In the midst of your "Merry, Merry Christmas," let me interest you in a little "Mary, Mary" Broadway! Don't feel bad if you've never heard of this play -- I certainly hadn't -- but like so many other shows I've covered, there are SO many crazy and interesting stories related to this surprising entry in the pantheon of long running productions that reveal fascinating aspects of Broadway history.

And the perfect person to bring a near-bottomless depth of knowledge to the subject of plays on Broadway is, of course, Jordan Schildcrout, author of "In the Long Run: A Cultural History of Broadway's Hit Plays." As we get to talking about this play, Jordan lays out the context for its unexpected success and we explicate how it ends up being weirdly both pro- and anti-feminist. We also spend some time ruminating on the career of Barbara Bel Geddes, known to most from "Dallas," but actually rose to fame initially for originating Maggie in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," a role Elizabeth Taylor would go on to own thanks to the movie adaptation.

This "Mary, Mary" isn't so contrary a subject for the holidays as, in its own oddly traditional way, it reinforces conservative values and the sanctity of marriage. But at the same time, we can look back at it and be thankful that we truly have moved on past when women weren't "allowed" to be both pretty and witty.

Be sure to check out our website, ChasingPhantom.net, for more information and related video clips. For "Mary, Mary," the whole movie is actually out there on YouTube. Happy holidays and see you in the new year!

Sure, you "Ain't Misbehavin'" at holiday time, but what about the rest of the year? For an expert on not misbehaving year-round, what person could I talk to that would be better than Desirée Roots?

Roots has graced Virginia stages for decades and her exceptional voice has made her a consistent draw for cabarets, big band performances, and special appearances with groups like the Richmond Symphony. Not only is she a great performer, but she has become a knowledgeable and savvy non-profit arts administrator and she brings all of that experience to bear in our deep dive into this show that features the enduring music of Fats Waller.

"Ain't Misbehavin'" is a unique show - a jukebox musical of sorts before there was such a thing, but also a musical revue where the actors in the Broadway production would become the "characters" actors would play for all future production. There is only one other musical revue of its kind that ran longer on Broadway ("Smokey Joe's Cafe") so it is situated in a weird but fascinating niche in the Broadway canon.

Is "Ain't Misbehavin'" overlooked and underproduced? Or does it remain an underappreciated but still regularly staged show in the regional circuit? Desirée and I talk about all of that and more in this great conversation.

Check out my website at ChasingPhantom.net for more information about this show and associated video clips. And please reach out to me at davidhintztimberline@gmail.com with comments, suggestions or cries of outrage!

If you look down the list of Pulitzer Prize-winning musicals, past more recent capital "I" important musicals like "Hamilton" and "A Strange Loop," you eventually get to "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Sure, it's a caustic take on corporate culture but prize-winning? That seems a stretch, even with the creative team behind arguably the most beloved musical ever, "Guys and Dolls," on board.

Luckily, I was able to talk to the woman who wrote the book on this subject, Kristin Stultz Pressley, to help make sense of this situation. Her book, "Pulitzer Prize-Winning Musicals: Of Thee I Sing to A Strange Loop," provides fascinating background on the 10 shows that have earned the prestigious prize and the sometimes unexpected reasons for their recognition.

Dr. Pressley and I dig in deep on "How to Succeed..." and I came away from our conversation with a new appreciation of this show and also a deeper understanding of why it was honored some 60 years ago.

As this episode is being released during Thanksgiving week, I thought it was a great time to highlight new friends I've made through this podcast, like Dr. Pressley, and also take a small aside at Black Friday which follows on the heels of the holiday. If you are feeling cynical about capitalism, "How to Succeed..." sure provides plenty of grist for that particular mill!

Be sure and check out my website, ChasingPhantom.net, for more information and links to video clips relevant to our conversation. I am thankful for all of you listeners and hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday!