Podcasts are all the rage now with many platforms like Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, or Spotify serving as hosts to almost anyone who likes to talk, share opinions and new ideas, or to discuss politics or current events. Offbook: The Improvised Musical, which plays on the Earwolf network, is one of the more interesting podcasts that are out at the moment. The podcast is hosted by Jessica McKenna and Zach Reino along with their piano accompanist Scott Passarella, in hour long sessions where they attempt to create new musicals with special guests that they bring in to assist the process. The most notable episode to date is episode sixty-six, where they created the musical We Object to Fear.
The most notable episode to date is episode sixty-six, where they created the musical We Object to Fear
The musical was recorded live in 2018 in Portland at the Curious Comedy Theater, and was released on YouTube shortly after. The hosts of the podcast Jessica and Zach take the stage to sing all of the songs, play all of the characters, and then answer all the questions in the talk back. The “story” they’ve put together follows a group of students who are participating in a mock trial for a banquet. Like a traditional musical, every time they approach a new idea, or portray certain emotions, they bust out into song. The songs would ONLY make sense in their setting, and sound to be very randomly put together, which is apparently the idea.
Their set up is minimal, with Jessica and Zach moving between different chairs on the stage to play different characters throughout. Beyond that, there is no set or physical objects on the stage. It’s just them, chairs, and their accompanist playing off to the side signalling each song to come. Jessica and Zach work together well, singing the farcical songs and following the unique structure of their show whilst also adding in their own comedic quips when they find it appropriate to do so. Some of the highlight songs are Atticus Finch, Looking at Clouds, and Mr. Picou. Atticus Finch is a number they do about their admiration for the To Kill a Mockingbird character as he’s a famous defense attorney in popular literature. Looking at Clouds is literally a song about the characters looking up and describing the passing clouds they see. Mr. Picou, according to the actors, was based on a faculty member they actually knew and the characters both sing about their mutual attraction to him.
Theatre comes in many different forms, and what Offbook is doing much different than most podcasts and other theatre companies for that matter. It’s apparent that much of it is ‘improvised’ though their overall show seems to be plotted out so that there’s something of a beginning, middle and end. Either way, how they’ve done it gives the show its comedic energy, and is a wonderful showcase of Jessica and Zach’s ability to create music on the fly. More of their episodes can be heard on the podcast, but this particular episode is available for free viewing on YouTube.
