Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast

This week, Mackenzie and Scott are ‘putting their minds to it’ as they honor the late, great three-time Tony winner Hinton Battle with a discussion of the super soul musical The Wiz . Together these two unpack why Scott prefers the more uptempo numbers of this show compared to the ballads. They explore the innovative marketing campaign that saved the original Broadway production. Plus hear what ot...

Next week, join Mackenzie and Scott as they ease on down the road to explore the groundbreaking musical The Wiz and honour the late Hinton Battle, the Tony-winning originator of the Scarecrow on Broadway. Hear how The Wiz ranks among other Oz-inspired musicals and the unique marketing campaign that saved the original Broadway production. Plus, discover the surprising connection between James Bond...

This week Mackenzie and Scott are coming up to the laband seeing what's on the slab as they discuss the spooktacular cult hit musical The Rocky Horror Show. Together these two unpack what makes the song 'Time Warp' such an audience favourite. They explore how Tim Curry created his iconic performance of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Plus hear all about Scott's experiences seeing the film version and how one...

Next week Mackenzie and Scott are getting in touch with the spooky halloween vibes of the season as they head up to the lab to discuss the true classic cult musical  The Rocky Horror Show ! Hear them discuss why this musical was so impactful with the LGBTQIA+ community when it premiered in the 1970s and why it still has such resonance today. They explore why the original Broadway run failed despit...

This Friday on  Before the Downbeat  it's the premiere episode of season 6. For this episode Mackenzie and Maris are seeking to solve a problem like Maria as they discuss this final Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music . Together these two yodellers discuss the impact the iconic film adaptation has had on the revivals of the stage show. They breakdown why the song 'Something Good' is...

Next week the hills are live with sound of Before the Downbeat season 6! Mackenzie and Maris kick off this new season with a trip to the Austrian alps in their clothes made of drapes as they discuss the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical  The Sound of Music ! Hear them discuss why they think this musical is such a hit across multiple generations. They debate whether it was right to remove the politic...

Break out your pink outfits and get ready for a special, long-awaited review of Mean Girls: The Musical ! Join Mackenzie and returning guest Graeme McClelland as they dive deep into this fetch yet divisive adaptation. In this episode, they explore the film’s choice to shy away from its musical and camp elements, unpack the cut songs (with a surprising focus on the numbers featuring Damian), and sh...

Get excited because Shug Avery is coming to town, and the long-awaited special review episode of The Color Purple movie musical remake is finally here! Join Scott and Mackenzie, along with special guest Arlene Duncan, as they dive deep into this stunning adaptation. In this episode, they explore how the new film compares to the often overlooked 1985 movie and the beloved stage show. Plus, they unp...

Well we have now wrapped on Season 5 but we still have some audio goodies for you! As you probably know, not all material makes it into the given episode for many reasons and instead becomes a deleted scene. Well here is one of those fun side conversations that was had as Scott and Mackenzie were wrapping up their season finale episode of Spamalot. This conversation deals with the topic of the cur...

This week on  Before the Downbeat , Mackenzie and Scott are looking on the bright side of life as they discuss the musical comedy  Spamalot ! Together Mackenzie and Scott explore the Pythons' mixed reactions to this piece that some of them dubbed Python light. They debate the Fisch Schlapping Song. Plus they examine where the balance is between substantive theatre material and light theatrical...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  Mackenzie and Scott are searching for both a shrubbery and the Holy Grail as they discuss the musical  Spamalot ! Hear them discuss their favourite Monty Python sketches. They debate whether this piece actually has substance or if it's just Python light as it was described by some of the Pythons. Plus they discuss if the placement for the iconic 'Always...

It's a big week for the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked! We have new poster, a featurette, and the first official trailer being released all within 72 hours! So join host Mackenzie as he does a shot by shot breakdown of the film's first official trailer. This is mega size trailer that not only lays out the plot of the film but also gives us listen to some of the iconic songs from the mu...

It's a big week for the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked! We have new poster, a featurette, and the first official trailer being released all within 72 hours! So join host Mackenzie as he does a shot by shot breakdown of this new behind the scenes featurette where director Jon M. Chu and leading ladies Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande discuss their background connections to this musical and h...

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...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  Mackenzie and Scott are having some calamari and ziti as they’ve watch Mr. Bungee and discuss the musical  A New Brain ! Hear them debate where they would rank this musical against the other William Finn pieces of Falsettos and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. They breakdown the differences between the 1998 and the 2015 versions of the show . Plus they d...

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 di...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  Mackenzie and Scott head down to the "jewel" of the Riviera to discuss the musical  La Cage aux Folles ! Hear them debate if this musical should have won Best Musical at the Tony Awards over the Sondheim musical 'Sunday in the Park with George'. They breakdown the conflicts that arose between the creative team about how to tackle the LGTQIA+ r...

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 o...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  Mackenzie and Scott are leaving their own little corners to discuss the musical  Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella ! Hear them debate if this adaptation of the Cinderella fairytale is the best. They breakdown the various changes that have been made to the musical with each adaptation. Plus they discuss where this musical ranks for each of them within the...

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 worksh...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  Mackenzie and Scott going over the wall as they discuss the musical  Kiss of the Spider Woman ! Hear them debate whether this musical's story is more focused on Aurora or Molina as the musical did lean heavily into the star power of the original Aurora, Chita Rivera. They breakdown the relationship between Molina and Valentin and how it would have to be adj...

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 an...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  Mackenzie and Scott are exploring an adaptation of a beloved novel the musical  The Color Purple ! Hear them discuss why this musical's revival is an improvement over the original Broadway production. They breakdown the concepts of spirituality verses faith and how this musical's message on this topic is one people need now more than ever. Plus they dis...

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 ve...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  we have our first official episode with our new co-host Scott Hurst! For their first outing Mackenzie and Scott are off to Westphalia to learn why this is the best of all possible worlds and to discuss the complex musical  Candide ! Hear them discuss why this musical's overture is so iconic and may even be the best part of the whole show. They breakdown the...