Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast
Media & Entertainment Podcasts
Welcome to Before the Downbeat, a podcast hosted by Mackenzie and Autumn! Together they will be talking all about musicals and the cultural and societal impacts of these shows have. In each episode they cover a different show and talk about the creative team, the production history, their experiences with the material, what are their top 3 favourite songs, the songs we either would cut entirely or skip, and then we answer the big questions of should this musical be revived today & does it still have a place. All this info will provide you with the most in-depth musical knowledge! Enjoy!
Location:
Canada
Description:
Welcome to Before the Downbeat, a podcast hosted by Mackenzie and Autumn! Together they will be talking all about musicals and the cultural and societal impacts of these shows have. In each episode they cover a different show and talk about the creative team, the production history, their experiences with the material, what are their top 3 favourite songs, the songs we either would cut entirely or skip, and then we answer the big questions of should this musical be revived today & does it still have a place. All this info will provide you with the most in-depth musical knowledge! Enjoy!
Twitter:
@beforedownbeat
Language:
English
Episodes
Bonus Episode-The Cup Reviews: Showboat, San Francisco Opera
12/23/2022
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 production of the Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II musical, Showboat. Enjoy as Mackenzie and his...
Duration:01:44:25
Bonus Episode-The Cup Reviews: Oklahoma!
12/16/2022
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 and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, directed by Trevor Nunn, choreographed by Susan Stroman, and...
Duration:02:01:28
Bonus Episode-The Cup Reviews: Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical
12/9/2022
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 theatre productions and proshots of past stage productions, host artist interviews and roundtable...
Duration:02:15:03
Bonus Episode-The Cup Roundtable: Tribute to Stephen Sondheim
12/2/2022
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 theatre productions and proshots of past stage productions, host artist interviews and roundtable...
Duration:01:53:08
Cats (2019) Live Movie Musical Commentary
10/28/2022
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 which performance they feel was the best in this very mixed film.
All this and yakked up...
Duration:02:06:59
Remastered Ep.24: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
10/14/2022
This week the arts community lost a true legend Angela Lansbury at the age of 96. Her incredible 8 decade career spanned multiple forums from film to television to animation to the stage. One of Ms. Lansbury's most iconic roles was that of Mrs. Lovett in the murderous Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and this show also happens to be one our most popular season 2 episodes. So, we are honouring this great artist by releasing our Remastered version of this very...
Duration:01:47:49
Mamma Mia: The Movie Live Movie Musical Commentary
10/7/2022
In case you missed our live stream, enjoy this edited audio only version of our Live Movie Musical Commentary of 'Mamma Mia: The Movie'. Listen to Mackenzie and special guest co-host Jessica Maxwell break down the music, direction, and performances in this very financially successful movie musical. Enjoy as these two long time friends reminisce about what they doing back in summer of 2008, which was right before they met in portable 303 in the fall of 2008. Plus they debate who they'd rather...
West Side Story (1961) Live Movie Musical Commentary
9/23/2022
As you may have guessed our upcoming 5th season has had it's release slightly delayed but fear not we have some wonderful counter programming for you! We are excited to be doing more LIVE MOVIE MUSICAL COMMENTARIES with some familiar guests. In order to get yourself ready for our upcoming LIVE MOVIE MUSICAL COMMENTARIES enjoy this remastered revisit our first LIVE MOVIE MUSICAL COMMENTARY which was West Side Story (1961). Please note we did this live commentary prior to the release of the...
Duration:02:33:19
57. Grease
5/27/2022
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...
Duration:02:02:46
Grease Promo
5/20/2022
Next Friday on Before the Downbeat it's the season finale episode of Season 4! So join Autumn and Mackenzie and our theme music composer Brody Weld as they head back into the 1950s and get ready to hand jive and discuss a musical all three of them have been apart of Grease! Hear them explore whether this musical has truly captured the teenage spirit. They debate which couple is better and more well develop Sandy and Danny or Rizzo and Kenickie. Plus hear their thoughts on if the iconic film...
Duration:00:02:36
Remastered Ep.21-Hairspray
5/6/2022
Autumn and Mackenzie are still hard at work getting the big season finale episode ready for release. In the meantime enjoy a revisit of our Remastering Project. For our latest instalment, we are welcomed back to the sixties as we revisit our season 2 episode all about the Baltimore based musical Hairspray! Enjoy this reedited the episode with fixed the sound quality too!
Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links...
Duration:01:33:55
Remastered Ep.22-Camelot
4/29/2022
As Autumn and Mackenzie work to get the big season finale episode ready for release enjoy another revisit of our Remastering Project. For our latest instalment, since we just discussed My Fair Lady we decided to revisit our season 2 Lerner and Loewe episode all about the Arthurian musical Camelot! Enjoy this reedited the episode with fixed the sound quality too!
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...
Duration:01:52:38
56. My Fair Lady
4/22/2022
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...
Duration:01:28:03
My Fair Lady Promo
4/15/2022
Next Friday on Before the Downbeat it's the penultimate episode of Season 4 and Autumn is back from her directorial adventures! So join these two anglophiles as they head to Covent Garden and discuss the musical where the English learn to speak My Fair Lady! Hear these two explore the potential troublesome character of Henry Higgins and if his misogynistic views prevent this piece from continuing to be performed. They debate if Julie Andrews should have been cast as Eliza in the film version...
Duration:00:02:20
Remastered Ep.16-Chicago
4/8/2022
With Autumn currently away managing her production of Rent this week we are still on our brief hiatus and revisiting our Remastering Project. For our latest instalment, we decided to revisit the second episode from season 2 all about the musical where they both reached for the gun Chicago! Enjoy this reedited the episode with fixed the sound quality too!
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...
Duration:01:38:21
Remastered Ep.28-Rent
4/1/2022
As Autumn is away opening her production of Rent this week we are taking a brief hiatus and revisiting our Remastering Project. For our latest instalment we felt it was quite fitting to revisit our season 2 finale episode which is none other the bohemian musical Rent! Enjoy this reedited the episode with fixed the sound quality too!
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...
Duration:01:41:25
55. Legally Blonde
3/25/2022
This Friday on Before the Downbeat Jessica and Mackenzie are perfecting their bend and snap as they cross examine and discuss the pink and blonde musical Legally Blonde! Hear them deep dive into court room proceedings and debate if certain trial songs are necessary. They converse about the role the Greek Chorus plays in the musical and if they are necessary. Plus find out which song Jessica has had a turn of heart on. All of this and a package from Kyle the UPS guy in this all new episode!...
Duration:01:34:51
Legally Blonde Promo
3/18/2022
Next Friday on Before the Downbeat Autumn is away directing a production of Rent so Mackenzie and returning guest cohost Jessica Maxwell head to Harvard Law School and discuss the energetic and wholesome musical Legally Blonde! Hear these two long time friends deep dive into the challenges of properly playing character of Elle Woods. They attempt to figure out why this musical was more successful in the West End than on Broadway. Plus hear them pitch new songs ideas including one for the...
Duration:00:00:35
54. The King and I
3/11/2022
This Friday on Before the Downbeat Autumn and Mackenzie are in a puzzlement as they discuss the complicated musical The King and I! Hear them deep dive into the complexities of the character of The King. They converse about how the issues coming together and finding common understanding are even more resonate today. Plus they debate about the iconic dance number 'Shall We Dance'. All of this while they whistle a happy tune in this all new episode! Don't forget to leave us a review and share...
Duration:01:51:17
The King and I Promo
3/4/2022
Next Friday on Before the Downbeat Autumn and Mackenzie are heading into the East and back into the Rodgers and Hammerstein canon to discuss musical The King and I! Hear these two discuss the complexities of this piece from how it was adapted to the controversial casting ideas for the role of the King to how this musical depicts the Asian culture. They debate whether the social messages in this musical are strong and told well enough to warrant the show being revived again. Plus, hear about...
Duration:00:02:17