This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:01] Kevin Jaeger: Did you bring wine? I got the glasses.

[0:07] Kimberly Schmidt: You guys, I made a quiz. I didn't bring anything, but I'm here to have fun.

[0:11] Bryan Plofsky: Broadwaysted!

[0:30] Bryan Plofsky: Whenever I feel beaten down by the intensity of living in today's complicated and divided world, I think of one of my favorite places, the theater district of New York City, the home of Broadway. Every time I stand in the bright twinkling lights of a Broadway marquee surrounded by a sea of smiling faces, I remember that while there may be anger and hatred in this world, there is an overwhelming amount of love, too. People go to the theater to laugh, to cry, to face the reflected realities of life, or to escape them for a few hours of pure entertainment bliss. To be transported into another world, a world of talent, a world of passion, suspense, innovation, joy, but most importantly, a world of love.

And here, in the magical late morning glow of the theater district, surrounded by Broadway marquees, as the box offices face the rush of clamoring ticket buyers, we begin this year's musical holiday tale in three parts. We three have our parts to play. Spreading love this holiday.

[1:58] Kimberly Schmidt: We're Bryan, Kevin, and Kimberly. It's Kimberly. Welcome to Broadway. Broadwaysted, actually.

[2:11] Bryan Plofsky: Broadwaysted, actually. Broadwaysted, actually. We are contractually bound to say, this isn't like the movie you are thinking of in any way.

[2:24] Kevin Jaeger: Of course not, because first of all, this is set in New York City. And by sea. And sure, it's a collection of interconnected stories about relationships. Sounds pretty similar to me. But the stories are all different.

[2:46] Bryan Plofsky: Like look, over there. There are two of our protagonists. Boyfriends Kevin and Kevin coming out of the subway station and starting to run through Times Square.

[2:51] Kevin Jaeger: Hey, Kev, slow down. What's your rush?

[2:56] Bryan Plofsky: I wanted to be there right when the box office opened today, but the train was late and it went express and it skipped our stop. Can we just enjoy our day, please? It's our first holiday season together in the city. Do we have to run?

[3:08] Kevin Jaeger: Yes, we have to run. I've lived in the city all my life and I'm not missing out on this another year. I made a promise to myself.

[3:12] Bryan Plofsky: Can you at least tell me where we're going?

[3:16] Kevin Jaeger: No time. Come on. Let's go. Broadwaysted, actually. Broadwaysted, actually. We cannot factually prove a claim.

[3:32] Bryan Plofsky: The link to that one movie you are thinking of is just in name.

[3:41] Kevin Jaeger: Wait, there are two Kevins in this story plus you? So three Kevins? No, that's too many Kevins. This is going to get confusing. Maybe I should be known as Kevin Prime or like OBC Kevin.

[3:52] Bryan Plofsky: As in you are the original Broadway cast of yourself?

[3:57] Kevin Jaeger: Exactly. It's like I always say. All the world's a stage and life is a cabaret. So basically, we're all living in a production of cabaret. So be the Sally Bowles of your own life.

[4:03] Bryan Plofsky: That's perfect. We'll call you Sally Bowles.

[4:08] Kevin Jaeger: Wait, what? Okay, random singing quartet, can you agree with Sally Bowles here that things are different than the movie so we can just move on and start this thing?

[4:12] Kimberly Schmidt: We're thinking actually.

[4:20] Kevin Jaeger: No, don't call me Sally Bowles. We think that actually a course will naturally go along because that is what's written next to happen in our little song. Thank you. Sally Bowles, you win.

[4:42] Bryan Plofsky: Don't call me Sally Bowles. Broadway actually. Okay, Sally, I'm intrigued. Let's catch up with the Kevin couple and see where they're racing off to.

[5:06] Kimberly Schmidt: We can't. We'll come back to them in a bit. But first, we have to stay here so I can introduce you to the storylines that you'll be following. We're each narrating a different storyline. So we have to split up.

[5:18] Bryan Plofsky: But Sally.

[5:23] Kimberly Schmidt: Seriously, guys, you can call me Kevin when the two Kevin characters aren't in the scene.

[5:27] Kevin Jaeger: No, that's way too confusing. And since the random singing quartet calls you Sally Bowles now, we basically have to.

[5:32] Bryan Plofsky: Brian has a point. They call you Sally Bowles in song and in a musical. That's basically law.

[5:38] Kimberly Schmidt: Yeah. Sorry, Sally. Okay, whatever. Pay attention, because here they come. The next storyline. Brian, you're going to be following this lovely couple coming up the street from the direction of Penn Station. High school sweethearts Danny and Sandy. Look, they're right there.

[5:47] Bryan Plofsky: We made it, babe. New York City. I've got chills and they're definitely multiplying.

[6:03] Kevin Jaeger: Tell me about it, stud. We're going to have the perfect NYC holiday together, honey. I promise. Because I have a surprise.

[6:08] Bryan Plofsky: Now, I know things have been hard. It's been a rough few years.

[6:14] Kevin Jaeger: Danny, you don't have to apologize.

[6:19] Bryan Plofsky: No, I do. We've been struggling to make ends meet ever since high school. Money's been scarce and we've been scraping by. But I want to show you how much I love you. So I have this little surprise.

[6:23] Kevin Jaeger: Danny, what did you do? We can't afford anything extravagant.

[6:29] Bryan Plofsky: Shh. Just close your eyes. Come on, close your eyes.

[6:36] Kevin Jaeger: I did close my eyes the first time you said to close my eyes. This is a radio play, Sandy. It doesn't count unless you say it out loud.

[6:40] Bryan Plofsky: How meta. Brian.

[6:46] Kevin Jaeger: Shh. All right. All right. My eyes are closed.

[6:56] Bryan Plofsky: Okay. Hold on. There. Now open your eyes.

[6:56] Kevin Jaeger: Danny, what's this? You're holding two envelopes. One with my name on it and one with your name on it.

[7:01] Bryan Plofsky: So I know we said no presents this year. Danny, you swore. Things have been really too tough. We've tightened our dance belt so much we can't afford presents. This trip is already a splurge. I mean, it's enough just to be here.

[7:12] Kevin Jaeger: I know. But I picked up some extra shifts at Lulu's Pie Shop and I saved the best I could. So I have $50 for each of us.

[7:17] Bryan Plofsky: $50 each? Are you crazy?

[7:25] Kevin Jaeger: Crazy for you. So here, take your envelope and I'll take mine. And you have until the sun goes down to get me a present with the $50. And I have the same amount of time to find a $50 present for you. I was going to spend all $100 on a gift for you, but I knew it would break your heart to not be able to get me a present. Though I will say now that I don't need anything but you. So if you want to give me your 50 and I'll go shopping for a $100 gift for you, I'd be happy.

[7:51] Bryan Plofsky: No, no, no, no, no. I want to give you a gift. That's the best gift of all. Being able to give my husband I love something to show how much I love him. Something nice. Something perfect.

[8:08] Kevin Jaeger: Oh, Danny, this is so thoughtful of you. Even after all these years, you're the one that I want. Ooh, ooh, ooh, honey.

[8:16] Bryan Plofsky: Okay, so when do we go shopping?

[8:20] Kevin Jaeger: Now. When the sun goes down, meet me right next to the Broadway Up Close Tours kiosk here in Times Square.

[8:25] Bryan Plofsky: Broadway Up Close Tours has a kiosk in Times Square?

[8:29] Kevin Jaeger: Yeah, we got to stop by and try and see our tour guide Tim. It's not a holiday in NYC without a trip to see Tim. So meet me there at the Broadway Up Close Tours kiosk when the sun goes down and we'll exchange presents.

[8:33] Bryan Plofsky: Oh, Danny, I'm going to find you the perfect gift. So here we go. On your mark, get set, shop.

[8:39] Kevin Jaeger: Bye, Danny. See you soon. Love you.

[8:47] Bryan Plofsky: Love you too. I'm off like grease lightning. All right, Brian, that's your storyline. Go follow it.

[8:54] Kevin Jaeger: Wait, but how? They went in two different directions.

[8:59] Bryan Plofsky: Oh, right. I forgot to tell you. We're kind of magic in this story.

[9:04] Kevin Jaeger: Magic? Wait, like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child magic?

[9:09] Bryan Plofsky: No, nothing is that magic. But like, we have narrator magic. We can follow people and be in different places at once using one of these. A narrator portal.

[9:19] Kevin Jaeger: Well, then, if we can do that with narrator magic, why are we splitting up? Why don't we just all stick together and...

[9:24] Bryan Plofsky: Brian, because deep in December, it's nice to remember and follow. Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow.

[9:28] Kevin Jaeger: OK, OK, OK. I'm going. I'm going. Have fun. The listeners will check in with you later.

[9:32] Bryan Plofsky: Sounds great. See you later, listeners of the show. Oh, this is so fun. So where's my storyline?

[9:39] Kimberly Schmidt: Funny you should ask, Kimberly, because your story is about to begin with an epic collision. See those two people looking at their phones and not seeing they're about to run into each other?

[9:47] Bryan Plofsky: Oh, no. Should we warn them?

[9:47] Kimberly Schmidt: No, it's destined to happen. Watch.

[9:57] Bryan Plofsky: Excuse me. I'm so sorry.

[10:05] Kevin Jaeger: No, it was my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going and it.

[10:10] Bryan Plofsky: What was that? The sound of love at first sight.

[10:15] Kimberly Schmidt: Love at first sight? I'm totally in.

[10:21] Bryan Plofsky: Sorry, it was my fault. I wasn't paying attention. I'm running off to an audition. Well, seventh callback, really. So hopefully not the seventh time's the charm. I'm Will, by the way. Will Shakes.

[10:27] Kimberly Schmidt: Hi, Will. To be honest, I have no idea what a callback is, but I'm guessing it's some kind of interview. So good luck, I guess.

[10:33] Bryan Plofsky: Break a leg.

[10:33] Kevin Jaeger: I beg your pardon.

[10:38] Bryan Plofsky: Break a leg.

[10:44] Kevin Jaeger: OK, wise guy. Look, I'm sorry I bumped into you, but there's no need to be rude and wish I'd break my leg.

[10:49] Bryan Plofsky: No, no, it's just bad luck to say good luck to an actor. So we say break a leg instead.

[10:54] Kevin Jaeger: It's bad luck to say good luck?

[10:59] Bryan Plofsky: Yeah, good luck is actually bad luck. And it's for some crazy old reason that I honestly don't even know. I just normally say break a leg in the theater world.

[11:08] Kimberly Schmidt: Oh, sorry. I'm not an actress.

[11:10] Bryan Plofsky: Oh, OK. You're a director, producer, designer.

[11:15] Kevin Jaeger: D, none of the above. I'm a lawyer, corporate law. My name's Muggle, Mary Muggle.

[11:22] Bryan Plofsky: Cool. You did the Bond, James Bond thing with your name. Or does James Bond do the Muggle, Mary Muggle thing?

[11:27] Kevin Jaeger: Touche. But I mean, I feel like James Bond is a lot older than you. So I think it's a James Bond thing. Plus the books and movies were...

[11:33] Bryan Plofsky: Oh, right. You're joking.

[11:36] Kevin Jaeger: Yeah, I guess that was my corporate law sense of humor coming out. Wow. We are from two different worlds.

[11:39] Bryan Plofsky: Never meant to meet. But you're going to bridge the divide with love and then live happily ever after.

[11:44] Kevin Jaeger: So I take it that you're excited to be narrating this storyline?

[11:48] Kimberly Schmidt: Oh, my God. Yes. As long as this doesn't end like a star is born.

[11:52] Bryan Plofsky: How could it end like a star is born when it doesn't begin like a star is born?

[11:57] Kevin Jaeger: I don't know. I haven't seen it.

[12:02] Kimberly Schmidt: Shh. My audition should be done by 2 p.m. Any chance I can buy you a coffee or a late lunch or somewhere and learn how the other half. Well, how the other half lives. The non-theater types, the Muggles of the world.

[12:10] Bryan Plofsky: I don't know. It's a bad idea. Me and you.

[12:15] Kevin Jaeger: I know. I just thought. But I need a bad idea. So where should I meet you for lunch?

[12:21] Kimberly Schmidt: Well, how about the Glass House Tavern?

[12:27] Bryan Plofsky: OK, 2 p.m.

[12:32] Kevin Jaeger: 2 p.m. And don't be late. I'm a very busy woman and I haven't got all day, especially to wait around for an actor.

[12:37] Bryan Plofsky: Good, because I'm not just an actor.

[12:43] Kevin Jaeger: No, no. I'm also an aspiring director and playwright. Does that mean you're an aspiring director and an aspiring playwright or that you're actually a playwright, but you're an aspiring director?

[12:49] Kimberly Schmidt: Yes. You'll have to explain that to me at 2 p.m. You better show.

[12:55] Bryan Plofsky: Don't lose faith. Don't get down. Don't despair. I'll be there.

[13:02] Kevin Jaeger: Well, OK, then it's a date.

[13:08] Kimberly Schmidt: Great. So I'll see you then, Mary Muggle.

[13:12] Bryan Plofsky: Goodbye, Will Shakes. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Hey, that's a great line. I'm going to have to remember that.

[13:17] Kevin Jaeger: Holy hallmark, Kevin. It's like you wrote this storyline just for me.

[13:21] Kimberly Schmidt: Happy holidays, Kimberly. I'm going to follow Will Shakes first because I bet his audition is going to be fun.

[13:25] Bryan Plofsky: Yeah. And you'll meet up with Jay.

[13:29] Kevin Jaeger: Jay, really?

[13:33] Bryan Plofsky: Yeah. Surprise. But hurry up and follow Will. The listeners will check in with you and Jay later.

[13:38] Kimberly Schmidt: OK, see you later, Sally.

[13:43] Kevin Jaeger: I'm not going to lie. I kind of love calling you that. This may stick.

[13:48] Kimberly Schmidt: Don't call me Sally. At least say the full name, Sally Bowles.

[13:53] Bryan Plofsky: Oh, never mind. OK, so this is all going according to plan. Brian is following Danny and Sandy, poor high school sweethearts with fifty dollars each to spend on each other. Kimberly is following Will Shakes and Mary Muggle's star-crossed romance from different worlds. I've got the two Kevins. So right now I need one more narrator and I know exactly who it's going to be.

[14:01] Kevin Jaeger: Alakazam and Alakazam and Alakazam and Alakazam and Alakazam and Alakazam and Alakazam and.

[14:06] Aaron J. Albano: Hey, what the.

[14:11] Kevin Jaeger: Hi, Aaron. You've got to be kidding me. You promised you weren't going to summon me again unless it was an emergency.

[14:18] Aaron J. Albano: Oh, it is, Aaron. It is a catastrophic emergency, a narrator emergency for the Broadway holiday radio musical, a narrator emergency.

[14:22] Kevin Jaeger: Well, then why didn't you say so? I'm always happy to help. So what's this one called?

[14:28] Aaron J. Albano: Broad Wasted, actually.

[14:32] Kevin Jaeger: Oh, I get it. So it's like that British movie with Keira Knightley.

[14:36] Aaron J. Albano: No, not at all, because we explained this earlier with a random singing quartet, but you weren't here. So, well, you were probably doing Satisfied at the time, I'm guessing. But anyway, I need you to narrate a storyline. You know, the Hamilton people really don't like it when I disappear into thin air during a show, even if it is a narrator emergency.

[14:41] Kevin Jaeger: No, I get it. Look, if you do this, I can use my narrator magic to put you back in the show at the exact same time.

[14:54] Aaron J. Albano: Time I took you from so no one will even notice that you're gone. Oh, wow, really? Well then, actually, can you take me back like 10 minutes earlier? I was a tiny bit late for an entrance because my costume was stuck during a quick change, but I know how to fix it in hindsight so I wouldn't be late if I could go back in time and do it again.

[15:12] Sally: No, Aaron, what's done is done. I can send you back from the time I took you. That's it.

[15:17] Aaron J. Albano: So could you actually send me back to my costume change but you just won't?

[15:23] Sally: Yes, of course, Aaron. It's narrator magic. I can do anything, but I don't want to use it for selfish purposes and fall prey to the dark side like Darth Vader.

[15:27] Aaron J. Albano: Oh, wow, you're referencing...

[15:33] Sally: Star Trek, I know, fourth generation. Okay, I'll do this narrator thing if you stop referencing sci-fi incorrectly.

[15:41] Aaron J. Albano: Deal. I'll beam you up, Chewie. Jump into this narrator portal, Aaron.

[15:45] Sally: Where am I going?

[15:49] Sally: Through the narrator portal. Don't worry, the audience is going with you. You're going to check in a few blocks away from the theater district where the true stars of our holiday radio musical, our friends at Broadway Bound Kids, are excited to attend a very special holiday performance.

[16:00] Aaron J. Albano: So I just jump through the narrator portal?

[16:07] Sally: Yep, narrator magic. That's pretty cool, Sally.

[16:13] Aaron J. Albano: Sally, seriously? How did you know that...

[16:17] Sally: Brian texted me.

[16:29] Aaron J. Albano: Of course he did. All right, off you go, Aaron. And listeners, you go with Aaron. I'm going to meet up with my storyline, the Kevins, so I'll catch up with all you guys later.

[16:37] Aaron J. Albano: Well, all right, here goes. Better throw my hand in. Wish me happy landing. All I gotta do is jump!

[16:58] Aaron J. Albano: Okay, here I am. Quick check of my surroundings. Warming up the old narrator voice. Okay, here we go. T'was the night of the big holidays, and up on the stage, the Broadway Bound Kids were working as hard in their theater class as folks twice their age. The city was covered in new fallen snow, but the kids barely noticed, because they couldn't wait for the big show.

[17:02] Annie: I don't feel like I can wait any longer for the big show tonight, Oliver.

[17:08] Oliver: The Stars Under the Stars concert.

[17:15] Annie: I know, I'm so excited. Hey, can you guys come over here and have a seat, please?

[17:21] Curly: Yeah, let's all chat quick after an awesome class. You all should be so proud of yourselves. Great work today.

[17:26] Curly: Curly and I are sure proud of you. You all really put your hearts and souls into everything you do, and it really shows. Now, it's almost time to call it a day, so that everyone can go get ready to attend the Stars Under the Stars concert tonight.

[17:33] Annie: So... Wait, Curly, where are Matilda and Billy?

[17:40] Curly: Oh, no, not again. Guys, where are Matilda and Billy? Annie? Oliver? I don't know. Honest. They were just here. If I knew where they were, I'll tell you. I mean it. I'll do anything for you. Laurie, anything. But I just don't know where they've gone off to.

[17:46] Marilynx: Do you know? Let's find them.

[17:52] Gavroche: Maybe they'll know where the door to this garden is. Do you know where they are, Gavroche?

[17:58] Gavroche: Revolution!

[18:04] Curly: Okay, Gavroche, we talked about this. Not everything is cause for a revolution.

[18:11] Tam: Then I've got nothing.

[18:19] Young Allison: It's Al for short. Only on Broadway.

[18:24] Curly: What? Nothing. What Curly meant to say was he's sorry.

[18:29] Al: So did you see where Billy and Matilda went?

[18:36] Al: Billy was practicing his dance routine. Though I don't know why he was practicing because he's the best when he really just lets loose and freestyles his own angry parkour dancing thing.

[18:45] Curly: Al, focus.

[18:50] Al: Right, so Matilda was reading something as usual and she got some brilliant idea and she whispered it to Billy and off they ran.

[18:55] Curly: But which way did they go?

[19:00] Al: Does it matter if I say that way? I mean, what's the natural response? But this is a radio musical, so like there's no visual point or reference to explain where that way is. I mean, did we even describe this theater we're in? Who's narrating this thing anyway?

[19:05] Curly: But suddenly the child who was throwing shade at the narrator for no reason was compelled to simply answer the question with a straight answer.

[19:10] Al: A straight answer? Did you even see Fun Home?

[19:15] Curly: Look kid, I've got to get back to Hamilton, so if we could just speed this up.

[19:22] Al: I mean, I could just answer the question if I could score two tickets to Hamilton.

[19:27] Curly: Fine. Deal.

[19:32] Al: Okay, narrate me back into the story.

[19:37] Curly: Al, pleased with herself for extorting two tickets to Hamilton out of the narrator, suddenly erupted with the information as if she couldn't hold it in any longer.

[19:42] Al: They went that way up the house left aisle of this modest but beautiful theater with dark wood paneling and red upholstered seats that are charmingly faded as if by the memories of shows and audiences that have passed through this hallowed space for nearly a century.

[19:47] Curly: Nice touch. Up that aisle and out the doors. I'm not sure where they went after that.

[19:51] Al: You don't have to worry. Billy and Matilda always do this. They always run off and they usually come back.

[19:57] Curly: Right, but we still gotta find them. Look, let's split up. Annie, Oliver, and Mary Lennox, you guys come with me. Laurie, you take Al, Tam, and Gavroche. We'll fight like we won't give up.

[20:02] Gavroche: Gavroche, while I appreciate the enthusiasm, there's no fighting, okay?

[20:09] Curly: Remember my rule? A fight on stage better be on the page. Only fights by the playwrights. Am I right?

[20:17] Al: You're right.

[20:23] Curly: Okay, this building has four floors above the theater. You take the second floor with the dressing rooms. We'll take the third floor of the offices and then we'll meet on the fourth floor of the rehearsal studios. Deal?

[20:27] Al: Okay, we'll take the second floor, you take the third, and we'll meet on the fourth. Good luck. We gotta find them before they get themselves into trouble.

[20:37] Curly: Come on. Let's go, kids. We'll find them.

[20:45] Gavroche: I still believe.

[20:51] Tam: Thanks, Tam. Well, here we go. Text me if you find them.

[21:06] Carmen: Holy s***, Sally! You scared the s*** out of me!

[21:10] Sally: Oh, hey, Carmen. Happy holidays. And how did I scare you, but you still remember to call me Sally?

[21:16] Aaron J. Albano: I'm a professional, Sally.

[21:21] Sally: Okay, and you're also a narrator, which means you have narrator powers now, Aaron. You can seamlessly jump between both groups in your story now. You have full dominion over your story.

[21:29] Aaron J. Albano: Oh, cool. Well, I'm off. Catch you listeners later.

[21:33] Sally: So off Aaron goes with two jolly bands of companions, the Broadway-bound kids with Lori and Curly searching for the missing Billy and Matilda.

[21:39] Sally: We'll be back with more of them later, but now it's back through a narrator portal. It's time to check in with my story, The Kevins, and we're headed up above the theater district in Manhattan to the American Museum of Natural History.

[21:43] Aaron J. Albano: Whoa! Here we go!

[21:55] Aaron J. Albano: Oh, okay. Here we are, the Upper West Side outside the American Museum of Natural History. Not a normal place for theater, except for a special night around the holidays. And here come the two Kevins now.

[22:01] Kevin Jaeger: Okay, we've got to stop running so I can catch my breath.

[22:12] Kevin Jaeger: No, please, we're almost there.

[22:18] Kevin Jaeger: What? The museum? Really? We ran all this way to get the American Museum of Natural History? Why?

[22:24] Kevin Jaeger: For the Stars Under the Stars concert.

[22:29] Kevin Jaeger: The what?

[22:34] Kevin Jaeger: The Stars Under the Stars concert. Every year around the holidays, the American Museum of Natural History puts on a private concert featuring some of the biggest stars on Broadway performing in the planetarium Under the Stars. It's hosted by the international theater celebrity Robbie Roselle. It's the greatest concert in the world and it all benefits the incredible Broadway-bound kids.

[22:44] Kevin Jaeger: Oh my gosh, how have I never heard of this?

[22:49] Kevin Jaeger: It's kind of an underground thing. They sell crazy expensive tickets leading up to the event, but on the day of the show, they sell the remaining tickets like rush tickets at $20 a ticket. You have to be here even before even the box office opens to get tickets to see the line of people there by the entrance.

[22:57] Kevin Jaeger: Come on, let's see if they have any tickets left.

[23:01] Kevin Jaeger: What a cool idea. All right, now I understand the rush. I thought we were just running in some weird catch-me-if-you-can game, but this actually makes sense.

[23:07] Kevin Jaeger: Come on, Kev, I don't want to miss this. It means a lot to me, especially tonight.

[23:12] Aaron J. Albano: The Kevins race to the end of the surprisingly short line of the entrance, hopeful, that is, until the employee from the American Museum of Natural History walks out of the entrance.

[23:18] Employee: Better luck next year. Happy holidays.

[23:30] Kevin Jaeger: No, wait, sir, you've got to have a few left. Maybe some last-minute holds or house seats or something.

[23:35] Employee: I'm sorry, sir, but we're sold out. We sold every single last seat.

[23:40] Kevin Jaeger: What about standing room? Do you have standing room tickets?

[23:48] Aaron J. Albano: Kev, come on, let's go. Maybe next year.

[23:51] Kevin Jaeger: Please, sir, please. I've got to see that concert tonight. I have to. There must be something you can do.

[23:57] Employee: Listen, I understand it's a big deal. I get it, but unfortunately, we don't have any standing room tickets. We packed the room to full capacity already. We had people standing outside in line since 3 a.m. waiting to buy the few remaining tickets we had left, and now they're all gone. There's nothing I can do. I'm sorry.

[24:12] Kevin Jaeger: Hey, maybe we can do something else fun tonight. We can head back to the theater district and get rush tickets to a show, any show you pick. It'll be my treat for the holiday, an early present.

[24:19] Kevin Jaeger: No, you don't understand. I have to see that show tonight. I get that it would be an amazing time. I mean, any show hosted by Robbie Roselle is going to be incredible regardless of who is performing, but they don't have any tickets left, so we can't get in.

[24:25] Kevin Jaeger: Then I'd rather just go home.

[24:40] Kevin Jaeger: Why is this concert so important to you?

[24:51] Kevin Jaeger: You wouldn't understand.

[24:57] Kevin Jaeger: Come on, try me.

[25:03] Kevin Jaeger: Never mind. Look, I'm sorry I dragged you around this morning trying to get here to do this. Let's just go home. It's fine.

[25:08] Kevin Jaeger: Wait, this concert really means that much to you?

[25:13] Kevin Jaeger: Yeah. There's no chance now.

[25:18] Kevin Jaeger: Well, just hold on a second. Never say never. We still have time. The show isn't until tonight.

[25:24] Kevin Jaeger: What do you mean? They just said they're sold out.

[25:30] Kevin Jaeger: So we'll just have to find someone with tickets and convince them to sell them to us.

[25:35] Kevin Jaeger: Here. What are you doing?

[25:40] Kevin Jaeger: Well, I'm posting on the Broadwaysted hashtag fans of the show Facebook group. I'm sure someone in there will have a lead on tickets.

[25:43] Kevin Jaeger: You think?

[25:49] Kevin Jaeger: It's worth a shot. Look, see, someone already responded. They bought four tickets, but two friends backed out. They're willing to meet us to sell them.

[25:55] Kevin Jaeger: Really? Come on, let's go get you those tickets.

[26:01] Kevin Jaeger: I can't believe this. What are you waiting for? Let's go.

[26:06] Kevin Jaeger: Kevin.

[26:11] Kevin Jaeger: Yeah. Thank you so much. This means a lot.

[26:17] Kevin Jaeger: You can thank me when the tickets are in our hands. Now come on to the public theater.

[26:22] Aaron J. Albano: So off the Kevins race to the historic public theater with the hopes of making Kevin number two's holiday dream come true. But you gentle listeners are off somewhere else to the studio of the incredibly talented artist and creator of the Lights of Broadway show cards, the wonderful Squigs, where right now Sandy is trying to find the perfect gift for her love, Danny.

[26:28] Sally: Off you go into the narrator portal, listeners, and I'll see you in a bit. Have fun.

[26:47] Aaron J. Albano: Well, there you are, listeners. Welcome to Squigs' art studio. The walls are covered from floor to ceiling with beautiful, intricate drawings of Broadway stars and Broadway shows spread out across a large desk are the proofs of a new batch of Lights of Broadway show cards that the master himself, Squigs, is currently looking over to approve.

[26:57] Sandy: And it's at this moment that our lovely poor young lover Sandy enters the studio holding tight to her $50 bill.

[27:02] Squigs: Why, hello. Welcome to my studio.

[27:08] Sandy: I'm. Oh, I know who you are, Mr. Squigs. My husband, Danny, is maybe your biggest fan. He has every Lights of Broadway show card ever made.

[27:14] Squigs: Well, every single one except the extra special Props to the Press card of his favorite podcast, Broadwaysted. He just loves Broadwaysted so much.

[27:23] Squigs: Well, anyone who loves Broadwaysted is a friend of mine. So how can I help you, my dear?

[27:28] Sandy: I'm just looking for the perfect holiday gift for my husband, actually. An original piece of your artwork would mean so much to him. I know he'd be beyond pleased if I could get something created by you, especially if you were kind enough to sign it for us.

[27:36] Squigs: Of course, of course. Well, help yourself and look around at everything. Anything on the walls is up for sale. So let me know what jumps out at you.

[27:41] Sandy: Thanks.

[27:47] Aaron J. Albano: Sandy's eyes feasted on all the beautiful and elaborate works of art surrounding Squigs' studio. She felt like a kid in a candy store with so many incredible present options for her husband, Danny. But then she saw the perfect present.

[27:54] Sandy: Excuse me, Squigs?

[28:11] Squigs: Yes, Mrs?

[28:17] Sandy: Oh, you can call me Sandy. Can I help you with something, Sandy? Right there on the wall. It's perfect. The original print of the Broadwaysted Props to the Press Lights of Broadway show card. And oh my gosh, it's even signed by the Broadwaysted crew. Brian, Kevin, and look, there's Kimberly's signature.

[28:30] Squigs: Yeah, that's one of my favorites.

[28:36] Sandy: With that, Danny would finally have a complete set of Lights of Broadway show cards. It's the absolute perfect present. How much is it?

[28:45] Squigs: Well, that one's extremely rare. And with the signatures, it's $100.

[28:52] Sandy: $100?

[28:59] Squigs: Yep. Did you want to buy it?

[29:05] Sandy: Sandy looked down at the crisp $50 bill in her hand and her heart began to drop. It was the perfect gift. Something that Danny had always wanted and something that would make him immensely happy. But she only had $50. It wasn't enough. She shifted her weight, trying to think of something. And that's when she felt it. Her prized possessions that she never left home without. She carried them in her pocket always. Hers and Danny's tickets from the opening night of Hamilton on Broadway. Danny had saved up for a year in order to surprise her with tickets to the opening night of Hamilton. And that was the night he proposed to her. She loved those tickets more than anything. Well, more than anything besides Danny.

[29:11] Sandy: Mr. Squigs.

[29:43] Squigs: Oh, Sandy, you can just call me Squigs.

[29:45] Sandy: Squigs, I'd like to purchase the signed Broadwaysted Lights of Broadway show card print.

[29:52] Squigs: Okay, great.

[29:47] Sandy: But I only have $50.

[29:49] Unknown speaker: Oh, well, um, I wish I could help you, but...

[29:53] Sandy: But wait, would you accept the $50 as payment, and then these to make up for the rest?

[29:57] Unknown speaker: But Sandy, are those what I think they are?

[30:04] Sandy: Yes, they're two tickets from the opening night of Hamilton on Broadway, signed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and everyone from the original cast. It's from a very special night I will never forget.

[30:14] Unknown speaker: But these are a treasure, priceless artifacts of musical theater history. How did you come to own them?

[30:26] Sandy: My husband, Danny, he saved up for a year to buy two tickets to see the show on opening night on Broadway. He proposed to me that night. He couldn't afford the ring, but the tickets were enough for me, and they've become my own sort of wedding ring. It was one of the most magical moments of my life and an evening with my husband that I'll never forget.

[30:44] Unknown speaker: Wow, but how could you ever bear to part with these? They clearly mean the world to you.

[30:51] Sandy: They do. I never leave home without them. Just feeling them in my pocket makes me feel special and reminds me of all the amazing memories associated with getting to be in the room where it happens on opening night. But I'll always have the memories, and I love my husband more than any object, even the ones most special to me. I don't need a ring or tickets to show that I'm his and he's mine. We'll always be together, but he needs that print, sir, and I want to give it to him more than anything.

[31:26] Unknown speaker: I don't know what to say. Well, do we have a deal? If you're sure you can part with these.

[31:34] Sandy: For Danny, I'm sure. You can't take it with you, after all. But anywhere I go in this life or the next, Danny and I, well, we go together, and that's all I need.

[31:50] Unknown speaker: Well then, all right. The signed, broad-waisted, props-to-the-press, lights-of-Broadway-show-card original print is yours for $50 and these beautiful pieces of cultural history. Here, let me wrap the print up extra special for you.

[32:09] Sandy: Oh, thank you, Mr. Squiggs. This will mean more to Danny than you'll ever know.

[32:15] Unknown speaker: Well, this Danny is a lucky man to have someone like you love him this much.

[32:22] Sandy: I'm the lucky one.

[32:23] Unknown speaker: Okay, well, there you go. Thank you.

[32:27] Sandy: Thank you so very much. And with that, Sandy made the ultimate sacrifice, trading her most prized possessions in the entire world for a gift for her husband, Danny. Leaving Squiggs Studio, Sandy takes out her cell phone and makes a call.

[32:41] Sandy: Thank you for calling Mary Muggle and Associates.

[32:48] Mary: This is Mary.

[32:49] Sandy: Mary, it's Sandy.

[32:51] Mary: Hey, Sandy. Did you guys make it into the city? I saw you were coming on Facebook. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?

[32:56] Sandy: Oh, it's been too long since I've seen you. Was it at your wedding?

[33:02] Mary: I think so. Danny and I have had a lot going on. It's been a difficult few years, but, yeah, we're here. I didn't reach out ahead of time because I didn't want to bother you.

[33:12] Mary: I'm sure you're very busy.

[33:14] Sandy: That's what happens when you're a high-powered corporate lawyer, right?

[33:17] Mary: Yeah, but I'm never too busy for my sorority sister and close friend, especially at the holidays.

[33:22] Unknown speaker: Oh, my gosh, Brian, our stories are touching.

[33:26] Sandy: I know, isn't it crazy?

[33:27] Mary: It's not that crazy. I did say these were all interconnected stories at the beginning.

[33:32] Sandy: Yes, I know, Sally, but this is still exciting when they connect.

[33:34] Mary: Yes, Sally, don't rain on our parade.

[33:36] Sandy: Okay, okay, I'm sorry. This is the first connection revealed, so it is pretty cool, but let's get on with the story.

[33:42] Mary: Okay, okay. The phone call continues.

[33:46] Sandy: So, what are you two lovebirds up to?

[33:48] Mary: I'm out shopping for Danny's present, and I just got the perfect gift.

[33:54] Sandy: That's amazing. Did you guys want to have a special dinner tonight? I can call a restaurant and make a reservation and leave my card to cover the bill. Totally my treat.

[34:03] Sandy: Mary, that's very sweet, but I can't. Danny wouldn't like that.

[34:06] Mary: Oh, please. Consider it's my holiday gift to you two. I'd love to.

[34:11] Sandy: I really do appreciate it, but I think we've got everything covered.

[34:15] Mary: You sure? It's no trouble.

[34:16] Sandy: I'm positive, but thank you so much. It really does mean a lot.

[34:20] Mary: I just, I know you guys have had a rough few years, and I always want to help any way I can.

[34:25] Sandy: Just offering to help is more than enough. I promise.

[34:29] Mary: So, can I see you while you're in town?

[34:32] Sandy: Well, do you have any lunch plans?

[34:34] Mary: No.

[34:35] Sandy: Oh, shoot. Actually, I do. I met this guy.

[34:39] Mary: Say no more. A holiday date? How romantic.

[34:44] Sandy: Yeah, I don't know. He's an actor.

[34:47] Mary: So?

[34:47] Sandy: Well, you know how they are. Life upon the wicked stage and all that.

[34:52] Mary: Oh my gosh, he's been wicked?

[34:54] Sandy: No, no. No, I meant that, nevermind. I don't think he's in anything right now. He was going to an audition today, actually.

[35:01] Mary: Oh, good for him. He's a working actor.

[35:03] Sandy: An audition means he doesn't have the job, Sandy.

[35:06] Mary: Oh, yes, but going to an audition means that he is working towards having a job, and that's all that matters. Plus, you don't need a man with money. That's not your version of your white knight.

[35:20] Sandy: Yeah, I guess you're right. He did say that today was like his seventh or eighth callback or something.

[35:26] Mary: Whatever that means.

[35:26] Sandy: That means he's almost got the job. That's a great sign.

[35:29] Mary: Oh, Sandy. I wish I could have your positive attitude about everything. Is there any way that I can see you guys while you're in town?

[35:37] Sandy: Well, Danny's best friend, Curly, told us about a show tonight, the Stars Under the Stars concert, a holiday performance benefiting the incredible non-profit organization, Broadway Bound Kids. We wanna get tickets, but they were too expensive, and then there weren't any left. Curly was gonna try to get us tickets if he could, but we weren't counting on it since it's so popular.

[36:01] Mary: Hey, Curly is in my storyline. All our stories are connected.

[36:05] Unknown speaker: Yay, narrator friends.

[36:07] Sandy: Guys, focus.

[36:08] Mary: Simmer down, Sally.

[36:09] Sandy: Okay, back to the phone conversation.

[36:12] Mary: Yeah, I don't have plans tonight, so just text me what you end up doing and the time to meet you, and I'll be there.

[36:18] Sandy: Amazing. And bring your date if you'd like. I'd love to meet him.

[36:22] Mary: Well, let's see how the first date goes. This is the new guy.

[36:27] Sandy: I bet he'll sweep you off your feet.

[36:29] Mary: Well, he almost knocked me off my feet.

[36:32] Sandy: Sounds promising. Okay, I'll text you later. Love you, and good luck on your date.

[36:37] Mary: Apparently, you should tell me to break a leg.

[36:40] Sandy: However you say it. Have fun. I'll talk to you later.

[36:43] Mary: So long. Farewell. Auf Wiedersehen. Goodbye.

[36:49] Unknown speaker: So there goes Sandy, off into the city filled with excitement about her present for Danny. And Mary continues with her work day while trying not to be distracted by thinking about her upcoming date with Will Shakes. And now listeners, let's open up another narrator portal.

[37:05] Unknown speaker: And let's check in with Mary's man, Will Shakes, at his audition at the rehearsal studio, Gripley Rear. Throwback Broadway stowaway reference.

[37:12] Unknown speaker: What?

[37:13] Unknown speaker: Nevermind. Listeners, go with Kimberly. Brian and Erin, get back to your stories. We'll see you guys later. Everyone make your respective narrator portals.

[37:26] Unknown speaker: Okay guys, here we go. We'll jump on six.

[37:28] Unknown speaker: Six? What a strange number to jump on.

[37:31] Unknown speaker: In one, two, three, four, five, six.

[37:42] Unknown speaker: Okay, here we are. The bustling busy hallways of one of the most famous rehearsal and audition studios in the city, Gripley Rear. Everywhere you look, excited and anxious actors are studying their sheet music, running over their monologues, and stretching out their bodies to be ready for any dance combination the choreographers can throw at them.

[38:02] Unknown speaker: Amidst all the frenzied chaos, sitting in a chair outside a studio, waiting as patiently as possible, is our man, Will Shakes.

[38:09] Gussie: Will? Will Shakes?

[38:12] Will: Oh my gosh. Is that you?

[38:15] Gussie: What are you doing here?

[38:18] Will: I have my final callback today for this new production of It's a Broadwaysted Life. I'm up for the lead female part.

[38:25] Gussie: Really? That's why I'm here.

[38:29] Will: Well, I'm not up for the part of Mary, obviously. I'm here for the part of George Phelan.

[38:33] Gussie: Oh my gosh, really? Small world, isn't it?

[38:37] Will: Yeah, I know, right? It's so crazy to run into you.

[38:42] Gussie: I mean, we haven't seen each other since, gosh, when was it?

[38:47] Will: It's been about two years.

[38:50] Gussie: Has it really?

[38:52] Will: Yes, because that's when you dumped me in front of everyone at the opening night party of the off-Broadway premiere of A Broad-Wasted Carol Channing.

[39:00] Gussie: Oh, right. I guess last time we saw each other, well, we did have a good thing going, didn't we?

[39:06] Will: Going, going, gone.

[39:09] Franklin: Well, if it isn't Gussie herself, live and in person.

[39:13] Gussie: Franklin? Franklin Shepard? What in Sondheim's name are you doing here?

[39:20] Franklin: Oh, I'm just here for my final callback for George Phelan in It's a Broad-Wasted Life. I'd really love to see this one come to Broadway. I mean, I did do the out-of-town tryout at Paper Mill Playhouse, so.

[39:32] Will: So you basically have the part in the bag.

[39:36] Franklin: That is so funny you're here for that part because I'm here for that show too.

[39:40] Will: You don't say.

[39:41] Franklin: Yes, to play your wife, Mary.

[39:44] Will: Really? That's amazing. And we have such incredible chemistry already. This is perfect. We've got the parts for sure.

[39:50] Franklin: Oh, Franklin, this is my, well, he's an old, this is Will.

[39:59] Will: Hi.

[40:00] Franklin: Hi. Are you the audition monitor?

[40:02] Will: No, I'm-

[40:04] Franklin: No, Franklin, get this. He's here as your competition for the part of George.

[40:09] Franklin: Really? Isn't that something?

[40:11] Will: Yeah, it's something, all right.

[40:13] Franklin: Well, break a leg today, Will. If you need any pointers or tips, I'd be happy to give you some advice. I know that Live Again can be a tricky song to tackle.

[40:22] Will: What, since I sang it eight times a week for two months in the world premiere production?

[40:27] Franklin: Actually, I thought Jeremy Jordan sang the song in the world premiere production.

[40:32] Will: Oh, Will, that was a podcast. And I mean, who listens to podcasts? Am I right?

[40:38] Franklin: As right as the rain in Spain, my dear. Are there any other girls here for Mary?

[40:43] Will: I don't know. It doesn't seem so, so fingers crossed.

[40:48] Franklin: Well, if this is a chemistry audition, I'm not worried. Want to run through the sides with me anyway, Gussie? Just to make sure we're totally connecting the way they'll want.

[40:57] Gussie: Sure, why not? Listen, Will, just let us know if the audition monitor calls us or something. We'll be right down the hall rehearsing.

[41:05] Franklin: And just think, they're probably looking for an understudy too, so maybe you will get cast after all.

[41:11] Will: This is fun.

[41:14] Gussie: Yeah, okay, guess things never change. It's still like it was.

[41:19] Unknown speaker: Just then, the studio door opens and out walks the stunningly attractive and devilishly handsome audition monitor, who looks like he clearly has an equally beautiful and perfect wife. What an intro.

[41:31] Jay: Hi, Jay, having fun?

[41:32] Unknown speaker: Oh, you know, staying busy, acting as an audition monitor for a fictional audition. What could be better? But hey, you know, I got to make that fictional money.

[41:39] Gussie: Are you narrating your own storyline?

[41:41] Jay: No. Actually, Kevin asked me if I wanted a tag team narrate the storyline that you're doing with you. He thought it'd be sweet for us to share something like this over the holidays.

[41:50] Gussie: Aw, I love that. That's amazing.

[41:53] Jay: Come here, you beautiful stud muffin.

[41:54] Gussie: Oh, Kimberly, what could be better than holding you close to me like this?

[41:58] Jay: Nothing, except you letting me be the main narrator and you just adding supplemental details when I ask for them.

[42:05] Gussie: What?

[42:06] Jay: I mean, this will be really great to narrate together, but let's do it more like you're helping me as my assistant narrator instead of being full-on co-narrators.

[42:15] Gussie: Okay then, fine. If you don't want me to share the duties with you, I'll just conjure up a narrator portal and go somewhere where I'm appreciated. I bet my best bud Brian wouldn't mind narrating with me.

[42:26] Jay: Oh.

[42:29] Unknown speaker: Uh, what's going on?

[42:30] Jay: Oh, I'm sorry, Jaybird. Narrator magic only applies to full-on narrators and not assistant narrators.

[42:37] Gussie: This is total bullshit.

[42:38] Jay: Come on, please, for me, be my assistant narrator.

[42:46] Gussie: Please.

[42:48] Jay: Fine.

[42:49] Gussie: Yay! Thanks, Jay. But right now, go back to your audition monitor role and say your lines.

[42:54] Jay: All right. After all, a man's gotta do-

[42:57] Gussie: What his wife tells him to.

[42:59] Jay: So, audition monitor.

[43:01] Unknown speaker: Okay, getting into character. Getting the physicality down.

[43:04] Jay: Jay, it's a radio play. Don't stifle my artistic processes!

[43:08] Unknown speaker: Okay, sorry.

[43:10] Jay: Thank you. Here we go. Will Shakes, thank you for coming in today.

[43:16] Will: Of course, thank you for having me.

[43:18] Jay: Gussie, Frank, everyone in the room can't wait to see the two of them read together. We think it's gonna be absolutely dynamite.

[43:25] Will: Great.

[43:26] Jay: But they're excited to see you two, as another option. Gussie, Frank, hi. Gosh, you know, it's hard to see anyone that's all over the blob of people always here auditioning. Gussie, Frank.

[43:39] Gussie: We're here, we're here.

[43:40] Jay: Will you look at that? You two look great together. Now that we've met one another, it's clear we deserve each other. You're perfect, and we're perfect together. Born to be forever.

[43:53] Jay: George and Mary failing in It's A Broad Wasted Life! And I don't think anyone would argue that. Well, except maybe Will here. But he'll get his chance to show everyone in the room that the people they've basically already chosen to be the parts shouldn't be the ones that are cast. Now come on, Gussie and Frank. They want to see you two first.

[44:09] Gussie: Obviously.

[44:15] Will: Okay, yeah, we're ready.

[44:17] Gussie: Ha ha ha! Yeah, ready, okay. We'll see you after, Will.

[44:22] Will: Sure. Break a leg, both of you.

[44:26] Jay: Oh, and Will.

[44:28] Will: Yeah.

[44:28] Jay: Good luck.

[44:30] Will: Gosh, I hate that guy.

[44:32] Franklin: Frank.

[44:35] Will: And I wish I had seen through Gussie's opening number the first day I met her. I knew she was the worst. Not a day goes by.

[44:42] Will: As Will's anger and frustration slowly turned to sadness and defeat, he decided to call someone who could always cheer him up.

[44:54] Curly: Hello? Hey, Curly. Sorry to bother you, but I'm just sitting outside of an audition and it's already not looking good, so I just thought I'd...

[45:00] Curly: Hey, Will. I hate to do this, but this really isn't a good time.

[45:05] Will: Oh, right. How foolish of me. You're with the Broadway Bound kids right now.

[45:10] Curly: Yeah, give or take a few. No worries. I'll let you go.

[45:13] Will: You're gonna be great, okay? No matter what happens, it's not personal. You win some, you lose some. You get cast, you don't get cast. But you keep going no matter what, because you are a brilliant performer and you can do this. I believe in you.

[45:30] Will: Thanks, man. I'll see you tonight.

[45:32] Curly: Your ticket will be held at Will Call. It means a lot that you're coming.

[45:35] Will: Of course. Any chance I can get a second ticket, just in case?

[45:40] Curly: Why? Got a hot date?

[45:46] Will: Maybe. I met this girl...

[45:51] Curly: I set aside two tickets for you, just in case. Annie, stay with the group.

[45:54] Will: Sorry, man. I really gotta go.

[45:56] Curly: No worries. See you tonight.

[45:58] Curly: Hang in there, bud. The feeling you're falling, the nerves in the air. The chance of a lifetime is waiting right there.

[46:05] Curly: Is this the beginning, or is it the biggest mistake?

[46:12] Curly: A hundred auditions, and where was my part? Was it unwritten, or lost from the start?

[46:21] Curly: How many times can I miss out on my big break?

[46:26] Curly: But still, will I blaze a trail on my own? A fader away into the unknown?

[46:40] Curly: All of these years on an uncertain line. I sing out my heart until singing was crying.

[46:49] Curly: The dreams and the earning kept burning a powerful fire.

[46:56] Curly: But little by little, I'm losing the flame. Get up my hopes, and it's always the same.

[47:05] Curly: I must be crazy to chase after this desire.

[47:10] Curly: But still, will I blaze a trail on my own? A fader away into the unknown?

[47:25] Curly: Some dreams, they treat you like nothing at all. Like nothing at all. And sometimes it hurts to read the truth on the wall. The truth on the wall. And I don't know how far I'm gonna fall, or if I'll ever see my curtain call.

[47:56] Audition Staff: Will, thanks for coming in, but they're done with auditions for the day. We'll call you if anything changes.

[48:02] Will: Sure. Great.

[48:07] Curly: Some dreams, they treat you like nothing at all. Like nothing at all. And sometimes it hurts to read the truth on the wall. The truth on the wall. And I feel the fear. And maybe I'm in for a fall.

[48:31] Curly: I'm gonna see my curtain call. Yeah. Curtain call.

[48:43] Will: Cause I feel the fear. And maybe I'm in for a fall. I'm gonna keep on working. Cause life on the stage is worth it. Cause I wanna hear my curtain call. And still I can hear my curtain call.

[49:26] Kimberly: Poor Will.

[49:27] Bryan: I know, right? I can't believe I had to be the guy to send him home without getting an audition. I mean, that was cold.

[49:32] Kimberly: Yeah, it was. But you looked so cute doing it.

[49:35] Bryan: I mean, so what do we do now? I mean, Will just left.

[49:38] Kimberly: We send the listeners through the narrator portal.

[49:41] Bryan: So they can go check in with Sally and the two Kevins.

[49:44] Kimberly: Seriously, can we call Kevin Sally, like, all the time now? I kind of love it.

[49:49] Bryan: I know, right? So good.

[49:51] Kimberly: Okay. Well, since you got to use your narrator magic to create a portal, I can tell listeners to go through the portal?

[49:58] Bryan: Yeah, that's fine.

[49:59] Kimberly: Okay. Gentle listeners, off you go through the portal that I'm not allowed to create because I'm just an assistant narrator. Follow along with the rest of the story. We'll see you later when our storyline continues.

[50:12] Bryan: Well done. Now let's count them off together to six.

[50:16] Kimberly: God, I love that show.

[50:17] Bryan: Jay, you're not supposed to call attention to the musical theater references.

[50:21] Kimberly: Oh, sorry.

[50:23] All: One, two, three, four, five, six.

[50:36] Bryan: Well, hey there. Welcome back.

[50:38] Kimberly: Right now we're staying outside the beautiful and historic public theater. The Kevins are supposed to meet with someone who they met on Broadway's Fans of the Show page to buy tickets for the Stars Under the Stars concert tonight at the American Museum of Natural History.

[50:50] Curly: Thanks again. Nice doing business with you.

[50:52] Unknown: Hi. I think we chatted on the Broadway's Hashtag Fans of the Show page. We're here to buy the tickets for the Stars Under the Stars concert.

[50:59] Unknown: Wait, what? No, I just sold those tickets to the guy I talked to on that page.

[51:03] Kevin: What? No, that's us.

[51:05] Unknown: My boyfriend messaged you and said for us to meet you here.

[51:09] Unknown: Right. And when I got here, I saw two guys who were clearly a couple. So I went up to them and said, are you two the ones who are interested in buying my two tickets to Stars Under the Stars concert tonight? And they immediately said yes.

[51:17] Kevin: So, oh, no.

[51:19] Unknown: Hold on. Where are the tickets?

[51:21] Unknown: Well, I just sold them to those guys.

[51:23] Unknown: I thought that, um, there seems to have been a total mix up.

[51:27] Kevin: No, no, no, no, no, no. This can't be happening.

[51:29] Unknown: You didn't. You couldn't.

[51:31] Kevin: How could you?

[51:32] Curly: Kevin, calm down.

[51:34] Kevin: No, seriously. How could you be so stupid? You could see my boyfriend's picture in his post on Facebook.

[51:39] Unknown: I really am sorry.

[51:41] Unknown: Sorry. Sorry.

[51:42] Kevin: Oh, you're sorry. People are starting to stare. But those were our tickets.

[51:46] Unknown: Look, I'm sorry. I didn't realize. And now there's nothing I can do. I wish I could help you. I'm sorry.

[51:50] Kevin: Wait, no, please come back here. Come back.

[51:52] Curly: Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, shh. Please, calm down. Calm down.

[51:56] Kevin: I have to see that show. I have to. I have to see the Stars.

[52:01] Curly: Hey, hey, hey, hey, calm down. We're going to get you tickets, OK? There's still time. There's still time, Kev. We can make this happen.

[52:10] Kevin: How?

[52:10] Curly: I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, OK? I won't let you down. I will make this happen. Now, come on. I've got a plan.

[52:19] Kevin: But wait, where are we going?

[52:20] Curly: I'll tell you on the way.

[52:31] Unknown: Oh, season's greetings.

[52:39] Alan Seales: I'm Alan Seales, and you're listening to The Theatre Podcast on the Broadway Podcast Network.

[52:46] Mo Brady: Happy holidays, listeners. I'm Mo Brady, and you're listening to The Ensemblist on the Broadway Podcast Network.

[52:53] Christine Toy Johnson: I'm Christine Toy Johnson, and you're listening to The Dramatist Presents Talkback on the Broadway Podcast Network.

[52:58] Joe Rosko: Hey, season's greetings. I'm Joe Roscoe, and you're listening to Built for the Stage Podcast on the Broadway Podcast Network.

[53:04] Mike Abrams: Happy holidays. I'm Mike Abrams, and you're listening to The Wrong Cat Died, the podcast breakdown of The Cat's Stache Defeat on the Broadway Podcast Network.

[53:12] Josh Lamon: Hey, there. I'm Josh Lehman, and you're listening to Josh Swallows Broadway on the Broadway Podcast Network.

[53:18] Unknown: Big news in the theatre world today. The incredible and exclusive Stars Under the Stars concert is taking place tonight at the American Museum of Natural History's famous planetarium.

[53:28] Unknown: The evening, hosted by Broadway's own Robbie Rizell, is a benefit concert for the non-profit organization Broadway Bound Kids.

[53:36] Unknown: Broadway Bound Kids brings arts education to children all over the New York City area, promoting teamwork, inclusion, confidence, and love through creative expression and community.

[53:46] Unknown: Now in its third year, tickets for the Stars Under the Stars concert have quickly become highly coveted items during the holiday season, and with good reason.

[53:55] Unknown: This star-studded concert isn't just an incredible performance. It's a performance with an important message.

[54:01] Unknown: All of your favorite Broadway stars will be there, from your favorite shows like Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Cats, Hadestown, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats. And wait, did I mention Cats?

[54:10] Josh Lehman: Meine Damen und Herren, good evening. It's medium C, Josh Lehman. Now listen, check out all the details on broadwaypodcastnetwork.com, or if you're like me and prefer shortcuts, go to bpn.fm. But for now, let's get on with the episode and check in with our narrators.

[54:24] Unknown: Take it away, Sally Bowles!

[54:28] Unknown: Did they just say...

[54:30] Unknown: Sorry, Sally.

[54:30] Unknown: News travels fast. Everyone knows you've changed your name to Sally Bowles.

[54:34] Unknown: I didn't change my name.

[54:35] Unknown: We just did that so that...

[54:36] Unknown: Come on, Sally.

[54:38] Unknown: Get over it.

[54:38] Unknown: I want to catch up with my love story I'm narrating.

[54:41] Unknown: That we're narrating together.

[54:43] Unknown: Ooh, sorry, Jay. I meant I want to catch up with the love story that I'm narrating and that you're sort of helping me narrate.

[54:50] Kimberly: Okay, okay, okay, fine. You can do the story recap.

[54:53] Unknown: Thank you. So Will Shakes just had a heartbreaking audition where he thought, God, I hope I get it. But then he didn't. And Mary Muggle, his soon-to-be sweetheart, just talked to her close friend Sandy about a lunch date with Will. Where they're totally going to fall in love, just like us, Jay.

[55:10] Jay: Yeah, and Sandy is a part of my story. Sandy and her husband Danny are two newlyweds down on their luck financially, but truly rich in love. Danny scrimped and saved so he could give them each $50 to spend on Christmas presents for each other. And Sandy used her $50 plus her most favorite possession in the whole world, her signed tickets from the opening night of Hamilton on Broadway that Danny used to propose to her. To get Danny a signed original print of the Lights of Broadway props to the press card of Broadwayasted to complete his prized collection of Lights of Broadway show cards.

[55:44] Jay: And Danny's best friend, Curly, and his co-teacher, Lori, just finished a class with the Broadway Bound kids before the upcoming holiday-themed Stars Under the Stars show tonight. Currently, however, Curly and Lori and the kids have formed two search parties to look for little Billy Elliot and Matilda, two Broadway Bound kids who have wandered away from the group and are missing.

[56:07] Kimberly: And I'm following the two Kevins, boyfriends who are desperately trying to get tickets to the Stars Under the Stars concert at the American Museum of Natural History, hosted by international legend Robbie Rozelle. Their first lead on tickets struck out, but they have a new chance at tickets, so they're racing to their next destination with their hopes held high.

[56:28] Jay: Everybody feel sufficiently recapped? Do we need to explain again why everyone's calling me Sally Bowles?

[56:32] Kimberly: I mean, just so that it's not weird when-

[56:34] Jay: Honestly, out of all the weird things that have happened on Broadwayasted over the years, calling you Sally Bowles actually seems kind of normal.

[56:40] Kimberly: Agreed.

[56:40] Jay: Yep, just embrace the Sally, dude.

[56:42] Kimberly: I mean, I am wearing green nail polish now.

[56:44] Jay: Okay, so we're good to go?

[56:45] Kimberly: Great.

[56:46] Jay: Ready to dive back into your stories?

[56:47] Kimberly: Let's do it.

[56:48] All: Oh, yeah.

[56:49] Jay: Yes, sir.

[56:50] Unknown: All right, then. Everyone conjure up your magical narrative portals to take you back to your stories. Listeners, to start, why don't you go with Aaron and check in on how the search for the missing Broadway Bound kids is going. Everyone else will check in with your stories later, so be ready.

[57:10] Unknown: All right, listeners. Everyone ready? Let's do this.

[57:13] All: One, two, three.

[57:16] All: Broadwayasted, actually.

[57:19] Unknown: Oh, right. A reprise.

[57:21] Unknown: Broadwayasted, actually.

[57:24] Unknown: Guess what? We're bactually here to say we think we have to sing first before you can start this little play.

[57:37] Unknown: Bactually? Really stretching those rhymes now, huh, Sally?

[57:43] Unknown: Okay, they're done now, Aaron. You can go ahead.

[57:46] Unknown: We're not done, actually. It's true that factually, the lyric factually is not a word, but that's okay. The listeners will love it because they're theater nerds.

[58:06] Unknown: So are we. So pour a glass of gin.

[58:09] Unknown: Hey, gross. That part to now actually begin.

[58:19] All: Broadwayasted, actually.

[58:25] Unknown: Oh, here we go.

[58:26] Unknown: Hold on.

[58:30] Unknown: Okay, we made it. We're back at the theater where the Broadway Bound kids were having class before the Stars Under the Stars concert tonight. Looks like the two search parties have come back together, and Curly and Lori are looking pretty worried. Let's listen in.

[58:45] Curly: Annie, look.

[58:46] Lori: No.

[58:47] Curly: You?

[58:47] Lori: No.

[58:48] Curly: We looked everywhere in this building. Matilda and Billy are nowhere to be found.

[58:52] Lori: We don't have time to keep looking, Lori. We need to be preparing for tonight.

[58:56] Curly: What am I going to wear? There's going to be so many people there. They just sold the last 100 tickets this morning.

[59:04] Lori: Another 100 people?

[59:06] Curly: Oh, Curly, I'm excited.

[59:07] Lori: You're not alone, Annie. I'm excited, too. I'm worried about Billy and Matilda. What if they found the secret garden and they'll never tell me where the key or the door are?

[59:19] Curly: What are we going to do, Curly? What are we going to do?

[59:22] Lori: Let's raise the barricade.

[59:24] Curly: Okay, everyone, calm down. No one's raising the barricade.

[59:27] Unknown: Another revolution squashed by the man.

[59:30] Lori: What do we do?

[59:32] Curly: If we don't find them, I swear I'm going to sell my guitar and buy a car.

[59:35] ♪ Musical number: "Leave Now for Santa Fe" — performed by Unknown performer ♪

[1:00:46] Unknown performer: Because I helped them get up to the roof. What? How? Al, what do you mean? Well, I found this ring of keys, and one of them was marked roof. So when Matilda came to me with Billy and asked if she gave the key to the roof, I gave it to him and kind of assumed they went up there. What? Al, why didn't you say something before we searched the whole building? Like I said, I assumed they went up there, but obviously I couldn't be sure. Now that we've searched everywhere else in the building, I'm definitely sure they're on the roof. Alison. Al. Curly, why don't you stay here with the rest of the kids? I'll run upstairs to the roof and get Billy and Matilda. Do you want me to go? No, you stay here. I'll be back.

Don't even think about selling your guitar before I get back. You're not going to Santa Fe. Lori, what would I do without you? Stop that, Curly, or people will say we're in love. Don't worry. I'll be back. Let's play an improv game. And so off Lori went to the roof of the building to hopefully find Billy and Matilda. I'm gonna follow her before she gets too far. You'll be back to check in with me again later. But here, hop through this narrator portal to meet up with Kimberly and Jay. Will Shakes and Mary Muggle are about to meet for their lunch date at Glass House. You don't want to miss it. Ready, set, go.

[1:02:22] Unknown performer: Oh good, you're here just in time. We're here at Glass House Tavern, the beautiful and popular hotspot for food, cocktails, and many a pre and post-show theater discussion. Will Shakes is already seated at a table for two and is sitting alone waiting for Mary to arrive. Around him the atmosphere is festive and lively, but after such a lousy audition experience, Will is struggling to put on a happy face. Mary Muggle is officially late and Will is starting to fear that he's going to be stood up. The last thing he wants to happen after a tough audition, Will is...

[1:02:53] Jay Armstrong Johnson: What? I feel like getting the last word in the narrative before the scene begins is really a main narrator kind of thing, you know?

[1:02:57] Unknown performer: Wait, what? It's just that I keep saying what I think should be the last words in this narrative segment before we seamlessly transition into the scene, but then you go and say something.

[1:03:06] Jay Armstrong Johnson: I thought we were just telling a story.

[1:03:11] Unknown performer: Oh, we are, honey, and you're doing a great job, but almost too great a job because you're supposed to be the assistant narrator.

[1:03:17] Jay Armstrong Johnson: Okay, I get it. Nothing personal, of course. I love you. I just adhered to the narrator guidelines, you know?

[1:03:22] Unknown performer: I gotcha. Don't want to get a violation for improper narrating.

[1:03:29] Jay Armstrong Johnson: I just meant... I mean, how could I make such an egregious mistake, right? Speaking with the intention of ending a narrator without the main narrator license, that would shut down the entire operation. Radio musical kaput, finished, donezo. It'd be the end of Broadway as soon as we know it.

[1:03:40] Unknown performer: Jay, look...

[1:03:46] Jay Armstrong Johnson: No, you look, Kimberly. You know what? It's fine. Narrate all the segments. Sit on your narrator throne with your magical narrator powers and ride on the back of your mythical narrator dragon through the narrator forest.

[1:03:58] Unknown performer: Okay, there's no dragon.

[1:04:02] Jay Armstrong Johnson: No, I've made a decision, Kimberly. One that's going to make both of us happy. You can keep narrating all you want because I'm going to join in on the story. I'll be all the side characters that push the storyline along. One might say I'm the undercover narrator of the operation.

[1:04:07] Unknown performer: Fine, whatever, but look.

[1:04:13] Jay Armstrong Johnson: What? No, like, actually, look over there. It's Mary Muggle. She's arrived.

[1:04:22] Unknown performer: Hi.

[1:04:28] Mary Muggle: Oh, I'm sorry. No, it's okay. No, let me apologize. I'm never late. I pride myself on that. I always get everywhere on time, even the church. Punctuality is important to me. So important, actually, that I kind of threatened you to not be late because I'd assumed you'd be late because you're an actor, which is totally rude and strange that I assumed that. I don't know why I assumed that actors would be the kinds of people that would be late. But anyway, I did. And I'm sorry because here we are and I'm the one who's late and just sitting here and rambling and not making any sense because I was in meetings for most of the morning and now my brain is just mushy. God, do I want a Milagro tequila margarita or maybe a bar hill gin gimlet, but I can't because I have to go back to work and I have a meeting with the CEO to discuss strategies. And so what are you ordering? What looks good to you?

[1:05:02] Unknown performer: What do I want? Maybe salad or something? I don't know.

[1:05:11] Mary Muggle: What? You're just looking at me and smiling. I know I talk a lot. I ramble. It's weird, right? You're laughing in your head at how weird I am, aren't you?

[1:05:22] Unknown performer: No, I was actually just thinking that I kind of had a terrible day since I ran into you, but somehow sitting here with you and listening to you talk, I can't seem to remember what it was that had been bothering me. Being here with you, I just feel lucky and excited and happy.

[1:05:35] Mary Muggle: Oh, so you've had a Milagro tequila margarita?

[1:05:44] Unknown performer: No, I haven't. I just, it's just that I feel so, I feel. Your smile, your eyes, the way you twirl your hair.

[1:05:54] Mary Muggle: Wait, are you singing to me right now?

[1:06:03] Unknown performer: So smart. Your laughter, it echoes through the air.

[1:06:08] Mary Muggle: I'm not laughing. Please stop this.

[1:06:16] Unknown performer: How can I stop when my insides are out? These emotions are so raw and real. There's nothing to say that can truly convey how I think and feel. So when words won't do, what melodies do in a pinch? What a musical does in a cinch. When words won't do, you sing, you sing, you sing.

[1:06:34] Mary Muggle: You know, you can talk to me like a human being. You don't have to sing.

[1:06:39] Unknown performer: But I do, because when you feel so deeply and honestly in a musical, you have to break out into song to genuinely express yourself and then talk in between verses to make sure that you're relaying how important the singing is.

[1:06:47] Mary Muggle: Oh my God, this is mortifying.

[1:06:53] Unknown performer: Don't be embarrassed. I'm singing this for you. You've brightened my day that started out so blue. I'm hoping your gut comprehends what my heart can only express in a tune. If I only spoke, it would never evoke how I sway and saloon. So when words don't do, what harmonies do in a flash? What a musical does with a splash. When words don't do, you sing, you sing, you sing.

[1:07:29] Mary Muggle: I truly don't understand why you're doing this. There's so many people in this restaurant.

[1:07:33] Unknown performer: Here's the thing, when you're feeling glad, you sing.

[1:07:39] Mary Muggle: No, not the waiter, too.

[1:07:47] Unknown performer: Even when you're feeling sad, you sing. And when singing just won't do, the music won't break through. Take a bigger chance. Reveal your inner self with dance.

[1:07:56] Mary Muggle: Dance.

[1:07:56] Unknown performer: With dance. Please get down off the table.

[1:08:03] Unknown performer: And now introducing the Glass House kitchen staff.

[1:08:15] Unknown performer: He's doing it. Oh, he's tapping on the table. Oh, he just did a back flip.

[1:08:20] Unknown performer: Hold on. The entire kitchen staff brought their tap shoes to work today and know the same dance? Bring it home.

[1:08:25] Unknown performer: Key change. You changed my life. Entered it with grace. Now that you're in it, it's such a better place. Mary, I love you. We found something good. I really don't want this to end. Trust in me and please let me be your boyfriend. So what do you say, Mary?

[1:08:57] Unknown performer: No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[1:09:04] Unknown performer: Don't worry, kid. She'll hear that voice of yours one day. When words won't do, I'll work harder to make her see. We'll be so in love by part three. Because when words won't do, what a singer can do with your throat. Note after note, after note, after note, after dramatic pause. When words won't do, you sing, you sing, you sing.

[1:09:50] Unknown performer: Oh no, Mary left. Will's charming song backfired. Can Will figure out a way to win her back? Will Mary ever understand the magical and melodic world of musical theater love? Will they get their happily ever after? Will he tip his waiter appropriately, especially considering joining in on the song was not included in the final total of the bill?

[1:09:59] Unknown performer: Jay, the guy at table seven needs a refill of bread. But it's narration time now. You're the one who wanted to enter the story, so play your part to its fullest, Jay. Bread to table seven, please.

[1:10:05] Unknown performer: Okay. I'm gonna stick with Will Shakes and make sure he's okay and that he does what he has to do to get his happy ending with Mary. In the meantime, why don't you guys go through this narrator portal? You can check in with Brian and his storyline. I think Danny is just walking into a very special store to buy the perfect gift for Sandy, but what will it cost him? Time to find out. Ready, set, go.

[1:10:21] Unknown performer: Oh, hey there. Welcome to the Warm and Festive Scenery Bags Workshop. Everywhere you look around this large, beautiful room are display cases with handbags, tote bags, small bags, large bags, all of which have been expertly designed and crafted completely from backdrops and set pieces from amazing Broadway shows and Broadway tours. Danny had always dreamed of coming here to buy his wife Sandy the perfect gift, and as he approaches the sales counter to speak with the lovely young sales clerk, he knows exactly what the perfect gift is.

[1:11:03] Sales Clerk: Hello, welcome to Scenery Bags. How can we help you?

[1:11:09] Danny: Yes, I'm here to buy a very special holiday gift for my wife Sandy.

[1:11:15] Sales Clerk: Oh, how lovely. Well, we have plenty of amazing options here. Have you seen the purse made from the Broadway set of Bright Star or the clutch crafted from the backdrop of the National Tour of Pippin?

[1:11:25] Danny: Don't get me wrong, they're all beautiful, but I have a specific gift in mind. I know it's going to be perfect.

[1:11:30] Sales Clerk: Sure, what did you have in mind?

[1:11:34] Danny: Do you still have that special edition handbag made from the original backdrop from the Broadway production of Hamilton, the one that was used on opening night?

[1:11:40] Sales Clerk: Oh, I see you have exquisite taste. Right over here, it's in the glass case here.

[1:11:46] Danny: Yes, there it is. That's the one, the perfect gift for Sandy. Is she a big fan of the show?

[1:11:50] Sales Clerk: Oh yes, very much. We actually went to the opening night on Broadway together.

[1:11:59] Sales Clerk: Really? Oh my gosh, I'm so jealous. That must have been amazing.

[1:12:04] Danny: It was. It really was. It was the best night of my life, really. And don't get me wrong, the show is incredible, but the reason it was the best night of my life has absolutely nothing to do with the show. It's because on that night outside the theater, the room where it happens in the glow of the marquee lights and surrounded by the hustle bustle of the world, the most perfect and incredible person I have ever known in my entire life agreed to make of our hands one hand and make of our hearts one heart. I proposed to her that night and she said yes, even though I didn't have a ring. All I had was two Hamilton tickets and a heart full of love. And I was lucky enough that somehow that was enough for her. And we went to the stage door after the show and she got everyone in the original cast to sign the tickets. Little signatures, but they were happy to do it.

[1:13:02] Sales Clerk: Oh, that sounds like such a special evening.

[1:13:08] Danny: It was amazing. And she carries them in her pocket all the time ever since. They're like her wedding ring, I guess, until I can get her a proper one. So I thought getting her the perfect bag to put them in to keep them safe. Well, she'll be so happy.

[1:13:14] Sales Clerk: Oh, what a lovely story. I'm sure she'll love this.

[1:13:22] Danny: Oh, yes, I have to get it for her. How much is it?

[1:13:30] Sales Clerk: This bag? Why, it's $100.

[1:13:34] Danny: $100? Oh no, really?

[1:13:41] Sales Clerk: Yes, it's a very unique piece.

[1:13:46] Danny: Yes, of course. I meant no disrespect. It's just, well, I only have $50.

[1:13:50] Sales Clerk: Oh dear, I'm sorry. Well, we do have some amazing options for gifts made from the sets of other shows that are $50 or less.

[1:13:56] Danny: No, it has to be this one. I'd give anything for her to have this. Really, anything. Even...

[1:14:03] Danny: Wait, what about this? I have something in my bag. Here, would you consider taking $50 and this in exchange for the bag? It's my very own collection of every single Lights of Broadway show card ever released. They're all here. Every single one. Well, every one but the super rare Broadwaysted Lights of Broadway show card, but I have every single other one, and lots of them are signed by the people on the cards. I bring them to the stage door to get people to sign them. I bring them everywhere, really. They're my favorite thing in the world.

[1:14:27] Sales Clerk: Oh wow, this is such an incredible collection, and it's so expertly curated and preserved. You clearly do really love these cards.

[1:14:35] Unknown performer: I really do. But would you part with this collection just to give your wife the perfect gift?

[1:14:30] Unknown speaker: For the holidays? This collection is worth a lot of money, miss, I assure you. But seeing the happiness in my wife's eyes when she opens this gift and sees how much I love her, that's priceless to me.

[1:14:42] Unknown speaker: Wow, that's really sweet. So what do you say? Do we have a deal?

[1:14:48] Unknown speaker: If you're sure.

[1:14:49] Unknown speaker: Oh, I'm sure. Well, all right then. For $50 and your entire Lights of Broadway show cards collection, the special edition Hamilton bag is yours. I'll wrap it up for you.

[1:15:03] Unknown speaker: Thank you. Thank you so much.

[1:15:05] Unknown speaker: Excuse me. I'm going to take this while you wrap that up.

[1:15:08] Unknown speaker: Of course.

[1:15:09] Unknown speaker: Hello?

[1:15:10] Unknown speaker: Well, hello there. Mom texted me that you're in the city.

[1:15:14] Danny: Yeah.

[1:15:15] Kevin: Hey, Kevin.

[1:15:16] Danny: I didn't want to bother you. I assumed you had plans. Plus, you always say how you hate when people just show up in New York City and then message you and expect you to drop everything to spend time with them.

[1:15:26] Kevin: Yeah, Danny, but when I say that I'm talking about random people like old college friends or crazy Uncle Fester. I'm not talking about my own freaking brother and sister-in-law.

[1:15:30] Danny: And what are you guys doing for dinner? Can Kevin and I take you out for dinner or something?

[1:15:34] Kevin: Kevin says hi.

[1:15:35] Danny: Kevin say hi.

[1:15:36] Kevin: Hi, Danny.

[1:15:37] Danny: Taxi!

[1:15:38] Kevin: See? Kevin says hi. You guys running off somewhere?

[1:15:42] Danny: Yeah, we're out and about running around all over the place. Literally. We're pretty much taking a tour of Manhattan Island.

[1:15:46] Kevin: Really? I would have thought that if you lived here, you wouldn't take any tours.

[1:15:51] Danny: Well, except for Broadway Up Close walking tours with tour guide Tim.

[1:15:55] Kevin: Oh, obviously. Everyone should take a tour with Broadway Up Close tours. They're the best. Did you know they have a kiosk in Times Square now?

[1:16:00] Danny: Yeah. Isn't that amazing? Kevin, we gotta go.

[1:16:04] Kevin: I got a cab.

[1:16:05] Danny: Okay, Danny, I gotta run. We're trying to track down tickets for the Stars Under the Stars concert tonight. Kevin is like obsessed with getting these tickets, so I have to run. But let's talk later. Maybe we can meet for drinks or dinner or dessert or something.

[1:16:19] Danny: Sure, I'll text you later. Happy holidays, Danny.

[1:16:23] Kevin: You too, brother.

[1:16:26] Unknown speaker: And here we are, perfectly gift wrapped and all yours. Your wife is a very lucky woman.

[1:16:32] Unknown speaker: Oh, I'm the lucky one. Thank you for this.

[1:16:34] Unknown speaker: Thank you so much.

[1:16:36] Unknown speaker: Both Danny and Sandy now have their gifts for each other. Gifts that they sacrifice their favorite possessions to acquire. I can't wait to see what happens next, but we're going to have to wait because it's time for you to pop into this narrator portal and check in with our buddy Aaron J. Albano up on the roof of the theater where the Broadway Bound Kids are. I'll see you guys later. Have fun. One, two, three.

[1:17:09] Aaron J. Albano: Hey guys, welcome back. Here, I brought you this cat's hoodie to wear. It's a little chilly out here on the roof of this building. Look, over there, crouching together and staring up at the sky intently are Matilda and Billy Elliot, safe and sound, though a little cold. And there, coming out the door onto the roof now is Lori.

[1:17:24] Lori: Billy, Matilda, there you are. You can't just run off like that. We were so worried. Come on, let's get down off this roof.

[1:17:30] Matilda: No, Lori, we can't leave the roof. If we do, we won't see our message.

[1:17:34] Lori: What message? And who won't see it? And what are you talking about?

[1:17:39] Billy: I did some research and discovered that Lin-Manuel Miranda has been out of the city working on lots of big projects for television and film. He's flying back to New York City tonight for the holidays. And by my calculations, his plane is going to pass by directly over top of this building. So we worked hard and made this giant banner with the message for him, so on the off chance that he's looking out his window at the exact moment they fly over us, he'll see our message.

[1:18:06] Matilda: Here, let's show her. Billy, take that and then let's stretch it out.

[1:18:10] Lori: Okay.

[1:18:11] Matilda: Oh my gosh, you guys, this sign is huge. Practically 20 feet long, it looks like. Do you think that he'll be able to see it? And did we spell everything right?

[1:18:18] Billy: Of course I spelled everything right. Dear Lin-Manuel Miranda, please come tonight to see the show Stars Under the Stars. If you come, everyone will pay attention and we'll be able to raise enough money to keep Broadway Bound Kids open forever. Love, BBK. We were going to sign it just our names, but it felt better saying it was a message from everyone.

[1:18:44] Lori: What do you think, Lori? Do you think that he'll see us and come to the show?

[1:18:48] Lori: I think this is a really sweet and amazing idea and I truly appreciate you trying to help Broadway Bound Kids this way, but I think we've got to go inside and join the others now.

[1:19:01] Billy: No, Lori, please. His plane should be passing by here soon. Please, we've got to take the chance if we have it.

[1:19:06] Matilda: I'm not throwing away my shot.

[1:19:09] Billy: Please, we worked so hard.

[1:19:12] Lori: Well, please.

[1:19:14] Billy: Okay.

[1:19:15] Matilda: Oh, thank you, Lori. Thank you. I love being up here. It feels like it's just me and the sky.

[1:19:22] Billy: And me.

[1:19:23] Matilda: And Lori now. Come sit with us, Lori.

[1:19:26] Lori: Okay, let's watch the sky.

[1:19:29] Aaron J. Albano: I'm gonna watch the sky too, but while we're doing that, why don't you guys go through this narrator portal and check in with Kimberly and see what Mary Muggle is doing after she ran out of her date with Will Shakes for it being a bit too musical. Ready, set, jump!

[1:20:01] Kimberly: Hey, welcome back. It's just me here narrating solo. I left Jay with Will Shakes to make sure that he's okay. The poor guy seems really beaten up about singing his heart out to a girl who then rejected him. So I'm here alone, the sole narrator, as Mary Muggle collects herself at a bar down the street from Glass House with a stiff martini. But then someone walks in the door.

[1:20:22] Brian: Mary, what are you doing here?

[1:20:24] Kimberly: Just look who's walking up to Mary.

[1:20:26] Brian: Oh, Mary, what's wrong? I came as soon as I got your text.

[1:20:30] Kimberly: It's Sandy, the girl from your story.

[1:20:32] Brian: Yeah, she and Mary are college best friends.

[1:20:34] Kimberly: Oh, that's right. And so you're here with her.

[1:20:36] Brian: Yep. Looks like we're narrating this segment together. Isn't that great?

[1:20:40] Kimberly: Yeah, really great. Let's watch what happens when our stories collide.

[1:20:44] Brian: I wanted to get the last word. Just watch.

[1:20:46] Sandy: Brian, tell me what's going on.

[1:20:48] Brian: Oh, Sandy, I don't know what to do. I met this really great guy.

[1:20:51] Sandy: That's great.

[1:20:52] Brian: Yeah, but then he did the unthinkable.

[1:20:54] Sandy: Oh, no.

[1:20:55] Brian: What?

[1:20:56] Sandy: He lied? He cheated? Stole your flying car?

[1:21:00] Brian: What? Flying car? No, no one has a flying car. That wouldn't make any sense if someone suddenly had a flying car.

[1:21:06] Sandy: Right, right. Yeah, that would, that would make, wouldn't make sense at all.

[1:21:10] Brian: No, he didn't do any of those things. It was worse.

[1:21:13] Sandy: He made fun of you at a sleepover and sang a whole song about it?

[1:21:17] Brian: Not the sleepover thing, but yes, he sang to me.

[1:21:20] Sandy: So?

[1:21:21] Brian: What do you mean so? He literally sang to me. He sang his feelings.

[1:21:25] Sandy: So who cares?

[1:21:27] Brian: So what? Tell me this. What does he do?

[1:21:30] Sandy: He's a musical theater actor.

[1:21:32] Brian: Well, then that makes sense, doesn't it? That's how he expresses his feelings.

[1:21:36] Sandy: But I don't. I'm not one of those sing a happy song or sing the blues kind of girls. I don't sing.

[1:21:42] Brian: And that's OK. But some people do. And some dance and some throw sports balls and some bounce sports balls and some run marathons and some make chairs and tables and some win law cases in court or file lots of legal papers or whatever.

[1:22:06] Sandy: You have absolutely no idea what I do as a corporate lawyer, do you?

[1:22:10] Brian: None at all. But I still love you. And you are one of my closest friends, no matter what you do or how you express yourself or who you love, because I know that's just you and I like you.

[1:22:23] Sandy: So do you like him?

[1:22:25] Brian: Well, yes, but we just met this morning and I barely know him.

[1:22:30] Sandy: The perfect recipe for love.

[1:22:32] Brian: What? Didn't you hear me say that I know nothing about him?

[1:22:35] Sandy: But you said that he's saying to you that's like serious stuff.

[1:22:39] Brian: Wait, how did you meet?

[1:22:41] Sandy: We literally ran into each other. He almost knocked me over, but then we locked eyes and oh my gosh, you have the perfect meet cute.

[1:22:48] Brian: Gee, Mary, I really think that this guy could be the one.

[1:22:52] Sandy: The one?

[1:22:53] Brian: What?

[1:22:54] Sandy: The one, Mary, the one, the one, your one true love.

[1:22:58] Brian: No, Sandy, that's crazy.

[1:23:01] Sandy: That's just.

[1:23:02] Brian: No, sweet naive. That can't be me.

[1:23:05] Sandy: No damsel dreaming a hopelessly.

[1:23:09] Brian: Won't see me blushing and beaming.

[1:23:12] Sandy: The very thought leaves me screaming.

[1:23:15] Brian: I won't be falling in love. That's not me.

[1:23:19] Sandy: I don't know how you'd think that now.

[1:23:22] Brian: I'd just count how let my guard down, get into some grand emotion.

[1:23:27] Sandy: I just can't stomach the notion.

[1:23:30] Brian: I won't be falling in love. That's not me.

[1:23:34] Sandy: I'm not the crooning or the swooning type of lady.

[1:23:38] Brian: I'm much more shady than a light and lovely maid.

[1:23:42] Sandy: I won't be played by some knight upon a pony.

[1:23:46] Brian: Love just ends in alimony.

[1:23:49] Sandy: So low and free is how I've stayed.

[1:23:52] Brian: Fall in love and you'll be betrayed.

[1:23:55] Sandy: It starts off happy and hoping, then leaves you crying and moving.

[1:24:00] Brian: I can't be falling in love.

[1:24:02] Sandy: I won't be falling in love.

[1:24:05] Brian: This can't be falling in love.

[1:24:08] Sandy: That's not Mary.

[1:24:10] Brian: You're singing.

[1:24:11] Sandy: Oh my God.

[1:24:12] Brian: And that's me.

[1:24:14] Sandy: Oh, Mary, you're in love.

[1:24:16] Brian: What do I do about whatever your heart tells you?

[1:24:19] Sandy: Well, my heart is telling me to make a phone call.

[1:24:22] Brian: Hello, Curly. It's Mary Muggle from the apartment next door.

[1:24:27] Curly: Oh, I knew who it was, Mary. But thank you for establishing our connection. What's up?

[1:24:32] Kimberly: Curly, our stories are touching.

[1:24:34] Curly: And Mary's with Sandy for my story right now. So all of our stories are touching. Story narrator party.

[1:24:40] Kimberly: Guys, please let the phone call take place. You're using up their minutes.

[1:24:44] Curly: Sorry.

[1:24:45] Curly: Do you still have those two extra tickets for Stars Under the Stars concert that you offered me the other morning?

[1:24:50] Curly: Yeah. As a matter of fact, I do. I was supposed to be on my way to meet up with two guys to sell the tickets to them. But Laurie's stuck on the roof with two of the kids, so I actually can't leave to go meet them.

[1:25:02] Kimberly: Oh my God. I hope Laurie and the kids are OK. Is there a rescue underway to save them from the roof?

[1:25:07] Curly: Oh, no, they're fine. They're waiting for Lin-Manuel Miranda.

[1:25:11] Kimberly: Is that a fireman or someone on some sort of rescue team?

[1:25:15] Curly: Very funny, Mary. Good joke. Not knowing Lin-Manuel Miranda. Classic.

[1:25:20] Kimberly: What?

[1:25:21] Curly: Look, I will do anything for those two tickets. I need them.

[1:25:25] Kimberly: Well, I need them to show someone how much I truly care.

[1:25:29] Curly: Jesus, what is happening to me? You sing one song and suddenly you're saying things like, I need to show them how much I truly care.

[1:25:35] Kimberly: Sounds like you're in love, all right.

[1:25:38] Curly: Of course you could have the tickets. Just meet me here at the theater where I am with the Broadway Bound Kids. I'll text you the address info.

[1:25:46] Kimberly: Thanks so much, Curly. You're the best.

[1:25:49] Unknown speaker: All right, listeners, now hurry. Jump through the portal and meet Aaron. Go!

[1:26:01] Aaron J. Albano: Hey, guys, Curly is about to make a phone call of his own. Let's listen in.

[1:26:06] Curly: Hello. Is this Kevin?

[1:26:09] Kevin: Yeah, this is Kevin. Thanks again for these tickets. I can't even begin to tell you how much this means to my boyfriend. Also named Kevin, actually.

[1:26:15] Curly: Yeah. See, the thing is, those tickets are actually no longer available.

[1:26:21] Kevin: Wait, what?

[1:26:23] Curly: Oh, you've got to be kidding.

[1:26:25] Kevin: No, I wish I was kidding, honestly, because I feel bad. But unfortunately, I'm not. They aren't available anymore, so I don't actually have them to sell to you.

[1:26:34] Kevin: Sorry to get your hopes up and best of luck with finding tickets.

[1:26:38] Kevin: But wait, hold on. Are you sure there isn't any way that...

[1:26:41] Curly: Sorry, man, I really am. Happy holidays.

[1:26:44] Unknown speaker: Here, listeners, jump through this narrator portal quick and catch up with Sally Bowles to find out how the Kevins are reacting to the news. Ready? Go!

[1:26:54] Unknown speaker: Hey, listeners, you're just in time for Kevin to break the bad news to Kevin. Let's listen.

[1:27:01] Kevin: Hey, Kev, do you think that's the guy walking up now? What was his name again? Curly? He said to be right at the fountain at Lincoln Center, right? We're not in the wrong place or something, are we?

[1:27:12] Kevin: No, we're in the right place. It's just...

[1:27:14] Kevin: Okay, good. Because if we miss this, because we're in the wrong place, I won't ever be able to get over this. I swear.

[1:27:20] Kevin: Kevin, listen.

[1:27:22] Kevin: What?

[1:27:23] Kevin: We're not going to be getting tickets.

[1:27:25] Kevin: What? What do you mean?

[1:27:28] Kevin: I just got a call from Curly, the guy who was supposed to meet us to sell us the tickets. Sadly, they aren't available anymore.

[1:27:35] Kevin: What? No, that's not possible.

[1:27:38] Kevin: I'm afraid it is, as he just told me. The tickets are gone. I'm sorry, Kev, but it doesn't look like we're going to be going to the Stars Under the Stars concert tonight.

[1:27:46] Kevin: No! But that's okay.

[1:27:48] Kevin: There are a ton of other amazing things we can do for the holiday season in New York City. There's the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes. There's a version of A Christmas Carol on Broadway right now. I mean, I know it's not a Broadway-stead Carol Channing, but it will still probably be great.

[1:28:05] Kevin: No, you don't understand. I need to get to that concert.

[1:28:09] Kevin: I know.

[1:29:23] Kevin Jaeger: That you really want to go. I know that you're disappointed. I really do. And I'm sorry, but it's not going to happen. So why don't we just salvage the day and come up with a plan for this evening?

[1:29:36] Bryan Plofsky: No, we just have to keep trying to get tickets.

[1:29:40] Kevin Jaeger: We've tried. We've made multiple attempts and been up and down Manhattan trying to buy these tickets.

[1:29:45] Bryan Plofsky: We haven't been up and down Manhattan, Kevin. We went from the East Village to the Upper West Side.

[1:29:50] Kevin Jaeger: Look, I'm tired of all the running, all the stress. Over what? Just a stupid concert at a planetarium?

[1:29:55] Bryan Plofsky: Fine. I'll find a ticket for myself.

[1:30:01] Kevin Jaeger: What? Kevin, don't be ridiculous.

[1:30:04] Bryan Plofsky: No, you know what? I am. I am going to be ridiculous about this because I because. No, never mind. You wouldn't understand.

[1:30:09] Kevin Jaeger: No, I don't understand why this specific show is so important to you. Maybe if you told me if you'd let me in, I could understand and I could—

[1:30:21] Bryan Plofsky: What? Tell me how it's just a stupid concert at the planetarium. Thanks. Message received loud and clear.

[1:30:26] Kevin Jaeger: Kevin, wait.

[1:30:27] Bryan Plofsky: No, Kevin, I won't wait. I won't wait for someone who won't support me. I'm going to keep searching for a ticket and I won't stop till I find one. Are you with me or not?

[1:30:35] Kevin Jaeger: This is crazy. Are you with me or not?

[1:30:39] Bryan Plofsky: I'm done running around the whole city.

[1:30:42] Kevin Jaeger: Fine, then I'll do it myself.

[1:30:44] Bryan Plofsky: Stop, please. You're not being fair.

[1:30:46] Kevin Jaeger: Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm not being fair. Even more of a reason that I should just go off on my own.

[1:30:50] Bryan Plofsky: Go home, Kevin. I'll be fine on my own.

[1:30:53] Kevin Jaeger: Please don't be like this.

[1:30:55] Bryan Plofsky: Not over what? A stupid concert. Happy holidays, Kevin.

[1:31:00] Kevin Jaeger: Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, wait.

[1:31:02] Bryan Plofsky: All right. All right. Let's do this, people. I hope everyone is ready for the evening. The Stars Under the Stars concert must be perfect.

[1:31:13] Robbie Rozelle: Everything's ready with your spotlight, Mr. Roselle. You'll be brighter than all the stars in the planetarium.

[1:31:17] Bryan Plofsky: And my entrance. Wow. The producers of Wicked fought us on this for quite a while, but we wore him down eventually. We have secured Glinda's metallic bubble and it is installed and safety checked. You'll be defying gravity.

[1:31:34] Robbie Rozelle: Excellent. Sounds like everything's ready. Rehearsal was a bit of a mess.

[1:31:39] Bryan Plofsky: Yes, but we worked out all the kinks and now it'll all run smoothly. I promise.

[1:31:44] Robbie Rozelle: Of course it will. Bad rehearsal means incredible performance.

[1:31:49] Bryan Plofsky: Really? What doesn't a sentimental holiday-themed entertainment like this? Remember the way that Betty seamlessly went back into the show at the end of White Christmas without even one put in rehearsal? This is showbiz, kid. Old school, golden age, tinsel-covered showbiz. This show is going to be fantastic. This will be the ultimate event of the season. I wouldn't want to be the person who misses out on this amazing night.

[1:32:18] Sally Bowles: Psst, psst. Hey, guys, welcome back. Come with me into this narrator portal and welcome in. I'm Sally Bowles.

[1:32:25] Bryan Plofsky: You're calling me Sally Bowles, too? How did you know?

[1:32:30] Sally Bowles: Honey, I'm the mayor of In The Know. Break a leg in the show tonight, Diva Robbie.

[1:32:34] Robbie Rozelle: Break a mic.

[1:32:36] Sally Bowles: Narrating part three of Broad Wasted, actually.

[1:32:39] Bryan Plofsky: How did you know this is part three of Broad Wasted, actually?

[1:32:42] Sally Bowles: Because, Sally dear, I am perfectly marvelous.

[1:32:45] Bryan Plofsky: Wow, you really are.

[1:32:47] Sally Bowles: You're welcome. Here, let me help you into your exit car. Wait, OK, guys, come with me. We'll check in on the people who want to go to this concert. Most of all, the Kevins. See you later, Sally.

[1:33:05] Bryan Plofsky: Why did you push me? OK, so here we are in a bar in Washington Heights and excuse me, excuse me, sorry, can I just interrupt you for a moment? OK, I guess we were just wondering.

[1:33:12] Kevin Jaeger: Oh, OK, there's two of you. Did you really think you could just do a cold open like this?

[1:33:19] Bryan Plofsky: All right, calm down, folks. Two's company, but three's the crowd.

[1:33:25] Kevin Jaeger: Oh, no, wait. Three's company. Now I'm confused.

[1:33:28] Bryan Plofsky: Well, so are we. But you can't start without us. Who are you? Some random quartet of people that just showed up and—

[1:33:31] Kevin Jaeger: Oh, no. Here we go. Broad Wasted, actually.

[1:33:39] All: Broad Wasted, actually. We blend so naturally in this tale. If you began without us, this whole final part would really fail.

[1:34:02] All: OK, I'm sorry. We're not done, actually. It's true that factually we are contractually bound to sing this theme song when beginning in any part of this whole podcast thing. It's an original radio musical. Sure, let's all pretend it really is. Let's just see the stories to the end. Broad Wasted, actually.

[1:34:38] All: All right, now we can begin. Broad Wasted, actually.

[1:34:52] Kevin Jaeger: Are we done now?

[1:34:53] All: Yeah, totally. We are off the clock now. Hey, you guys want to go get a drink?

[1:35:03] Bryan Plofsky: Totally. Where do you want to go?

[1:35:06] Kevin Jaeger: I mean, we could just stay here. We are at a bar right now.

[1:35:09] Bryan Plofsky: And it is a nice, peaceful wood panel bar in Washington Heights. Well, mostly quiet, except for the sounds of the glasses lifting and falling in the hands of a few solitary patrons.

[1:35:19] Kevin Jaeger: Yeah, on second thought, let's go somewhere else. This place is a bit depressing.

[1:35:23] All: See you later, Sally. Bye, Sally.

[1:35:36] Bryan Plofsky: It's true. This is a bit of a gloomy place to start off the final part of our tale. But here we are with Kevin number two, who ran off after he found out that he couldn't buy tickets for the Stars Under the Stars concert from Curly, the guy from Aaron's storyline. Kevin number one is running all over the city looking for Kevin number two, which is why Kevin two came to this bar. He knew that Kevin one would never look for him here.

[1:36:04] Kevin Jaeger: Wow, it totally makes sense for people to call me Sally Bowles for this radio musical, because having two Kevins in the story is confusing enough.

[1:36:09] Kimberly Schmidt: I know I'm telling you, I think I'm going to keep calling you Sally after this radio play is over too.

[1:36:15] Jay Armstrong Johnson: Kimberly, what are you doing here? Hogging the spotlight.

[1:36:18] Kimberly Schmidt: Jay, you're here too? Oh, that's right. How is the co-narrating going?

[1:36:22] Jay Armstrong Johnson: We're not having fun.

[1:36:24] Kimberly Schmidt: Did you guys just come to check on me?

[1:36:26] Jay Armstrong Johnson: No, though it is fun to say hi. We're here because we take our narrator jobs very seriously.

[1:36:33] Kimberly Schmidt: Some of us more serious than others.

[1:36:35] Jay Armstrong Johnson: Okay, okay, enough.

[1:36:37] Kimberly Schmidt: No, you enough.

[1:36:39] Jay Armstrong Johnson: No, you enough.

[1:36:40] All: Enough. Enough is enough.

[1:36:42] Jay Armstrong Johnson: You enough.

[1:36:44] Bryan Plofsky: Whoa. You guys okay?

[1:36:46] All: No. Yes.

[1:36:48] Jay Armstrong Johnson: Anyway, look, Will Shakes is walking through the door distraught after being—

[1:36:52] Kimberly Schmidt: Isn't that supposed to be me?

[1:36:54] Jay Armstrong Johnson: Yes. All right, go ahead. Distraught after being tragically rejected, or so he thought by Mary Muggles' previous aversion to expressing her feelings through song. Little does he know that she's going all over town to find him, but she would never think to come here in this bar. Will saddles up to the bar a few stools away from Kevin number two. In a moment, the bartender is there, and Will and Kevin number two sit alone together, sipping their drinks in silence.

[1:37:12] Kimberly Schmidt: Wow, she just bulldozes in there with the narration, doesn't she?

[1:37:15] Jay Armstrong Johnson: You have no idea. Shh, they're about to speak.

[1:37:17] Will Shakes: Excuse me, sir.

[1:37:19] Kevin Jaeger: Goodbye, youth.

[1:37:21] Will Shakes: I look like a sir. Sorry.

[1:37:23] Kevin Jaeger: No, no, no, no. I didn't mean it like that. I just, I was trying to be overly polite because I'm about to be that guy and talk to a stranger at a bar about his problems. It will be nice to not think about mine for a while.

[1:37:33] Will Shakes: What is it, Hamlet? What is the question?

[1:37:36] Kevin Jaeger: The name's Will, but Hamlet's a great name. I'm going to remember that. Anyway, what do you do when you pour out your heart to someone in a song and they reject you?

[1:37:45] Will Shakes: Well, it depends. Does this happen in act one or act two?

[1:37:51] Kevin Jaeger: Part two of three.

[1:37:53] Will Shakes: Oh, that's a tough one. This is why I don't really pour out my heart. I get close enough, but not too close. You can't share everything with someone or else they know too much or else they know. Or else they know the real you. And not the me I'm trying to be. To be or not to be, that's the question.

[1:38:08] Kevin Jaeger: Oh, this stuff is gold. I should be writing this down.

[1:38:11] Will Shakes: I'm sorry you're having a lousy day. I'm assuming you are too, huh?

[1:38:15] Kevin Jaeger: Yeah, you could say that. Want to talk about it? Or sing about it? That's fine too. I'm very open-minded.

[1:38:20] Will Shakes: Well, it's just that, it's going to sound stupid when I say it out loud.

[1:38:25] Kevin Jaeger: Try me.

[1:38:27] Will Shakes: I didn't get tickets to the Stars Under the Stars concert tonight.

[1:38:31] Kevin Jaeger: Oh, I'm sorry. Like I said, I know it sounds stupid. Like boo-hoo, you don't get to go to a show. Who cares, right?

[1:38:37] Will Shakes: No, I wasn't thinking that at all. I'm thinking it. I would understand if you were, but I just, I grew up here in the city, born and raised and I've never left. So I've never, I've never seen the stars.

[1:38:47] Kevin Jaeger: On stage?

[1:38:48] Will Shakes: No, like the real stars in the sky. And that always bothered my mom. As I grew up, she kept promising me that she'd take me somewhere where the sky was flooded with stars, completely overcome with bright twinkling lights, she said. But we never went. And then after she died, I just, well, I just never went either. But today would have been her birthday. And the Stars Under the Stars concert was scheduled for tonight. And I just thought, this is my shot. My chance to see the stars and feel like I was seeing them with my mom too. And she loved Broadway so much, but I couldn't get tickets. And then my boyfriend and I ran all over the city following multiple leads to try to find tickets and none of them panned out. And then I just—

[1:39:43] Kevin Jaeger: Wow, you're really lucky.

[1:39:45] Will Shakes: Me? Lucky? How many of those Hudson whiskeys have you had there?

[1:39:50] Kevin Jaeger: No, you are lucky. You have a boyfriend who loves you so much that he's willing to run all over the city tracking down tickets to something you really want to see. That's amazing.

[1:39:57] Will Shakes: Yeah. Yeah, I guess it is pretty amazing.

[1:40:00] Kevin Jaeger: Well, he obviously must know how much this means to you.

[1:40:03] Will Shakes: Well, see, that's the funny thing. He doesn't. Because I wouldn't tell him. I didn't even tell him that today would have been my mom's birthday. But he went on the wild goose chase with me anyway. And you're right. That's pretty remarkable, isn't it?

[1:40:15] Kevin Jaeger: I'd say so. So where is he, this remarkable boyfriend?

[1:40:19] Will Shakes: You know what? I don't know. But I'm going to go find out. Thank you.

[1:40:24] Kevin Jaeger: Hey, bartender, take this stack of bills with Alexander Hamilton on them. These are to cover whatever my friend here has to drink.

[1:40:31] Will Shakes: Wow. You don't have to do that.

[1:40:34] Kevin Jaeger: Happy holidays, my friend.

[1:40:37] Will Shakes: Thanks, I guess. That means a lot.

[1:40:40] Kevin Jaeger: Hey, sir.

[1:40:41] Will Shakes: Yes.

[1:40:42] Kevin Jaeger: I hope you get to see the stars.

[1:40:45] Will Shakes: Thanks. And kid.

[1:40:47] Kevin Jaeger: Yeah.

[1:40:48] Will Shakes: Don't give up on love. After all, it's the holidays. Take care.

[1:40:52] Kevin Jaeger: Thanks. You too. All right, Kimberly, I'm going to run off and follow Kevin number two. I'll leave listeners in your hand and my hands, which are currently holding the most delicious onion rings. Kimberly, you've got to try these. Bye.

[1:41:10] Kimberly Schmidt: I will sat alone looking at the stack of Alexander Hamilton faces looking at him and suddenly had a thought. Oh, wait, sir. Come back. Darn. I could have given him my two tickets to the Stars Under the Stars concert. I have no one to go with me and I couldn't face going by myself. Not after today. Oh, that's lame. That's super lame. Kevin, too, could have had his love is more important revelation and gotten the tickets. If we hadn't dropped the ball, that sucks.

[1:41:50] Kevin Jaeger: Dropped what ball? Like the ball, you know, the ball in whatever game or specific sport you were thinking of. I mean, probably football, because, I mean, that seems like the most logical sport that you wouldn't want to drop the ball in. I mean, since basketball, you're dribbling the ball. It's not just kind of like, you know, dropping it over and over again at soccer. You're kind of just kicking it.

[1:42:07] Kimberly Schmidt: Yeah. Oh, sorry. I just ordered a plate of cheeseburgers in paradise and I'm just really excited about it.

[1:42:12] Kevin Jaeger: Are you really that hungry?

[1:42:14] Kimberly Schmidt: Yes. I'm wasting away again.

[1:42:17] Kevin Jaeger: Don't do it. Don't you dare finish that.

[1:42:20] Kimberly Schmidt: Margarita. Well, that's it. The final straw. Hold on, listeners. Just give me a moment. Hey, Jay, your burgers are coming. They're called cheeseburgers in paradise.

[1:42:34] Kevin Jaeger: Kimberly, please respect the meat. They're right there. But the waiter is a bit busy. Can you just like reach through that narrator portal and get them?

[1:42:40] Kimberly Schmidt: Yeah, of course. I'll just reach in there. I just sent him into a narrator portal to Brian's story for a while. They can hang out for a bit. Now, let's get back to Will, who has just picked up his cell phone and is now texting.

[1:43:02] Jay Armstrong Johnson: Oh, no, this is a radio musical. How can we have a texting conversation?

[1:43:07] Kimberly Schmidt: I guess I'll just have to read it to you. Hold on. Let me inconspicuously lean over Will's shoulder. Will is texting the contact in his phone labeled Mary Muggle.

[1:43:19] Kevin Jaeger: Nice. A man who puts first and last names in his contacts. I knew I liked him.

[1:43:23] Kimberly Schmidt: Sorry. OK, he's typing. Hey, I'm sorry about this afternoon. I got just a bit carried away. OK, so he sent it and we're waiting. We're waiting. And OK, now she's got the three dots going on. So she's typing. She's typing. OK, it's a long response or she's editing and rewording a short response to perfectly convey her weight. She just texted. It says, don't be sorry. I'm sorry for how I acted. And she put acted in quotations. And then she says, get it, actor humor, how I acted again, three dots, three dots. And she says, sorry, I'm the worst.

[1:44:01] Will Shakes: (smiling)

[1:44:18] Unknown speaker: And I can hear you. At least if you're gonna invade someone's privacy, be private about doing it.

[1:44:23] Unknown speaker: Sorry, I had to because...

[1:44:25] Unknown speaker: You had to? Give me one good reason why you had to read my private text messages out loud.

[1:44:31] Unknown speaker: Oh, well, um, actually, I was narrating for an audience of listeners because this is a radio musical.

[1:44:38] Unknown speaker: Oh, well then, why didn't you just say so? Because that reason totally checks out.

[1:44:44] Unknown speaker: Sorry about freaking out. If I would have known, I would have just read them out loud for you.

[1:44:48] Unknown speaker: Oh, that's okay. I don't mind. I just need to read the last text you're sending.

[1:44:52] Unknown speaker: Actually, don't read the last text. Just say that it says, meet me at and leave the rest a secret so that the listeners are in a cloud of mystery.

[1:45:01] Unknown speaker: A cloud that will soon lift, but not just yet.

[1:45:04] Unknown speaker: Wow, good idea. Hey, you're not too bad at this narrating thing.

[1:45:07] Unknown speaker: Well, I do have a lot of experience narrating in regional and national tour settings where I...

[1:45:12] Unknown speaker: Okay, okay. I'm the narrator here. Just finish your text and run off to go find your happy ending and true love and all of that before I change your story with an M Night Shyamalan-esque twist.

[1:45:21] Unknown speaker: What kind of twist?

[1:45:22] Unknown speaker: An Oliver twist.

[1:45:24] Unknown speaker: Yikes. Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find my love.

[1:45:29] Unknown speaker: So off Will goes. Where is love? Nobody knows.

[1:45:33] Unknown speaker: Well, Will knows since he just told her where to meet him, but we just don't know yet.

[1:45:38] Unknown speaker: But now it's time for you to head off in this narrator portal.

[1:45:43] Unknown speaker: And check in with Aaron on the roof with Lori, Matilda and Billy Elliot. See you soon.

[1:45:56] Unknown speaker: Hey guys, welcome back. Put on your heaviest Technicolor dream coat because it is frozen out here and getting dark. But Matilda and Billy are determined as ever to hold their sign, sure that any moment Lin-Manuel Miranda's plane is going to fly overhead.

[1:46:13] Unknown speaker: Guys, come on. It's getting dark and I'm cold. We need to go inside.

[1:46:18] Unknown speaker: Oh, please, Lori, just a few minutes more.

[1:46:20] Unknown speaker: It's coming. I can feel it. The plane is coming.

[1:46:23] Unknown speaker: We have to try. We have to do our best to get the word out about Broadway-bound kids.

[1:46:27] Unknown speaker: Guys, there are a lot of people who are going to be there tonight.

[1:46:31] Unknown speaker: There's scarcely a ticket available, actually.

[1:46:33] Unknown speaker: But we want everyone to know and look at Twitter. According to Twitter, Lin-Manuel Miranda actually knows everyone in the world, so we have to show him our sign.

[1:46:42] Unknown speaker: If Matilda says it, I don't argue. She's kind of dangerously smart, if you haven't noticed.

[1:46:48] Unknown speaker: Oh, I've noticed.

[1:46:50] Unknown speaker: But what if he doesn't show up, Lori? What if the plane doesn't pass by? Or it does and he doesn't look out the window and see us? Or he's sitting on an aisle seat, so we can't look out the window. What do we do? What do we do? We can't worry about what we will do.

[1:47:03] Unknown speaker: All that matters is what we are doing now. Where we are now.

[1:47:09] Unknown speaker: So right now, do you want to wait 10 more minutes for this plane before we go inside?

[1:47:14] Unknown speaker: Okay, we'll keep our eyes peeled for the next 10 minutes.

[1:47:17] Unknown speaker: Can you handle that?

[1:47:19] Unknown speaker: Yes.

[1:47:19] Unknown speaker: All right. We got 10 minutes. I'm setting a timer.

[1:47:23] Unknown speaker: Thanks, Lauren, for letting us do this.

[1:47:25] Unknown speaker: Yeah, I'm glad you're one of our teachers.

[1:47:27] Unknown speaker: Thanks, guys. This means so much to me. I love Broadway-bound kids.

[1:47:33] Unknown speaker: Me too.

[1:47:34] Unknown speaker: And me.

[1:47:34] Unknown speaker: Okay, okay. Keep your eyes on the skies. We don't want to miss the airplane if it does pass over.

[1:47:40] Unknown speaker: You mean you believe me and my calculations?

[1:47:43] Unknown speaker: Of course I believe you.

[1:47:45] Unknown speaker: Wow, Lori. That makes me feel so happy because I...

[1:47:48] Unknown speaker: Guys, look. There it is. Matilda was right. It's a bird. It's a plane. It's Superman.

[1:47:53] Unknown speaker: No, no. I was right the second time. It's actually a plane.

[1:47:57] Unknown speaker: Quick, Billy. Stretch out your end of the sign. Make sure it's pointing straight at the sky.

[1:48:00] Unknown speaker: Do you think he can see it?

[1:48:02] Unknown speaker: Hold it as high above your head as you can.

[1:48:09] Unknown speaker: We did it. Do you think he saw it?

[1:48:11] Unknown speaker: We did it, Lori. We did it.

[1:48:12] Unknown speaker: You did. And no matter if he saw it or not, you know that you accomplished what you set out to do. And that's all that matters.

[1:48:21] Unknown speaker: I bet he saw it.

[1:48:22] Unknown speaker: Me too.

[1:48:23] Unknown speaker: Okay, you two. Let's get back inside.

[1:48:26] Unknown speaker: We need to send you two home to get ready for the Stars Under the Stars concert tonight.

[1:48:32] Unknown speaker: Let's go.

[1:48:33] Unknown speaker: And so off they went, leaving the roof and the cold behind to join Curly and the rest of the Broadway Bound kids.

[1:48:39] Unknown speaker: Now off you go, listeners, into this narrator portal.

[1:48:44] Unknown speaker: And check in with Sally Bowles and the Kevins, who are hopefully reuniting for a happy ending. Have fun.

[1:48:56] Unknown speaker: Hey, everybody. Welcome back to my story. Kevin number two has been texting and calling Kevin number one, but Kevin number one isn't responding.

[1:49:06] Unknown speaker: After some thought, Kevin number two suddenly knew exactly where Kevin number one would go when he's upset.

[1:49:11] Unknown speaker: So that's why we're here at the beautiful Glass House Tavern in Midtown Manhattan, the place where Kevin and Kevin met.

[1:49:15] Unknown speaker: And sure enough, as Kevin number two dashes through the door and looks around, he sees Kevin number one sitting alone at the bar drinking his favorite margarita. Let's watch.

[1:49:27] Unknown speaker: Hi, Kev.

[1:49:28] Unknown speaker: Well, look who it is. The man that I thought was my boyfriend.

[1:49:33] Unknown speaker: What does that mean? Are you breaking up with me?

[1:49:34] Unknown speaker: I don't know, Kevin. Should I?

[1:49:36] Unknown speaker: I mean, you know I love you. I've made that abundantly clear through both my words and my actions.

[1:49:42] Unknown speaker: Yes, you have.

[1:49:43] Unknown speaker: But that doesn't seem to be enough for you to trust me, to let me in, to take down the wall you've put up to keep me and everyone else in your life at a distance.

[1:49:52] Unknown speaker: Well, I'm tired of trying to go the distance with someone who won't let me do it by their side as a full part of their life.

[1:49:59] Unknown speaker: You're right.

[1:50:00] Unknown speaker: No, don't argue with me, Kevin. I'm just so tired of.

[1:50:03] Unknown speaker: Wait, what?

[1:50:04] Unknown speaker: You're right. I built up a wall to keep out the world, including you to a certain extent.

[1:50:09] Unknown speaker: And I told myself not a soul alive can get behind this wall.

[1:50:14] Unknown speaker: So let them call. Watch them fall.

[1:50:18] Unknown speaker: But I don't want to watch you fall. I don't want to shut you out anymore.

[1:50:23] Unknown speaker: I love you. And you're too important to me to mess it up by not sharing everything with you. The good, the bad and the ugly.

[1:50:32] Unknown speaker: I don't think there's anything about you that I would ever find ugly.

[1:50:37] Unknown speaker: Except for how I acted today.

[1:50:40] Unknown speaker: But I want to explain that. But before I do, I have two tickets for us.

[1:50:47] Unknown speaker: My gosh, Kev, you got tickets to the Stars Under the Stars concert. That's amazing.

[1:50:51] Unknown speaker: How did you not exactly?

[1:50:53] Unknown speaker: But they're tickets to something that I definitely want to experience with you. So will you come with me? I promise this will be the start of something new for us.

[1:51:03] Unknown speaker: But only if you want to anywhere you go.

[1:51:06] Unknown speaker: Let me go to love me. That's all I ask of you.

[1:51:11] Unknown speaker: Deal.

[1:51:12] Unknown speaker: Now, come on. I know I made you run around all day, but we do have to hurry if we're going to make it.

[1:51:17] Unknown speaker: Well, then what are we waiting for? Lead the way. Let's go.

[1:51:21] Unknown speaker: So the Kevins are off hand in hand on an unexpected holiday adventure. I'm going to follow them and you guys can catch up with me in a bit for the stunning conclusion. But why don't you guys all go and meet up with Brian to see Sandy and Danny's gift reveal? It's sure to be a sweet and heartwarming moment. I'll see you later. Here's your narrator portal. Off you go. Ready, set, go.

[1:51:48] Unknown speaker: Hey, guys, welcome back. Brian here.

[1:51:54] Unknown speaker: And Jay, because my wife exiled me from the story that we were narrating together.

[1:51:59] Unknown speaker: Well, Jay, why don't you tell the listeners where we are?

[1:52:01] Unknown speaker: Don't mind if I do. Thanks for sharing, Brian.

[1:52:05] Unknown speaker: Of course, Jay. Well, listeners, right now we're in the heart of Times Square, near one of my favorite locations in all of New York City, the Broadway Up Close Walking Tours kiosk.

[1:52:14] Unknown speaker: That's right. Hi, tour guide Tim.

[1:52:16] Unknown speaker: Hey, guys, what are you doing here?

[1:52:18] Unknown speaker: We're just narrating a story that's part of this year's holiday radio musical.

[1:52:21] Unknown speaker: Oh, cool. That's fun.

[1:52:23] Unknown speaker: And here comes Danny now, practically skipping with excitement at the gift he has for his wife, Sandy.

[1:52:28] Unknown speaker: Oh, and look, there's Sandy, just as excited with her gift for Danny clutched in her hands.

[1:52:33] Unknown speaker: Let's listen in and see how things go when they discover what they both sacrificed to get the other person the perfect holiday gift.

[1:52:40] Unknown speaker: Oh, Danny.

[1:52:41] Unknown speaker: Sandy.

[1:52:42] Unknown speaker: I've missed you all day.

[1:52:43] Unknown speaker: And I you. But did you have a nice day in the city?

[1:52:46] Unknown speaker: It was amazing. I got you the perfect present.

[1:52:51] Unknown speaker: And I have the best gift for you. It's exactly what I wanted to get you, Danny.

[1:52:56] Unknown speaker: Thank you again for saving the way you did so that we could have this opportunity to give each other nice gifts for this holiday.

[1:53:02] Unknown speaker: Anything to make you happy. And speaking of making you happy, do you mind if I go first and give you my present? I'm just so excited. I can't wait anymore.

[1:53:10] Unknown speaker: Oh, all right. There you go, Sandy. I love you. Quick, open it.

[1:53:15] Unknown speaker: Okay. I wonder what it could be.

[1:53:21] Unknown speaker: Oh, my. It's a special edition scenery bag made from the original set of Hamilton on Broadway. Now you can carry the tickets from that magical night in that bag and keep them safe.

[1:53:30] Unknown speaker: Oh, Danny. You know, I'm working on saving up for a real wedding ring, but I know these tickets have always been the symbol of our love to you. So now you have the perfect place to keep them.

[1:53:41] Unknown speaker: Here, let me see you put them in the bag.

[1:53:44] Unknown speaker: Well, I would, but it's just I can't.

[1:53:50] Unknown speaker: You can't? Why not?

[1:53:51] Unknown speaker: They're always in your pocket.

[1:53:53] Unknown speaker: I know. It's just that I can't. I can't wait for you to open your present. Here, open this. I can't wait to see the look on your face. You're going to be so happy.

[1:54:08] Unknown speaker: All right. Let's see here. What could it be?

[1:54:13] Unknown speaker: Oh, wow. Sandy, it's...

[1:54:17] Unknown speaker: It's the original, extremely rare print of the props to the press Lights of Broadway show card of the Broadwasted podcast. And look, it's signed by all of them. There's Brian and Kimberly. And right there, that's Kevin's signature. Wow.

[1:54:32] Unknown speaker: It's really amazing. Now your Lights of Broadway show card collection is complete. You have every single card. You've been working so diligently to collect them. But this one has eluded you for so long, but not anymore. Here, let me see you put it in with the rest of your Lights of Broadway show cards to finally complete the set. I can't wait to see them all together.

[1:54:53] Unknown speaker: Well, the thing is...

[1:54:58] Unknown speaker: What is it?

[1:54:59] Unknown speaker: I saw you put your collection in your backpack when we left this morning to come to the city. You practically never go anywhere without them. They're the thing you love most in the world.

[1:55:09] Unknown speaker: Except for you.

[1:55:11] Unknown speaker: How about you put your Hamilton tickets in your new scenery bag first? That will make me feel so happy.

[1:55:15] Unknown speaker: Oh, Danny. Honey, what is it? Do you hate the bag?

[1:55:19] Unknown speaker: No, of course not. I couldn't love anything more. Well, anything beside you. But you see, when I went to Squigs' studio to get you the Broadwasted Lights of Broadway show card, well, it was more than $50 and I couldn't afford it. So I traded my signed opening night Hamilton tickets in order to get you the card.

[1:55:43] Unknown speaker: What? No, you didn't. Those tickets meant so much to you. The tickets just symbolize our love for each other. I don't need a physical reminder of how much we love each other. I just want to make you happy.

[1:55:57] Unknown speaker: And I just want to make you happy. And what would make me happy would be seeing your entire Lights of Broadway show cards collection all together. Let me see the look on your face when you hold them all together in your hands.

[1:56:11] Unknown speaker: But Sandy, when I got to the scenery bag shop, I knew the Hamilton bag would be the perfect gift for you, but it was more than $50. So I traded my entire Lights of Broadway show cards collection so that I could get you this bag as a gift.

[1:56:24] Unknown speaker: Danny, no. Your collection, you've been working for years to collect them all. They mean so much to you.

[1:56:29] Unknown speaker: They did, but they're just objects and they can be replaced. Your happiness and the happiness I feel when I make you smile, that can never be replaced in my life.

[1:56:42] Unknown speaker: Oh, Danny. What do we do now, Sandy?

[1:56:46] Unknown speaker: Well, the first thing we do is take this broad-waisted Lights of Broadway show card and place it inside this beautiful, absolutely perfect Hamilton scenery bag. Not exactly the holiday present time we'd expected. And yet, the most important presence we've ever given to each other. The presence of sacrifice.

[1:57:09] Unknown speaker: And true love. And now, we go home. Come on.

[1:57:17] Unknown speaker: Hey, wait. Hi, tour guide Tim.

[1:57:20] Unknown speaker: Happy holidays.

[1:57:21] Unknown speaker: Happy holidays to you both. I couldn't help but overhear your incredibly sweet gift exchange. And it just so happens that two of my friends are just arriving who might be able to help you guys out.

[1:57:30] Unknown speaker: Hey, tour guide Tim.

[1:57:31] Unknown speaker: Oh my gosh, it's Squigs.

[1:57:33] Unknown speaker: Hi, Squigs.

[1:57:33] Unknown speaker: Hi, Tim. Am I late?

[1:57:35] Unknown speaker: Hey, that's the sales clerk from scenery bags.

[1:57:38] Unknown speaker: Hello, Sandy. I was so moved by your sweet sacrifice you made to buy your husband the perfect gift. And Danny, I was just as moved by your sacrifice to get your wife a special gift.

[1:57:52] Unknown speaker: So we were talking. And we feel that in this world of social media and intense competition for attention and fame, the sweet and selfless love of two amazing people deserves to be celebrated. So before we head off to a special holiday evening with our friend, tour guide Tim, we wanted to give you each a special gift.

[1:58:11] Unknown speaker: Oh, wow. You didn't have to do that.

[1:58:16] Unknown speaker: Go on, open them.

[1:58:20] Unknown speaker: Oh my word. But Squigs, these are the two Hamilton tickets I traded you in order to buy Danny the Broadway still lights of Broadway show card.

[1:58:27] Unknown speaker: And this is my lights of Broadway show card collection.

[1:58:36] Unknown speaker: You can't be serious.

[1:58:38] Unknown speaker: We're very serious. A wise man once said, share love, give love, spread love. And this holiday season, your love for each other reminded me of that.

[1:58:52] Unknown speaker: So please take these gifts and have a very happy holiday.

[1:58:58] Unknown speaker: I don't know what to say.

[1:58:59] Unknown speaker: Just say happy holidays.

[1:59:01] Unknown speaker: Happy holidays.

[1:59:02] Unknown speaker: All right. Now, come on, you two. We've got to hurry to make it to the Stars Under the Stars concert tonight.

[1:59:07] Unknown speaker: Oh, I almost forgot. Here, you two. One more gift.

[1:59:11] Unknown speaker: We don't deserve all this. I can't think of two people more deserving. Here, these are two tickets to the Stars Under the Stars concert with us. Finish off your holiday day in the city with us and see an amazing concert.

[1:59:17] Unknown speaker: Oh wow! What do you say, Sandy? Do you want to go to the concert?

[1:59:22] Unknown speaker: I want to go anywhere with you, Danny. And this will sure beat the drive-in.

[1:59:27] Unknown speaker: You said it, Sandy. All right then, let's go. What a perfect day. So off Danny and Sandy go with tour guide Tim Squigs and the sales clerk from Scenery Bags to the highly anticipated Stars Under the Stars concert.

[1:59:39] Unknown speaker: Isn't this exciting, Jay? Jay? Oh no. Jay, what's wrong? That is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. They gave up what they loved by giving each other and then they got back the thing they sacrificed and now they get to go to the Stars Under the Stars concert.

[2:00:03] Unknown speaker: And it gets even better, Jay. We get to go to the concert too. Really? This is really the best holiday ever. Jay, did you make that narrator portal?

[2:00:16] Unknown speaker: No. I mean, I don't have narrator powers like you guys.

[2:00:23] Unknown speaker: You mean you didn't make it?

[2:00:31] Unknown speaker: No, I didn't. What in the world? Jay! Kimberly! I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I wasn't sharing the narrator duties appropriately. And I'm sorry that I pushed you into the narrator portal to send you here with Brian.

[2:00:44] Unknown speaker: I'm sorry too. What are you sorry for?

[2:00:50] Unknown speaker: I don't really know. But when your wife is saying sorry, it's almost always the best idea to say sorry too. Even if you don't know why.

[2:01:02] Unknown speaker: Oh, Jay Bird.

[2:01:03] Unknown speaker: Oh, Kimberly Bird.

[2:01:06] Unknown speaker: Yeah, that's not going to be a good nickname for me.

[2:01:10] Unknown speaker: Yeah, I know. I just, I just thought I'd try it out. Definitely didn't work.

[2:01:13] Unknown speaker: Okay. Yeah, definitely didn't work. But it doesn't matter. I love you. Come on, guys. Let's go over to the Stars Under the Stars concert. We don't want to miss the show.

[2:01:25] Unknown speaker: We have to make a pit stop first. Where? Across the street from the American Museum of Natural History in the beautiful, historic Central Park. Our story, Jay, is getting its happy ending. Will you narrate it with me?

[2:01:39] Unknown speaker: I don't want to do it without you.

[2:01:44] Unknown speaker: Of course. Come on, Jay. Through this narrator portal. Brian, you want to hitch a ride with us?

[2:01:52] Unknown speaker: Sure. But listeners, you go meet up with Sally Bowles to see where the Kevins have ended up with their mysterious tickets. We'll see you guys at the Stars Under the Stars concert in a bit. Here. Go on. Ready, set, go.

[2:02:10] Unknown speaker: Hey, guys. You may not recognize our surroundings because we're in a pretty exotic location. It's tranquil. It's peaceful. It's residential. And here they come now, the two Kevins, hand in hand, coming out of the train station.

[2:02:22] Unknown speaker: Kevin, why did you bring me to upstate New York?

[2:02:28] Unknown speaker: This is Westchester.

[2:02:30] Unknown speaker: That's what I said, upstate New York.

[2:02:34] Unknown speaker: No, no, Westchester isn't upstate New York.

[2:02:39] Unknown speaker: But it's north of the city.

[2:02:41] Unknown speaker: Yes, but oh, never mind. What are we doing here?

[2:02:46] Unknown speaker: You're going to miss the Stars Under the Stars concert. This seemed more important.

[2:02:53] Unknown speaker: What? I, well, I just wanted to see the stars for the first time with you.

[2:03:01] Unknown speaker: The stars for the first time? Wait, you've never seen real stars before?

[2:03:09] Unknown speaker: No. I was born and raised in the city, and my mom always said she would take me somewhere where we could see the multitude of stars filling up the night sky. But then she died, and I, well, I never felt like seeing them without her.

[2:03:27] Unknown speaker: But it's always bothered me.

[2:03:30] Unknown speaker: Oh, Kev, I never knew that. If I'd known, I would have taken you somewhere to see the stars.

[2:03:36] Unknown speaker: I know you would have because you're amazing. But I didn't let you in enough to know things like this about me. And since today would have been my mom's 67th birthday, yeah, that's why I wanted to go to the Stars Under the Stars concert so much, because I got my love of Broadway from my mom, and it seemed like a way to honor her and to see the stars, even if they weren't exactly real.

[2:04:05] Unknown speaker: I totally understand. I'm sorry. I haven't always been the best at sharing everything I'm feeling with you.

[2:04:12] Unknown speaker: Well, can we start fresh tonight?

[2:04:15] Unknown speaker: So what do you think? Look up and take them all in? The pure, clear night sky?

[2:04:22] Unknown speaker: Wow. Look up there. There's got to be thousands of stars in the sky, maybe millions. They're beautiful.

[2:04:32] Unknown speaker: They really are, aren't they? Thanks for running all over the city with me today, and now all over the state. Not exactly my idea of a holiday spent together, but it's a jolly holiday with you, Kev.

[2:04:50] Unknown speaker: And it's a wonderful life with you, Kev.

[2:04:53] Unknown speaker: Hey, that was last year's show.

[2:04:56] Unknown speaker: What? Who are you? Sorry, continue.

[2:05:01] Unknown speaker: Oh, look, Kevin. Look, a shooting star. Hurry, make a wish.

[2:05:06] Unknown speaker: No, I don't need to.

[2:05:08] Unknown speaker: Why not?

[2:05:09] Unknown speaker: Because it already came true. Happy holidays, Kevin.

[2:05:14] Unknown speaker: Happy holidays.

[2:05:16] Unknown speaker: Okay, let's leave these two lovebirds alone and head back to the city for the big event, the thing we've all been waiting for, the Stars Under the Stars concert at the American Museum of Natural History.

[2:05:30] Unknown speaker: And before the show, why don't you take this narrator portal and head across the street from the museum to Central Park, where Will Shakes is waiting for Mary Muggle to arrive.

[2:05:42] Unknown speaker: I'll see you at the concert. So off you go.

[2:05:47] Unknown speaker: Hey guys, here we are in Central Park where, wait, you know what? Jay, why don't you narrate this part?

[2:05:54] Unknown speaker: Really?

[2:05:55] Unknown speaker: Yeah.

[2:05:56] Unknown speaker: Okay, so here we are in the tranquil and beautiful Central Park, covered by a soft, untouched blanket of pristine white snow. Standing alone, waiting anxiously in all directions, is Will Shakes. And there, entering the park just in time for Mary Muggle to arrive, standing alone, waiting anxiously in all directions, is Will Shakes.

[2:06:20] Unknown speaker: And there, entering the park just now and looking around, is Mary Muggle. They see each other, lock eyes, and smile as they move towards one another.

[2:06:30] Unknown speaker: Hey.

[2:06:31] Unknown speaker: Hey, I was starting to worry that you weren't coming.

[2:06:35] Unknown speaker: I'm sorry, I was just caught in traffic and I just-

[2:06:39] Unknown speaker: No need to explain. It's NYC, I get it. And it doesn't matter. You're here now.

[2:06:46] Unknown speaker: Yes, I am. And I'm sorry about earlier, at lunch. I wasn't prepared to-

[2:06:52] Unknown speaker: There's no need to say sorry. There's no need to say anything.

[2:06:58] Unknown speaker: So, we're gonna try this?

[2:07:01] Unknown speaker: Yeah, looks like we are.

[2:07:03] Unknown speaker: Well, let's go. We don't want to miss the concert.

[2:07:07] Unknown speaker: I got us tickets.

[2:07:09] Unknown speaker: The Stars Under the Stars concert?

[2:07:12] Unknown speaker: Yeah. I called a friend of mine and got us some tickets. I wanted to show you that, while it's new to me, I'm totally down for this whole musical theater thing.

[2:07:23] Unknown speaker: That's really sweet.

[2:07:25] Unknown speaker: Well, then, let's go.

[2:07:27] Unknown speaker: Let's go. Together.

[2:07:30] Unknown speaker: Aw, yay. Everything is working out so well. Now, let's go with them across the street to the Stars Under the Stars concert. I can't wait to see this.

[2:07:39] Unknown speaker: Hey, guys.

[2:07:40] Unknown speaker: Aaron.

[2:07:41] Unknown speaker: Hey, there's two more narrator portals.

[2:07:43] Unknown speaker: Hey, guys.

[2:07:44] Unknown speaker: Brian.

[2:07:45] Unknown speaker: And me, Sally Bowles. We're all back together.

[2:07:48] Unknown speaker: Well, come on, everyone. Let's go to this concert. The Stars Under the Stars concert.

[2:07:54] Unknown speaker: Oh, I can't wait. Hurry. It's about to begin.

[2:08:01] Unknown speaker: Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Stop. Really. Thank you. Thank you.

[2:08:25] Unknown speaker: Welcome, all of you, to this incredibly special holiday evening. The Stars Under the Stars concert here at the beautiful Planetarium inside the American Museum of Natural History. Beneath the twinkling stars of the galaxy, we'll be hearing some of the greatest Broadway stars perform.

[2:08:42] Unknown speaker: And before we begin, I just wanted to share a special announcement. Lin-Manuel Miranda just tweeted that he saw a sign on a rooftop about this event from his airplane when he was flying into New York City today. So, he's encouraging everyone to support Broadway-bound kids this holiday season.

[2:09:01] Unknown speaker: So, there you have it, folks. Right from the mouth of the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda. And a special thanks to whoever held up that sign. But now, let's start off the evening with a very special holiday song sung by Broadway's own T. Boyitch.

[2:09:24] ♪ Musical number: "The Greatest Gift" — performed by T. Boyitch ♪

[2:10:58] Unknown speaker: And you know what, guys? That brings us to the end of this year's Holiday Radio Musical. What an awesome time we had following these stories!

[2:11:06] Unknown speaker: Yeah, this was great, but I'm afraid I've got to get back to the Hamilton National Tour. Thanks for doing this with us, Aaron.

[2:11:12] Unknown speaker: Of course! Best friend of the show forever!

[2:11:14] Unknown speaker: Happy holidays, Aaron!

[2:11:15] Unknown speaker: Happy holidays, guys!

[2:11:19] Unknown speaker: And happy holidays to all the listeners of the show. We hope you enjoyed Broadwaysted, actually. Make sure you check out some exclusive bonus content on the Broadway Podcast Network at bpn.fm backslash broadwaysted.

[2:11:30] Unknown speaker: But most importantly, don't forget to support Broadway-bound kids. And here's how!

[2:11:36] Unknown speaker: Hi, Broadwaysters! This is Jen Gambatese.

[2:11:38] Unknown speaker: Hi, I'm Cesar Samayoa.

[2:11:40] Unknown speaker: Jeremy Jordan.

[2:11:41] Unknown speaker: T-Boy Itch.

[2:11:42] Unknown speaker: Jeremy Kushner.

[2:11:42] Unknown speaker: I'm Michael Cerberus.

[2:11:43] Unknown speaker: This is Squiggs.

[2:11:44] Unknown speaker: Antoine L. Smith.

[2:11:45] Unknown speaker: Jared Zerilli.

[2:11:46] Unknown speaker: Brendan Stimson.

[2:11:47] Unknown speaker: Aaron Alvano.

[2:11:47] Unknown speaker: Haley Pachum.

[2:11:48] Unknown speaker: Robbie Roselle.

[2:11:49] Unknown speaker: Michael Kilgore.

[2:11:50] Unknown speaker: Madison Stratton.

[2:11:51] Unknown speaker: Andrew Breda.

[2:11:52] Unknown speaker: James Monroe Iglehart.

[2:11:53] Unknown speaker: And I'm Hannah Ellis, and this holiday season, all of us friends of the show want to ask all of you listeners of the show...

[2:11:58] Unknown speaker: To look inside your theater-loving, radio-play-listening hearts and join us in supporting our amazing friends at Broadway-bound kids.

[2:12:07] Unknown speaker: Broadway-bound kids is a non-profit that inspires and empowers young lives through the performing arts in a transformative and inclusive community.

[2:12:15] Unknown speaker: Their mission is simple.

[2:12:16] Unknown speaker: To make arts education accessible to as many students as possible throughout Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs.

[2:12:21] Unknown speaker: Students in the Broadway-bound kids program experience creative and exciting classes and workshops.

[2:12:26] Unknown speaker: Led by talented, caring teaching artists who are professional performers here in the city.

[2:12:31] Unknown speaker: Just like all of us, Broadway-bound kids passionately believes that involvement in the performing arts increases self-esteem.

[2:12:36] Unknown speaker: Confidence, self-expression, critical thinking, and empathy.

[2:12:40] Unknown speaker: These lessons will aid students at home and in school.

[2:12:43] Unknown speaker: Your support enables Broadway-bound kids to offer free, subsidized, and scholarship programs for more than 500 students every week.

[2:12:50] Unknown speaker: $1,000 can sponsor one child for Broadway-bound kids for an entire year.

[2:12:55] Unknown speaker: So let's see how many year-long scholarships we can give out for Broadway-bound kids.

[2:12:59] Unknown speaker: Check out the Broadwayisted Facebook page for the link to the Facebook fundraiser for Broadway-bound kids.

[2:13:05] Unknown speaker: Don't have a Facebook?

[2:13:06] Unknown speaker: Then go straight to www.broadwayboundkids.net and click on the donate button.

[2:13:11] Unknown speaker: And that's it!

[2:13:12] Unknown speaker: Hi, my name is Erin Glass and I'm the founder of Broadway-bound kids.

[2:13:16] Unknown speaker: Thank you so much for your support and from all of us at Broadway-bound kids.

[2:13:19] Unknown speaker: And all of us friends of the show.

[2:13:21] Unknown speaker: And from all of us at Broadwayisted...

[2:13:24] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:25] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:25] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays everyone!

[2:13:26] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:27] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:28] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:29] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:30] Unknown speaker: Merry Christmas!

[2:13:31] Unknown speaker: Happy Hanukkah!

[2:13:32] Unknown speaker: Happy Happy!

[2:13:33] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:34] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:34] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:35] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:36] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:37] Unknown speaker: Feliz Navidad!

[2:13:38] Unknown speaker: Happy Holidays!

[2:13:43] Unknown speaker: So from all of us in the Broadwayisted family...

[2:13:46] Unknown speaker: happy holidays and as we end every episode...

[2:13:50] Unknown speaker: Zootoo-wop-bop!