Host Daryl Taylor-Hazel will delve into all things theater. Comedies, dramas and musical theater in all of it’s forms onstage and offstage will be presented along with interviews with fascinating theater personalities.
Discover the incredible life and career of Otto Harbach, the "Dean of American Librettists".
In this episode of What About Theater? we explore how Harbach transitioned from an English professor to a Broadway powerhouse, pioneering the integrated musical.
Learn about his legendary collaborations with Jerome Kern, Rudolf Friml, and George Gershwin, the stories behind classic songs like "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", and how he mentored a young Oscar Hammerstein II.
25 Jun 2026
How Broadway Songs Became the Story
From comic opera to vaudeville, from forgotten gems to shows that once packed theaters across the country, Smith’s work reveals a creative force who helped define what American musical theater would become. Yet today, his name barely registers outside scholarly circles.
We explore:
How Harry B. Smith became the “Uber Librettist” of his generation
His collaborations with Victor Herbert, Reginald De Koven, and other giants
The cultural moment that made operetta explode in America
Why so much of his work has faded from public memory
What modern theater lovers can rediscover in his legacy
This is a journey into the hidden architecture of musical theater — and a celebration of a writer whose words once filled the stage with laughter, romance, and melody.
23 Jun 2026
American Musical Theater
American musical theater. The content highlights the career of Reginald de Koven, specifically the massive success of his 1890 operetta Robin Hood, which bridged the gap between grand opera and modern musicals. The texts also introduce Victor Herbert, a successor who refined the genre through sophisticated orchestrations and the founding of ASCAP to protect creators' rights. Together, these figures are credited with establishing the narrative and musical foundations that allowed the Broadway tradition to flourish. The collection serves as an educational overview of how early operetta transitioned into the integrated musical storytelling recognized today.
21 Jun 2026
Cole Porter
Step into the glittering, witty, and irresistibly sophisticated world of Cole Porter, one of Broadway’s most iconic and influential composers. In this episode of What About Theater?, Daryl explores Porter’s remarkable journey from small‑town Indiana to the salons of Paris and the bright lights of Broadway.
Discover how Porter’s razor‑sharp wordplay, lush melodies, and daring sense of humor reshaped the American musical. From Anything Goes to Kiss Me, Kate, we dive into the shows that defined his legacy, the resilience that fueled his creativity, and the timeless charm that keeps his music alive on stages around the world.
Whether you’re a lifelong theater lover or just beginning your journey into musical history, this episode offers a rich, engaging look at a composer whose work continues to sparkle with elegance, wit, and emotional depth.
21 Jun 2026
Top 10 Secrets to Succeed in Musical Theater
Learn the top 10 ways to help yourself to succeed in the musical theater world.
13 May 2026
Victor Herbert. Another View
Explore more of the musical world of the great Victor Herbert.
11 May 2026
Top 10 Secrets to Shine in Musical Theatre
Discover the 10 best paths to success in musical theatre.
10 May 2026
Broadway Musicals 1900-1928
Explore the ever-changing world of Broadway musicals in the 1900s..
23 Apr 2026
An Apology
I want to thank everyone for bearing with me during my stay in the hospital and rehab.
28 Feb 2026
Nora Bayes, Star
Nora Bayes — The Original Broadway Firecracker
Nora Bayes was one of the brightest, boldest stars of early American entertainment—a singer, comedian, songwriter, and vaudeville powerhouse whose influence stretched from the music halls of the 1890s to the Broadway revues of the 1920s. In this episode, Daryl explores Bayes’s remarkable career across vaudeville, musical comedy, and the Ziegfeld Follies, her headline‑making marriages, and the hit songs she helped create, including the enduring classic “Shine On, Harvest Moon.”
You’ll also discover the unexpected modern twist in her legacy: the satirical novel Smash, inspired by a fictional musical about Bayes’s life, which later became the basis for the TV series Smash.
A trailblazer with a voice and personality too big for any one stage, Nora Bayes helped shape the sound and spirit of American theater—and her story still sparkles today.
24 Feb 2026
The Operettas and Musicals of Victor Herbert
Step into a world of romance, whimsy, and turn‑of‑the‑century theatrical magic as What About Theater? explores the life and legacy of composer Victor Herbert — one of the foundational architects of American musical theater.
In this episode, Daryl takes you on a melodic journey through Herbert’s most beloved operettas and musicals, from the fairy‑tale charm of Babes in Toyland to the sweeping romance of Naughty Marietta and the comedic sparkle of The Red Mill. Along the way, you’ll discover how Herbert blended European operetta traditions with a distinctly American spirit, helping shape the sound of Broadway long before the Golden Age arrived.
Whether you’re a lifelong theater lover or just discovering the roots of American musicals, this episode offers history, storytelling, and a celebration of the melodies that helped define a generation of stage magic.
Tune in and rediscover the composer who taught America how to dream in song.
28 Jan 2026
Broadway Musicals of the 1930s
Step into the swing‑era sparkle of the 1930s as What About Theater? explores the Broadway musicals that defined a decade of resilience and creativity. Even in the midst of the Great Depression, composers like George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Rodgers & Hart produced some of the most iconic shows in musical theater history.
From the jazzy energy of Girl Crazy to the Pulitzer Prize‑winning satire of Of Thee I Sing, and the sophisticated brilliance of Anything Goes, this episode highlights the creators, performers, and innovations that shaped the era. Meet the stars who lit up the stage — Ethel Merman, Ginger Rogers, Ray Bolger, and more — and discover how the musicals of the 1930s paved the way for Broadway’s Golden Age.
A lively, insightful journey through a decade when theater offered hope, glamour, and unforgettable music.
25 Jan 2026
The Major Broadway Musicals of the 1920's
Step into the glittering world of the Jazz Age as What About Theater? explores the Broadway musicals that defined the 1920s. This episode dives into the shows, creators, and stars who transformed American musical theater during one of its most vibrant decades.
From Jerome Kern’s early hits to the groundbreaking impact of Shuffle Along, the 1920s brought new sounds, new stories, and a bold new theatrical identity. Discover how composers, lyricists, and performers shaped the era with syncopated rhythms, dazzling revues, and unforgettable characters.
You’ll meet the stars who lit up the stage — Marilyn Miller, Fanny Brice, Noble Sissle, Eubie Blake, and more — and learn how their artistry helped usher in a modern Broadway. Whether you’re a theater lover, a history buff, or simply curious about the roots of American musicals, this episode brings the Jazz Age to life with insight, warmth, and storytelling flair
23 Jan 2026
Theater and Vaudeville in the 1890s Featuring Tony Pastor and the Rise of a New American Stage
Welcome to What About Theater?, the show where we explore the stories, the people, and the backstage magic that shaped the world of performance. I’m your host, Reverend Daryl Taylor‑Hazel, and today we’re stepping back into the bustling, boisterous 1890s — a decade when American entertainment reinvented itself.
We’re talking about vaudeville — the variety show that became the heartbeat of a nation.
21 Jan 2026
Welcome to the New Season of What About Theater?
“Welcome to the new season of What About Theater? —the podcast where host Daryl Taylor‑Hazel explores the magic, meaning, and behind‑the‑scenes stories of the stage. From comedies and dramas to the vibrant world of musical theater, this new season brings fresh conversations, new insights, and a renewed celebration of the art we love. If you’ve ever wondered what really makes theater come alive, you’re in the right place.”
Host of What About Theater??
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