Interview: Jean Paul Yovanoff founder of Musical Theatre Radio

I first met Jean Paul Yovanoff at a National Alliance of Musical Theatre (NAMT) conference in New York. He told me about Musical Theatre Radio (MTR) and I wanted to know more.

What is the purpose of MTR?

We play showtunes from around the world old, new, popular and rare but our mandate is to support and promote new works and their creators.

How did you start in musical theatre, what gave you the ‘bug’?

I was on stage before I was even born. My mom was acting in a community production of Oklahoma while pregnant with me. She always says I used to kick with the music. I don’t know if that’s true, but I like the sound of it.

Where did you study?

I went to Sheridan College’s Musical Theatre Performance program in Toronto. Learned to be a 2.5  threat (my dancing ain’t so great), which was a fantastic experience, but I felt I wanted more education, so I went to York University right after. In hindsight this was the best thing for me as I joined a theatre company there, Vanier College Productions, which I am still with 30 years later, as an Associate Producer.

What are your top 3 favourite musicals?

I don’t really have favourite musicals (unless I count the ones I wrote because they are obviously my favourites), but the three that surprised me most that I would like were Movin' Out (I'm not a dance in show fan), Five Guys Named Moe (not a fan of audience participation) and The Islander (knew nothing going in, and fell in love coming out).

How did you spot the gap, for Musical Theatre Radio?

First off, there are only a handful of stations dedicated to musicals out there, but while researching them I noticed that they were all playing the same songs, same shows. I realized that none of them are playing the new up and coming shows or those crazy rare shows - It was something that was missing from the radio landscape.

How/when did you start MTR?

Back in January of 2019 I was trying to get a company off the ground, but it was just not working. So, when something isn’t working, you pivot. Well, I pivoted once, then again, then again, then again. That’s when I realized I was in the exact same place as I started. I closed that company and thought, what’s next. I looked at my shelf of records, tapes and cds and the idea of starting a radio station came to me. 
 

What is the format of MTR programming?

We play the biggest variety of showtunes out there, with different shows on various topics. Some of the radio programs include: R.E.S.P.E.C.T.: The Women of Musical Theatre, 100 Years of Musical Theatre, Saturday Night Party (all the MT party songs), New@NAMT (in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre) and Be Our Guest (podcast).

How has it grown?

I started MTR in March of 2019 and have been slowly growing our reputation in the musical theatre community and the radio station itself has dedicated listeners in the USA, UK, Mexico and Canada.

What are some of the fun events that you've hosted?

Since starting the station I’ve had so many great opportunities. During the pandemic I worked with Simon Grief in the UK and put together four online ‘One Night Only’ programs where we reunited writers, directors and performers to talk about their shows. We did From Here to Eternity, the UK cast of Saturday Night Fever, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Come From Away. Our podcast Be Our Guest where I talk with a guest or guests about their life, love and passion for musical theatre, is going great and has just passed 450 episodes. During the 2025 NAMT Festival of New Musicals, I hosted a live version of their podcast NEW@NAMT and interviewed a few guests from the off-Broadway stage (more about the important work of NAMT in an upcoming interview).

Where can people listen?

Head over to the website and click the Listen Live button, find us on Live365, apple podcasts or follow us on Instagram @musicaltheatreradio.

How can people show their support?

Tune in to The Sampler Platter, which helps promote new creators and their works from around the world, catch an episode of Be Our Guest, listen to Saturday Night Party and sing and dance all night long to the best party songs from the musical theatre canon, and/or support us on Patreon here.