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Off Book: The Improvised Musical
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© 2020 Jessica McKenna and Zach Reino
Description
It takes years for a Broadway musical to hit the stage, but on OFF BOOK: The Improvised Musical, you get a brand new original musical every week! Each episode, Jessica McKenna, Zach Reino and a special guest create a new musical on the spot. Accompanied by Scott Passarella, King of Pianists, Pianist of Kings.
357 Episodes
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The following was recorded LIVE at the Music Box in San Diego on July 24th 2025! It features the entire fam band (Scott Passarella, Brett Morris and Dana Wickens) on their respective keys, frets, and sticks. Have you ever wondered about the Shadow Zoo? The zoo BEHIND the zoo? How much do you want to know? How much are you WILLING to know? Want to see us live? Tour tickets are available now at OffBookLive.com!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE at the Cedar cultural center in Minneapolis on March 23rd 2025. BACK TO BACK SHOWS BABY It once again features the incredible Scott Passarella on the keys, and the still incredible Josh Kaplan on drums! This one may SEEM like it was painstakingly crafted by a very specific playwright, and that's because it was. Also its got pranks, and PERFECT ACCENTS. Wanna see us live? All our upcoming tour tickets available at OffBookLive.com!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE at the Cedar cultural center in Minneapolis on March 22nd 2025. It features the incredible Scott Passarella on the keys, and the also incredible Josh Kaplan on drums! It's a tale as old as time when a retirement community rallies to help a grandma show her grandkids a good time, and take down the local evil casino owner in the process. Wanna see us live? All our upcoming tour tickets available at OffBookLive.com! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE on March 21st at the Bur Oak in Madison WI. It features keys by Scott Passarella (K.O.P.P.O.K) and Jack Harris, hometown hero of an Ann Arbor who drove all the way here to crush it again on the drums. Have you ever wondered about who works in that old lighthouse? Why they work in that old lighthouse? WHEN they work in that old lighthouse? This is the show for you. Why yes, we had been listening to an Agatha Christie novel on this tour, why do you ask? COME SEE US ON TOUR! Tickets at: OffBookLive.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
1The following was recorded LIVE at the Park West Theater in Chicago on March 20th, 2025. It features K.O.P.P.O.K. Scott Passarella on the keys and the legendary Chris Ditton hit-on the Drums. This show is important for many reasons: 1. We get to correct the lore of Peter Pan, 2. It's the largest show we've ever done. 3. At the end we all make Scott try malort for the first time. IYKYK. ALSO we're still raising money for our Mock Trial movie kickstarter and still going on tour! All links at Linktr.ee/offbook. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE at the Marines' Memorial Theater as part of San Fransisco Sketchfest on February 1st 2025. It is accompanied by the consistent brilliance of the entire FAM BAND (Scott Passarella on Keys, Brett Morris on Guitar, and Dana Wickens on drums.) We're flying too close to the sun with this one. Join us to find out who writes all the facts under those Snapple caps, and learn some 100% accurate science. ALSO: We're going on tour! ALSO ALSO: We're making a mock trial movie! Get tix and join our newsletter for updates at Linktr.ee/offbook!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This is all the 15 Year old Portal Act 1 Demo tracks, compiled with no long prelude or advertisements for your listening convenience. If you've stumbled across this with no context, check out the episode directly before it, or any of the earlier ON BOOK episodes if you want the full lore/process. TLDR: We're writing a musical and these are the demos for the songs in act 1! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This episode of Off Book is not an improvised musical, but it does have ALL the special announcements you didn't know you were waiting for! We're going on tour! We're making an improvised movie about MOCK TRIAL! We've got demo tracks for all the Act 1 songs of our original musical "15 Year Old Portal. Thank you so much for all of your support. We couldn't do any of this without you. Join our movie mailing list: buttondown.com/zachandjess Get Tour tickets: linktr.ee/offbookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE from The Ark theater in Ann Arbor Michigan on 3/19 2025. It is accompanied by Scott Passarella (KoP. PoK) and hometown hero JacK Harris on drums! It is rare that we do an episode of this show that almost entirely about the city we happen to be touring in, but it DOES happen and in this case it DID happen. What does it mean to be PURE MICHIGAN? Join us and find out!Archive Video footage of this episode will be available for clubhouse subscribers at OffBookClubhouse.com within the next week or so. Thank you for supporting the show! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE at the Royal Theater in Toronto ON on December 10th 2024, and features masters of their craft (instruments) Eric Gersen on keys and Nick Fraser on the drums! Due to some technical difficulties the audio quality of this recording is unfortunately slightly distorted, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the story of two teenage boys as they navigate a museum(?) full of tricks and traps!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE at the Bellhouse in Brooklyn NY on December 7th 2024. The brilliant Eric Gersen (keys) and also brilliant Sarah Mullins (Drums) played such a fantastic show the night before we decided to let them play this one too, and ya know what? They killed it. Never has a bowling alley been filled with SUCH ROMANCE. Come for string cheese and bananas, stay for Sherry from Shoes. Then stay with Sherry from shoes for the rest of your life.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE at the Bellhouse in Brooklyn NY on December 6th 2024. It features the combined majesty and genius of Eric Gersen (keys) and Sarah Mullins (Drums). For legal reasons we've been told we can't call this one Hadestown, despite the fact that both Hades and a Town are involved. Also at one point the keyboard instrument patch is so funny to us that we basically stop the show to march around for a while. You will know it when you hear it. GODS, they're just like us maybe? Listen and find out! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE at the Theater of the Living Arts in Philadelphia on December 5th 2024. It features the massive talents of Eric Gersen on the keys and Sam Pasternack on drums. I know we frequently say "this one gets wild" but would be believe, this one in fact does get wild? Come for the historical accuracy, stay for the pocket dimensions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE at The Howard in Washington DC on December 4th 2024. It features the return of the key change king Eric Gersen on keys, and the incredible Shareef Taher on drums. This one is about clubs (the school kind), bugs (the metaphorical kind), and blatant product placement (you know who you are, hit us up). You're gonna love it. OPINION STATED. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE on November 25th 2024 at the Gothic Theater in Englewood CO, which we know ISN'T Denver, but also isn't NOT Denver. It features our beloved Scott Passarella on keys and the incredible Steve Wright on drums. This one is kinda wild so we're not even gonna attempt to summarize what went down. IFKYK, and once you listen YOU will know (OYLYWK.)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded LIVE in Nashville TN, on November 24th 2024. It features Scott Passarella (KoPaPoK) on keys and the incredible Donnie Moretti on drums! This is the tale of a generational feud between a zoo and an aquarium, and saying anything more than that would be a spoiler so let's just leave it at that shall we?ALSO our March midwest tour is almost sold out, but you can get what tickets remain at TheZachandTheJess.com/liveSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded live at the Orange Peel in Asheville NC on November 23rd 2024, and features geniuses Scott Passarella and Ross Montsinger on keys/drums. This is what happens when two dudes share their stories, and embark on two equally high stakes adventures. Put in your most daring chipotle order, sit back, and get ready to break the sound barrier!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The following was recorded live the State Theater in Austin Texas on November 22nd 2024. It features the return of the king (of pianists, and pianist of kings) Scott Passarella on keys, and the incredible Marty Eck on the drums. Prepare to set sail on an adventure of self discovery, seafood, and meaningful staring. Come look at the sea with us. The full video of this show will be available shortly to our members of OffBookClubhouse.com, so head to way to watch or join. ALSO we are about to add some new tour dates in the midwest! Follow us @offbookpod on instagram for updates, and buy tickets (when available) at Linktr.ee/offbook.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It's time again for Off Book's annual holiday musical with the incredible Paul F. Tompkins and Nicole Parker (and of course, the Fam Band!) For the first time ever, the holiday spectacular was recorded LIVE at the Lodge Room in Los Angeles (December 18th 2024.) Follow the Christmas star (The CORRECT one) to a tale of shared gifts, marriage, tropical fruits, and of course, the 12 Days of Catmas. Happy Holidays!This episode is available to watch (VOD) at Linktr.ee/offbook until 1-19-2025, after which it can be viewed by our members at OffBookClubhouse.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We're jumping out of order for our tour episodes because this one ended up having holiday vibes! Who could have guessed? Not us. The following was recorded LIVE in Somerville MA at Arts at the Armory on December 8th 2024. It features the key change king/helpful bear Eric Gersen on the keys, and the incredible Dave Byer on the drums. This is a very traditional holiday tale involving white water rafting, bears, and the works of Ian Fleming. A few tickets are still available for our Lodge room show in LA (live and streaming) and our Sketchfest show in SF. Get them at linktr.ee/offbookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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where is episode 4?
In the world of improve, one usally is encouraged to "yes and...", but Scott brings forth the power of the "no".
I'll say it: Nothing but bangers 🔥 The 3 Knight song, I saw in my brain as a full thematic Disney animated song that was also a montage of all the things they were doing. (Like in Hercules)
Does anyone know where to find episodes 4-81?
Did they really just throw together a story about an aromantic, gay rock who finds help from two scientists, one of whom is objectum?
Ngl, DOM sounded less sexual than D-COM 😂 But both truly beautiful stories ❤️
Pack of Brents is so damn catchy!
I never promote podcasts. like literally never before ..this is one of my favorite episodes of my favorite podcast. amazing! you're missing out if you haven't heard them. Zach is a genius I love every voice he does, Jess is an improvised genius. the band (especially piano) is crazy good at what they do listen! enjoy! subscribe!
I love they switched everyone's roles for this one. so much fun!
You don't have a slithery little friend until you snake it so...
Amazing, funny, original. No other podcast like it! These guys make my podcast week!
This is for sure my favorite episode of this show. Good job guys!
OMG, *SO* much better than Cats 1! XD
Dang. Ya'll done it again with this episode. More this!!!
wow
thank you for writing that. I want to be an art blogger parents will not back me up.
Honestly probably in my top favourites. There's a lot of really great lyrics in this episode.
that's a good one.
so beautiful
I think I love this.. first episode had me cracking up idiotically. 40 something episodes to go.