Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast

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 professi...

This week on Tuesday January 30th the theatre community lost two very important and influential members Chita Rivera & Hinton Battle. Today we turn our focus to Ms. Rivera who was not only a multi awarding artists (including two Tony Awards for Best Lead Actress in a Musical, the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Tony Award, two Drama Desk Awards, a Drama League Award, and the Presidential Medal of Fr...

This week on Tuesday January 30th the theatre community lost two very important and influential members Chita Rivera and Hinton Battle. So to honour both these trailblazers we here at Before the Downbeat will be releasing remastered tribute episodes of musicals they were heavily involved in. For today we turn our focus to Mr. Battle who was not only an incredible dancer but also a 3 time Tony Awar...

This week we lost a truly great film director and Canadian cinema icon Norman Jewison. He has a long history of working on music videos and movie musicals including Fiddler on the Roof and Jesus Christ Superstar. Beyond his musical work he also directed many notable and award winning films including 'In the Heat of the Night' and 'Moonstruck'. So in honour of his passing we are rev...

Enjoy the final episode the first season of our review miniseries of the musical tv show 'Galavant'! Join Mackenzie and the Cup of Hemlocks Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz as they head off on a secret mission and discover some Shakespearian connections in this episode. They give their final ranking of all the episodes this season. Plus they explore the softer side of Gareth and how e...

Enjoy the latest episode of our review miniseries of the musical tv show 'Galavant'! Join Mackenzie and the Cup of Hemlocks Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz as they select a champion to fight to the death for them. They breakdown whether the backstory for Gal shown in this episode lines up with his character we've seen so far. They explore how this episode might have been extended...

Ho, ho, ho everyone! Just want to share a brief message to say thank you to all you wonderful loyal listeners for such a terrific year. We hope you have enjoyed our bonus episode content like our Schmigadoon and Galavant review series and our first 7 episodes of season 5. We cannot wait to share the new episodes of season 5 with you in the new year and all the other amazing content we have lined u...

Enjoy the latest episode of our review miniseries of the musical tv show 'Galavant'! Join Mackenzie and the Cup of Hemlocks Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz as they take some xanax and dive into some repressed childhood memories. They breakdown the complex love coupling of Gal and Madalena. They explore all the fun jabs Menken and Slater take a traditional musical love duets. Plus fin...

Enjoy the latest episode of our review miniseries of the musical tv show 'Galavant'! Join Mackenzie and the Cup of Hemlocks Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz as they go completely Mad...Alena for this episode. They breakdown the slightly jumbled plot of this episode and try to figure out why it doesn't quite work. They explore the cute yet also surprising dark relationship of Chef...

Enjoy the latest episode of our review miniseries of the musical tv show 'Galavant'! Join Mackenzie and the Cup of Hemlocks Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz as they break out some comedy gold. They breakdown the various comedy routines that Richard and the jester Steve explore in their titular duet. They debate whether the joke of showing Isabella's under garments is dated. Plus f...

Enjoy the latest episode of our review miniseries of the musical tv show 'Galavant'! Join Mackenzie and the Cup of Hemlocks Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz as they head out and celebrate two balls. They breakdown the Fiddler on the Roof connections that are found in this episode. They explore if the episodic nature of the past two episodes works or if these episodes should have been...

As we prepare to release the last 7 episodes of season 5 we are bringing you our next review miniseries which is all about the musical tv show 'Galavant'! Join Mackenzie and the Cup of Hemlocks Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz as they join a jousting contest. They breakdown the first of many surprise star cameo appearances this series will feature. They explore their complex feelings...

As we prepare to release the last 7 episodes of season 5 we are bringing you our next review miniseries which is all about the musical tv show 'Galavant'! Join Mackenzie and the Cup of Hemlocks Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz has they begin their journey into this musical comedy. They breakdown the surprising plot twists of the episode. All the musical easter eggs that Alan Menken le...

As we prepare to introduce you to our other permanent cohost and put the final touches on the back 7 episodes of season 5 we have special treat for you! Starting this Friday it's a huzzah and tally-ho as  @mackenzie_horner  and  @cohtheatre 's Ryan Borochovitz attend the tale of Galavant! Join these two as they do a deep dive into this underrated gem of a tv musical show. They break down t...

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 d...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  Mackenzie and Maris are breaking out their tap shoes and shuffling off to Buffalo to discuss the musical  42nd Street ! Hear them discuss their love for tap dancing. They breakdown and give their thoughts on producer David Merrick's unconventional publicity practices. Plus find out which character Maris portrayed when she performed in this nostalgic musical...

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...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  Mackenzie and Maris are heading to Italy to step behind the film camera to discuss the musical  Nine ! Hear them discuss how they think this musical balances having a large female cast countered by the fact the musical is told predominantly from the male gaze. They discuss which songs that were cut from the movie musical should have been included. Plus find out...

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 h...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  Mackenzie and Maris are breaking out their bibles and heading into the Book of Genesis to discuss the musical  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ! Hear them discuss what most performers who portray Joseph miss about the role. They discuss whether they prefer to have a male or female performer in the role of the Narrator. Plus find out if they are exc...

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 a...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  Mackenzie and Maris return to the Sondheim canon to discuss the musical  Gypsy ! Hear them analyze the character of Rose and why she is such a coveted role in the musical theatre canon. They discuss the reconciliation ending of the show and if it's necessary for the piece. Plus find out which actress Maris and Mackenzie think was the best Rose. All of this...

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 th...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  it's a jolly holiday as Mackenzie and Maris head over to 17 Cherry Tree Lane to discuss the musical  Mary Poppins ! Hear Maris discuss her personal history growing up in the U.K. with this famous literary character. They break down the differences between this musical adaption and the award winning film and debate if all the changes were for the best. Plus...

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 f...