This Friday on Before the Downbeat Autumn and Mackenzie head to the Ed Sullivan Show as they discuss the 'Rosie' musical Bye Bye Birdie! Hear them deep dive into the cyclical cycle of generational conflict this musical presents. They converse about Albert' mother issues. Plus they explore how and if this musical can be modernized.

All of this and a teaching position in Pumpkin Falls in this all new episode!

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Next Friday on Before the Downbeat Autumn and Mackenzie the classic rock and roll musical Bye Bye Birdie! Hear these two reminisce about their time performing in this Americana musical. They debate if this musical can be adapted for modern day or if this piece has to remain set in the past. Plus, Autumn gives her thoughts on if Conrad Birdie is guilty of the crime he's accused of at the end of the musical .

All of this and an english teacher's wife on next Friday's all new episode!

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This Friday on Before the Downbeat Autumn and Mackenzie head to couples therapy for a tumultuous session where they break down Jason Robert Brown musical The Last Five Years! Hear Autumn make the case for why Jamie's cheating is not as bad as Mackenzie thinks it is. They converse about whether this musical is better than Brown's earlier musical 'Parade'. Plus they give their thoughts on the legal battle that surround this musical.

All of this as they are climbing up hill in this all new episode!

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Next Friday on Before the Downbeat Autumn and Mackenzie head back into the musical canon of Jason Robert Brown to discuss his two hander, relationship ending musical The Last Five Years! Hear these two breakdown breakdown the relationship of Jamie and Cathy and they try to see who is to blame for the ultimate ending of this marriage (spoiler alert). They debate if this musical is simply a therapy piece for Jason Robert Brown or if this musical is able to stand on it's own beyond its initial inspiration. Plus, hear all about Autumn's experiences directing this musical.

All of this and a theatrical summer in Ohio on next Friday's all new episode!

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This Friday on Before the Downbeat Autumn and Mackenzie grab their band instruments and put on their uniforms with a gold stripe as they discuss the classic small town musical  The Music Man! Hear Mackenzie attempt to summarize the entire production history as it's  outlined in Meredith Wilson's own retelling in his book, "But He Doesn't Know the Territory". They converse about why this musical beat its 1957 revival "West Side Story" and how this musical influenced modern musicals such as "Hamilton". Plus find out which role Autumn auditioned for when she first performed in this musical.

All of this and some dirty books by Chaucer, Rabelais, Balzac on this Friday's all new episode!

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Next Friday on Before the Downbeat we tackle our first musical of the new year after doing two fantastic film reviews. The musicals in question is none other than the quintessential Americana musical with 76 Trombones, a troublesome pool table, an anvil salesman, and boy with a lisp The Music Man! Hear Autumn and Mackenzie breakdown the character of Harold Hill and find out if they still feel this con salesman is still the heroic protagonist everyone views him as. They heavily debate the song "The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl" and find out if they also buy into the fan theory that Marian is actually Winthrops mother.

All of this and some Iowa stubbornness on next Friday's all new episode!

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Head to the West Side of 1950s New York City and enjoy the long awaited and highly requested special review episode of the Spielberg movie musical West Side Story! Autumn and Mackenzie discuss various topics from their thoughts on Tony Kushner's script and his adaptation of the source material, to how this film compares with its 1961 Best Picture predecessor, and discover which song surprisingly makes Autumn's top 3 song list.

All of this and some juvenile delinquency on this Friday's all new episode!

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This week on Before the Downbeat Mackenzie and returning guest cohost Jessica Maxwell head to the Moondance Diner and review hit Netflix movie musical to hit the big screen Tick, Tick... Boom!. Hear these two long time friends give their thoughts on Andrew Garfield's portrayal of Jonathan Larson and his award chances, they reveal their favourite Broadway performer cameo and they debate which movie musical is better between this and the new West Side Story.

All of this plus a heartfelt voicemail from Stephen Sondheim!

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This Friday on Before the Downbeat it is our 50th episode and to mark this special occasion and the return of Autumn Smith we are heading to the masquerade ball and dropping the chandelier as we discuss the romantic and gothic horror musical  The Phantom of the Opera! Hear these two friends debate which gentleman suitor Christine should choose. They converse about who their favourite Phantom is and what has made this character so appealing particularly to female audience members. Plus find out which iconic number from the show made the top of the skip/cut list for both Autumn and Mackenzie.

All of this and some unwanted notes from the Opera Ghost on this Friday's extra special all new episode!

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Next Friday on Before the Downbeat it is our 50th episode and wonderful Autumn Smith makes her grand return! To celebrate that we are tackling one of the biggest and most popular musicals of all time The Phantom of the Opera! Hear these two friends deep dive into the 30+ year production history. They put the Phantom on trial for the murder of chief stagehand Joseph Buquet and they heavily debate whether the Phantom in general deserves the amount of sympathy and loving attention he receives from fans. Plus hear all about Autumns experience seeing the original Broadway production with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.

All of this and shattered chandelier on next Friday's all new episode!

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