Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  it's the oldest established, permanent floating, Crap game in New York and our latest episode all about  Guys and Dolls ! Hear Maris and Mackenzie discuss why this musical is so beloved after all these years. hey debate whether Miss Adelaide was right to wait for Nathan Detroit. Plus find out why the character of Nathan has so few songs. All of this and a b...

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 th...

Next Friday on  Before the Downbeat  it's the long awaited premiere season episode of Season 5! So join the inaugural outing of this new pairing of Maris and Mackenzie. Together they head into world of 1970s New York and step up to The Line to discuss A Chorus Line ! Hear them reminisce about their experiences in the audition room. They debate if the right dancers got picked by the end of the...

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 Twit...

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...

Enjoy our next instalment in our 'Schmigadoon!' review miniseries. Join Mackenzie has dives deeper into the now rebranded world of 'Schmicago!'. In this episode he explores how this finale sets up the next decade of musical homages. Mackenzie also reveals the musical connections to Dreamgirls and the Muppets. Plus he debates whether the murder trial plot line from earlier this seas...

Enjoy our next instalment in our 'Schmigadoon!' review miniseries. Join Mackenzie has dives deeper into the now rebranded world of 'Schmicago!'. In this episode he explores Jesus Christ Superstar easter eggs found in the big number of the episode 'Famous As Hell'. Mackenzie also reveals the double homage behind the line 'a sour macaroon'. Plus he debates whether giv...

Enjoy our next instalment in our 'Schmigadoon!' review miniseries. Join Mackenzie has dives deeper into the now rebranded world of 'Schmicago!'. In this episode he explores the plethora of hidden easter eggs found in the big number of the episode 'Are You Good Enough to Eat?'. Mackenzie also reveals the subtle homage to the 1964 musical romantic film, 'The Umbrellas of...

Enjoy our next instalment in our 'Schmigadoon!' review miniseries. Join Mackenzie has dives deeper into the now rebranded world of 'Schmicago!'. In this episode he explores how Bobby's big courtroom number is not only a master class in showmanship but also reveals Bobby is very well verses in the law and earns her credit as the best lawyer in town. Mackenzie also reveals how on...

Enjoy our next instalment in our 'Schmigadoon!' review miniseries. Join Mackenzie has dives deeper into the now rebranded world of 'Schmicago!'. He explores the historical context and influence behind the concept of the doorway to where. Plus how the big hit number 'Bustin' Out' reflects how the songs of the 70s worked around the lack of straightforwardly entertaining n...

Brought back by popular demand enjoy our returning mini-review series all about the hit and Emmy award winning musical tv show 'Schmigadoon!'. Join Mackenzie once again as he dives back into this series which has now rebranded to 'Schmicago!' and has evolved to reflect the musicals of the late 60s and 70s. He provides a breaks down to the various connections and easter eggs between...

In case you missed our live stream, enjoy this edited audio only version of our Live Movie Musical Commentary of 'The Greatest Showman'. Listen to Mackenzie and special guest co-host Jamie Knox break down the music, direction, and performances in this surprise smash hit movie musical. Enjoy as these two friends from Stratford Shakespeare School discuss where the line is for historical accu...

In case you missed our live stream, enjoy this edited audio only version of our Live Movie Musical Commentary of 'Chicago'. Listen to Mackenzie and special guest co-host Jessica Maxwell break down the adaptation, direction, and performances in this best picture winning movie musical. Enjoy as these two long time friends discuss their opinions on some of the alternative casting choices, the...

Yesterday (Thursday March 9th, 2023) the legendary performer of stage and screen Chaim Topol passed away at the age of 87. He is best known for his portrayal of the poor milkman Tevye in the musical Fiddler on the Roof. He portrayed this role on stage more than 3,500 times from 1967 through 2009 and to critical acclaim on the big screen in the 1971 film adaptation. So, in honour of Topol's greates...

In case you missed our live stream, enjoy this edited audio only version of our Live Movie Musical Commentary of 'Little Shop of Horrors'. Listen to Mackenzie and special guest co-host Jillian Robinson break down the adaptation, direction, and performances in this horticultural movie musical. Enjoy as these two friends discuss how this film explores the concept of class, the two endings of the fil...

Work on season 5 continues and we promise it will be out in early 2023. But in the meantime, for the next few works we have something special. Enjoy listening to some of the musical themed episodes of 'The Cup' which are from our host and producer Mackenzie's other theatrical venture, Cup of Hemlock Theatre. For this week we have a Duet Review of Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen, Daniel Raim’s...

Work on season 5 continues and we promise it will be out in early 2023. But in the meantime, for the next few works we have something special. Enjoy listening to some of the musical themed episodes of 'The Cup' which are from our host and producer Mackenzie's other theatrical venture, Cup of Hemlock Theatre. For this week we have a Duet Review of Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles, the 2019 documentar...

In case you missed our live stream, enjoy part 2 of this edited audio only version of our Live Movie Musical Commentary of 'Fiddler on the Roof '. Enjoy the conclusion to Mackenzie and special guest co-host Ryan Borochovitz's deep dive into the world of Anatevka. They enter the age old debate about Tevye's choice to exile his daughter Chava. Plus hear them converse about if they believe Tevye and...

In case you missed our live stream, enjoy part 1 of this edited audio only version of our Live Movie Musical Commentary of 'Fiddler on the Roof '. Enjoy as Mackenzie and special guest co-host Ryan Borochovitz return for a third time to Anatevka after their reviews of the documentaries 'Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles' and 'Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen' over on their other venture 'The Cup'....

Work on season 5 continues and we promise it will be out in early 2023. But in the meantime, for the next few works we have something special. Enjoy listening to some of the musical themed episodes of 'The Cup' which are from our host and producer Mackenzie's other theatrical venture, Cup of Hemlock Theatre. For this week we have a Duet Review of Netflix’s recently released pro-shot of Diana: The...

Work on season 5 continues and we promise it will be out in early 2023. But in the meantime, for the next few works we have something special. Enjoy listening to some of the musical themed episodes of 'The Cup' which are from our host and producer Mackenzie's other theatrical venture, Cup of Hemlock Theatre. For this week we have Review episode where we cover the 2014 San Francisco Opera's product...

Work on season 5 continues and we promise it will be out in early 2023. But in the meantime, for the next few works we have something special. Enjoy listening to some of the musical themed episodes of 'The Cup' which are from our host and producer Mackenzie's other theatrical venture, Cup of Hemlock Theatre. For this week we have Review episode where we cover the 1998 West End revival of Rogers an...

Work on season 5 continues and we promise it will be out in early 2023. But in the meantime, for the next few works we have something special. As you may know our Co-Host Mackenzie is the Co-Artistic Producer of another virtual theatrical venture, Cup of Hemlock Theatre which hosts a weekly online show 'The Cup'. On 'The Cup' Mackenzie and his fellow team members dive into and review both live the...

Work on season 5 continues and we promise it will be out in early 2023. But in the meantime, for the next few works we have something special. As you may know our Co-Host Mackenzie is the Co-Artistic Producer of another virtual theatrical venture, Cup of Hemlock Theatre which hosts a weekly online show 'The Cup'. On 'The Cup' Mackenzie and his fellow team members dive into and review both live the...

In case you missed our live stream, enjoy this edited audio only version of our Live Movie Musical Commentary of 'Cats (2019)'. Listen to Mackenzie and special guest co-host Jillian Robinson break down the adaptation, direction, and performances in this very divisive movie musical. Enjoy as these two friends debate whether the reworking of the film's limited plot works. Plus they try to determine...