
Off Book: The Improvised Musical
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.
Latest episodes

Oct 24, 2023 • 1h 16min
307. LIVE from Mississippi Studios: 2005
The following was recored live 9-19-2023 at Mississippi Studios in Portland Oregon. This was the 2nd of two shows played last night (we're still hunting down the first.) Join a bunch of teens and they teen their way through Disneyland Grad night in the year....2005.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 17, 2023 • 1h 21min
306. LIVE from the Crocodile: Music for Roo!
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.

Sep 26, 2023 • 51min
305. ON BOOK: The Narrowing
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 tour! The next few episodes will be those live shows. GET. PUMPED. (They were a blast.)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 12, 2023 • 1h 4min
304. ON BOOK: The Gathering Brainstorm
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://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 22, 2023 • 2h 37min
303. ON BOOK: Journey to the Center of the Word Cloud (episodes 201-300)
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-info.

Aug 1, 2023 • 2h 3min
302. ON BOOK: Dinner and Drinks (episodes 101-200)
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.

Jul 25, 2023 • 2h 56min
301. ON BOOK: The Scripted Musical Process (episodes 1-100)
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 the way through. Also, we did make Brett edit it because he's the best and it turns out his job is actually very hard. Okay love you byeeeee!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 18, 2023 • 1h 21min
62. Live from Dynasty Typewriter (w/ Taran Killam)
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), Leesa (www.leesa.com/offbook code: OFFBOOK), and Amazon Prime Channels (www.tryprimechannels.com/offbook).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 18, 2023 • 1h 9min
42. Stranger Sings (w/ Briga Heelan)
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-info.

Jul 18, 2023 • 1h 10min
35. Bring Your Dad to Work Day and the Place That You Work Is A School (w/ David Wain)
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 (www.spiceislands.com/offbook), Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: OFFBOOK), and Third Love (www.thirdlove.com/OFFBOOK).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.