My Favorite Flop

Because we all used CliffsNotes more often than we’re comfortable to admit. On Part I of The Books You Claim To Have Read, ”the road goes on” as Bobby and Kristina discuss 2007’s ”Lord of the Rings” on Season Two, Episode 5 of My Favorite Flop.

While most Broadway shows make it to opening night - sometimes, a preview is enough. On Part II of A Preview Was Enough, ”a day will never be the same” as Bobby and Kristina discuss 1981’s The Little Prince and the Aviator on Season Two, Episode 4 of My Favorite Flop.

While most Broadway shows make it to opening night - sometimes, a preview is enough. On Part I of A Preview Was Enough, ”Hollywood is dying” as Bobby and Kristina discuss 1973’s Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don’t You Ever Forget It!) on Season Two, Episode 3 of My Favorite Flop.

It’s time to break some legs and keep that ”M” word out of your mouths, kids, because Bobby and Kristina are back with Part II of The Curse of the Longacre (dunn, dunn, dunn!!!) to discuss 2013’s First Date on Season Two, Episode Two of My Favorite Flop.

It’s time to grab your cleats and jockstraps, kids, because we’re back with a brand new season and this time our episodes are themed and paired! To kick things off, Bobby and Kristina will be exploring whether or not baseball and Broadway can actually coexist as they cover The Curse of the Longacre (dunn, dunn, dunn!!!) and then learn more about ”the worst job in the world” as they discuss 2001’s Diana, The Musical on the Season Two premiere of My Favorite Flop.

Sorry, Mother, but apparently you can go ”back to before” as hosts Bobby and Kristina look back on our entire first season and share cut soundbites and bloopers on MY FAVORITE FLOP’s second super special, limited-edition Christmas Special!

"Are you ready for tonight?" "Simple ain't easy" and this isn't "just another song" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss a whole bunch of Clopenings (shows that closed on opening night) on the season one finale of My Favorite Flop.

We‘re all just ”children of the wind” in this ”brave new world” as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1986‘s ”Rags” on episode twenty one of MY FAVORITE FLOP.

”Tomorrow is now” as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1989‘s ‘Annie 2: Miss Hannigan‘s Revenge” and 1993‘s ”Annie Warbucks” on episode twenty of My Favorite Flop. ABOUT ”ANNIE 2: MISS HANNIGAN‘S REVENGE” The first official attempt at a sequel to the hit Broadway musical ”Annie”, ”Annie 2: Miss Hannigan‘s Revenge” follows the continued story of villainous Miss Hannigan as she escapes from prison to marry Daddy Warbucks, steal his fortune, and rid the world of of Little Orphan Annie once and for all. The musical features a book by Thomas Meehan, lyrics by Martin Charin, and music by Charles Strouse. At the closing performance of ”Annie 1”, lyricist Martin Charnin stood onstage and told the audience that the story of Annie was not over and that a sequel to the musical was already in the works. Six years later, hundreds of little girls in their red velvet dresses pilgrimaged to Washington D.C. with their parents to get a first look at what was excepted to be one of the biggest hits on Broadway the following season. Little did they know that ”Annie 2” would feature very little Annie at all and, instead, would tell the misguided redemption story of the first musical‘s villain. The entire project was a manifestation of the creative team‘s own insecurities of now being best-known for writing a fluffy kids musical and not their more-serious previous works... so, they set out to prove to the industry that they could follow it up with something more complex and grown up. The happy endings we see at the end of ”Annie 1” we find out were short lived. Daddy Warbucks discovers that he can‘t legally adopt Annie as a single father, so he must find a wife and because of that, Annie‘s future is uncertain. Grace, who has genuine feelings for the billionaire, must balance her career and personal life as she is passed over for other candidates. And Hannigan must come to terms with her quest for revenge and money as she confronts her own past and humanity. The creative team had hoped that fans of the original musical had grown up with them and would appreciate their cynical take on what happens after ”tomorrow”. Sadly, ”something was missing”, and what that was what attracted so many fans to the original piece - the absolute charm of Annie and her orphan friends. Throughout the run in D.C., desperate changes were made to the show to fix that tonal issues, including adding more Annie and additional orphan characters from the original, but a major financial backer decided to leave the show and it‘s scheduled Broadway run (the marquee was already up!) was cancelled. ”Annie 2” would then go through a process of rewrites and restructuring at the Goodspeed Opera House that would not only remove Miss Hannigan from the show‘s title, but from the show completely... eventually evolving into a different sequel titled ”Annie Warbucks”! Original Washington Cast • Dorothy Loudon as Miss Hannigan • Fiely Matias as The Asp • Gerry McIntyre as Punjab • Lauren Mitchell as Grace Farrell • Harve Presnell as Oliver Warbucks • Danielle Findley as Annie Warbucks • Beau as Sandy • Marian Seldes as Mrs. Christmas • Ronny Graham as Lionel McCoy • Terrence P. Currier as Drake • Raymond Thorne as FDR • Ellyn Arons as Eleanor Roosevelt ABOUT ”ANNIE WARBUCKS” Another attempt at as a sequel to the hit Broadway musical ”Annie”, ”Annie Warbucks” begins immediately after ”Annie” ends as  Daddy Warbucks learns that he must marry within sixty days or else Annie will be returned to the orphanage. The musical features a book by Thomas Meehan, lyrics by Martin Charin, and music by Charles Strouse. ”Annie Warbucks” was developed in a workshop at the Goodspeed Opera House, directed by Charnin and choreographed by Peter Gennaro and under the direction of Michael P. Price, Executive Director. The musical played several out-of-town tryouts, starting at the Marriott Lincolnshire, Chicago in February through April 1992 and then the Drury Lane in Oak Brook, Illinois, followed by a fiv

Get ready to ”say a prayer” as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 2002‘s ”Dance of the Vampires” on episode nineteen of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT ”DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES” Based on the Roman Polanski film ”The Fearless Vampire Killers”, ”Dance of the Vampires” follows Professor Abronsius as he attempts to prove the existence of vampires in Transylvania while his bumbling assistant Alfred falls for innkeeper‘s daughter Sarah, unaware that she is being pursued by the mysterious Count von Krolock. The musical features a book by Jim Steinman, Michael Kunze, and David Ives and music and lyrics by Jim Steinman. Academy Award-winning film director Roman Polanski was inspired to adapt his cult comedy for the musical stage after being approached to work on a theatrical production of Anne Rice‘s ”Interview with the Vampire”. Composer Jim Steinman and book writer/lyricist Michael Kunze were ultimately chosen to collaborate based on both of their previous bodies of work, with Steinman literally being chosen by the director after putting 5 of his preexisting songs into a rough outline by Kunze (all of which remained in the final version of the show, including the hit song ”Total Eclipse of the Heart”). The show, then known as ”Tanz der Vampire”, originally opened on October 4, 1997 in Vienna, Austria where it ran for over 2 years. A new production opened in Germany following its closing and has played somewhere in the country almost consistently to this very day. Because of that, ”Tanz de Vampire” is one of the most successful musicals in European history. From its premiere, English producers were seeking to bring the show to English-speaking countries. Composer Steinman was no stranger to the theater scene in New York, having spent five years under the professional wing of New York Shakespeare Festival founder Joseph Papp in the early Seventies. After briefly considering a West End run, it was decided to bring the musical (now titled ”Dance of the Vampires”) to Broadway instead. After several failed attempts, many rewrites, and replacements on the creative team, ”Dance of the Vampires” finally opened December 9, 2002. The Broadway version of the show was critically lambasted and the work of lead performer Michael Crawford was reviewed particularly harshly. When the reviews came out, Jim Steinman made a show of his disapproval of the project by not attending opening night and publicly distancing himself from the show.  On January 25, 2003, after 56 performances, ”Dance of the Vampires” closed. According to The New York Times, it was ”one of the costliest failures in Broadway history”, losing roughly $12 million, easily eclipsing the infamous musical ”Carrie”. Original Broadway Cast • Michael Crawford as Count Giovanni Von Krolock • Mandy Gonzalez as Sarah • René Auberjonois as Professor Abronsius • Max von Essen as Alfred • Ron Orbach as Chagal • Leah Hocking as Magda • Liz McCartney as Rebecca • Asa Somers as Herbert • Mark Price as Boris • Erin Leigh Peck as Zsa-Zsa • E. Alyssa Claar as Nadja

”Embrace it”, ”there‘s always a tomorrow” as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 2004‘s ”Dracula, The Musical” and 2006‘s ”Lestat” on episode eighteen of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT ”DRACULA, THE MUSICAL” Based on the Victorian novel by Bram Stoker, ”Dracula, The Musical” tells the story of the famed vampire as he lusts for new blood. Jonathan Harker and Mina Murray fall victim to Dracula‘s unnatural charm and, along with Doctor Van Helsing, must fight Dracula‘s supernatural powers. The musical features music by Frank Wildhorn and book and lyrics by Christopher Hampton and Don Black. Following a record-breaking run at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2001, the musical finally opened on Broadway to mostly negative reviews 3 years later in 2004. Though this production was intended as a serious, dramatic interpretation of the source material, critics complained of a complete lack of emotion in general, and of suspense and horror in particular. Also, while the plot of the musical hits all the major points of Stoker‘s novel, critics felt it did so in such an obtuse way that audience members unfamiliar with the story may find themselves unable to comprehend the action. Despite failing on Broadway, the musical has gone on to become extremely popular throughout Europe and Asia. The musical made its international debut at Theater St. Gallen, Switzerland in 2005, with notable productions following in the UK, Tokyo, and Seoul. Original Broadway Cast • Melissa Errico as Mina Murray • Tom Hewitt as Dracula • Stephen McKinley Henderson as Abraham Van Helsing • Chris Hoch as Arthur Holmwood • Kelli O‘Hara as Lucy Westenra • Darren Ritchie as Jonathan Harker • Bart Shatto as Quincey Morris • Don Stephenson as Renfield • Shonn Wiley as Jack Seward • Lena Hall as Second Vampire • Melissa Fagan as Third Vampire • Jenifer Foote as First Vampire • Michael Herwitz as Child • Pamela Jordan as Third Vampire (Alternate) • Elizabeth Loyacano as Second Vampire (Alternate) • Tracy Miller as First Vampire (Alternate) • Matthew Nardozzi as Child (Alternate) • Graham Rowat as Ensemble ABOUT ”LESTAT” Inspired by three of the novels in Anne Rice‘s ”The Vampire Chronicles”, ”Lestat” tells the story of a man who escapes the tyranny of his oppressive family only to have his life taken from him by the vampire, Magnus. The musical features music by Elton John, lyrics by Bernie Taupin, and a book by Linda Woolverton. Officially the highest-earning pre-Broadway play in San Francisco history (beating out ”Wicked” AND ”Cats”), ”Lestat” finally opened on Broadway at the Palace Theater on March 25, 2006 after a series of drastic revisions. Reviews of the Broadway production were uniformly negative. Ben Brantley famously described the show as a ”musical sleeping pill” and Peter Marks of the Washington Post remarked that apparently ”a gay vampire with a two-octave range can be just as dull as a straight one.” The musical closed on May 28, 2006, after 33 previews and 39 performances. An Original Broadway Cast Recording was recorded by Mercury Records a week earlier, however, after the show‘s closing, Elton John‘s management stated ”there are no plans to release the recording...” ”Lestat” has not been seen again (at least officially) since its original run. Original Off-Broadway Cast • Hugh Panaro as Lestat • Carolee Carmello as Gabrielle • Allison Fischer as Claudia • Michael Genet as Marius • Roderick Hill as Nicolas • Drew Sarich as Armand • Jim Stanek as Louis • Rachel Coloff as Ensemble • Nikki Renée Daniels as Eleni • Joseph Dellger as Magnus • Colleen Fitzpatrick as Ensemble • Patrick Mellen as Ensemble • Chris Peluso as Ensemble • Dominique Plaisant as Ensemble • Megan Reinking as Beautiful Woman • Will Swenson as Marquis/Laurent • Tommar Wilson as Ensemble

It‘s time to finish that ”book report” on ”Edgar Allan Poe” as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1971‘s ”You‘re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” and 1982‘s ”Snoopy! The Musical” on episode seventeen of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT ”YOU‘RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN” Based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip ”Peanuts”, ‘You‘re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” shares the story of a day in the life of everybody‘s favorite blockhead, Charlie Brown. The musical features music and lyrics by Clark Gesner and a book by John Gordon. Following an unprecedented run of 1,597 performances off-Broadway, the musical finally opened to mixed reviews on The Great White Way on June 1, 1971 and closed 32 performances later. Many critics had felt that much of its original charm had evaporated during the transfer. Despite that, the musical became a popular staple in the amateur theater market and is known as one of the most beloved musicals of all time. In 1998, a significantly revised version of the musical set out on a national tour before opening on Broadway the following year. It featured new dialogue by Michael Mayer, who also directed, and additional songs and orchestration written by composer Andrew Lippa. The character of Patty was replaced with Sally Brown, inspired by the same change Schulz made in the animated TV adaptation in the 1980s. The cast featured Anthony Rapp as Charlie Brown, B.D. Wong as Linus, Ilana Levine as Lucy, and Stanley Wayne Mathis as Schroeder. Also featured were Kristin Chenoweth and Roger Bart as Sally and Snoopy, with each winning the Tony award in the respective category. Despite its Tony wins, the musical failed to gain an audience and closed after just 149 performances. Original Broadway Cast • Dean Stolber as Charlie Brown • Liz O‘Neal as Lucy • Stephen Fenning as Linus • Carter Cole as Schroeder • Lee Wilson as Patty • Grant Cowan as Snoopy ABOUT ”SNOOPY! THE MUSICAL‘ An official sequel to ”You‘re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, ”Snoopy! The Musical” shares the story of a day in the life of everybody‘s favorite beagle, Snoopy. The musical features music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Hal Hackady, and a book by Warren Lockhart, Arthur Whitelaw, and Michael Grace. Despite ”You‘re A Good Man, Charlie Brown‘s” Broadway failure in 1971, it had already become a worldwide sensation, and producer Arthur Whitelaw felt that it needed a follow-up. This time, however, he would both write and direct the piece. ”Snoopy! The Musical” premiered on December 9, 1975 at the Little Fox Theatre in San Francisco, California and, despite mixed reviews, ran for 7 months. The musical was then produced Off-Broadway at the Lamb‘s Theatre in 1982 starring David Garrison as Snoopy. The show performed 152 performances until it closed on May 1, 1983. The Off-Broadway production received similar reviews to the San Francisco production. Later, when Lorna Luft replaced Peppermint Patty, a new song was written for her, entitled ”Hurry Up, Face”. This song was used in later productions, including the West End later that year. The 1983 West End production was a critically acclaimed success and ran for 479 performances. A revised version of ”Snoopy! The Musical” opened Texas State University in 2017 with a new song co-written by Andrew Lippa and restored material that had been cut from previous versions of the show. This version, now called ”The World According To Snoopy”, is available to license alongside the original. Original Off-Broadway Cast • David Garrison as Snoopy • Terry Kirwin as Charlie Brown • Vicki Lewis as Peppermint Patty • Kay Cole as Lucy • Stephen Fenning as Linus • Deborah Graham as Sally Brown • Cathy Cahn as Woodstock

You‘re gonna have ”the time of your life” as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1996‘s ”Big The Musical” on episode sixteen of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT ”BIG THE MUSICAL” Based on the 1988 film of the same name starring Tom Hanks, ”Big The Musical” tells the story Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy who grows up overnight after being granted a wish by a Zoltar Speaks machine at a carnival. With the aid of his best friend, Billy, he must cope with his new adulthood while finding the machine so that he can wish himself back and more. The musical features a book by John Weidman, music by David Shire, and lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. Composer David Shire was inspired to adapt ”Big” for the stage after his wife, actress Didi Conn, watched the film on pay-per-view in her hotel room one night and told him how great a musical it would make. Over the next six years, he was able to amass a team that included frequent collaborator lyricist David Maltby, Jr., book writer John Weidman, director Mike Ockrent, and choreographer Susan Stroman, all of whom were not quite convinced that the musical would work, but continued to contribute to the creative process anyway until it eventually ended up on Broadway. ”Big The Musical” was one of the first major blockbuster films to be translated to the musical stage. While the practice has become much more common today, the Broadway community was far less welcoming of this at the time of its premiere. Despite the musical‘s strengths, it struggled to find an audience, and after failing to land a Tony nomination for Best Musical, it closed as a puzzling $12 million dollar loss of its $10 million dollar investment. A heavily-revised national tour traveled the country two years later under the helm of show doctor Eric Dr. Shaeffer and was a big success and almost returned to Broadway. The show made its UK and Ireland in 2016 in Dublin starring ”Strictly Come Dancing” winner and The Wanted vocalist Jay McGuiness as Josh. The production transferred to London‘s West End at the Dominion Theatre in 2019 with McGuiness reprising his role. Original Broadway Cast • Daniel Jenkins as Josh Baskin • Crista Moore as Susan Lawrence • Brett Tabisel as Billy • Lizzy Mack as Cynthia Benson • Barbara Walsh as Mrs. Baskin • John Sloman as Mr. Baskin • Patrick Levis as Young Josh Baskin • Jon Cypher as MacMillan • Gene Weygandt as Paul

”So here we are again”, ”talkin‘ in tongues” and proving ”one man is not enough” as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss ALL THREE musicals based on the literary work of Truman Capote on episode fifteen of My Favorite Flop: 1954‘s ”House of Flowers”, 1966‘s ”Breakfast at Tiffany‘s”, AND 1971‘s ”The Grass Harp”. ABOUT ”HOUSE OF FLOWERS” Based on the original short story by Truman Capote, ”House of Flowers” tells the story of two neighboring bordellos that battle for business in an idealized Haitian setting. The musical features music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Arlen and Truman Capote, and a book by Capote. In the early 1950s, Truman Capote became involved in the performing arts. He was approached by producer Saint Subber to adapt his recent story, ”House of Flowers”, as a musical play for Broadway. Much of the writing was done in the Italian fishing village of Portofino; but Capote and Jack Dunphy found time to travel to Switzerland and Paris before turning to America, where Capote met again with producer Saint Subber and continued his work in the musical. After a Philadelphia try-out, the show opened on Broadway on December 30, 1954 at the Alvin Theatre and played for 165 performances. The director was Peter Brook. The cast included Pearl Bailey, Diahann Carroll, Juanita Hall, Ray Walston, Carmen de Lavallade, Alvin Ailey and Geoffrey Holder (who also provided a section of choreography). Although the show received generally poor reviews, the dance-rhythm infused score has been praised for its mix of blues and calypso. There was an unsuccessful Off-Broadway revival in 1968 at Theater de Lys. In 2003, there was an Encores! production, starring Tonya Pinkins and Armelia McQueen as the battling bordello madams and Maurice Hines as Captain Jonas, the smuggler. The virginal Ottilie was played by Nikki M. James, and the mountain boy, Royal, was played by Brandon Victor Dixon. Roscoe Lee Browne played the voodoo priest, Houngan. ABOUT ”BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY‘S” Based both on the 1958 Truman Capote novella and 1961 film of the same name, ”Breakfast at Tiffany‘s” tells the story of a free spirit named Holly Golightly. The musical features music and lyrics by Bob Merrill and a book by Abe Burrows, which was rewritten in previews by legendary playwright Edward Albee. The original cast included Mary Tyler Moore, Richard Chamberlain, Sally Kellerman, Larry Kert and Priscilla Lopez. The production was designed by Oliver Smith, directed by Joseph Anthony and choreographed by Michael Kidd with assistance from Tony Mordente, and produced by David Merrick. Despite the impressive list of collaborators, the project never gelled. The show underwent constant and massive changes in its script and score during out-of-town tryouts. The original book by Abe Burrows was seen in Philadelphia, then scrapped completely, and Edward Albee, an unlikely choice, was hired to re-write before a Boston tryout. Burrows was the original director but left when Albee was brought in. He was replaced by Joseph Anthony. On a daily basis, the cast was given new material hours before curtain time, and the piece was overly long, running nearly four hours. Burrows‘s departure resulted in low morale among cast members, and Moore was convinced that Merrick planned to fire her soon after opening night. Its original title, ”Holly Golightly”, was changed when it started previews on December 12, 1966, on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre. Despite a healthy advance sale and much audience anticipation, it closed four nights later without having officially opened. Merrick placed an infamous ad in The New York Times, announcing that he shut down the production ”rather than subject the drama critics and the public to an excruciatingly boring evening.” In 2013, the musical was revived for the first time, using Burrows‘s book, under the title ”Holly Golightly”, at the 200-seat Lilian Baylis Studio at Sadler‘s Wells Theatre in London, as part of Ian Marshall Fisher‘s ”Lost Musicals” sta

It's time to grab a "window seat" and be on your best "model behavior" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 2017's "Amélie" and 2010's "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" on episode fourteen of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "AMÉLIE" Based on the 2001 French film of the same name, "Amélie" tells the story of a shy waitress who decides to change the lives of those around her for the better while struggling with her own isolation. The musical features music by Daniel Messé, lyrics by Messé and Nathan Tysen, and a book by Craig Lucas. Following out-of-town tryouts at Berkeley Repertory and The Ahmanson, the musical finally opened to mixed reviews on Broadway on April 3, 2017. Despite praise for its cast and design elements, many critics found issue with the score, and the show struggled at the box office. When the show failed to receive any Tony nominations in an extremely competitive season, the show closed on May 21, 2017, after 27 previews and 56 regular performances. A substantially transformed production, with new orchestrations, an expanded repertoire of songs, and new staging in the actor/muso style, opened on the West End in December 2019, at the Other Palace. Critics praised its improvements on the Broadway version, with The Guardian describing it as "a triumph of adaptation" "high on imagination", while The Daily Telegraph lauded the "wonderful, wistful evening" it made. It was nominated for three awards at the 2020 Laurence Olivier Awards: Best New Musical, Best Original Score or New Orchestrations, and Best Actress in a Musical. Original Broadway Cast • Phillipa Soo as Amélie • Adam Chanler-Berat as Nino • Tony Sheldon as Dufayel/Collignon • David Andino as Blind Beggar/Garden Gnome/Anchorperson • Randy Blair as Hipolito/Rock Star/Belgian Tourist • Heath Calvert as Lucien/Adrien Wells/Mysterious Man • Alison Cimmet as Amandine/Philomene • Savvy Crawford as Young Amélie • Manoel Felciano as Raphael/Bretodeau • Harriett D. Foy as Suzanne • Alyse Alan Louis as Georgette/Sylvie/Collignon's Mother • Maria-Christina Oliveras as Gina • Paul Whitty as Joseph/Fluffy/Collignon's Father ABOUT "WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN" Based on the Pedro Almodóvar film of the same name, "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" tells the tale of a group of women in late 20th-century Madrid whose relationships with men lead to a tumultuous 48 hours of love, confusion, and passion. The musical features music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Jeffrey Lane. Following a series of workshops in 2009 featuring Salma Hayek, Jessica Biel, Matthew Morrison and Paulo Szot, "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" opened on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre on November 4, 2010. The production was a limited engagement that was scheduled to end on January 23, 2011, but due to low grosses and ticket sales, closed early on January 2, 2011. At the time of closing, the show had played 30 previews and 69 regular performances. A West End production, also directed by Bartlett Sher and starring Tamsin Greig, Jérôme Pradon, Haydn Gwynne, Anna Skellern, and Willemijn Verkaik opened at the Playhouse Theatre on January 12, 2015 for a 20-week run, and subsequently extended its run, but it was ultimately announced that the production would close on May 23, 2015. Greig and Gwynne were nominated for Best Actress in a Musical and Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical respectively at the 2015 Laurence Olivier Awards. Original Broadway Cast • Sherie Rene Scott as Pepa • Patti LuPone as Lucia • Brian Stokes Mitchell as Ivan • Julio Agustin as Ambite • De'Adre Aziza as Paulina • Laura Benanti as Candela • Danny Burstein as Taxi Driver • Alma Cuervo as Woman in Cinema/Ivan's Concierge/Magistrate 2 • Justin Guarini as Carlos • Murphy Guyer as Hector/TV Husband/Magistrate/Chief Inspector • Nina Lafarga as Woman at Train/Ana • Nikka Graff Lanzarone as Marisa • Yanira Marin as Ensemble • Sean McCourt as Man in Cinema/Doctor/Detective • Vi

"It's time for a cheer-up song" because hosts Bobby and Kristina are finally back after an extended intermission to discuss 1978's "A Broadway Musical" on the act two opener of MY FAVORITE FLOP ABOUT "A BROADWAY MUSICAL" Based on the real-life experiences of the creative teams' journeys working on the original Broadway productions of "The Wiz" and the musical version of "Golden Boy", "A Broadway Musical" tells the story of a sleazy white theatre producer's attempt to adapt an African-American writer's serious play as a commercial stage musical. The musical features a book by William F. Brown, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Lee Adams. Following a dismal October–November tryout with Helen Gallagher and Julius LaRosa at the theatre in the Riverside Church in Morningside Heights, the producers fired most of the cast and creative personnel, including director/choreographer George Faison. Gower Champion was called in to rescue the Broadway-bound production with only a month to go, but he feared that the show's defects were too serious to remedy and insisted on receiving a "Production supervised by" credit only. After 14 previews, the Broadway production opened and closed the same night at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on December 21, 1978. It lost $1 million. The creators hoped that the backstage story about the making of a musical would cash in on the success of "A Chorus Line" as well as the popularity of the black-themed musical, including Brown's own "The Wiz", which was still running at the time. But Brown's much-criticized book failed to capture any of the socially-relevant subject matter in a serious way and instead became a clichéd spoof of show business lawyers, idealistic young playwrights, glitzy Las Vegas performers, blue-haired matinée ladies, and the black-themed musical itself. "The Wiz" proved to be Brown's only success. Original Broadway Cast • Warren Berlinger as Eddie Bell • Gwyda DonHowe as Stephanie Bell • Irving Allen Lee as James Lincoln • Larry Marshall as Richie Taylor • Anne Francine as Shirley Wolfe • Jackée Harry as Melinda Bernard • Tiger Haynes as Sylvester Lee • Reggie Jackson as Louie • Patti Karr as Maggie Simpson • Christina Kumi Kimball as Kumi Kumi • Robert Melvin as Junior • Martin Rabbett as Jake • Larry Riley as Lonnie Paul • Albert Stephenson as Big Jake • Alan Weeks as Stan Howard • Sydney Anderson as Richie Taylor's Lawyer • Gwen Arment as Rehearsal Pianist • Nate Barnett as Policeman • Michael Gallagher as Richie Taylor's Lawyer • Jo Ann Ogawa as Richie's Secretary • Loretta Devine as Smoke and Fire Backup Singer

It's time for "a seventeen gun salute" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1953's "Carnival In Flanders" on the act one finale of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "CARNIVAL IN FLANDERS" Based on the 1934 French comedy film "La Kermesse Héroïque", "Carnival In Flanders" is set in 1616 in the small Flemish village of Flackenburg, where a Spanish duke and his entourage descend upon the community while the mayor plays dead, hoping that his ruse will force the visitors to depart. The musical features a book by Preston Sturges, music by Jimmy Van Heusen, and lyrics by Johnny Burke. The road to Broadway for "Carnival In Flanders" was a troubled one. The film that the musical was based on was, and still is, considered one of the finest films every made and is ripe for musical adaptation. Initially, Harold Arlen was to have written the score, but the task ultimately fell to Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke instead, their only other theatrical credit being another Broadway flop. Famed singer and actor Bing Crosby believed in the pair, as they had already written many hits for him, and ended up financing much of the eventual production. The show went through a series of book writers, directors, and choreographers before it finally made it to The Great White Way. The Broadway production was universally panned, with raves only for its female star, Dolores Gray, and lead dancer Matt Mattox. Despite everything, Gray was nominated and won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for having only played 5 of the 6 performances the show ran on Broadway - the shortest-lived Tony-winning performance to date. Original Broadway Cast • Dolores Gray as Cornelia • John Raitt as The Duke • Roy Robers as Mayer • Jimmy Alex as 3rd Officer • Jean Bradley as Lisa • Lorna Del Maestro as Mourning Woman • Sandra Devlin as Mourning Woman • Julie Marlowe as Mourning Woman • Undine Forrest as Katherine • Lee Goodman as Innkeeper • Paul Lipson as Butcher • George Martin as 2nd Officer • Ray Mason as 1st Officer • Matt Mattox as Courier • William Noble as Orderly • Paul Reed as Tailer • Kevin Scott as Jan Breughel • Pat Stanley as Siska • Wesley Swails as 1st Citizen • Bobby Vail as Barber • Norman Weise as 2nd Citizen • Lee Barry, Fred Bryan, Bill Conlon, Jean Cowles, Stokeley Gray, Dolores Kempner, Mara Landi, Mary Stanton, Dick Stewart, and Gloria Van Dorpe as Singer • John Aristides, Harry Day, Pat Ferrier, Ronnie Field, Skeet Guenther, Patty Karkalits, Mary Alice Kubes, Greg O'Brien, Paul Olson, Richard Reed, Billie Shane, Michael Spaeth, Emy St. Just, and Elfrieda Zieger as Dancer

"Nobody's on nobody's side" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1988's "Chess" on episode eleven of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "CHESS" Set against the Cold War tensions present in the 1980s, "Chess" tells the story of a politically-driven chess tournament between two grandmasters, one American and the other Soviet Russian, and their fight over a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other. The musical features a book by Tim Rice, music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and lyrics by Ulvaeus and Rice. A revised book by playwright Richard Nelson was used on Broadway and in some later revisions. Lyricist Tim Rice had long wanted to create a musical about the Cold War. His first notion was to write a straightforward piece about the Cuban Missile Crisis, however, by the late 1970s, he had developed the idea to tell the story through the prism of the long-standing chess rivalry between the United States and the USSR instead. His initial hope was to begin work on the project after the international success of "Evita", with Andrew Lloyd Webber joining him once again, but Webber declined. At around same time, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of the pop group ABBA were looking to break away from the band and compose something more significant for the theatre. After meeting in 1981, a new collaboration was formed, and work would soon begin on what would eventually be known as "Chess". Just like "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Evita" before it, it was decided that Chess would first be released as a concept album. Hitting record stores in 1984, the album was a huge hit, selling millions of copies worldwide and garnishing critical acclaim. At the time, it was the most successful theatrical cast album ever produced and it was no surprise that a stage production would soon follow. The road to the stage, however, would be a troubled one. After much turmoil, the original London production opened to mixed-to-positive reviews in 1986 and ran for three years. A much-altered version, however, premiered on Broadway in 1988 and survived only for two months. Despite that, "Chess" is frequently revised for new productions around the world, many of which try to merge elements from both the British and American versions, and there is constant talk of an eventual first-class revival. A West End revival played in London in 2018 for just over a month. Original Broadway Cast • David Carroll as Anatoly Sergievsky • Phillip Casnoff as Freddie Trumper • Judy Kuhn as Florence Vassy • Marcia Mitzman as Svetlana Sergievsky • Harry Goz as Molokov • Dennis Parlato as Walter • Paul Harman as The Arbiter • Neal Ben-Ari as Gregor Vassey • Gina Gallagher as Young Florence • Kurt Johns as Nickolai • Eric Johnson as Harold • Richard Muenz as Joe • John Aller, Suzanne Briar, Steve Clemente, Katherine Lynne Condit, Ann Crumb, David Cryer, R. F. Daley, Deborah Geneviere, Paul Laureano, Rosemary Loar, Judy McLane, Jessica Molaskey, Kip Niven, Francis Ruivivar, Alex Santoriello, and Wysandria Woolsey as Ensemble

Get ready to get "in the ring" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 2014's "Rocky The Musical" on episode ten of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "ROCKY THE MUSICAL" Based on the Academy Award-winning 1976 film, "Rocky The Musical" tells the story of Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer from working-class Philadelphia, who is chosen to take on the reigning world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed, when the undefeated fighter's scheduled opponent is injured. The musical features a book by Thomas Meehan and Sylvester Stallone, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Sylvester Stallone began thinking about adapting "Rocky" as a musical in the early 2000s and commissioned the help of established Broadway librettist Thomas Meehan early onto help flesh out his ideas. Shortly after, songwriting team Ahrens and Flaherty joined the project. It was after Andy Karl entered the picture, playing the title role in workshops around 2011, that things really began taking off. European producing company Stage Entertainment picked up the show and decided to mount the musical's pre-Broadway engagement in Hamburg, Germany instead of a traditional US city. The lavish German production was a smash hit, praised for its elaborate and technically complex set that resulted in an actual boxing ring being brought out over part of the orchestra in an attempt to put the audience right in the middle of the action for the big fight. While American audiences didn't quite know what to expect, anticipation for the Broadway transfer was high. The anticipation didn't last, however, as Broadway previous were both cancelled and stalls due to technical issues and negative word of mouth. Reviews were also negative and because the show was never able to find a strong enough audience, it closed after just 180 performances. Rumors of an arena tour or Las Vegas sit-down production never materialized and the first post-Broadway engagement of the show in South Korea was cancelled the day before the first preview. "Rocky The Musical" came to Prague for a short 4-to-5 month run in 2017. Original Broadway Cast • Andy Karl as Rocky Balboa • Margo Seibert as Adrian • Terence Archie as Apollo Creed • Danny Mastrogiorgio as Paulie • Dakin Matthews as Mickey • Jennifer Mudge as Gloria • Adrian Aguilar as A Boxer/A Reporter • Eric Anderson as Gazzo/Rocky's Cornerman/Rocky's Cornerman • Michelle Aravena as Angie/Ensemble • James Brown III as Sugar Jackson/A Boxer/A Referee • Sam J. Cahn as Rocky Marciano/A Boxer/A Referee • Kevin Del Aguila as Mike/A Watchman/Jack/A Doctor • Ned Eisenberg as Wysocki/Ad Announcer/Bob Dunphy • Sasha Hutchings as Apollo Girl/Ensemble • David Andrew Macdonald as Miles Jergens/Ensemble • Vasthy Mompoint as Linda McKenna/Apollo Girl • Vince Oddo as A Boxer/Ensemble • Okieriete Onaodowan as Dipper/Apollo's Cornerman • Adam Perry as Spider Rico/A Boxer/Boom Operator • Kristin Piro as Shirley/Apollo Girl • Luis Salgado as Kid Rizzo/A Boxer/Rocky's Cornerman • John Schiappa as Buddy/Jimmy Michaels • Wallace Smith as Apollo's Manager/Fight Promoter/Disc Jockey • Jenny Lee Stern as Joanne/Ensemble

It's time to look "through the bottom of the glass" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1969's "Dear World" on episode nine of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "Dear World" Based on Jean Giraudoux's play "The Madwoman of Chaillot", "Dear World" tells the story of three mad countesses who deviously scheme to stop businessmen from drilling for oil in the Parisian neighborhood of Chaillot in an attempt to let the forces of idealism, love, and poetry win over those of greed, materialism and science. The musical features a book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. "Dear World" was a passion project of composer Jerry Herman who had starred as the mime character in a college production of the play. He had wished to adapt the piece earlier in his career, however, the rights were unavailable as they'd already been given to another team. After the massive success of both "Hello, Dolly!" and "Mame", though, Herman was finally able to obtain the rights and work quickly began to reunite the team and recreate the magic of the latter. The musical had a notably troubled road to Broadway that included three different directors and multiple changes to the script and score. Trouble continued during previews in New York and the show's opening was postponed several times. Finally, after impatient critics told the production they were going to review the show whether it officially opened or not, an opening night was finally scheduled for February 6, 1969, where it received mostly negative reviews and closed after 132 performances. Originally conceived as a chamber musical, "Dear World" fell victim to a massive production that effectively overwhelmed the simplicity of the original tale. After the Broadway closing, Herman, Lawrence, and Lee rewrote the show for licensing, "putting back the intimacy that had been undermined on Broadway." In the late 1990s, playwright David Thompson revised the material for a possible revival for the Roundabout Theatre Company. While that production never came to fruition, it did lead to a series of future productions and further revisals at The Goodspeed Opera House, Sundance, and The York Theatre Company featuring performances by legendary leading ladies Sally Ann Howes, Maureen McGovern, and Tyne Daly. "Dear World" finally had its West End premiere at London's Charing Cross Theatre in 2013 starring Betty Buckley, with direction and choreography by Gillian Lynne. Original Broadway Cast • Angela Lansbury as Countess Aurelia • Jane Connell as Countess Gabrielle • Carmen Mathews as Countess Constance • Milo O'Shea as The Sewerman • Kurt Peterson as Julian • Pamela Hall as Nina • William Larsen as The Chairman of the Board • Joe Masiell as The Prospector • Ted Agress as The Juggler • Michael Davis as The Doorman • Miguel Godreau as The Deaf-Mute • John Taliaferro as The Peddler • Gene Varrone as The Waiter • Ty McConnell as The Busboy • Clifford Fearl, Charles Karel, Zale Kessler, and Charles Welch as Members of the Board • Nicole Barth, Bruce Becker, Toney Brealond, Jane Coleman, Jack Davison, Jacque Dean, Richard Dodd, John Grigas, Marian Haraldson, Tony Juliano, Gene Kelton, Carolyn Kirsch, Urylee Leonardos, Larry Merritt, Ruth Ramsey, Orrin Reiley, Patsy Sabline, Connie Simmons, Margot Travers, and Mary Zahn as The People of Paris

Get ready to spare "half a moment" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 2001's "By Jeeves" on episode eight of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "BY JEEVES" Based on the beloved series of novels and short stories by P. G. Wodehouse, "By Jeeves" tells the story Bertie Wooster, a young gentleman about town with a penchant for getting himself into personal difficulties (particularly with women), and his unflappable manservant Jeeves, who is inevitably left to elegantly rescue him. The musical features a book and lyrics by Alan Ayckbourn and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The musical originally premiered in London in 1975 under the title "Jeeves" and was conceived by lyricist Tim Rice. Rice, however, did not stay with the project and was eventually replaced by playwright Alan Ayckbourn, who would also provide the musical's book and direction. After a troubled tryout in Bristol, the show finally opened in London's West End, but after receiving poor reviews, it closed after only a month. An original cast album was recorded and released, but it is extremely hard to find due to the fact that composer Andrew Lloyd Webber took the advice of producer Hal Prince to withdraw the album and use his compositions in future works. Music from the original production of "Jeeves" can be heard in "Evita", "Song & Dance", "Sunset Boulevard", and more. Due to the fact that much of the original material had already been repurposed, the musical had to be completely reconstructed from the ground up for its revival. Now titled "By Jeeves" (to differentiate the "new" work), the show re-opened on May 1, 1996 in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, and was transferred to London due to positive audience response. The American premiere took place at The Goodspeed Opera House the same year and had several regional productions before finally making it to Broadway in October of 2001. The Broadway production, which began performances just a month after the events of 9/11, closed after just 73 performances. A film recording of the musical, featuring Martin Jarvis as Jeeves and John Scherer as Bertie Wooster, was released in October 2001. It was filmed in a studio in Toronto after the pre-Broadway tryout in Pittsburgh. Original Broadway Cast • John Scherer as Bertie Wooster • Martin Jarvis as Jeeves • Donna Lynne Champlin as Honoria Glossop • James Kall as Gussie Fink-Nottle • Ian Knauer as Harold "Stinker" Pinker • Emily Loesser as Stiffy Byng • Heath Lamberts as Sir Watkin Bassett • Don Stephenson as Bingo Little • Becky Watson as Madeline Bassett • Steve Wilson as Cyrus Budge III (Junior)

"See what it gets you" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1964's "Anyone Can Whistle" on episode seven of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "ANYONE CAN WHISTLE" Described by theater historian Ken Mandelbaum as "a satire on conformity and the insanity of the so-called sane," "Anyone Can Whistle" tells a story of an economically-depressed town whose corrupt Mayoress, in an attempt to draw tourists, decides to create a fake "miracle" - which draws the attention of Fay Apple, an emotionally inhibited nurse, a crowd of inmates from a local asylum called "The Cookie Jar," and a "doctor" with secrets of his own. The musical features a book by Arthur Laurents and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Following a tryout period in Philadelphia, "Anyone Can Whistle" opened at the Majestic Theater on Broadway on April 4, 1964 to widely varied reviews (including negative notices from the New York Times and the New York Herald Tribune). It closed after a run of 12 previews and 9 performances and in the decades since its closing, it has not been produced on the scale of other Sondheim musicals; notable productions include a 1995 concert version at Carnegie Hall, a pair of stagings in London and Los Angeles in 2003 that incorporated revisions, and a 2010 concert staging for the Encores! program at New York City Center. Its score, however, has become an acclaimed part of Sondheim's canon, and songs such as the title tune, "Everybody Says Don't", and "There Won't Be Trumpets" have been widely performed. The show is also known for marking the stage musical debut of Angela Lansbury. Original Broadway Cast • Angela Lansbury as Cora Hoover Hooper • Lee Remick as Fay Apple • Harry Guardino as J. Bowden Hapgood • Gabriel Dell as Comptroller Schub • James Frawley as Chief Magruder • Don Doherty as Dr. Detmold • Peg Murray as Mrs. Schroeder • Arnold Soboloff as Treasurer Cooley • Jeanne Tanzy as Baby Joan • Harvey Evans as John/One Of The Boys/Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Sterling Clark as One Of The Boys/Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Larry Roquemore as George/One Of The Boys/Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Tucker Smith as One Of The Boys/Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Georgia Creighton as Osgood/Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Alan Johnson as Telegraph Boy/Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Janet Hayes as June/Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Jeff Killion as Sandwich Man/Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Eleonore Treiber as Old Lady/Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Lester Wilson as Martin/Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Susan Borree as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Eugene Edwards as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Dick Ensslen as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Loren Hightower as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Bettye Jenkins as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Patricia Kelly as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Barbara Lang as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Paula Lloyd as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Barbara Monte as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Jack Murray as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Odette Phillips as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • William Reilly as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Hanne Marie Reiner as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc • Donald Stewart as Cookie/Townsperson/Etc

"The heat is on" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1986's Smile on episode six of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "SMILE" Based on the 1975 movie of the same name, "Smile" is a satirical portrait of small-town America that follows the intrigue and exploits onstage and behind-the-scenes as Santa Rosa, California plays host to the Young American Miss Pageant. The musical features a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman with music by Marvin Hamlisch. "Smile" finally came to Broadway in 1986 after several failed attempts earlier in the decade, with various creative forces attached to the project. Carolyn Leigh, who had initially written the lyrics to the first two version of the show, passed away shortly after a workshop was held in 1983, leading to Howard Ashman's eventual involvement. Only one song from those early versions remains, the title song, though it features a new set of lyrics written by Ashman. The Broadway production closed after just 48 performances and is considered a "lost" musical because no official cast recording was ever made. However, Ashman and Hamlisch revised the show for stock productions, and a demo CD by featuring members of the original cast was created to use for licensing. Some of the songs have been recorded over the years, most notably by Broadway record producer Bruce Kimmel, in an attempt to preserve some of the fantastic material written for the show. A private industry reading of the show took place in 2010, though nothing further came from it, and a reunion concert was presented in 2014 at 54 Below with members of the original cast. Original Broadway Cast • Marsha Waterbury as Brenda DiCarlo Freelander • Jeff McCarthy as Big Bob Freelander • Jodi Benson as Doria Hudson • Anne Marie Bobby as Robin Gibson • Tia Riebling as Shawn Christianson • Cheryl-Ann Rossi as Maria Gonzales • Michael O'Gorman as Tommy French • Tommy Daggett as Little Bob Freelander • Dick Patterson as Ted Farley • Mana Allen as Patti-Lynn Bird • Andrew Cassese as Freddy • Veanne Cox as Sandra-Kay Mcaffee • Donna Marie Elio as Gina Minelli • Laura Gardner as Robin's Mom • Lauren Goler as Valerie Sherman • Valerie Lau-Kee as Linda Lee • Andrea Leigh-Smith as Debralee Davis • Mia Malm as Kate Gardner • Cindy Oakes as Connie-Sue Whipple • Nikki Rene as Cookie Wilson • Julie Tussey as Kimberly Lyons • Renée Veneziale as Dana Simpson • Deanna D. Wells as Heidi Anderson • Jeffrey Wilkins as Tony • Ruth Williamson as Carol • K. C. Wilson as Photographer • Richard Woods as Dale Wilson-Shears

"Forever starts tonight" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 2015's "Honeymoon In Vegas" on episode five of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "HONEYMOON IN VEGAS" Based on the 1992 movie of the same name, "Honeymoon In Vegas" tells the story of Jack Singer, a Brooklynite with an extreme fear of marriage, who finally gets up the nerve to ask his girlfriend Betsy to marry him. But when smooth-talking gambler Tommy — looking for a second chance at love — falls head over heels for Betsy, Jack must go to extreme heights to win back the love of his life. The musical features a book by Andrew Bergman (who wrote and directed the original film) with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. "Honeymoon In Vegas" held a workshop and backers auditions in October 2011, with T.R. Knight, Mary Faber, and Tony Danza in the leading roles. An expected pre-Broadway tryout in Toronto was scheduled for the following year, but was ultimately cancelled, leaving the show's future in limbo. In September 2013, the show finally premiered to rave reviews at the Paper Mill Playhouse with Rob McClure and Brynn O'Malley replacing T.R. Knight and Mary Faber as Jack and Betsy. The Broadway production opened on January 15, 2015 in the middle of a harsh New York winter. Despite getting nearly unanimous praise from the critics, including a love letter from The New York Times, the show struggled to find an audience and ultimately closed on April 5, after just 93 performances. A national tour, once again starring Tony Danza, was announced to take place in 2016, but never materialized. The London premiere was given by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra conducted by Jason Robert Brown in a semi-staged concert version at the London Palladium on March 12, 2017. Original Broadway Cast • Rob McClure as Jack Singer • Brynne O'Malley as Betsy Nolan • Nancy Opel as Bea Singer • David Josefsberg as Buddy Rocky/Roy Bacon • Leslie Donna Flesner and Erica Sweany as Buddy's Showgirls • Tony Danza as Tommy Korman • Matthew Saldivar as Johnny Sandwich • Matt Allen as Hotel Manager • Katie Webber as Cranberry Waitress/Sapphire de la Tour • George Merrick as Dougie Cataracts/Teihutu • Gaelen Gilliland as Joanne Klein • Raymond J. Lee as Chan Elvis Park • Zachary Prince as Alex • Leslie Donna Flesner as Rose • Tracee Beazer, Gaelen Gilliland, and George Merrick as Ticket Agents • Catharine Ricafort as Mahi • Matt Allen, Grady McLeod Bowman, Albert Guerzon, Raymond J. Lee, Cary Tedder, Katie Webber as Flying Elvises • George Merrick and Gaelen Gillibrand as Voiceover Announcements • Ensemble: Matt Allen, Tracee Beazer, Grady McLeod Bowman, Leslie Donna Flesner, Gaelen Gilliland, Albert Guerzon, Raymond J. Lee, George Merrick, Zachary Prince, Catharine Ricafort, Erica Sweany, Cary Tedder, and Katie Webber.

Get ready to "sing happy" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1965's "Flora, The Red Menace" on episode four of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "FLORA, THE RED MENACE" Based on Lester Atwell's 1962 depression-era novel "Love Is Just Around The Corner," "Flora, The Red Menace" tells the story of valedictorian and future fashion designer Flora Meszaros and her struggle to balance love, communism, and self-worth. The musical was produced by Harold Prince features a book co-written by director George Abbott and playwright Robert Russell. Now legendary composing team John Kander and Fred Ebb provided music and lyrics to the show, in what was their first official collaboration to make it to Broadway. The original 1965 production famously featured a 19-year-old Liza Minnelli making her Broadway debut in the title role, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She was the youngest actor to ever win a Tony Award, period, until 11-year-old Frankie Michaels won for "Mame" the following year, however, she still remains the youngest winner of her particular Award. Despite closing after just 87 performances, "Flora" would not only become the launch pad for the careers of Kander, Ebb, and Minnelli, but also an important catalyst in Harold Prince's journey as producer AND director. A 1987 off-Broadway revival reimagined the show as a presentation by WPA's Federal Theatre Project. Directed by Scott Ellis, choreographed by Susan Stroman, and featuring a new book by David Thompson, this new version premiered at The Vineyard Theatre to great acclaim and resounding success. Other notable productions have taken place at The Pasadena Playhouse, London's Orange Tree Theatre, Reprise!, and the Rose and Crown Concert Hall. Original Broadway Cast • Liza Minnelli as Flora • Mary Louise Wilson as Comrade Ada • Cathryn Damon as Comrade Charlotte • Robert Kaye as Mr. Stanley • Bob Dishy as Harry • Art Carney as FDR's Voice • J. Vernon Oaks as Apple Seller • Clark Morgan as Pencil Seller • Daniel P. Hannafin as Police Man • Henry Le Clair as Broker • John Taliaferro as Fourth Man/Artist • Anne C. Russell as Woman/Lily • Anthony Falco as Fifth Man/Artist • Les Freed as Sixth Man/Artist • Robert Fitch as Seventh Man • Abbie Todd as School Principal • Diane McAfey as Artist • Marie Santell as Katie/Artist • Louis Guss as Comrade Galka • Clark Morgan as Comrade Jackson • Stephanie Hill as Elsa • Dortha Duckworth as The Lady • Joe E. Marks as Mr. Weiss • James Cresson as Bronco Smallwood • Danny Carroll as Joe • Gordon Dilworth as Mr. Rearson • Jamie Donnelly as Lulu • Elaine Cancilla as Maggie • Dancers: Elaine Cancilla, Ciya Challis, Barbara Doherty, Judith Doren, Ellen Graff, Mary Ann Niles, Phyllis Wallach, Harry Bell, Robert Fitch, Marcel Gamboa, Charles Kalan, James McArdle, and Neil J. Schwartz. • Singers: Jamie Donnelly, Barbara Christopher, Diane McAfee, Abbie Todd, Anthony Falco, Les Freed, Daniel P. Hannafin, Henry Le Clair, J. Vernon Oaks, and John Taliaferro.

You'll be "glad that you were born" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1982's "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" on episode three of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS" Based on the beloved 1954 MGM musical film of the same name, "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" tells the story of backwoodsman Adam Pontipee and his six brothers and their quest to find wives in 1850s Oregon. The musical features a book by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay, music by Gene de Paul, Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, and lyrics by Johnny Mercer, Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn. It is an adaption of the short story "The Sobbin' Women," by Stephen Vincent Benét, which is, in turn, based on the Ancient Roman legend of "The Rape of the Sabine Women". The show's 1978-79 premiere tour, featuring Howard Keel and Jane Powell reprising their roles from the original film, closed before reaching Broadway. A second touring production was launched in 1981, this time starring pop star Debby Boone, and traveled for eighteen months before finally opening on Broadway in July 1982, only to close three days and five performances later. A subsequent West End production had a six-week limited engagement run in 1985, with a further five and a half week run at The Prince of Wales Theatre. Revised versions of the musical have met with success in U.S. regional theaters and in amateur productions on both sides of the Atlantic. Original Broadway Cast • Debby Boone as Milly • David-James Carroll as Adam • Jeanne Bates as Mrs. Bixby • Jeff Calhoun as Daniel • Cheryl Crandall as Townsperson • Fred Curt as Mr. Bixby • D. Scot Davidge as Benjmain • Nancy Fox as Alice • Gino Gaudio as Mr. Perkins • Russell Giesenschlag as Jeb • James Horvath as Luke • Linda Hoxit as Sarah • Marylou Hume as Dorcas' Sister • Manette LaChance as Dorcas • Kevin McCready as Zeke • Gary Moss as Matt • Jan Mussetter as Liza • Sha Newman as Ruth • David Pavlosky as Townsboy • Craig Peralta as Gideon • Michael Ragan as Frank • Jeffrey Reynolds as Ephraim • Jack Ritschel as Preacher • Conley Schnaterbeck as Indian • Sam Singhaus as Townsperson • Marykatherine Somers as Mrs. Perkins • Don Steffy as Carl • Clark Sterling as Joel • Stephanie Stromer as Townsperson • Lara Teeter as Caleb • Laurel van der Linde as Martha • Swings: Sam Singhaus and Stephanie Stromer

"Talk amongst yourselves" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 2003's "Taboo" on episode two of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "TABOO" Based on the lives of pop singer/songwriter Boy George and fashion designer/performance artist Leigh Bowery, Taboo tells the partly re-imagined story of a group of club “names” set in the location of what was the city’s most fashionable nightclub — the now-legendary Taboo. The musical features a book by Mark Davies Markham (extensively rewritten for Broadway by Charles Busch), lyrics by Boy George, and music by George, John Themis, Richie Stevens and Kevan Frost. After premiering in London’s West End in a converted warehouse in 2002, comedian/talk show host Rosie O’Donnell decided to bring the show to Broadway the following year, investing over $10 million of her own money. Taboo‘s entire Broadway journey was subject to a lot of negative press, concerning both the show itself and Rosie’s personal life, and ultimately closed after only 100 performances. Despite its failure, Taboo continues to have an ardent and vocal cult following to this day. An intimate revival was staged in London’s West End in 2012. Original London Cast • Luke Evans as Billy • Dianne Pilkington as Kim • Euan Morton as Boy George • Matt Lucas as Leigh Bowery • Paul Baker as Philip Sallon • Gemma Craven as Josie James • Mark McGee as Marilyn • Michele Hooper as Janey • Drew Jaymson as Steve Strange • Mark White as Derek/Petal • Gail MacKinnon as Big Sue • Declan Bennett as Guru Dazzle • Kay Cole as Zee Asha • Joe Docherty as Jake • Lucy Harris as Foxy • Andy Morton as Policeman • Lucy Newton as Virus Original Broadway Cast • Euan Morton as Boy George • Boy George (Credited as George O’Dowd) as Leigh Bowery • Liz McCartney as Big Sue • Raúl Esparza as Philip Sallon • Sarah Uriarte Barry as Nicola • Cary Shields as Marcus • Jeffrey Carlson as Marilyn • Jennifer Cody, Dioni Michelle Collins, Brooke Elliott, Felice B. Gajda, William Robert Gaynor, Curtis Holbrook, Jennifer K. Mrozik, Nathan Peck, Alexander Quiroga, Asa Somers, Denise Summerford, and Gregory Treco as Ensemble • Donnie R. Keshawarz as Standby for Philip Sallon and Leigh Bowery • Lori Holmes, Jody Reynard, and James Tabeek as Swings

"All roads lead to Hollywood" as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 1983's "Marilyn: An American Fable" on the season one premiere of MY FAVORITE FLOP. ABOUT "MARILYN: AN AMERICAN FABLE" Inspired by the life of celebrity Marilyn Monroe, "Marilyn: An American Fable" takes a highly fictionalized look at Hollywood’s legendary bombshell while also maintaining its supposed authenticity. (The show was apparently “authorized” and endorsed by Lee Strasberg’s wife, Anna) It was one of two musicals about the star to open that year alone, and one of at least five that have been created since her death. The show features a book by Patricia Michaels with music and lyrics by Jeanne Napoli, Doug Frank, Gary Portnoy, Beth Lawrence, Norman Thalheimer, James Komack, Wally Harper, and David Zippel. Between sabotaged sets, a fired director, and a leading lady replaced just ten days before its first preview, this show made it to opening night with even more baggage than the real-life Marilyn carried with her during her actual life. The show shuttered after only 17 performances and became largely forgotten until it became a footnote in the pilot of NBC’s SMASH in 2012. Original Broadway Cast • Alyson Reed as Norma Jean/Marilyn Monroe • Kristi Coombs as Young Norma Jean • Peggy Blue, Michael Kubula, and T.A. Stephens as Destiny • Scott Bakula as Joe DiMaggio • George Dvorsky as Jim Dougherty • Will Gerard as Arthur Miller • Melissa Bailey as Louella • Mary Testa as Hedda • Steve Shocket as Strasberg • Willy Falk as Tommy • Lise Lang as Sis • Debi Monahan as Pat • Ty Crowley as Acting Coach • Gary-Michael Davies as Director • Deborah Dotson as Hairdresser • Ed Forsyth as Camera Man • Mitchell Greenberg as Agent • James Haskins as Photographer • Alan North as Studio Head • Michael Rivera as Designer • Dooba Wilkins as Coach • Mark Ziebell as Serviceman • Jodi Benson as Factory Girl • Eileen Casey, Andrew Charles, Kevin Cort, Mark Esposito, Marcial Gonzalez, Christine Gradl, and Marguerite Lowell as Ensemble

“It all comes down to Christmas” as hosts Bobby and Kristina discuss 2012’s ”A Christmas Story: The Musical” on MY FAVORITE FLOP’s out-of-town, limited-edition Christmas Special. ABOUT ”A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL” Based on the popular 1983 film, ”A Christmas Story: The Musical” tells the story of Ralphie Parker, a child in 1940s Indiana, who desperately wants a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. After numerous regional productions, out-of-town tryouts, and national tours, the musical finally opened on Broadway for a limited engagement in 2012. The show features a book by Joseph Robinette with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The Broadway production cost $9.5 million dollars to produce, making it impossible to pay back investors during the show’s limited engagement — officially earning its status as a “flop.” Despite its ”failure” on The Great White Way, ”A Christmas Story: The Musical” has continued to tour across America, remain popular in the regional market, and was even adapted for television in 2017. Original Broadway Cast • Johnny Rabe/Joe West as Ralphie Parker • Zac Ballard as Randy Parker • Dan Lauria as Jean Shepherd • Erin Dilly as Mother • John Bolton as The Old Man • Caroline O’Connor as Miss Shields • J.D. Rodriguez as Schwartz • Jeremy Shinder as Flick • Jack Mastrianni as Scut Farkus • John Francis Babbo as Grover Dill • Analise Scarpaci as Esther Jane • Beatrice Tulchin as Mary Beth • Eddie Korbich as Santa • Kirsten Wyatt as Mrs. Schwartz • Andrew Cristi as Restaurant Waiter