Shows / Life's But A Song
Life's But A Song
A podcast that lives in the land of musicals. I'm joined by a new guest each episode to discuss either musical movies, musical TV series, or the musical episode of a show. https://linktr.ee/Butasongpod
Episodes
Life's But A SongEp. 475 - South Park: "Elementary School Musical"/"Broadway Bro Down" (w/ Lauren Gismondi)
Lauren takes us back to South Park this episode to delve into two episodes! She and Jon talk about how problematic Mr. Gueermo is in "Elementary School…
- Life's But A Song
Ep. 474 - Come From Away (2021) (w/ Roland Rusinek)
Prepare yourselves for an emotional episode. As much as Jon and Roland love this musical, they both cry at it because of the events of 9/11. This show is truly…
- Life's But A Song
Ep. 473 - The Little Big Things (2024) (w/ Aaron Choi)
Aaron's back with a new British musical! It's based off a memoir of mouth artist and motivational speaker Henry Fraser, and how life can change in an instant…
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Ep. 472 - Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical (2025) (w/ Cullen Callaghan; Special Guest: Alicia Albright)
We head to the West End this episode to check in on the citizens of Arendelle and Disney's new favorite princess (even though one is technically a Queen) -…
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Ep. 471 - O'Dessa (2025) (w/ Kevin Sluder)
Oh boy. Jon really is torturing Kevin with his picks/suggestions. However, this one wasn't as terrible as the others - it has potential to be something if they…
- Life's But A Song
Ep. 470 - Trap (2024) (w/ Kendra Beltran and Scott Kurland)
Jon really hates himself for picking this one. But he is glad he's in good company...even though he feels guilty for torturing Kendra and Scott (kinda). When…
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Ep. 469 - Newsies (1992) (w/ Alicia Newcom)
It's time to seize the day with a new guest! Host of the Assembly Guide podcast, Alicia joins the pool of guests this episode with a banger of a movie! She and…
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Ep. 468 - Yesterday (2019) (w/ Samantha Blinn)
What would happen if you woke up and almost everyone in the world didn't know who The Beatles were? Well, this movie answers that question. And Jon brought…
- Life's But A Song
Ep. 467 - That Thing You Do! (1996) (w/ Marc Bonanni)
We head back to 1960s (via 1996) in this iconic film about a one hit wonder band that surprisingly has a lot of original songs in it. Just by looking at the…
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Ep. 466 - Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) (w/ Aaron Choi and Jay Roudybush)
Jon joins the forces of Aaron and Jay to talk about this hidden gem that is also very problematic. In the episode, they discuss the stage version's changes…
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Ep. 465 - Rhinestone (1984) (w/ Jayson Kerr)
Jon took a big swing with this pick - he's basing this off of How Did This Get Made. Joined with bestie Jayson, the two propose a stage version, go off on…
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Ep. 464 - De-Lovely (2004) (w/ Roland Rusinek)
Jon thought he hit a home run with this selection - Roland plus Cole Porter, what could possible go wrong? Roland's Instagram: @rolandrusinek Helluva Boss…
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Ep. 463 - Gypsy (1993) (w/ Arianna Armon)
We kick off another month of Jon's Picks with a movie that we're all surprised hasn't been covered yet. Joined by bestie of the pod Arianna, Jon heads back to…
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Ep. 462 - Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008) (w/ Scott Kurland and Christopher Brown)
Welcome back to the early 2000s, where comedy was weird, people don't understand the geography of New York City, and the era of Michael Cera. Scott brings his…
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Ep. 461 - Oklahoma! (1955) (w/ Steven Hrubes and Mary Williams)
Mary and Steven are back to talk more about Oklahoma! But this time it's the film version! They plus Jon have a very different read on the show because the…
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Ep. 460 - Romance & Cigarettes (2005) (w/ Meghan Dixon)
We welcome new guest to the pod Meghan who brings a strong first episode! In a movie that you probably haven't heard of but with an all star cast she and Jon…
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Ep. 459 - Labyrinth (1986) (SCT #41) (w/ Tyler Henry)
We head back in the world of Jim Henson this episode with Tyler, who is a David Bowie expert (which Jon forgot), to revisit Labyrinth. They discuss their…
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Ep. 458 - Descendants 3 (2019) (w/ Lauren Guyton)
Lauren is back to finish the original Descendants DCOM trilogy. The story is whatever, the wigs are insane, and Uma was always right. The Cameron Boyce…
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Ep. 457 - Bob's Burgers: "Art Crawl"/"Topsy" (w/ Lauren Gismondi)
We're heading back to Bob's Burgers to discuss two episodes where one has an epic musical moment, and the other has a song about butts. Lauren is back to talk…
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Ep. 456 - Next to Normal (2024 West End Production) (w/ Ashley Evans)
We're doing it. Ashley is back to get into a deep discussion about mental health and musical theatre. This is Jon's first time seeing the show, but the…
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Ep. 455 - FIXED: How I Got REJECTED by Reality TV (2025) (w/ Emily Wilson)
We're doing something a little different this episode: Jon got in touch with comedian Emily Wilson about her special, and got to live his Oprah fantasy and…
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Ep. 454 - The First Nudie Musical (1976) (w/ Jim Evans)
The movie title lies - it is not the first nudie musical. However, it is somewhat funny (1970s comedy, everyone - grain of salt). Jim is back to talk about…
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Ep. 453 - Hans Christian Andersen (1952) (w/ Roland Rusinek)
Jon and Roland are confused about this not biopic. They love the historic figure of Hans Christian Andersen and Danny Kaye is an amazing actor outside of this…
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Ep. 452 - Cyrano (2021) (w/ Scott Kurland)
Scott's back to talk about the Peter Dinklage led Cyrano. He's more interested in talking about The National, while Jon is more interested in the historical…
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Ep. 451 - My Little Pony: The Movie (1986) (w/ Blanche Daly)
We're heading to Ponyland this episode (not Equestria)! Blanche is back to finish the My Little Pony movie trilogy (sort of) to talk about G1 Ponies. Jon has…
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Ep. 450 - On with the Show! (1929) (w/ Sierra Rein and Pete Nicholls)
Happy milestone episode, everyone! Sierra and Pete came up with this idea to live react while watching a movie, and they picked a very historical film that…
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Ep. 449 - Better Man (2024) (w/ Shady)
We're heading back to musical biopics this episode, but with a serious one told in a not so serious manner. Jon and Shady can't get over the CGI chimp in this…
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Ep. 448 - Bells Are Ringing (1960) (w/ Marc Bonanni)
We head back to 1960s New York City to check in on Judy Holliday and this part that was written specifically for her. Marc educates Jon on some of the Easter…
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Ep. 447 - Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022) (w/ Kevin Sluder)
Jon is on his path of redemption with Kevin because of the last episode he was on. However, the two giggle throughout this episode and movie because it's just…
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Ep. 446 - Follies (2017 National Theatre Production) (w/ Aaron Choi)
We're finally doing this! Jon is so excited and cannot shut up about the 2011 Broadway revival he saw even though we're here to talk about the 2017 West End…
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Ep. 445 - Once (2007) (w/ Ian Brodsky)
We're heading back to Ireland this episode to talk about Once, and to promote Ian's new album. Ian and Jon discuss Ian's bestie John Carney, have issues with…
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Ep. 444 - Voyage of the Rock Aliens (1984) (SCT#40) (w/ Mary Williams and Tyler Williams)
Jon managed to convince another podcast to do a crossover episode of Voyage of the Rock Aliens. Bestie of the pod Mary joins us with her husband/co-host/new…
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Ep. 443 - The Slipper and the Rose (1976) (SCT #39) (w/ Edward Miskie)
It's the long Cinderella. Edward is back to get into the history and politics involved with this movie, but also the pretty costumes and the beautiful songs…
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Ep. 442 - Enchanted (2007) (SCT #38) (w/ Robyn Jeffrey)
Jon and Robyn head back to this new Disney classic film this episode. They try to figure out what the hypothetical stage version of this would be, while upset…
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Ep. 441 - Mrs. Santa Claus (1996) (SCT #37) (w/ Colden Lamb)
Order in the court! Judge Colden Lamb is putting Jon on trial for the First Chance of Mrs. Santa Claus. Is Jon guilty of being the worst podcast host? Is this…
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Ep. 440 - The Apple (1980) (SCT #36) (w/ Tyler Henry)
Tyler makes his triumphant return back to the podcast to discuss another weird cult musical movie that Jon really didn't properly appreciate in the First…
- Life's But A Song
Ep. 439 - O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) (SCT #35) (w/ Battles)
We can't seem to leave the Dust Bowl era just yet. Battles is back to take us on a very famous quest that Jon only read the Wikipedia page, that allegedly the…
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Ep. 438 - A Goofy Movie (1995) (SCT #34) (w/ Scott Kurland)
Scott's back to go on a road trip back to 1995 where we revisit A Goofy Movie. Do Scott and Jon see "I2I"? How many times will they refer to the documentary…
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Ep. 437 - West Side Story (2021) (SCT #33) (w/ Shady; Special Guest: Gabby Soto)
Shady's back to take us to the West Side of NYC circa 1957, where we're stepping into Steven Spielberg's first musical movie and a remake to boot. She and Jon…
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Ep. 436 - Guys and Dolls (1955) (SCT #32) (w/ Arianna Armon)
Arianna is back to kick off another Second Chance month! This time we head to 1950s New York City to talk about the men cast as singing gamblers, the music of…
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Ep. 435 - Bonnie & Clyde (w/ Edward Miskie)
Welcome to the Dust Bowl era of American history, where two kids become famous for robbing banks to stick it to the man! Edward makes his triumphant return to…
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Ep. 434 - Viktor und Viktoria (1933) (w/ Roland Rusinek)
Roland is back to go back in time to 1930s Germany where he and Jon examine the origin of the 1982 classic Victor/Victoria. Jon makes some bold statements…
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Ep. 433 - Between the Lines (2024) (w/ Aaron Choi)
"Cover is not the book/So open it up and take a look"...wait, wrong property. Aaron is back to bring us some more live theatre, and this time it's the 2022…
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Ep. 432 - Jack and the Beanstalk (1967) (w/ Sierra Rein)
Welcome to the mashup you never thought of: Gene Kelly and Hanna-Barbera! Sierra is back to check one more credit off of Gene Kelly's filmography to talk about…
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Ep. 431 - Dancer in the Dark (2000) (w/ Jim Evans)
Lars von Trier made a "musical" movie starring Björk, and she also wrote the music. That's all you need to know. Film Rage Socials: @filmrageyy Podcast Socials…
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Ep. 430 - Descendants 2 (2017) (w/ Lauren Guyton)
Oh Kenny Ortega, you let us down. Lauren is back to continue on our Descendants journey with this sequel that Jon had high hopes for, but was very disappointed…
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Ep. 429 - Emilia Pérez (2024) (w/ Kevin Sluder)
**deep sigh** It had to be done. And unfortunately for Kevin he was chosen to be the guest on this episode, where he and Jon try to figure out why this won so…
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Ep. 428 - Free to Be...A Family (1988)/Designing Women: "Mamed"
In a first for this podcast (428 episodes later and there are still "firsts") we're doing a double feature! Tommy comes back with two very different topics…
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Ep. 427 - My Little Pony: The Movie (2017) (w/ Blanche Daly)
Welcome back to Equestria! We're going backwards in in the Ponies filmography and discussing how friendship is magic! Plus, Jon and Blanche talk about the…
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Ep. 426 - The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (2007 Los Angeles Opera production) (w/ Colden Lamb)
Two people come together for a podcast recording to discuss a Los Angeles Opera performance of The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny. Things get tense…
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Ep. 425 - Oliver & Company (1988) (w/ Battles)
Welcome to NYC in the late '80s! Jon and Battles take a hit of nostalgia to discuss Disney's version of Oliver Twist but with singing anthropomorphized…
- Life's But A Song
Ep. 424 - Thank God It's Friday (1978) (w/ Jayson Kerr)
Jayson is stuck in the '70s and dragged Jon to a disco that closes at midnight (weird). In this another not a musical movie but is centered around music, Jon…
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Ep. 423 - Bugsy Malone (1976) (w/ Arianna Armon)
Arianna brings to us a film Jon has heard about for a while, and is happy this is the first time he's watched it. Children playing gangsters but in a serious…
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Ep. 422 - The Greatest Showman (2017) (w/ Steven Hrubes and Mary Williams)
We're finally doing this Pasek and Paul masterpiece. Jon, Steven and Mary delve into the life of P.T. Barnum and discuss how wrong this movie is, however they…
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Ep. 421 - Merrily We Roll Along (2013) (w/ Aaron Choi)
Aaron is back with yet another British version of a very American musical. He and Jon get into the Sondheim of it all, the alleged movie version, and accents…
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Ep. 420 - Reefer Madness - The Movie Musical (2005) (SCT #31) (w/ Dan Studeny and Bryan Daniel Porter)
So...Jon just hit record and blacked out. Hope you all enjoy this super special (and very long) episode! Bryan's Instagram: @bryandanielporter Podcast Socials…
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Ep. 419 - Get the Duchess (2022) (w/ David Rigano and Paul Rigano)
New guests the Rigano Brothers (David and Paul) come on the pod to talk about their virtual show, plug their upcoming show, and Jon praises them for probably…
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Ep. 418 - Doctor Dolittle (1967) (w/ Colden Lamb)
We close off Jon's Picks with a long and weird musical movie starring Rex Harrison, so naturally Jon picked bestie Colden to talk about this movie (which Jon…
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Ep. 417 - The Lady Objects (1938) (w/ Sierra Rein)
There is one specific reason why Jon picked Sierra to do this one and it's to make up for the last Jon's Picks episode that she was on! But the two also…
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Ep. 416 - Carmen (2022) (w/ Jim Evans and Aaron Marsh)
Jon chose the opera boys of the podcast to talk about this not opera movie. The internet lied to Jon calling this a musical, but the trio still had some things…