New Musical Podcast Announced From ASCAP Award Winner Brett Ryback

Musical theatre writer/performer, Brett Ryback (Passing Through, Murder for Two) has teamed with former Nickelodeon songwriters Matt Sav and Jeff Luppino-Esposito to develop a narrative musical podcast titled In Strange Woods, to be released later this year.

Building on the genre of musical podcasts such as 36 Questions and Wait, Wait Don't Kill Me, the trio seeks to combine the unique storytelling elements of docu-podcasts, such as S-Town and Dirty John, with the emotional scope of musical theatre.

"For most of my childhood, my only encounter with Broadway musicals was listening to the cast album and imagining the story in my head, which is exactly what happens when you listen to podcasts," says Ryback. "Jeff, Matt, and I wanted to create something that bridged our love of musicals and podcasts, and that would be exciting for fans of both genres."

Over five episodes, In Strange Woods tells the turbulent coming-of-age story of Peregrine Wells, an 18-year-old girl in Minnesota's north woods, reeling from the death of her older brother. Ryback, who also acts as narrator, spins a fictional mystery that weaves together investigation, taped interview, and song. With a folk-pop score, rich characters and surprising turns, the story explores themes of grief, survival, and our precarious relationship to the wilderness.

Official casting is yet to be announced, but the creative team recently produced a pilot that featured Donna Lynne Champlin (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Patrick Page (Hadestown), Jonah Platt (Wicked), and Lily Mae Harrington (The Glee Project).

To learn more go to www.instrangewoods.com.

Brett Ryback (Writer, Composer) is the recipient of the ASCAP Foundation's Cole Porter Award. His works includes Joe Schmoe Saves the World (ASCAP/Dreamworks Musical Theatre Workshop, NAMT 2016); Liberty Inn (LA Ovation nomination for Best Score); and Nate the Great (South Coast Rep). His most recent musical, Passing Through, will premiere at Goodspeed this coming July. He originated the role of Marcus Off-Broadway in Murder for Two. He created the online accompanist website PlayThisForMe.com, and he teaches musical theatre at the University of Southern California. (www.brettryback.com)

Matt Sav (Composer, Music & Audio Producer) has written and produced original music for Nickelodeon, Cricket Wireless, Edelman and countless other brands. With writing partner Jeff Luppino-Esposito, he wrote the music for Nantucket: The MusACKal! and created the Nickelodeon pilot Hall Stars. Matt is the owner of Fairfax Village Studios in Los Angeles, CA where he writes and produces original music, musicals and podcasts. (http://soundofsav.com)

Jeff Luppino-Esposito (Writer, Director) has written lyrics and scripts for Nickelodeon, Amazon, and YouTube Premium. He co-wrote the track "Jet Lag," performed by Jay Pharoah in Champaign ILL, and the song "You Made Me," which appeared H&M's campaign with Hailey Baldwin. With writing partner Matt Sav, he wrote the lyrics to Nantucket: The MusACKal! and created the Nickelodeon pilot Hall Stars. He also directed and co-wrote the award-winning webseries Table for Two. (http://JeffLE.me)

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