Off Book: The Improvised Musical

The following was recorded LIVE at The Heights Theater in Houston TX on April 4th 2026. It features New York legend Eric Gersen on the keys and Houston's own Mary Eck on the drums. What makes art good? What makes a dance perfect? What was Elton John always meant to do!? These questions and more will be answered! Houston, we do NOT have a problem, and big shout out to the astronauts we met after the show. Ya'll were very cool. Wanna be cool too? Check out our movie at MockTrialTheMovie.com, get tickets to see us live at OffBookLive...

A guest podcast has entered the feed! Zach and Jess did a musical episode of the incredible Erin Whitehead and Seth Morris' podcast "College Town" and now it's here JUST FOR YOU!

And It Was Called Jello: Don’t ghost us this week, Kevin, have we got a show for you: Beebo and Jan chat… and SING? Joined by poetry student Kaylee Ryan Everheart (Jessica McKenna) and Mammet Valley legend Darien Chance (Zach Reino), hear songs about stunningly hot ghosts, rat tail wishes, living in the slash, mine shaft collapses, memory lapses and more!

The following was our SECOND show recorded LIVE at the Paramount Theater in Austin, TX on April 9th. It once again features the amazing Eric Gersen on keys and Marty Eck on the drums! What is a toy by something that lets you see reality in a whole new way? And what is reality but a fragile veneer waiting to be shattered by a young boy. This ones got four walls, fourteen people, and the smell of fish. We could explain it more, but it wouldn't help. But YOU can help us support the show by getting tour tickets...

The following was recorded LIVE at the Paramount Theater in Austin, TX on April 8th. It features the incredible Eric Gersen on keys and Marty Eck on the drums! They say you can never go home again. We know exactly what that means, and you will too after listening to this show. Check out OffBookLlive.com to get tickets to the rest of our 2026 tour, and check out OffBookClubhouse.com to support the show and get access to our video archive.

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The following was recoded live at San Fransisco Sketchfest at the Palace of Fine Arts on January 25th 2026. We’ve got the whole fam band on this one (Scott Passarella on Keys, Brett Morris on Guitar, and Dana Wickens on Drums!) This one is about brothers, cheese making, calculus, and the difference between dreams and careers. It also contains one tiny audio glitch during a sexy library song, but such is the will of the audio Gods.

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte NC on December 7th 2025, and features genius musicians Eric Gersen (keys) and Ross Montsinger (Drums)! Prepare to throw away everything you think you know about Costco, as we delve into secrets we dare not ever write in this episode description. Wanna see us on tour? Get tickets at OffBookLive.com! Wanna support the show and get access to ad free episodes and our video archive? Check out OffBookClubhouse.com!

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The following was recorded LIVE in Atlanta on December 6th 2025 and features the astonishing skills of genius musicians Eric Gersen (keys) and Ross Montsinger (drums). How did the people of the past want to be remembered? Well we can tell you with 100% accuracy because of a stone we found we with writing on it. This ones got moat diggers, the moat digger's wives, knights, the knight's squires, and SO much more! Wanna see us live? Get tickets at OffBookLive.com! Wanna support the show? Get access to ad free episodes, and our video archive at OffBookClubhouse.com

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Straz center in Tampa, FL on December 5th 2025. It features brilliant duo of Eric Gersen on keys and Taisha Perez on drums. Ghosts, Crows, a hospital staff of varying levels of competency, this one has it all! We think you should give it a listen, but we’re not gonna tell you what to do. After all, life is too short (T.Y.D.A.Y.H.W.Y.D.S.M.S.T.Y.L.W.Y.D). Wanna support the show? Get access to ad free episodes and our video ar...

The following was recorded LIVE at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando FL on Dec 4th, 2025. It features the incredible combined powers of Eric Gersen on keys and Taisha Perez on drums. This one is spoiler-able so all I'll say is It's so so important to have good communication in a marriage, and sometimes it's equally important to know what your partners favorite kind of chip is. Wanna support the show? Check out OffBookClubhouse.com for ad free episodes and our video archive. Wanna see us on tour? Check out OffbookLive.com!

See...

The following was recorded LIVE at the Wilbur Theater in Boston, MA on November 23rd 2025. It features King of Pianists (Pianist of Kings) Scott Passarella on the keys, and drum legend Dave Byer, being legendary on the drums. For legal reasons, this episode is NOT officially sponsored by or affiliated with Liquid Death, but that's only because they haven't reached out yet. We are waiting by the phone Liquid Death, make it happen. This one has hockey and we actually don't wanna say any more about it, lest SPOILERS. Support the show and get access to our video archive...

The following was recorded LIVE at the La Maison Theatre in Montreal QC on November 22nd 2025, and features the brilliant international combo of Scott Passarella on keys and Ainsley McNeaney on drums! This one takes place at a cartography school, obviously. There is a lot we COULD tell you about it but all you really need to know is we speak perfect French throughout and also there's a parapet. The other thing you need to know is we're going on tour again! Get your tickets at OffBookLive.com. Wanna support the show? Check out OffBookClubhouse.com for our ad f...

The following was recorded LIVE in Toronto Ontario on November 21st 2025 and features K.O.P.P.O.K. Scott Passarella on keys and the legendary Sarah Mullins on drums. Sometimes you have to put your son on a boat and send him out into the world without a name and just hope that he will assemble a crew of friends to help him learn and grow. This is one of those times. Wanna support the show? Join us at OffBookClubhouse.com for ad free listening and our video archive! Upcoming tour dates/tickets at offbooklive.com

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Bellhouse in Brooklyn NY on November 20th 2025. It' features the divine talents of Scott Passarella (KOPPOK) on the keys, and our guardian drum angel Max Ash on said drums. Sometimes you get in a taxi cab and your life changes forever. This is one of those times. Wanna support the show? Join us at Offbookclubhouse.com for ad free episodes and our video archive! Upcoming tour dates at offbooklive.com.

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The following was recorded LIVE at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC on November 19th, 2025. It features the brilliant dynamic duo of Scott Passarella on the keys and New York's own Max Ash on the drums. The rivalry between band kids and choir kids is as old as time. Can they ever get along, or will limited arts funding tear them apart? What does it take to be a principal? What's the difference between a stem and a trunk? All these questions AND MORE will be answered! For 2026 Tour dates check our OffBookLive.com! For ad free episodes, our video...

The following was recorded LIVE at the W.O.W. Hall in Eugene OR on November 3rd 2025, and is accompanied by the incomparable Scott Passarella (Keys) and the also incomparable Kyle Stebbins (Drums.) This one's got all the classics: A girl too smart for her town, a town willing to pull off an elaborate prank to help to help her, tech decks, theater romance, and of course, breaking and entering. For video of this and many many other live shows (and ad free listening) consider supporting the show at OffBookCluhbouse.com!

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Lodge Room in Los Angeles on December 16th 2025, and is the NINTH annual Off Book Holiday Spectacular! It features the entire fam band (Scott Passarella, Brett Morris, and Dana Wickens) and as per tradition welcomes the return of our incredible friends Paul F Tompkins and Nicole Parker! Join us as we embark on a nautical holiday tale of whales, candles, feminism, and that pinocchio island where people "do sin." Top it off with "The 12 Days of Sandwich" and you've got yourself a show. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to...

The following was recorded LIVE at the Neptune theater in Seattle on 11-2-25. It features the incredible Scott Passarella on keys and the incomparable Jonathon Wood on drums. This is certainly the most Seattle musical we've ever done and MAYBE the most Seattle musical of all time? It's tale of lumberjacks, love, cider, dreams, and a legendary track from 2011.

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The following was recored LIVE at Revolution Hall in Portland on Nov 1st 2025. It features the incredible music wizardry of Scott Passarella on keys and Kyle Stebbins on drums! This one has hot monsters, greek gods, and despite all odds, MATH. We're still on this tour (depending on when you're reading this.) Get tickets to upcoming live shows AND our live-streamed holiday special at OffBookLive.com!

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix AZ on October 3rd 2025. It features the incredible Scott Passarella on the keys and the also incredible Davy Paul on the drums! This one is about a big house, a storm, growing up, and facing your fears (specifically if your fear is "birds".) Birds. How many are there? Where are they? Will they "do a dinosaur?" Find out these answers AND MORE! Want to see us live? Get tickets at OffBookLive.com!

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Globe Iron in Cleveland on September 10th 2025. It features geniuses Eric Gersen and Jack Harris on keys and drums respectively. Boats, Shakespeare, disregard for a certain giant corporation's IP, this one has it all! Wanna see us live? Get tickets at OffBookLive.com!

NOTE: Due to some technical difficulties the audio quality of this recording is not up to our usual standard, but the show was so fun we wanted to give people a chance to hear it anyway.

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The following was recorded LIVE at the City Winery in St. Louis on September 9th 2025 as the fist show of the Up and Autumn tour! It features Key Change King Eric Gersen on keys, and the incredible Des Jones on drums.In this one a couple goes to a campsite and their lives are changed forever. Are you brave enough to learn the truth? Will you remember it if you do? WE’RE STILL ON TOUR! Get your tickets at OffBookLive.com!

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Music Box in San Diego on July 24th 2025! It features the entire fam band (Scott Passarella, Brett Morris and Dana Wickens) on their respective keys, frets, and sticks. Have you ever wondered about the Shadow Zoo? The zoo BEHIND the zoo? How much do you want to know? How much are you WILLING to know? Want to see us live? Tour tickets are available now at OffBookLive.com!

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Cedar cultural center in Minneapolis on March 23rd 2025. BACK TO BACK SHOWS BABY It once again features the incredible Scott Passarella on the keys, and the still incredible Josh Kaplan on drums! This one may SEEM like it was painstakingly crafted by a very specific playwright, and that's because it was. Also its got pranks, and PERFECT ACCENTS. Wanna see us live? All our upcoming tour tickets available at OffBookLive.com!

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Cedar cultural center in Minneapolis on March 22nd 2025. It features the incredible Scott Passarella on the keys, and the also incredible Josh Kaplan on drums! It's a tale as old as time when a retirement community rallies to help a grandma show her grandkids a good time, and take down the local evil casino owner in the process. Wanna see us live? All our upcoming tour tickets available at OffBookLive.com!

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The following was recorded LIVE on March 21st at the Bur Oak in Madison WI. It features keys by Scott Passarella (K.O.P.P.O.K) and Jack Harris, hometown hero of an Ann Arbor who drove all the way here to crush it again on the drums. Have you ever wondered about who works in that old lighthouse? Why they work in that old lighthouse? WHEN they work in that old lighthouse? This is the show for you. Why yes, we had been listening to an Agatha Christie novel on this tour, why do you ask? COME...

The following was recorded LIVE at the Park West Theater in Chicago on March 20th, 2025. It features K.O.P.P.O.K. Scott Passarella on the keys and the legendary Chris Ditton hit-on the Drums. This show is important for many reasons: 1. We get to correct the lore of Peter Pan, 2. It's the largest show we've ever done. 3. At the end we all make Scott try malort for the first time. IYKYK. ALSO we're still raising money for our Mock Trial movie kickstarter and still going on tour! All links at Linktr.ee/offbook.

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Marines' Memorial Theater as part of San Fransisco Sketchfest on February 1st 2025. It is accompanied by the consistent brilliance of the entire FAM BAND (Scott Passarella on Keys, Brett Morris on Guitar, and Dana Wickens on drums.) We're flying too close to the sun with this one. Join us to find out who writes all the facts under those Snapple caps, and learn some 100% accurate science. ALSO: We're going on tour! ALSO ALSO: We're making a mock trial movie! Get tix and join our newsletter for updates at Linktr.ee/offbook!

This is all the 15 Year old Portal Act 1 Demo tracks, compiled with no long prelude or advertisements for your listening convenience. If you've stumbled across this with no context, check out the episode directly before it, or any of the earlier ON BOOK episodes if you want the full lore/process. TLDR: We're writing a musical and these are the demos for the songs in act 1!

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This episode of Off Book is not an improvised musical, but it does have ALL the special announcements you didn't know you were waiting for! We're going on tour! We're making an improvised movie about MOCK TRIAL! We've got demo tracks for all the Act 1 songs of our original musical "15 Year Old Portal. Thank you so much for all of your support. We couldn't do any of this without you. Join our movie mailing list: buttondown.com/zachandjess Get Tour tickets: linktr.ee/offbook

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The following was recorded LIVE from The Ark theater in Ann Arbor Michigan on 3/19 2025. It is accompanied by Scott Passarella (KoP. PoK) and hometown hero JacK Harris on drums! It is rare that we do an episode of this show that almost entirely about the city we happen to be touring in, but it DOES happen and in this case it DID happen. What does it mean to be PURE MICHIGAN? Join us and find out!

Archive Video footage of this episode will be available for clubhouse subscribers at OffBookClubhouse.com within the next...

The following was recorded LIVE at the Royal Theater in Toronto ON on December 10th 2024, and features masters of their craft (instruments) Eric Gersen on keys and Nick Fraser on the drums! Due to some technical difficulties the audio quality of this recording is unfortunately slightly distorted, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the story of two teenage boys as they navigate a museum(?) full of tricks and traps!

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Bellhouse in Brooklyn NY on December 7th 2024. The brilliant Eric Gersen (keys) and also brilliant Sarah Mullins (Drums) played such a fantastic show the night before we decided to let them play this one too, and ya know what? They killed it. Never has a bowling alley been filled with SUCH ROMANCE. Come for string cheese and bananas, stay for Sherry from Shoes. Then stay with Sherry from shoes for the rest of your life.

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Bellhouse in Brooklyn NY on December 6th 2024. It features the combined majesty and genius of Eric Gersen (keys) and Sarah Mullins (Drums). For legal reasons we've been told we can't call this one Hadestown, despite the fact that both Hades and a Town are involved. Also at one point the keyboard instrument patch is so funny to us that we basically stop the show to march around for a while. You will know it when you hear it. GODS, they're just like us maybe? Listen and find out!

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The following was recorded LIVE at the Theater of the Living Arts in Philadelphia on December 5th 2024. It features the massive talents of Eric Gersen on the keys and Sam Pasternack on drums. I know we frequently say "this one gets wild" but would be believe, this one in fact does get wild? Come for the historical accuracy, stay for the pocket dimensions.

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The following was recorded LIVE at The Howard in Washington DC on December 4th 2024. It features the return of the key change king Eric Gersen on keys, and the incredible Shareef Taher on drums. This one is about clubs (the school kind), bugs (the metaphorical kind), and blatant product placement (you know who you are, hit us up). You're gonna love it. OPINION STATED.

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The following was recorded LIVE on November 25th 2024 at the Gothic Theater in Englewood CO, which we know ISN'T Denver, but also isn't NOT Denver. It features our beloved Scott Passarella on keys and the incredible Steve Wright on drums. This one is kinda wild so we're not even gonna attempt to summarize what went down. IFKYK, and once you listen YOU will know (OYLYWK.)

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The following was recorded LIVE in Nashville TN, on November 24th 2024. It features Scott Passarella (KoPaPoK) on keys and the incredible Donnie Moretti on drums! This is the tale of a generational feud between a zoo and an aquarium, and saying anything more than that would be a spoiler so let's just leave it at that shall we?

ALSO our March midwest tour is almost sold out, but you can get what tickets remain at TheZachandTheJess.com/live

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The following was recorded live at the Orange Peel in Asheville NC on November 23rd 2024, and features geniuses Scott Passarella and Ross Montsinger on keys/drums. This is what happens when two dudes share their stories, and embark on two equally high stakes adventures. Put in your most daring chipotle order, sit back, and get ready to break the sound barrier!

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The following was recorded live the State Theater in Austin Texas on November 22nd 2024. It features the return of the king (of pianists, and pianist of kings) Scott Passarella on keys, and the incredible Marty Eck on the drums. Prepare to set sail on an adventure of self discovery, seafood, and meaningful staring. Come look at the sea with us. The full video of this show will be available shortly to our members of OffBookClubhouse.com, so head to way to watch or join. ALSO we are about to add some new tour dates in the midwest! Follow us...

It's time again for Off Book's annual holiday musical with the incredible Paul F. Tompkins and Nicole Parker (and of course, the Fam Band!) For the first time ever, the holiday spectacular was recorded LIVE at the Lodge Room in Los Angeles (December 18th 2024.) Follow the Christmas star (The CORRECT one) to a tale of shared gifts, marriage, tropical fruits, and of course, the 12 Days of Catmas. Happy Holidays!

This episode is available to watch (VOD) at Linktr.ee/offbook until 1-19-2025, after which it can be viewed by our members at OffBookClubhouse.com

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