I can’t get enough of Broadway Breakdown. Thank you for all the theatrical insight you share and for the labor of love that is podcasting. I credit you with my Tony ballot prediction win in my friend group! Bless you for that.

BROADWAY BREAKDOWN is a fantastic theater podcast for those who are obsessed with theater as well as for those who are beginning their love affair with it. Above all, Matt knows his stuff! I appreciate his attention to getting the details correct (and if he doesn’t know he will always fact-check his statements). And because he is so knowledgeable, even the longest of episodes are worthwhile and engrossing. While I don’t always agree with Matt’s show reviews, they are always insightful and well-stated. And Matt gets bonus points for his love of CAROUSEL. Listen to this podcast if you are a Broadway theater fan!

Im a aspiring stage actress, and i love this show also ima list all my theater things|ive seen: Annie, Beetlejuice, the little mermaid, and, a Dickens Christmas carol| ive been in: Seussical jr, alice in wonderland jr, frozen jr, Matilda, and im auditioning for Matilda jr soon| and ive played: a who, petunia, middle anna, and, Matilda childrens ensemble| ill list my dream roles when its not 1:00 am because i just got home from tech heh|

This is not just a great theatre podcast its one of the best podcasts i’ve come across on any topic. Matt somehow can concisely communicate his vast expert knowledge in an organized fashion all while being relaxed and entertaining at the same time. The critiques are specific, thorough, and thoughtful without being boring. Its hard to think of anything else that can hold my attention for two and a half hours and I am probably only a slightly above average theatre fan.

I am a high school drama teacher and I am bringing 114 students to NYC the week after the Tonys. I book group tickets really early to get good pricing and it’s always a gamble (I try to pick a wide variety of shows). It is so fun listening to your in depth reviews that give me things to talk about with students. I like how when you approach your reviews you still focus on things that work even if it wasn’t your favorite. I look forward to seeing a new episode I can listen to when I drive to work. Thank you for your in depth analysis! (I am taking them to Two strangers, Outsiders, Schmigadoon, The Lost Boys, Ragtime and stranger things. They get 3 open slots to see things on their own).

I recently found this podcast and it’s become an instant favorite. I’ve become a college instructor of theater this year and this podcast helps keep me tuned in to Broadway current events. It helps that Matt is sweet, funny and handsome :)

Matt is part dramaturg/historian, part critic, part fan, part educator - and yet somehow, this show isn’t intimidating or stuffy. Rather, it feels like having the most intellectually stimulating chat with your funniest and most brilliant friend. In a world when apathy for the arts seems to abound, it’s life-affirming to hear Matt’s passion & incredible depth of knowledge. Never stop this pod!!!!

I started listening during the Cabaret series and since then, I’ve been hooked! What a great podcast. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion with us!

I eagerly await new episodes each week, especially when Matt does reviews and deep dives. I moved away from NY several years ago but feel like I’m still plugged in to the new season by listening to Matt’s podcasts. I appreciate how thorough and thoughtful he is in stating his opinions and making recommendations for what would make shows better. His deep knowledge of the history of broadway has taught me so much, and I know his information is credible. Oh, and the sass and fun personality are an added bonus for listening. Thank you Matt - your devotion is appreciated! ❤️

This is the best theater podcast ever ! No competition whatsoever ! Matt’ theater knowledge is priceless but he generously shares it among his people ! His eloquence is unique and makes us all jealous …. I am desperately waiting for every single new episode ! Dear Matt : don’t you dare take vacations from us !

Matt could talk with more passion and detail about a show he thinks is a 6/10 than most people could about their favorite musical. His love and knowledge of theatre are on display in every episode, and his analysis is consistently smart, funny and well-articulated. Because of how clearly he explains his opinions, I can tell when a show he likes probably won’t be for me or when a show he doesn’t like might be one I want to see which is a sign of a truly great critic. I also owe him a lot for introducing me to the 1994 Carousel and the LaChiusa Wild Party. Highly recommend!

This has become my number one favorite podcast. Matt and his guests have such great insight and their love and passion for the craft makes listening an absolute pleasure. Keep up the great work, Matt Koplik…usual spelling!

As a self proclaimed theater nerd, this podcast is a guilty pleasure. Getting to hear Matt dive deep into obscured Broadway topics and adding thoughtful insights to those topics makes me smile knowing, “I’m not alone” as a theatre savant. His incredible ability to conjure up casts and dates from the history of the Broadway musical is quite impressive. Thank you Matt for taking such wonderful care of the old Broadway! I will continue to listen and share with all my theater loving friends. Also, have you seen Masquerade yet? I just did and would love to hear your thoughts.

This podcast is exceptional and feels like taking to a long lost, theatre obsessed best friend. Matt is as equally charming as a host as he is a man (learned via instagram stock). His wealth of theatre knowledge is only matched by my own (high praise). In short, if you like musical theater this is the ultimate listen - enjoy!

Are there tangents? Sure. Just like when you’re talking to friends. Will you sometimes disagree with points made? SURE! Just like when you’re talking to friends! This podcast is at its best when Matt, a smart and thoughtful theatre geek, explores the “why” behind his (sometimes controversial?) opinions and the opinions of his guests… You find yourself in conversation with them at times (at least I do), and Matt challenges his listeners to figure out and be able to state WHY they like something or talk about WHY they don’t. Matt’s big rule is (paraphrasing) “you can’t just say I don’t like it” - and that’s a great place to start when thinking critically about any form of art. Even this tired old theatre queen learns something new every week. A great podcast that keeps getting better.

Now I don’t really write reviews, but I felt like this is a long time coming. I’ve been listening to this podcast since late 2021, and I have been a devoted listener since. Matt you have such a weird way of making every theater nerd feel like they have a friend. You are someone who I can say I greatly respect and admire. You don’t really know me, and really know you, but I wanna say thank you. I’m sorry this is so long.

There is a new “ hardest working man in show business “ and his name is Matt Kopik. Fun entertaining informative Recommended !

I completely agree with your critique of ragtime (the show in general,not specifically the current production). I LOVE the music but the story never felt right to me. And it’s exactly because the musical thinks it is redeeming unredeemable characters. Very few of these characters are redeemable 🤣

Matt and his friends do an incredible job of being funny and informative. I recently found the show and have developed a (healthy?) addiction to it. I came across a breakdown on f Dolly Parton’s CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE which hysterical on its own, but even better because a family member played one of the characters he calls out (around time mark 26:30). Thank you, Matt, for doing this show and sharing it with the world. It’s the best!

The I Was There episode was fascinating and fun. Brava! More please!

I discovered this podcast while searching for a Tony Awards recap a few weeks ago, and now I’ve gone back and listened to dozens of his previous episodes and will continue to do so during the pod’s summer break. I live in Texas, and while I have a few friends that share my love of Broadway/theater, and I try to get to New York to see shows when I can, I don’t get to do so every year or as often as I would like. This podcast makes me feel so much closer to a world that my daily life feels very removed from. Matt’s knowledge is truly astounding- not just of names and other hard facts about productions and performers, but also of the business and development, public perceptions, and cultural relevance of shows throughout theater history. I am not only going to be much better at any given Broadway category on trivia night, but I am also learning a how to better evaluate and articulate what I do and don’t like in theater. Despite having a rare exposure to and appreciation for many less mainstream shows, Matt never seems like he’s trying to have a hot or contrarian take regarding popular shows, or like he has particular tastes just to be interesting or elite. I’ve listened to his deep dive episodes on some of my favorite shows, and while we don’t always agree on pure matters of taste, I find his criticisms valid and helpful. I just pulled the trigger on booking a trip to New York in 2026, in part bc of this podcast, so I look forward to going through next season with Broadway Breakdown while even more invested.

As someone who has binged every episode of Broadway Breakdown (yes, every one - it’s the only way to make it through weeks sitting at a desk) I must say, that no other pod lives up to this one. Matt provides educated insights into the theatre industry of both the past and the present. His up to date deep-dives of the current season will make you feel as if you’ve seen everything currently running even if you live several states away. His analysis on shows will give you new ways to look at material you thought you knew inside and out, and the charcuterie of guests provides new perspectives from episode to episode. Now that I’ve run out of Broadway Breakdown episodes, I spend Friday-Wednesdays trying to find something to enjoy in the meantime, and the truth is, there is simply nothing else like it. Thank you Matt for all you provide to the theatre community. A podcast may seem like a relatively small contribution to society, but to people like me, it gives me something to look forward to each week. And it is something I treasure.

While I have always enjoyed live theater, both plays and musicals, I have been more intentional about seeing Broadway productions since the pandemic. It’s such a cliché, but you don’t know what you have until it’s gone and a New York City without a thriving theater industry would be greatly diminished. This past season, I really dove in head first, seeing the majority of the Tony-nominated productions. One of the reasons I’m attending more shows these days is that I’m older and have more disposable income. A person could go broke trying to see everything and since, alas, I did not inherit a trust fund, I am compelled to make choices. That’s where Matt enters the chat. What I appreciate about his reviews is that they do not come off as snarky or dismissive. He is respectful of what it takes to open on Broadway and acknowledges that no one is trying to make a bad show. If he doesn’t like a production, he respectfully outlines in detail why, making it clear where taste enters the equation and that what doesn’t work for him might work for others. He’ll often take the time to highlight what works in shows that he considers to be failures overall. His knowledge is vast and deep, and his genuine love for live theater as an art form - and the people who make it - has not only informed my consumption, but fueled my enthusiasm. I started listening to this podcast this year and it immediately became one of the must-listens in my feed. Bravo, Matt!

You both were hilariously wrong on Nicole’s (obvious) win. I’m a casual theater goer and admittedly a fan of ALW - but Jamie Lloyd’s masterfull take on sunset along with Nicole’s life-changing performance -to me (obviously)) couldn’t be denied. Another gypsy? Yawn.

I only came to appreciate theater later in life (if I'm allowed to consider my 30's later), and my introduction to theater was predominantly shows and revivals produced in the twenty-teens and onward. The encyclopedic Broadway knowledge that Matt delivers in every episode of the podcast sends me down numerous Google rabbit holes, which has consequently expanded my own Broadway knowledge far beyond the years that I've been an audience member. His ability to rattle off a choreographer or sound designer from an obscure musical revival that occurred decades ago never fails to impress. His reviews are not only thoughtful and nuanced amidst the humor, he approaches evaluation of theater-craft with the same tenacity exhibited by Wayne Newton's plastic surgeon. THE WORK IS NEVER DONE! I originally wrote an additional paragraph to this review, but if there's one thing I've learned from listening to the show, it's good not to be too precious when it comes to trimming things down. I also don't want to upset that one person that thinks the housekeeping section is too long in the event this gets read. I look forward to making many more ridiculous faces in public places while trying to squash my earbud-induced laughter.

Matt’s Broadway Breakdown makes me a smarter critic. His encyclopedic knowledge and commitment to research makes his podcast one for intelligent theatergoers. I can hardly wait to listen to his new offerings when they’re available. If you love Broadway you’ll get hooked quickly - and you’ll get critiques with strong opinions and that are well thought out and explained! Subscribe today! You’ll be glad you’re listening!

This is the best Broadway podcast out there. I have struggled to find Broadway podcasts that I can tolerate for more than 5 minutes. I can more than tolerate Broadway Breakdown and the lengthy episodes (this isn’t a read, I swear). Matt knows his theatre history and his analysis of current Broadway trends is always spot on. I break into a giggle fit every time he brings up “Nickelodeon Acting”. As someone who is frequently called a theatre snob, it’s refreshing to listen to someone who is as particular as I am. He also worships at the altar of Sally Murphy & Judy Kuhn, likes the correct Wild Party, doesn’t call Cast Recordings “Soundtracks”, and is obsessed with the 94 Carousel. All pluses on my book.

I’ve been a Broadway fan for decades, but only just discovered this podcast. I’ve been listening to it almost nonstop ever since, reliving shows I’ve seen in the past as well as learning about shows I haven’t seen yet. Matt’s analysis and commentary is spot on. He often surprises me with insights that had never occurred to me, even as to shows I’ve seen many times. Bravo, Matt. Keep ‘em coming.

As someone new to the world of theatre, I’ve found this podcast incredibly helpful and fun. Matt does such a great job explaining what works in a show—and what doesn’t—in a way that’s easy to understand without being overly technical. Are there shows I still like just because I had a good time? Absolutely. But I love how Matt helps me see how they could have been even better. His full season recap was my favorite episode, and I seriously look forward to his yearly rankings. Highly recommend for anyone who loves theatre!

I so appreciate Matt’s care and attentiveness to express his opinions as he really *means* them! Does that mean he might take a while to work it out on mic from time to time? Sure, but that’s the magic here. He lets us in on the process of proper, nuanced critique. Will I always agree with his opinions? Of course not, but that’s also the magic of a fair and careful critic! And he does it all with charm and humor to boot. What can I say? I have a new podcrush 😊🤩

SoCal fan of the podcast. Broadway lovers out there need Matt Koplik’s honest, informed, and enthusiastic criticisms of new and old shows. What I love most about his reviews is that he spends time explaining the reasons why a show does or doesn’t work. His analyses are detailed, witty, fun, razorsharp, and you know that he, whether you agree with him or not, will give you well-thoughtout arguments. Koplik handles his critiques with care and fairness, which is what discerning fans of theater deserve. I don’t think his episodes are too long or rambling; if anything, I wish they were longer. And I wish he would revisit shows after having seen them a second or third time and compare his first critique with subsequent ones. Also, fans will appreciate Koplik’s honesty. We need honest critics like him, and I’m glad he is out there for us to learn from. What a resource. We need critics like him to keep putting pressure on Broadway producers, creatives and performers and fans to create and appreciate excellence and to distinguish the excellent from the mediocre. Okay, enough “heavy breathing”. Love your hard work, Matt.

After enjoying Matt’s reviews on instagram, I decided to start listening to this podcast and I have been for just about a year. I am so so happy I did. The amount of laughter and joy that I’ve gotten from this podcast is unparalleled. Even though I don’t always get the jokes, I still feel like I’m in on them and enjoy it regardless, but when I do get them, It’s chaotic euphoria. The other main thing I’ve gotten from this podcast is education and understanding. I’m a college student from the west coast so my scope of theatre was and is very limited. This podcast has really expanded my mind and allowed me to evolve in how I analyze the theatre I see, and the theatre outside of that. Because of how Matt talked about it, I decided to listen to the LaChiusa Wild Party and I’ve grown obsessed, so thank you. My high school experience was halted by the lockdown and that was a big turning point for me as a theatre fan. I discovered and grew to love different shows and I truly think I evolved in that way. If high school me was one evolution, I think college me has evolved yet again, but this time one of the big factors has been this podcast. I can’t imagine my current theatrical experience without it. I am truly so grateful I decided to start listening and I hope others do too. Whether they’ll be as impacted by it as me is anyone’s guess, but I think what we have here is something truly special. Thank you Matt. Thank you so much

Love Her

This is the most thorough, well-reasoned broadway podcast out there. Matt does his research, is an active participant in the community, and brings extensive history and background knowledge to the table. In his reviews, he gives shows a fair shake. During deep-dives, he highlights the core essence of the art form and shares little-known information that brings theatre to life. I find myself part of his conversation. The podcast guests he hosts bring their own crop of knowledge and perspective, enhancing an already well-rounded theatrical dialogue. Matt has also created a safe, kind community of theatre-lovers on his discord channel (join, if you haven’t already). He is kind and responsive to friends and audiences of the pod and is a gracious host. Matt, thank you for this lovely gift of a podcast. Keep up the great work.

i’ve been listening to broadway breakdown for almost 3 years now, and this podcast is truly one of the best theater podcasts i have found. matt offers clear and decisive insight about every show he talks about, but gives evidence to explain his opinions. this is rare considering a lot of other podcasts ive found just hate on a show without explaining why, or fangirl over something without taking time to address sometimes obvious flaws. as someone who really likes to analyze a show (which is very rare within high school theater lol) it was very refreshing to be able to revisit matt’s outsiders review after seeing it and finding that all of his points were well thought out and valid. even when i don’t agree with matt, i can trust that carefully thought was put into everything he says

Matt is one of those increasingly rare podcast hosts who perfectly bridges the gap between the knowledgeable expert and the passionate fan. His approach to everything he covers combines heartfelt (and well-formulated) opinion with professional-level insight - all delivered with a directness and sense of humor that makes you feel like you’re discussing a show over drinks in a midtown Manhattan dive bar with the friend you just saw it with. In fact, my theatre bestie (hi Laura) and I bring him up so often in conversation, you’d think he was actually part of our friend group! He does an amazing job creating community by actively engaging with his listeners, both through the show’s Discord channel and over social media (and is kind enough to laugh-react and reply to the dumb jokes and comments I occasionally crack on his Instagram stories - Matt, you should know that I deeply cherish our weird parasocial semi-relationship). If you’re looking for a smart, funny, in-depth theatre pod that will have you eagerly awaiting each new episode, look no further than Broadway Breakdown.

I love this podcast! It’s well informed, it’s well produced, and as someone in Ohio I can not afford to get to NYC see everything on the great white way. And Matt keeps me well informed, his reviews are nuanced and fair, if you’re looking for an American companion to someone like Mikey Jo Matt is your man. Matty’s your friend (think Little Shop)

If this man does not get press seats, I’ll sue. Idk the legality of that all (can you even imagine reading this while The Light in the Piazza overture plays…) In all seriousness, this podcast slaps. Matt’s insightful and thoughtful discourse engages listeners to the point where you will talk back to the podcast. I appreciate the honesty of Matt’s reviews in particular. It’s refreshing to see someone not only have strong opinions about theater, but also the insight to back it up, while all in a cocoon of being kind and earnest. I truly look forward to every new episode, especially the reviews as we are in the thick of Tony season. Also, any man who can reference 30 Rock in nearly every episode has a forever fan in me. xo

What can I say about this podcast that hasn’t already been said? Matt is incredibly insightful and presents incredibly thoughtful opinions that, while others may find critical, clearly illustrates his deep love and respect for theatre as an art form. Similar to Matt, I was a incredibly pretentious theatre kid (who sang “Ladies Who Lunch” at a children’s theatre audition when I was 12) and listening to these podcasts brings me such a sense of joy. Like many listeners, I left theatre after college and this podcast reconnects me to a part of myself that is so central to my development. I love listening to Matt’s deep dive series (like Problematic(?) and Underestimated) and all of his Tony predictions. I recently introduced my dad to the pod and Matt’s ranking of “Best Scores” since 1970 inspired us to do our own monthly musical “book club” where we do a deep dive into a show to discuss—of course supplemented with Matt’s incredible episodes on the show. This is all to say, thank you Matt for creating such an incredible podcast that makes us all better patrons of the arts.

I just started listening to this show and wow do I love it. I thought my friends were the only f*gs who could spend hours upon hours talking about shows, analyzing every little detail from every production. I feel like I am amongst kindred spirits who also possess so much unnecessary Broadway knowledge. Matt and his various co-hosts don’t sugarcoat their well-supported thoughts which I really appreciate. Sorry Jesse Green, your days are numbered!

As someone who lives on the West Coast and flies into the city specifically to see shows, it’s so good to have Matt’s insights to be able to prioritize what I see and when. I don’t always agree with Matt’s reviews, but even then I generally understand where he is coming from. All around, so grateful to have discovered this podcast - keep shining, Matt!

I’ve listened to most of the Broadway podcasts out there and this is the only one I keep coming back for. The episodes are in depth and I love hearing Matt’s take on new shows and classics alike. He really is a skilled podcaster and it feels like catching up with a friend when you listen.

I discovered this podcaster a few months ago and since then, I have been changed for the better. His smart, insightful, and in-depth commentary has made me a better theater goer. I could listen to him talk for hours and I admire his wealth of knowledge and information about the art of theater. This show is for the true fans! Listen and enjoy!

I love this show, my only critique would be when they do Tony predictions they do it in a more structured order like other awards podcast do. Start with lower categories and end with the big awards. Much easier to follow along that way. Otherwise it’s really great.

In short: This podcast has such great balance. Thoughtfulness & Passion. Humour & respect. Immense theatre knowledge & humility/openness. A genuine voice to rely on. I may not always agree, but I always listen. In Long: Matt is a charismatic, thoughtful, eloquent, earnest host who approaches everything on this show with good faith, love and respect. Because of this, he is able to be honest, funny, informative, and occasionally a little sassy. You will laugh, you will cheer in agreement, you will disagree with vigour, you will love every minute of it. Ultimately, when I listen to this show, more often than not, I am reminded why I love this art form.

Matt refreshingly pulls no punches, provides thorough reviews to shows, and listening to his passion for great art can compel any storyteller to aspire towards making great art.

Fans of musical theatre will join this group and find themselves getting excited for the drop of a new episode, especially if it’s multiple hours in length. I feel so much smarter listening to Matt’s insightful reviews and I love learning much more of the context for broadway lore before I was even around. Like most people I don’t agree 100% with all of Matt’s takes, but I immensely appreciate the time, care, and effort he puts into unpacking the good and bad from various productions. Matt has become my favorite reviewer and the one I can trust most to give an honest and intelligent review. Happy early birthday and I look forward to all that is to come!!

I told myself I'd leave a review when I got caught up with the whole series, but have been putting it off, so here goes.... A year and a half ago I was having a bad day and needed a distraction on a long drive. I pulled up Broadway Breakdown and saw an episode titled "Sutton Foster Made Me Gay" and thought "oh yes this is for me." I lived in NYC until the pandemic sent me home and had been trying to find a way back to the city. Matt's spicy, intelligent and warm-hearted discourse welcomed me like a familiar friend that also challenged me to learn more and jump back into this world. I am happy to report I've been back in New York for a year and the pod has evolved from roadtrip buddy to subway companion, accompanying me to the Lincoln Center Archives, rush lines, and rehearsals for my own shows. What a treat it is to be consistently educated and entertained, while also getting to participate in the analysis of the current Broadway season. Matt, you're a gem and I can say from experience that the Pod is touching peoples lives. Keep spreading your Smile/Sally Murphy/Judy Kuhn inspired Gospel and the disciples will keep following the Theatre Rabbi that you are. Thank you for the hard work you put in, for the humble honestly and for making us theatre nerds feel seen. ♥️

Warning: this podcast may cause you to reevaluate all other podcasts, both in terms of quality and length. You may find yourself frequently telling others about “that podcast” or “Matt said” when discussing a show, theme, plot device, or really anything else. When your non-theater friends say that you “see every show” or “see more shows than anyone they know,” you may feel compelled to correct them and say that you are actually an uncultured [redacted]. Matt takes no responsibility (I assume) for the self-doubt you may feel when he methodically, but respectfully, destroys a show you liked. But he does take all credit when you correctly recognize that a show is great or horrible—and it is incredibly validating when that happens. All jokes aside, this podcast is a masterpiece is thoughtful, intelligent, and entertaining discussion of all things Broadway. I cannot recommend it enough.

This show has become one of my favorite podcasts. I love how Matt doesn’t take himself too seriously when says he’s the most opinionated and least famous, but still takes a lot of time to explain his well thought out opinion. The way he explains all the nuance of a show and the performances is fascinating and entertaining. He brings some sass without being mean, which I find refreshing. He’s so much more than a theatre cutie. He’s well informed and I feel like a better fan of my favorite art form.