About this episode

Sam discusses the financial challenges facing Broadway with theater critic Naveen Kumar, following the sudden closure of a Tony-winning musical.

Sam recently experienced one of the best stage musicals he’s seen in years.  Cats: The Jellicle Ball reimagines the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber story with a ballroom twist. The show is filled with voguing, runway and Black, queer joy. It also won multiple Tony awards this year, which packed the theater night after night.  The whole show seemed like it was on the path to success, until it closed suddenly on August 8th.  Theater critic Naveen Kumar wrote about the fate of the production for  The New York Times . He joined Sam to break down the major money problems facing Broadway. He also shares some ideas to fix them…Which may involve a certain charismatic mayor. Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.  

People in this episode

Host: Sam Sanders

Guest: Naveen Kumar

Topics covered

• Broadway
• theater
• musicals
• Tony awards
• financial issues
• cultural commentary

Keywords

• Broadway
• Cats
• Naveen Kumar
• Tony awards
• theater criticism
• financial problems
• musical theater

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The New York Times

Books & works: Cats: The Jellicle Ball

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