Ep.221 How Knowing Musical Theatre History Makes You a Better Performer with Molly Marie Walsh

What sets a technically strong performer apart from a truly unforgettable one? In this episode, Molly Marie Walsh — performer, educator, and MT history advocate — unpacks how a deep understanding of musical theatre’s roots enriches performance, informs vocal style, and builds lasting careers. From the social commentary of Hadestown to the escapism of 1930s musicals, Molly and Alexa explore how history shapes artistry, interpretation, and authenticity on stage. A must-listen for performers, teachers, and anyone passionate about meaningful storytelling through song and stage. 

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  

3:10 What’s Molly’s favourite era of Musical Theatre history?  

8:05 Case study  

12:20 Is historical and contextual understanding always necessary?  

17:45 Context & vocal targets  

24:38 Context & aesthetic design  

26:38 Context and the creative’s career   

29:02 How can contextual understanding help in an audition?  

33:46 How historical understanding upholds the craft of Musical Theatre  

43:27 What about the ensemble?  

47:20 Different resources  

About the presenter, click HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 

Urdang 

Broadway Musicals Show By Show by Stanley Green 

Graham Norton interview 

Fifty Key Stage Musicals by Robert W. Schneider and Shannon Agnew 

Fifty Key Stage Musicals: The Podcast  

Artists mentioned: Jesse Mueller; Sierra Boggess; Marisha Wallace; Billy Porter 

Agnes de Mille 

Jeanine Tesori 

Shaina Taub 

Jamie Lloyd 

Our Musicals, Ourselves by John Bush Jones 

The Cambridge Companion to the Musical by William A Everett & Paul Laird 

150 Years of Popular Musical Theatre by Andrew Lamb 

A Critical Companion to The American Stage Musical by Elizabeth L. Wollman 

Strike Up the Band by Scott Miller  

Horrible Histories  

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.10 Songs for Male Contemporary Musical Theatre Singers 

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Molly Marie Walsh, originally from California, is a seasoned Musical Theatre performer with credits in the US and UK, including Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Into the Woods, and A Christmas Carol. Now based in the UK, Molly teaches voice, drama, and musical theatre across Buckinghamshire and at London’s Urdang Academy. Molly has worked with musical theatre writers Kansley & Lidert, and she has recently completed the BAST Level 5 Extended Diploma in Singing Teaching Skills. 

SEE FULL BIO HERE

Instagram: @singhappywmolly

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