The Latest Draft Podcast

This episode features A Good Life, book & lyrics by Stacey Weingarten, music by Dave Ogrin.

The year is 2056. Alethea, a patient at a memory care facility, attempts an experimental procedure to secure her memories before they’re gone - a journey which takes her back in time through key moments in her life-- and risks losing them forever.

This episode features Stepping Into Fire, book by Tom Coash, music and lyrics by Jonathan Brielle.

This episode features J. & Dot, book & lyrics by Mark Evan Chimsky, music by Zev Burrows.

Two iconic figures – J. and Dot – meet in the afterlife.  Each has experienced extraordinary, even miraculous events in their youth. One died at nineteen, one in middle age. You have heard of both of them. Though at first they see only their differences, they soon realize they have more in common than anyone might guess. Introduced to each other by the Translator, they confront scenes from their past in which they hold fast to personal truths, despite being challenged by men who disbelieve them. As they share their stories, they ultimately find “home” with each other.

This episode features The Barista by Adam Wachter.

THE BARISTA is a sung-through monodrama in which a coffeeshop barista makes espresso, fantasizes about the customer he's been crushing on, and has an existential crisis that might just change the course of his life forever.

This episode features eight original songs by a wide variety of musical theatre writers:

I Want That by Harry Castle
You'll Never Be Afraid by Akaina Ghosh and Andrea Love
If He Were Standing Here by Durra Leung
A Precarious Position by Jessie Field and James Salem
Movies I'll Never Be by Erika Ji and Carrie Caffrey
The Greats by Sam Norman and Earl Marros
Steal Your Thunder by Josh Ben-Ami
Saying Hello by Elspeth Collard and Sam Rosenblatt

This episode features The Lottery Ticket, book & lyrics by Alex Becker, music by Kat Cartusciello.

The year is ten years in the future, and Clara, Frank, and Evelyn are still stuck in quarantine in their 1-BR apartment in Queens, NY. The annual immunity lottery is announcing its winners this evening and a few lucky households will be selected. If they win, they’ll receive a highly sought after vaccine that protects them from a deadly virus and grants them the freedom to return to life as they knew it… or, life as they hope it could become. What if tonight is their lucky night? 

This episode features Miceburg, music & lyrics by Eddie Bean, book by Nathan Dennis.

Artie Mouse, barkeep of Miceburg’s Ol’ Whiskers Tavern,wants to keep the thimblefuls of beer flowing – even as the jingoistic rats overtake the peace-loving mice in their own land. But when Artie’s sister, Lily, decides to immigrate to a land where mice live free from fear of persecution, Artie must decide whether to forsake the life he has built in his mice home, or turn his back on his closest family. With a push from long, lost friend, Ben, Artie embarks on a journey to find out what it means to be a rat, a mouse, and a free rodent. 

This episode features Schooled and Lettered, book and music by Jacinth Greywoode, book & lyrics by Chase O'Neill.

In Schooled & Lettered, country girl Flora Knightley arrives on Long Island to visit her high society cousin Barbara Ross and her fellow New York elite Charles Scott for a glorious summer. The clash of cultures, along with Flora’s deep desire to find a way back home, quickly devolves into a manipulatively polite fight in this comedy of manners set during late 19th century!

This episode features Fifty-Fifty,  book, music, and lyrics by Weston Gaylord.

One evening in 1983, at the height of Cold War tension, a Soviet officer in a military bunker makes the most important decision of his life. Weeks later he is interrogated by his superiors, who seek to understand: did Stanislav Petrov betray his country? Or is it possible he saved the world? Fifty-Fifty is a fifteen-minute musical based on a declassified true story.

Our Season 2 Cabaret features 10 songs that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. We hope you stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram @thelatestdraft, and as always, thanks for listening!   

Cabaret Line-Up:

1. Eat Me by  Eric Fegan and  Jamie Maletz
2. Then Came the Light by Alanya Bridge
3. The Wine Songby Matt Day
4. Favorite Season by Shayna Toh
5. Safe Hands by Alara Magritte Slonaker and Daniel Rosen
6. My Kiss by Michael Wartofsky
7. Foreclosure by Jacob Kerzner and Seth Roseman
8.More by G. Victoria Campbell
9. Settle For Me by Marcus Yi
10. I'll Be Damnedby Joey Contrereas and Ben Halstead

This episode features The Ballad of Elisa Lam, book and lyrics by Garret Bell, and music by Charlie Romano. 

Elisa Lam was a student from Vancouver who disappeared in January 2013 during her stay at the Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Her body found 3 weeks later but the mystery of her death has never been solved. The question of her disappearance was made even stranger when footage of her on the last day she was seen was released; she entered an elevator that never moved, and stayed on it for 5 minutes where she appeared to be both scared and agitated.

Today's episode features "Rapplestiltskin: The Real Grim Shady", book and lyrics by Maggie Moe, and music by Earl Marrows.

The unsung (until now) feaxtagonist Rumplestiltskin takes on a new life in this uproarious retelling of the Grimm fairy tale. In this version, RAPPLESTILTSKIN (The Real Grimm Shady) is a misunderstood virtuosic wordsmith who has been overlooked for centuries (literally! Even Plato shafted her!) Perpetual loner Timmy needs help in realizing his dream of finally getting his dad's attention and being a pop idol. Will Rapple finally get Her Time to Shine? Will these societal rejects realize the importance of collaboration? Find out in our magically poptastic tale!

"A Constellation" is a short virtual musical about the value of art-making in the face of uncertainty. During rehearsal for a zoom play, actress Natalie quits the show out of frustration, only to find that underneath her hopelessness is a determination and love for theater in any form. 

Enjoy this podcast musical with book by Elena Faverio and music and lyrics by John Brautigam. 

Today's pod features "The Arrival", book and lyrics by Jamie Maletz, and music by Jack Trzcinski. 

After the apocalypse, Em is the last woman alive. Or at least, that what she thinks...until there's a knock on her bunker door.  

It's time for our first Season 2 cabaret! This episode features 10 stand-alone songs from some of our favorite artists. Please enjoy!

Setlist:

1. Fence the Yardby Jess LeProtto & Craig Franke
2. Sideways by Jacinth Greywoode & Rebecca Hart
3. I Listen by Alanya Bridge
4. Six Feet Closer by Bryan Blaskie
5. Hiding Place by Jamie Maletz
6. You Are My Universe by Ryan Korell & Jonathan Keebler
7. Get Off Your Ass by Willem Oosthuysen & Laura K. Kleinbaum
8. Only Life Knowsby Shayna Toh
9. I Love You, Ryan Seacrest by Nico Juber
10. Pink Post-It Note by Sam Sultan & Emma Freeman

Today's pod features Pigeon Pizza Party with Book, Music, and Lyrics by Spencer Robelen. 

A simple-minded pigeon discovers an entire pizza discarded in a street alley; but when he tries to share it with the rest of his coop, complications ensue with his manipulative friends, a tough gang of possums, and a homeless man who ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Today we're featuring The Adventures of Inspector Lockshire, composed, written, and performed by Mason McDowell. 

Monty Python meets Agatha Christie in this ridiculous and rather homicidal romp. When the rich, wealthy, and universally despised Wesley Wood is found murdered in his Kensington Apartment, Scotland Yard is left without a suspect, a lead, or even the victim's limbs. Luckily, master sleuth Inspector Holmsey Lockshire is on the way...

This is a retelling of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s classic short story, written under the specter of COVID. A woman is given a vague diagnosis, forced into isolation, and told to think positively. But soon the isolation becomes a prison sentence, and she begins to suspect she isn't alone...

The Latest Draft is back for a second season of tear-jerking, gut-busting, and thought-provoking musicals from the next generation of great musical theatre artists.

The new season kicks-off with OBSCENE, LEWD, LASCIVIOUS, AND FILTHY!with book, music, and lyrics by Adam J. Rineer.   

This is a found-text musical retelling of the 1956-1958 case ONE, Incorporated versus Olesen, the first U.S. Supreme Court case to deal with homosexuality and the first major win for national gay rights.

It's time for our big finish! Our Season 1 finale features another fantastic cabaret of 8 songs that will take you through every human emotion. Thank you for your continued support, and be sure to look out for Season 2 announcements on Instagram and Facebook @thelatestdraft. Now, go out and start creating!

Season Finale Cabaret
"Secret Superhero" by Elspeth Collard and Sam Rosenblatt
"The Invention of Fire, Wheels, and Love" by Enzo Veiga and Matt Stolfi
"Break You" by Lydia Breckon and Gabe Caruso
"Wendell's Big Day" by Nate Riebli and Sam Rosenblatt
"When They're Sleeping" by Elspeth Collard and Dani Shoulman
"Destiny" by Josh Ben-Ami and Brandy Hoang-Collier
"Hot-Blooded" by Sean Eads and Jessie Field
"Flying, Crying, Not Dying" by Simon Lee and Sam Rosenblatt

Featuring Christian Musto, Jennifer Daly, James Salem, Deniz Demirkurt, Arianna Neikrug, and Jenna Beressi

The Latest Draft
Producer:Elspeth Collard 
Producer: Sam Rosenblatt 
Producer and Host: Noah Mutterperl 

Nice guys aren't always as nice as they seem. Good thing you came here for her story, the real story..."Red Flag" is tonight's podcast musical with book and lyrics by Brandy Hoang Collier and music by Stephen Wagener Bennett. Stay tuned after the performance for an in-depth interview with the authors.


Red Flag 
Book and Lyrics by Brandy Hoang Collier 
Music by Stephen Bennett

Featuring Rosie Dean and Jeff Lawless. 

Ever dream about what it would be like to have a pop diva as a mother? For Maya, it's a reality. Listen along as Maya is torn between Wendy, music sensation birth mother, and Page, the humble woman who raised her. Tonight's musical "Maya's Mother" is brought to you by Book Writer/Lyricist James Salem and Composer Josh Ben-Ami.

Maya's Mother
Music by Josh Ben-Ami 
Book and Lyrics by James Salem
Featuring Elspeth Collard, Katherine D'Souza, and Nicole Tsarouhas 

You know the nursery rhyme, "Jack and Jill went up the hill to get trapped in an elevator with their neurotic co-workers"...or something like that. Get ready for "The Rise and Fall of Otis", a fresh take on Jack and Jill with a workplace rom-com twist. We hope you enjoy this piece with Music by Durry Leung and Book and Lyrics by Sam Rosenblatt. 

"The Rise and Fall of Otis" 
Music by Durra Leung
Book and Lyrics by Sam Rosenblatt 

Featuring: Stephen Bennett, Amanda Briskin-Wallace, Sean Eads, Jessie Field, Noah Mutterperl, and Sam Rosenblatt

We're switching things up this week with our first ever CABARET EPISODE! Instead of just hearing from one or two writers, you'll be listening to 8 songs from 10 musical theatre artists! Check out our set list below: 

1. "A Song" by Maggie Sharp Tallan and Elspeth Collard, sung by Katie Shults

2. "Monster in the Closet" by Sean Eads and Jessie Field, sung by Sean Eads, Gabrielle Mirabella, and Lydia Breckon

3. "Reaching Out to You" by Dan Gibson and Sam Rosenblatt, sung by JJ Niemann

4. "Over the Moon and the Stars" by Elspeth Collard and Deniz Demirkurt, sung by Deniz Demirkurt

5. "In the Dresser Drawer" by Lucy O'Brien and Sam Rosenblatt, sung by Lucy O’Brien

6. "Your Ex-Girlfriend" by Sean Eads and Gabriella Mirabella, sung by Sean Eads and Gabrielle Mirabella

7. "Love Again" by Elspeth Collard and Sam Rosenblatt, sung by Brooke Wexler

8. "Go Viral" by Lucy O'Brien and  Gabe Caruso, sung by Gabe Caruso and Lucy O’Brien

Young Jack is playing video games when his mother unsuspectedly bursts in and tells him to pack for a vacation as quickly as possible. Jack is excited but is slightly concerned about his mother's behavior. Enjoy "The Vacation", with book by Kerry Kaz, music by Nori Hung, and lyrics by Joe Badore. Stay tuned after the performance for the writers advice on working as a trio and creating a musical series. 

Welcome back to our second week of cutting edge musical theatre! Today's podcast musical is written by the international team of wordsmith Andrew Strano from Australia and composer Yuri Shibata from Japan. Skin is a modern look at the Celtic myth of the Selkie, mystical creatures capable of turning from seals to humans. After years of regret, our Selkie heroine opens up to her human daughter about her past life at sea and her former lover. Listen after the performance for Andrew and Yuri's take on exploring the theme of self-discovery and breathing new-life into an age-old tale.

Skin
Book and Lyrics: Andrew Strano
Music: Yuri Shibata 
Featuring: Gabrielle Mirabella, Lucy O’Brien & Bela Kawalec

The Latest Draft
Host/Producer: Noah Mutterperl 
Producer: Sam Rosenblatt 
Producer: Elspeth Collard

Attention all Writers, Theatre lovers, and Podcasters: We are so excited to present the inaugural episode of The Latest Draft! Take a listen to Twenty-Six Percent,a new musical with book and lyrics by Sam Rosenblatt and music by Elspeth Collard. The ten minute play follows Average Joe as he gets notifications on his allegedly "smart" phone. Maizie, the not so helpful virtual assistant, Pick-a-Pic, the self-involved social media platform, and other apps bombard Joe as his phone reaches the end of its life...battery life that is.

Stay tuned after the performance to hear Sam and Elspeth chat about their inspiration for the show and their side-hustle naming iPhone apps! Join the writer's room on our Facebook and Instagram channels @thelatestdraft for updates, writing tips, and more!

Twenty-Six Percent: A Ten-Minute Musical
Book and Lyrics: Sam Rosenblatt 
Music: Elspeth Collard
Featuring: Josh Ben-Ami, Stephen Bennett, Jenna Beressi, Erin Hoerchler, Lucy O'Brien & Enzo Veiga