!... for the cast and crew of this 1980s flop. Nuclear war has never been less interesting, and singing about it should help, but it doesn't. Take shelter, and give this one a listen.

Dance A Little Closer- 1983- Minskoff Theatre
Music- Charles Strouse
Book and Lyrics- Alan Jay Lerner

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-8232689 Mon, 29 Mar 2021 11:00:00 -0400 3458 2 7 full false The Capeman- "Killer Wants To Go To College" The Capeman- "Killer Wants To Go To College" There's been a murder!... committed by all your favorite theatre critics. Can Paul Simon adeptly write a musical about a gang murder? Would Art have done better? Find out in this "Salsa Sunset Boulevard" of a musical.

The Capeman- The Maquis- 1998
Music- Paul Simon
Lyrics and Book- Paul Simon and Derek Walcott

]]> There's been a murder!... committed by all your favorite theatre critics. Can Paul Simon adeptly write a musical about a gang murder? Would Art have done better? Find out in this "Salsa Sunset Boulevard" of a musical.

The Capeman- The Maquis- 1998
Music- Paul Simon
Lyrics and Book- Paul Simon and Derek Walcott

]]> Buzzsprout-8116398 Wed, 10 Mar 2021 14:00:00 -0500 3561 2 6 full false Urban Cowboy- "Mr. Striggity-Strong" Urban Cowboy- "Mr. Striggity-Strong" Yee-Haw! Flop of the Heap goes Country in this newest episode,  as we explore a beer-soaked musical,  adapted from a beer-drenched movie,  tailored out of a beer-logged Esquire article, that should have stuck to print. 

Urban Cowboy- 2003- The Broadhurst Theatre

Book- Aaron Latham and Phillip Oesterman
Music and Lyrics- Jason Robert Brown and Jeff Blumenkrantz, with additional music by various artists

]]> Yee-Haw! Flop of the Heap goes Country in this newest episode,  as we explore a beer-soaked musical,  adapted from a beer-drenched movie,  tailored out of a beer-logged Esquire article, that should have stuck to print. 

Urban Cowboy- 2003- The Broadhurst Theatre

Book- Aaron Latham and Phillip Oesterman
Music and Lyrics- Jason Robert Brown and Jeff Blumenkrantz, with additional music by various artists

]]> Buzzsprout-8014633 Tue, 23 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -0500 3283 2 5 full false 70, Girls, 70- "Shock Her Off Her Rocker" 70, Girls, 70- "Shock Her Off Her Rocker" Old age can be fun, right? Well, if that's true, 70, Girls, 70 is going to need to make a better case for it. Come listen as John and Mark shuffle their way through this band of medicated minstrels, and emerge having learnt no new life lessons.


70, Girls, 70- The Broadhurst Theatre- 1971
Music- John Kander
Lyrics- Fred Ebb
Book- Fred Ebb and Norman L. Martin

]]> Old age can be fun, right? Well, if that's true, 70, Girls, 70 is going to need to make a better case for it. Come listen as John and Mark shuffle their way through this band of medicated minstrels, and emerge having learnt no new life lessons.


70, Girls, 70- The Broadhurst Theatre- 1971
Music- John Kander
Lyrics- Fred Ebb
Book- Fred Ebb and Norman L. Martin

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-7829698 Fri, 12 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -0500 3633 2 4 full false BONUS- Cut Out of Town- Prince of Central Park BONUS- Cut Out of Town- Prince of Central Park A compilation of yuk-yuks that didn't make the final cut in our Prince of Central Park episode, along with a special "Critical Reception" that just wasn't Broadway ready.

]]> A compilation of yuk-yuks that didn't make the final cut in our Prince of Central Park episode, along with a special "Critical Reception" that just wasn't Broadway ready.

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-7615813 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 15:00:00 -0500 1009 2 3 bonus false Prince of Central Park- "Through Cr*p-Colored Glasses" (With Guests, Richard H. Blake and Tony Galde) Prince of Central Park- "Through Cr*p-Colored Glasses" (With Guests, Richard H. Blake and Tony Galde) A show with a mistreated orphan, drugs, violent gangs, and 80s aerobics, mixed with the pizzazz and flash of a standard, cookie cutter Broadway Musical? What could go wrong? Mark and John, navigate the podcast's first interview, with Broadway stars Richard H. Blake and Tony Galde, and  with their guidance, discover what made Prince abdicate its throne at the Belasco after four short performances.

Prince of Central Park- 1989- The Belasco Theatre
Music by Don Sebesky
Lyrics by Gloria Nissenson
Book by  Evan H. Rodes

]]> A show with a mistreated orphan, drugs, violent gangs, and 80s aerobics, mixed with the pizzazz and flash of a standard, cookie cutter Broadway Musical? What could go wrong? Mark and John, navigate the podcast's first interview, with Broadway stars Richard H. Blake and Tony Galde, and  with their guidance, discover what made Prince abdicate its throne at the Belasco after four short performances.

Prince of Central Park- 1989- The Belasco Theatre
Music by Don Sebesky
Lyrics by Gloria Nissenson
Book by  Evan H. Rodes

]]> Buzzsprout-7559077 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 11:00:00 -0500 3850 2 2 full false Let 'Em Eat Cake- "Habeas Corpus Rah Rah Rah!" Let 'Em Eat Cake- "Habeas Corpus Rah Rah Rah!" This weeks episode hits way too close to home, when a fictional president, after losing reelection, uses his followers to perpetrate a fascist coup. How did the Gershwins know? Are they time travelers? Find out this week on Flop of the Heap.

Let 'Em Eat Cake- Imperial Theatre- 1933
Music- George Gershwin
Lyrics- Ira Gershwin
Book- George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind

]]> This weeks episode hits way too close to home, when a fictional president, after losing reelection, uses his followers to perpetrate a fascist coup. How did the Gershwins know? Are they time travelers? Find out this week on Flop of the Heap.

Let 'Em Eat Cake- Imperial Theatre- 1933
Music- George Gershwin
Lyrics- Ira Gershwin
Book- George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-7241374 Mon, 11 Jan 2021 13:00:00 -0500 3389 2 1 full false Flahooley- "You Too Can Be A Puppet!" Flahooley- "You Too Can Be A Puppet!" It's a Christmas Special. Snow is falling! Or are those Flahooley dolls? Come learn a little class consciousness from John, Mark, and the man who wrote "Over the Rainbow" in this very merry, Marxist episode!

Flahooley- Broadhurst Theatre- 1951
Music- Sammy Fain
Lyrics- E.Y. Harburg
Book- E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy

Includes music performed by Barbara Cook

]]> It's a Christmas Special. Snow is falling! Or are those Flahooley dolls? Come learn a little class consciousness from John, Mark, and the man who wrote "Over the Rainbow" in this very merry, Marxist episode!

Flahooley- Broadhurst Theatre- 1951
Music- Sammy Fain
Lyrics- E.Y. Harburg
Book- E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy

Includes music performed by Barbara Cook

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-6972677 Tue, 22 Dec 2020 16:00:00 -0500 4299 1 5 full false The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N- "Sound and Phooey" The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N- "Sound and Phooey" The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N has a lot of asterisks, and is obnoxious to type, but it has Tom Bosley. You know...the dad from Happy Days. He's cute. But is he enough to redeem this show? I don't know, come get educated!

The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N - 1968- The Alvin Theatre
Music and Lyrics- Paul Nassau and Oscar Brand
Book- Benjamin Bernard Zavin

]]> The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N has a lot of asterisks, and is obnoxious to type, but it has Tom Bosley. You know...the dad from Happy Days. He's cute. But is he enough to redeem this show? I don't know, come get educated!

The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N - 1968- The Alvin Theatre
Music and Lyrics- Paul Nassau and Oscar Brand
Book- Benjamin Bernard Zavin

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-6776167 Wed, 09 Dec 2020 18:00:00 -0500 3089 1 4 full false Chu Chem- "The Kind Kind of War" Chu Chem- "The Kind Kind of War" What is Chu Chem?  Is it the best Chinese-Hebrew musical of all time? Probably, but there weren't many nominees. Is it a delicious little kosher egg roll of a show? Probably not. Will Mark be "right for once" this episode? Yes, but it had to happen eventually.

Join as Mark and John present the first episode of our Hanukah double-header. The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N is next, so grab a plate of latkes and enjoy.

Chu Chem- 1989- Ritz Theatre
Music- Mitch Leigh
Lyrics- Jim Haines and Jack Wohl
Book- Ted Allan

]]> What is Chu Chem?  Is it the best Chinese-Hebrew musical of all time? Probably, but there weren't many nominees. Is it a delicious little kosher egg roll of a show? Probably not. Will Mark be "right for once" this episode? Yes, but it had to happen eventually.

Join as Mark and John present the first episode of our Hanukah double-header. The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N is next, so grab a plate of latkes and enjoy.

Chu Chem- 1989- Ritz Theatre
Music- Mitch Leigh
Lyrics- Jim Haines and Jack Wohl
Book- Ted Allan

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-6701026 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 21:00:00 -0500 3413 1 3 full false Kelly - "Oh, You Mammoth Suspension!" Kelly - "Oh, You Mammoth Suspension!" KELLY!  (Season 1, Ep. 2)
Music by Mark "Moose" Charlap
Book & Lyrics by Eddie Lawrence
Opened February 26, 1965 at the Broadhurst
Closed after 1 glorious performance!

]]> KELLY!  (Season 1, Ep. 2)
Music by Mark "Moose" Charlap
Book & Lyrics by Eddie Lawrence
Opened February 26, 1965 at the Broadhurst
Closed after 1 glorious performance!

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-6444325 Wed, 18 Nov 2020 15:00:00 -0500 4060 Kelly 1 2 full false Merlin - "Where Did The Ducks Go!?" Merlin - "Where Did The Ducks Go!?" MERLIN!  (Season 1, Ep. 1)
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Lyrics by Don Black
Book by Richard Levinson & William Link
Opened February 13, 1983 at the Mark Hellinger
Closed after 199 performances

]]> MERLIN!  (Season 1, Ep. 1)
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Lyrics by Don Black
Book by Richard Levinson & William Link
Opened February 13, 1983 at the Mark Hellinger
Closed after 199 performances

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-6241477 Thu, 05 Nov 2020 17:00:00 -0500 3095 1 1 full false Preview - What Is A 'Flop?' Preview - What Is A 'Flop?' A Preview of the upcoming series, explaining the show's purpose and defining the Broadway "flop."

]]> A Preview of the upcoming series, explaining the show's purpose and defining the Broadway "flop."

]]> Mark Alpert and John Anker Bow Buzzsprout-6241432 Thu, 05 Nov 2020 17:00:00 -0500 215 bonus false