Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast

This Friday on Before the Downbeat while Autumn is away Mackenzie and audio magician and returning guest Teni Brant break out their comic book collections and discuss the mishandled rock super hero musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark! Hear these two debate the character of Arachne and if she is necessary. They breakdown down the creative choices of this musical and what characters from the comics translated best from page to stage. Plus hear about Teni's design concepts for his version of this musical. All of this and a rant against the wall crawler by J. Jonah Jameson on this 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 Twitter

This week on Before the Downbeat, Mackenzie and Scott are throwing out books by Norman Mailer and discussing the musical A New Brain! Together Mackenzie and Scott explore William Finn's fascination with the last name Delli-Bovi as he also used it in March of the Falsettos too. They debate the characterization of Gordon's mother Mimi. Plus discover if Mackenzie has found an appreciation for this musical after going into this episode knowing nothing about this piece All of this and some time and music 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

This week on Before the Downbeat, Mackenzie and Scott celebrating that the best of time is now by discussing the musical La Cage aux Folles! Together these two explore the generational divisions between the creative team that caused much friction during the creation process of this musical. They debate if Jean-Michel's big number "With Anne on My Arm" is deep and complex. Plus discover why Scott is not a fan of the opening number "We Are What We Are". All of this and a green Givenchy gown in the loo 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

This week on Before the Downbeat, Mackenzie and Scott are heading out to prince's ball and along the way they discuss the musical Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella! Together these two explore why this particular fairy tale has sparked so many musical adaptations. They debate which names for the step sisters they prefer across the various versions of this piece. Plus discover which of the added trunk songs from other Rodgers and Hammerstein shows they think fits best with this piece. All of this and a world that is full of zanies and fools who don’t believe in sensible rules 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

This week on Before the Downbeat, Mackenzie and Scott are certain to meet in the bedroom, the parlor or even the street the alluring Aurora with her velvet cape as they discuss the musical Kiss of the Spider Woman! Together these two explore surprising amount of Canadian connections this musical has. They debate whether or not the critics should have attended and reviewed that very first workshop performance. Plus they imagine what a version of this musical would have been like with Sondheim tackling it. All of this and the the final reel of Flame of St. Petersburg 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

This week on Before the Downbeat, Mackenzie and Scott are opening up their eyes and looking at what god has done as they discuss the musical The Color Purple! Scott and Mackenzie explore whether or not the character of Mister is redeemed by the end. They debate if the musical went far enough in portraying the queer relationships that are present in the source material. Plus discover if Scott and Mackenzie think this musical needed an overture. All of this and a blade of corn 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

This week on Before the Downbeat, we have our first official episode with our new co-host Scott Hurst! Join Mackenzie and Scott who are attempting to glitter and be gay as they work hard to make their gardens grow while they discuss the musical and Bernstein's passion project Candide! Scott and Mackenzie explore the ongoing and ever troubled writing process that has resulted in multiple versions of this show being produced. They debate when and if politics should influence and at time censor art. Plus discover how Mackenzie shocked Scott with his number 1 song choice! All of this and some singing sheep from El Dorado 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

As we revealed in our 42nd Street episode the shoes of our wonderful Canadian Bea Arthur Autumn Smith left were just too big to fill for one co-host. So the decision was made to split the co-hosting duties between two wonderful hosts and you've met Maris Lyons and now we are excited to introduce you to our new and other permanent co-host Scott Hurst! Scott is a survivor of 48 years in professional & community  theatre, Scott has earned a living as an actor, singer, dancer, director, writer & producer, and his resume includes seasons at the Stratford Festival, Charlottetown Festival, Blyth Festival, Thousand Islands Playhouse, the National Arts Centre and a side trip to the MDM Theatre in Moscow. A recipient of an Excellence in the Arts award at the 2009 Barrie Arts Awards, Scott is known locally for his extensive work with The South Simcoe Theatre, Kempenfelt Community Players, Talk is Free Theatre, Theatre by the Bay, Huronia Players, and the Orillia Sunshine Festival. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for The South Simcoe Theatre and is helping to develop a training program for actors, directors, singers and production teams. A proud member of the LGBTQ2S+ community, Scott is now considered by some to be a Gay Elder and he's grateful to have lived long enough to achieve that status. 3TY Rob! We are so excited to have Scott on our team and please joy this introductory interview where Mackenzie and Scott discuss Scott's theatrical background and we explore his thoughts on the current musical theatre landscape. 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

This week on Before the Downbeat, Maris and Mackenzie are heeding the alluring call of the lullaby of Broadway as they discuss the musical 42nd Street! Maris and Mackenzie discuss the difficulties of remounting a musical with source material almost a century old. They explore how this piece's songs are actually secondary to the dances which are the main selling feature of the show . Plus discover which song was hardest to do tech wise according to Maris's recollections of her time performing in this musical. All of this and the beat of dancing feet 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

This week on Before the Downbeat, Maris and Mackenzie are diving into the world of cinema Italiano as they discuss the musical Nine! Maris and Mackenzie discuss the power and uniqueness of this musical's iconic overture. They explore how this piece reflects and parallels the pressures artist put on themselves to achieve their next great hit. Plus discover how they correlate this musical in a strange way to the career of Andrew Lloyd Webber All of this and a call from the Vatican 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

This week on Before the Downbeat, Maris and Mackenzie are wrestle with a goat as they discuss the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! Maris and Mackenzie discuss their own wildest and most recent dreams. They explore this musical's score to find the musical motifs that Lloyd Webber will expand on in his later musicals. Plus discover which performer who has played Joseph has been their favourite. All of this and a dazzling coat of many colours that was red and yellow and green and brown and scarlet and black and ochre and peach and ruby and olive and violet and fawn and lilac and gold and chocolate and mauve and cream and crimson and silver and rose and azure and lemon and russet and grey and purple and white and pink and orange and red and yellow and green and brown and scarlet and black and ochre and peach and ruby and olive and violet and fawn and lilac and gold and chocolate and mauve and cream and crimson and silver and rose and azure and lemon and russet and grey and purple and white and pink and orange and blue 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

This week on Before the Downbeat, Maris and Mackenzie are getting a gimmick and some chow mein as they discuss the musical Gypsy: A Musical Fable! Maris and Mackenzie debate if the divisive song 'Little Lamb' is truly necessary for the show or if it should be cut. They explore where the line is between cute and annoying regarding June and her musical numbers. Plus discover which Rose and Herbie duet was almost cut from the show during out of town tryouts. All of this and an egg roll for Mr. Goldstone 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

This week on Before the Downbeat, Maris and Mackenzie are feeding the bird with their bags full of crumbs as they discuss the musical Mary Poppins! Discover if Maris would rather play Mary or Mrs. Banks! They explore why the addition of the villainous Miss Andrew doesn't quite work for the show in their opinion. Plus discover which Beatle almost composed the score the stage show! All of this and a chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo 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

This week on Before the Downbeat, Maris and Mackenzie are busy gambling on horse races, rolling dice, and drinking dulce de leches in Cuba while also discussing the musical Guys and Dolls! Discover if Maris enjoyed playing a Save-a-Soul Mission girl or a Hot Box doll when she performed in this musical twice! They explore why Michael Kidd had the right choreographic style for this piece. Plus find out which iconic songs from the show were almost cut during out of town try outs! All of this and a bad, bad cold 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

This Friday on Before the Downbeat it's the long awaited premiere episode of season 5. For this episode the new pairing of Maris and Mackenzie break out their leg warmers and discuss the musical that is a singular sensation A Chorus Line! Hear them break down the evolution of the character of Cassie. They explore the impact teachers have on our education journey. Plus find out which Bond theme song the shows composer Marvin Hamlisch wrote! All of this and what we did for love 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

We are now only weeks away from the release of our first episode of Season 5 and to help spread the word about this podcast we have special contest for you to participate in! Here's all you have to do... 1. Do an Instagram story about the podcast and tag us in it. We will share it on our story too. 2. You need follow at least 2 of our social media platforms. Either Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. 3. Rate and review us on Apple Podcast. Then send us a message showing that you have done all three steps and you are entered to win a $50.00 Amazon gift card! We will announce the winner in the midway episode of the season (episode 7). Follow the links below to reach our social pages. ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter

Well as you may have noticed Season 5 has taken a little longer to get out to all you wonderful loyal listeners and it's time to reveal the reason which is that our team has had slight shake up and we have needed time to adjust to these changes. Our wonderful Canadian Bea Arthur, director extraordinaire, and John Adams of Canadian theatre Autumn Smith has decided to take an official step back from her co-host duties as she has proven to be quite busy with her teaching schedules, her new amazing radio show Lesbi-Honest and her theatre company which has been taking off with great success. Never fear though, as Autumn will be returning as a guest through out the upcoming seasons. But with Autumn taking a well earned and deserved step back that left an opening for a new permanent co-host and in this special episode we are excited to introduce to you our new permanent co-host Maris Lyons! She is not only Mackenzie's cousin but she also hails from Wales and is a theatre producer, a world traveler, and a very talented performer! We are so excited for you to meet and get to know Maris! Please give this episode a listen and Maris a very warm welcome! 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

This Friday on Before the Downbeat while Autumn is still away Mackenzie and his wonderful theatre friend Katie Miller let their hair down and let the sunshine in as they  discuss the hippie musical Hair! These two dive deep into the lyrics and explain how the lyrics are supported by the score. They explore whether this show still has the same impact when not seen live. Plus discover which iconic song made Mackenzie's skip list. All of this plus some pleading for some clean air on this 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 Twitter

This Friday on Before the Downbeat it's the finale episode of season 4. For this episode Autumn and Mackenzie are joined by theme music composer Brody Weld (@Flowzus). They reflect on those summer nights and magic changes as they discuss the musical Grease! Hear them debate whether Sandy's transformation is problematic or for the better. They explore some of the lost raunchier lyrics from the original version of the show. Plus since this musical proved to be so popular among the BtDB community hear some reflections and input from some extra special contributors. All of this and some Twinkie's from Jan 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

This Friday on Before the Downbeat Autumn is back and it's the penultimate episode of season 4. For this episode Autumn and Mackenzie return to the Lerner and Loewe canon as they discuss the rains in Spain and the musical My Fair Lady! Hear them debate whether Higgins or Freddie are the better partner for Eliza. They compare the canons and characters of works of Lerner and Loewe to Rodgers and Hammerstein who almost adapted this musical themselves. Plus find out which character Autumn doesn't think can gender bent in future revivals. All of this and a room somewhere far away from the cold night air with one enormous chair 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