Advertise on podcast: Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast

This week, Mackenzie is joined by his two amazing co-hosts, Scott Hurst and Maris Lyons, for the first time ever as the trio tackles one of the most divisive musical comedies of the 21st century: The Book of Mormon. In this penultimate episode of Season 6, they dig into why the show still brings audiences to their feet while sparking serious discomfort. From satire and shock comedy to religion, race, and “white savior” narratives, the conversation asks who gets to laugh—and why. They also examine how the show lands in a post-2020 world and whether its hopeful ending actually earns its payoff. All this, and a bold conversation about laughter, unease, and responsibility in musical theatre—because tomorrow is a latter day. Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Next week, it’s the penultimate episode of the season, and Scott, Maris, and Mackenzie come together for the first time as they head out on their mission trip to Uganda to take on the satirical juggernaut The Book of Mormon. The trio dives into generational humour—examining how the show plays with different audiences today—and unpacks the portrayal of Uganda and its people within the musical. Plus, they reveal where each host stands on organized religion and reflect on how this piece challenged, complicated, or reshaped their own views. All this and a spooky Mormon hell dream on next Friday's all new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, Scott and Mackenzie con their way to the French Riviera as they take on David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. They unpack Scott’s personal history with the show and what it taught him about staging farce. Along the way, they debate whether the show’s characters truly get enough comeuppance for modern audiences and wrestle with how contemporary productions can—and should—address the piece’s more troubling elements, particularly its use of ableism, without losing the engine of the comedy. All this and nothing is too wonderful to be true in this all-new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

After the overwhelmingly positive response to our Wicked: Part I coverage, we’re back with the first instalment in our deep dive into the highly anticipated sequel, Wicked: For Good. Join host and producer Mackenzie as he breaks down the first teaser trailer shot by shot, highlighting what’s new for the screen and what’s been adapted from the stage. Plus, Mackenzie pieces together a surprisingly complete outline of the film’s narrative based on the trailer’s footage. Head over to our YouTube page to watch this shot by shot break down. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/KiZYLYeLgWQ

Next week, it's all about Ruprecht as Scott and Mackenzie dive into the musical comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels! Together they explore the twist ending of the show. They also unpack how much impact the casting of John Lithgow had on the production. Plus Scott and Mackenzie discuss the upcoming production being mounted at the Stratford Festival All this and a chimp in a suit on next Friday's all new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, Maris and Mackenzie have the sun in the morning and the moon at night as they take aim at the sharpshooting musical classic Annie Get Your Gun. Maris shares memories of performing in the show during her youth—while trying to recall which elements were cut or changed from the original version, and which parts of their production didn’t make it into future revivals. The duo also dives into the musical’s problematic ending and how it influences their answer to this podcast’s usual final revival question. Plus, they explore which historical elements hit the mark and which ones wildly miss the target. All this and they say that falling in love is wonderful, it's wonderful, so they say in this all new episode. Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Next week, there's no business like show business as Maris and Mackenzie dive into the classic musical Annie Get Your Gun! Maris reminisces about her time performing in the show, and together they explore how the ending has evolved over the years. They also unpack how the musical began as the passion project of Dorothy Fields—before creative control was ultimately taken from her. All this and doin' what comes natur'lly on next Friday's all new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, Scott and Mackenzie have magic to do and miracle plays to play as they delve into Stephen Schwartz’s coming-of-age musical Pippin. They explore whether audiences are meant to like—or even identify with—the show’s title character, and unpack why Mackenzie ranks the piece in the lower-middle of the Schwartz canon. Plus, Scott shares how he's de-Fosse-ing his own production as he directs Pippin with a fresh perspective. All this and an ordinary kind of woman in this this all new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Next Friday Scott and Mackenzie are searching for their corner of the sky as they discuss the Stephen Schwartz musical Pippin. They’ll explore the creative difficulties this show faced as Schwartz and director Bob Fosse developed it in the rehearsal room. Scott and Mackenzie debate who is the actual lead of the show between the titular Pippin and the Leading Player . Plus hear Scott discuss his recent experiences directing this musical. All this and some cheese you left to sour on next Friday's all new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, we have a special bonus episode for our wonderful viewers and listeners! Join Mackenzie as he virtually sits down with co-host Scott Hurst and the multi-talented Andrew Prashad — actor, dancer, and devoted father. Together, they dive into Andrew's remarkable career and his powerful one-man show, One Step at a Time. Directed by Scott, the show explores Andrew and his family’s journey raising a son with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, while he continues to work on his growing career in the arts. Mackenzie learns the story behind the show’s conception, while finding out how Andrew and Scott collaborated on integrating improvised dance into the staging. Plus discover whether Andrew has plans to develop a sequel to this deeply personal piece.You see Andrew's one man show at Theatre Orangeville from Apr 4–Apr 6Tickets here: https://www.theatreorangeville.ca/show/one-step-at-a-timeFollow for more upcoming show datesFacebook: @Andrew Prashad's ONE STEP AT A TIME Website: andrewprashad.com/OneStepAtATime

This week, Mackenzie and Scott sense that something funny’s going on as they dive into Ahrens and Flaherty’s first musical outing, Lucky Stiff. They break down where the film adaptation missed the mark, explore the score to trace hints of the duo’s future brilliance, and reveal which Transformers actress starred in the original Off-Broadway production. All this and six million bucks in diamonds in a heart shaped box in this all new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Next Friday, Mackenzie and Scott head to Monte Carlo to discuss the musical farce Lucky Stiff. They’ll explore how this show launched one of musical theatre’s most successful collaborations—Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. The conversation examines why Lucky Stiff never made it to Broadway and whether it deserves a larger theatrical life. Plus, Scott shares his mixed feelings on the film adaptation. All this and the loving dogs of the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn on next Friday's all new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, Mackenzie and Scott are off to the races and the English music hall as they choose their preferred ending in a discussion of the Dickinson musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood. They break down why some songs, like the opening number, work better in a live performance than on the cast album. The duo also debates how to tackle the problematic characters of Neville and Helena Landless in a revival. Plus, they explore and daydream about the potential magic of casting Canadian icon Catherine O'Hara as Princess Puffer. All this and the writing on the wall in this all new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠

Next Friday, two kinsmen more than brothers, Mackenzie and Scott, will head into Dickinson London to discuss the musical with multiple endings, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. They’ll explore why singer-songwriter Rupert Holmes saw the unfinished source material as the perfect fit for the stage. The conversation delves into the unique casting choice of using an actress in the leading male role and why it worked so well. Plus, Scott shares behind-the-scenes stories from his time working on this musical. All this and the wages of sin on next Friday's all new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, podcast listeners we bid you welcome to our latest episode where Mackenzie, Scott, and special guest Ryan Borochovitz, Co-Artistic Producer of Cup of Hemlock Theatre, discuss the often underrated Sondheim musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Together, they explore the numerous songs that were cut and re-added throughout various productions. They also discuss why Sondheim felt he wasn’t the right fit for the show. Plus, the trio breaks down why none of them feel particularly attached to the Hero and Philia storyline. All of this and everybody ought to have a maid in this all new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠