It takes years for a Broadway musical to hit the stage, but on OFF BOOK: The Improvised Musical, you get a brand new original musical every week! Each episode, Jessica McKenna, Zach Reino and a special guest create a new musical on the spot. Accompanied by Scott Passarella, King of Pianists, Pianist of Kings.
The following was recorded LIVE on September 18th, 2023 at the Crocodile in Seattle Washington. Join us for a classic tale of a boy band with too many boys. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
The votes are in for what you thought should be our written musical, and now it's time for us to decide if you got it right or not! For real though, this is the one where we try to narrow down the path ahead, and while we we DO do that, we also spend a not inconsiderable amount of time talking about Star Wars, and singing a particularly catchy hook. Thanks Brett, it's always wonderful to spend time having a one sided conversation with you. Thank you to those of you who came out and saw us on tou...
Some ideas are good, some ideas are less good, but all ideas find their place in the churning tempest that is THE BRAINSTORM. Zach and Jess continue their writing process for a new musical by pitching each other new musicals musicals, all of which will inevitably change one billion times (but you gotta start somewhere). Check out our socials to vote for your fav, AND, check out our west coast tour dates! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art...
We were slightly delayed by moving, Chekhov, and the novel corona virus, but we have arrived at the end of our recap! We are joined again by the incredible Jackie Reilly who finally reveals her dark work (many many pages of notes and a word cloud that exposes our innermost truths. ALSO: LIVE SHOW ANNOUNCEMENTS (https://linktr.ee/Offbook) Thank you Brett-iting for the editing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my...
The recap crew is back (Zach, Jess and shining star Jackie Reilly) to tackle Off Book Episodes 101-200, AND take a break to eat dinner and discover how many of their musical titles contain the word "Destiny." Obviously they are drinking again, and Zach tries a new summer drink hack that frankly does not work. Brett Morris, Edits More-This. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Well well well, look who's back with a brand new very very long journey of introspection? As they prepare to write a whole new SCRIPTED musical before your very ears, Zach and Jess are joined by writer, comedian, and all around rockstar Jackie Reilly as they comb through their first 100 episodes trying to figure out WHAT IT ALL MEANS. These next three are going to be very different and kinda meander-y so if that's your jam, get comfy 'cause this took us almost three hours and we're only 1/3 of t...
The hilarious Taran Killam ( Single Parents , Night School , SNL) joins Jess and Zach for "Poetry: 1959" the live new musical packed with paddle boats, Counting Crows, British accents and guitar (!!!). With songs like "I Don't Get It", "Just Float", and "Beans, Kippers and Mash" you won't get these bangers out of your head. Plus, stay til the end for a very special talk-back with the audience! This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: OFFBOOK), Lee...
Briga Heelan (Great News) stars in a monstrous new musical filled with blood, bikes, belting vocals and more. With songs like "Sunnybrooke Side of Life", "You Need Us Kids", "It's Midnight...", don't wait to Upside-download this sure-to-be-classic episode! This episode is brought to you by Leesa (www.leesa.com/OFFBOOK) and Spice Islands (www.spiceislands.com/offbook). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-in...
The amazing David Wain ( A Futile and Stupid Gesture [netflix.com] , Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later ) joins Zach and Jess on the OFF BOOK stage for a paternal school-yard musical filled with pudding cups, dodgeball, Marines and dads! With songs like "Bring Your Dad to Work Day", "Dreams in the Stars", and "Gotta Stay Caffeinated, When You're Getting Educated", you'll be trading juice boxes for more of these tunes. This episode is brought to you by Spice Islands (ww...
Musical improviser and rap champion Ross Bryant joins Zach and Jess this week for a trippy musical with David Bowie raps, cavemen, dinosaurs, aliens, and somehow SO much more. With songs like "Relic of Music", "David Bowie: An Alien For Real" and "Crack Team", your ears won't believe what planet you're on. This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: OFFBOOK), Better Help (www.betterhelp.com/OFFBOOK), and Leesa (www.leesa.com/OFFBOOK). See Privacy Pol...
Griffin Newman (The Tick, Blank Check ) returns to the OFF BOOK stage, this time in-studio!, for a new musical about cheese, cheese and more cheese! With songs like "Meet the Captain", "River of Brie" and "We Swissed You", you won't "roux" the day you heard this episode! This episode is brought to you by Better Help (www.betterhelp.com/OFFBOOK) and Audible (www.audible.com/OFFBOOK). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#d...
The Doughboys themselves, Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger, take the Off Book stage with Jess and Zach this week for a brand new musical filled with grocery store rivals, strikes, Pixar vs Dreamworks debates and more! With songs like "At The Local Ralph's", "We've Got To Strike, For Your Right, To Strike", and "Is E.T. CG?", you definitely won't quit on this show! This episode is brought to you by Better Help (www.betterhelp.com code: OFFBOOK), Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: OFFBOOK),...
Live from SF Sketchfest, it's a brand new romantic Russian musical complete with Borat impressions and special guests John Michael Higgins (Pitch Perfect, Best in Show, Great News) and Arden Myrin (Shameless, MadTV). With songs like "Look Sweet and Walk Low", "Ti-tah from Utah", and "It's Hard Being Michael Kors" you won't be low listening to these sweet tunes! This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: OFFBOOK) and Third Love (www.thirdlove.com c...
Musical improv veteran Eliza Skinner joins Zach and Jess this week for a new meet-cute musical with all the ups and downs of true love, plus a girl named Melissabeth. With songs like "Let's Be Sister Wives", "(Gotta Have) An App That's Passed", and "A House & A Man", you won't feel complicated about loving these tunes. This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: OFFBOOK) and Leesa (www.leesa.com/OFFBOOK). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac...
Podcast king Matt Gourley ( I Was There Too ) joins Zach and Jess this week for a new musical filled with pickled eggs, libations of the cocktail sort, and crime jobs. With songs like "Tingle Jingle", "Vodka & Whiskey" and "Good Times Are Forever", you'll be tipsy from hearing all these off-the-cuff hits. This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: OFFBOOK) and Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: OFFBOOK15). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and ...
The incredible Tawny Newsome joins Jess and Zach this week for a new musical that is legitimately out of this world. With songs like "It's Gossip In Space", "That Is Dragon Ball Z", and "You're Not A Robot", you'll be moonwalking and singing along to more Pokemon facts than you ever dreamed you would. This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: OFFBOOK), Leesa (www.leesa.com/OFFBOOK), Third Love (www.thirdlove.com/OFFBOOK), and Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: O...
Zeke Nicholson ( White Women ) joins Zach and Jess this week for a new maternally mutant musical! With songs like "Captain James Pilot", "This Fight Is A Mother", and "What A Stink We Made", you'll be sure to gain all the powers after listening to these completely improvised tunes. This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: OFFBOOK) and Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: OFFBOOK15). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...
Jon Gabrus ( Raised by TV) starts the 2018 OFF BOOK musical season off right with an insane new show filled with cops, mozzarella sticks, and even the birds & the bees. With songs like "Pump the Brakes", "Janette Woman" and "Just Say Yes", you won't need to put salt on these songs to add any flavor! This episode is brought to you by Leesa (www.leesa.com/OFFBOOK) and Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: OFFBOOK15). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr...
Mary Elizabeth Ellis (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Santa Clarita Diet) speeds into the OFF BOOK studio to star in the hottest new vehicular musical. With songs like "Ride or Die", "We Are the Ghosters" and "I Like It When You Call Me Papa", you won't be dragging your feet to any of these tunes! This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon, Spice Islands, Leesa, and Improv Nation by Sam Wasson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at http...
Gather around the table as Colton Dunn ( LAZER TEAM 2 , Superstore ) joins Jess and Zach for the first ever (?) Thanksgiving musical! With songs like "Take A Mallow, Make It Micro", "Green Beans", and "Chillsgiving", you'll be stuffed with so many favorite songs. Plus, stay tuned 'til the end for some tiny hot dog rhymes. ᐧ This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: OFFBOOK). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https...
This week, Ashley Ward (Baby Wants Candy) stars in this heavenly new musical filled with old and new testament fun, (plus peach AND mango margaritas!). With songs like "A Happy Day In Heaven", "I Miss The Old God" and "Purgatory Wishes", you won't go to hell for listening to these tunes too many times! This episode is brought to you by Tripping.com (www.tripping.com/OFFBOOK) and Leesa (www.leesa.com/OFFBOOK). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at h...
Lennon Parham (Playing House, Womp It Up!) joins Zach and Jess for this spoooooky vampire musical that's sure to rival Phantom of The Opera, Jekyll & Hyde, and all other scary stage productions! With songs like "The Best Time Is The Night Time", "17 Year Old Colonial Ghost Boy" and "Mole People Are My People", you'll definitely want to listen to these tunes with the house lights on! This episode is brought to you by Audible (www.audible.com/offbook) and Leesa (www.leesa....
Mo Collins (Mad TV, Parks & Rec) joins Jess & Zach this week in a race to musical glory! With bikes, sentient coats and limbs, Irish nuclear grenades, and more, this show has it all. "Helping Me Stand", "9 Kicks" and "You Never Really Know What You're Blowing" are just some of tour de force numbers in this incredible production. This episode is brought to you by Spice Islands (www.spiceislands.com/offbook). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Noti...
Tony Award nominee for Book of Mormon and current King George III in Hamilton, Rory O'Malley, takes the stage this week in the new hit musical, STRAIGHT TO BRADWAY. This truly is a theatrical production about a theatrical production! With songs like "3 True Facts About Sally Struthers", "Underpass Lovers" and "10,000 Hours (With You)", you will be very (Malcolm) Glad(well) you tuned in... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1...
Literal babbling brooks, navigational-related drama, too many siblings, talking woodland creatures and SO much more are all in this very special live edition of OFF BOOK from the Now Hear This: Podcast Festival. Starring Griffin Newman (The Tick, Blank Check Podcast) and Michael Cruz Kayne (ASSSSCAT, Baby Wants Candy) with Dan Reitz on piano! This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: OFFBOOK), Spice Islands (www.spiceislands.com/offbook), Audible (www.audible.c...
Dang dang dang.... if it isn't a guest and a title that brings us right back to where it all began. We could think of no better way to ring in episode 300 than with Off Book legend/podcast hero/hilarious wonderful man Paul F. Tompkins! Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone who has listened to and supported this show over the last 300 episodes. Whether you've been with us from the beginning or found us recently, you've been the most wonderful community anyone could hope for. We can't wait ...
The one and only Scott Aukerman (Comedy Bang! Bang!) joins Jess and Zach for a locomotive musical murder mystery! Featuring such gruesome, grim, grizzly and great songs like "I'm A Man Of Purpose", "One Free Club A Month", and "Did I Do It?", you'll be wanting your own pair of maracas to play along! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
I aaaaaaaaammmmmmmmm thrilled to announce the return of the incredible Scott Aukerman AND the legendary Paints McSpectrum in his second Off Book caper, Clueless! This rare Off Book sequel has murder, thumbs, a bunch of Jeffs, and of course a long discussion about how big canapés should be. 299 never felt so fine! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Mary Holland? She's Amazing! One of our first ever guests, the hilarious and wonderful Mary Holland is back for a family reunion tale like none other (unless some other family reunion has a legend about an old woman who turned into a dog). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
