Want an inside look at how musicals are written? Join Denver and Brian on this weekly podcast that documents the creation of a 45-minute musical from scratch. If you’re a teacher, actor, director, writer, or just a fan of Broadway musical theatre - subscribe and join the fun! New episodes released every Tuesday. Produced by Beat by Beat Press, the world’s fastest growing publisher of new musicals for young actors (www.bbbpress.com).
EP 27: Studio Recordings and Publication
Listen to the final studio recordings of PRESS START as Denver and Brian narrate the last chapter of creating this original musical.
1/6/2016 • 51 minutes, 49 seconds
EP 26: LIVE Full Read-Through of PRESS START!
Listen to Denver and Brian read and sing through the entire 45-minute first draft of PRESS START!
9/29/2015 • 53 minutes, 21 seconds
EP 25: Script Adjustments Before First Read-Through
Brian and Denver prepare the script for a full live read-through to be published next week!
9/18/2015 • 19 minutes, 19 seconds
EP 24: The Hero Song and Sidekick Song
Brian and Denver are back with completed drafts of the hero song and the sidekick song.
8/11/2015 • 21 minutes, 1 second
Baby Update
Brian gives an update on the reason for the brief hiatus.
7/22/2015 • 1 minute, 7 seconds
EP 23: 8-Bit Opening Number Goodness
Listen to a draft of the opening number orchestrated with 8-bit synthesizers, plus Brian and Denver chat about updates they've been making throughout the script.
7/7/2015 • 20 minutes, 37 seconds
EP 22: First Draft? Done.
Brian and Denver talk through some news scenes as they complete the first draft of the show.
6/30/2015 • 23 minutes, 57 seconds
EP 21: Update on Script Work
Revising Scene 2, adding a new character, and fleshing out Off-Camera Moment #3.
6/24/2015 • 13 minutes, 3 seconds
EP 20: Working Out Scene 2
Working out the new Scene 2 in which the characters come up with the idea to put on a musical fundraiser.
6/16/2015 • 16 minutes, 7 seconds
EP 19: Let's Talk About "Tut, Tut!"
Denver chats about another musical in development at Beat by Beat, TUT, TUT!, plays some exclusive musical clips from the show.
6/10/2015 • 13 minutes, 37 seconds
EP 18: Short Update on Script Work
Denver gives an update on a new show element and a small adjustment to Toadstool's heroic moment.
6/2/2015 • 9 minutes, 27 seconds
EP 17: Rewrite, Rewrite, Rewrite
Inspired by Red Nose Day, Denver and Brian rewrite the outline and clarify the message of the show.
5/26/2015 • 30 minutes, 45 seconds
EP 16: The Heroes' First Number
Brian and Denver talk through their process of creating the first hero song.
5/19/2015 • 21 minutes, 9 seconds
EP 15: The Villain Song and New Sidekicks
Listen to the first draft of the Villain Song and the new Sidekick characters. Plus, writer's block!
5/12/2015 • 19 minutes, 25 seconds
EP 14: A New Opening Number
Listen to a live performance of the complete opening number by Denver and Brian. Plus a chat about all 18 characters in the show, and writer's block!
5/5/2015 • 24 minutes, 25 seconds
EP 13: Pop Music vs. Musical Theatre - What Happened?
Denver and Brian explore how and why musical theatre left the mainstream music scene, plus Denver's experience in Nashville. And how much do lyrics really matter?
4/28/2015 • 23 minutes, 48 seconds
EP 12: The Pac Man Song
Listen to the Pac Man song grow from a few rough lyrics to a full 8-bit vocal recording. Plus a comedy monologue for Karate Guy/Girl.
4/21/2015 • 23 minutes, 2 seconds
EP 11: Pitching the Show to Hollywood Producer Jason Koffeman
Writer and Producer Jason Koffeman listens to Denver and Brian pitch the show so far, gives notes on the outline, and chats about common pitfalls for writers and the importance of respecting the craft.
4/14/2015 • 35 minutes, 18 seconds
EP 10: Deus Ex Machina (say what?)
Listen to a draft of the new opening number, discover how Denver and Brian deal with the deus ex machina (contrived plot device), find out how our video game chararacters struggle in staying relevant and help pick the show's title.
4/7/2015 • 21 minutes, 10 seconds
EP 09: Interview with Writer & Lyricist Betina Hershey
Denver chats with writer and lyricist Betina Hershey about her start as a musical theatre performer, the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, and her process of writing lyrics.
3/31/2015 • 30 minutes, 55 seconds
EP 08: The Hero Complex and Yes Music Matters
Denver and Brian dig deep into the real reason the heroes need these rings to play on. They also play a full 8-bit version of the Toadstool song, and demonstrate the importance of music in conveying the specific emotion of a character. Finally they give a short preview of the opening number, plus writer's block!
3/24/2015 • 22 minutes, 43 seconds
EP 07: Scenes 1 to 15 plus a Performance of “The Final Level”
A complete scene outline of the show so far, a full performance of the climactic song “The Final Level”, plus Writer’s Block! Also, Denver and Brian announce the winner of the Production Kit Giveaway!
3/17/2015 • 21 minutes, 10 seconds
EP 06: Writing an "I Want" Song and Musical Theatre Lyrics plus New Scenes
Listen to two versions of the protagonists' "I Want" song and give your feedback on which you like best! Plus Denver and Brian chat in detail about writing musical theatre lyrics, plus a preview of a couple new scenes.
Let's Make A Musical is a podcast for fans of musical theatre, musicals and Broadway. Produced by Beat by Beat Press (www.bbbpress.com).
3/10/2015 • 23 minutes, 20 seconds
EP 05: Scene Breakdown and Video Game Music
The musical continues to evolve as Denver and Brian flesh out the first 8 scenes, plus a short chat about what makes video game music unique. And writer’s block!
3/3/2015 • 22 minutes, 38 seconds
EP 04: Creating a Protagonist and Writing for Young Actors
Denver and Brian flesh out the Toadstool character, plus how to write for young actors.
Let's Make A Musical is a podcast for fans of musical theatre, musicals and Broadway. Produced by Beat by Beat Press (www.bbbpress.com).
2/24/2015 • 22 minutes, 5 seconds
EP 03: 8-bit Music, More Characters and Structure
Brian drives the bus on this episode as he and Denver give you a preview of the 8-bit music style they're going for, chat about characters and the overall structure.
Let's Make A Musical is a podcast for fans of musical theatre, musicals and Broadway. Produced by Beat by Beat Press (www.bbbpress.com).
2/15/2015 • 21 minutes, 13 seconds
EP 02: Song Ideas, Opening Number and Subplot
In their quest to create a new musical called "Press Start", Denver and Brian chat about fun potential song moments, the opening number, and a potential subplot. Plus, some Broadway trivia facts and a new segment called "Writer's Block"!
Let's Make A Musical is a podcast for fans of musical theatre, musicals and Broadway.. Produced by Beat by Beat Press (www.bbbpress.com).
2/15/2015 • 22 minutes, 25 seconds
EP 01: What should we write about?
Welcome! In this first episode Denver and Brian talk about how they came up with the idea of their new musical, and what this podcast is all about.
Let's Make A Musical is a podcast for fans of musical theatre, musicals and Broadway. Produced by Beat by Beat Press (www.bbbpress.com).
