Charm Scene: Improvised Musicals
Join Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Music Director Sam Scheidler, and drummer Chris Ditton as they create brand new musicals — completely on the fly — alongside some of Chicago’s most charming music improvisers and performers. Welcome to the scene!
Listen on:
Who is Charm Scene?
Collectively, the Charm Scene team can be seen across Chicago and beyond as members of Baby Wants Candy and Shamilton at The Second City, Phony Award Winning Improvised Musicals at iO Theater, ANARCHY: The Improvised Rock Opera and Tuesday Musical Improv at Annoyance Theatre, Lost Realms: Improvised Musicals From Beyond, RIFF, and more. Members of Charm Scene have performed on tour with Off Book: The Improvised Musical, the Second City Touring Company, and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Episodes
Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
Live from Sam's apartment - it's Charm Scene! Charming guest Nathan Jansen recounts his time on a mysterious podcast at Edinburgh Fringe and takes us deep into the world of late night variety television in this week's fully improvised musical. Puppet performers, stunt spectaculars, exacting executives, and more! We're on in 5... 4... 3... 2...Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Nathan JansenMusic Director: Sam ScheidlerFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Tween theatre ghosts, metaphysical four square, and a janitor with big original dreams. All this and more in the first Charm Scene improvised musical of 2025 - featuring Team Starkid's Ali Gordon! Happy BoOoOo Year!Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Ali GordonMusic Director: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
Happy New Year from Charm Scene! Raise a glass as we round out 2024 with old acquaintance Keenan Camp! What do a grizzled detective, a bowl or oatmeal, and a mansard roof have in common? Absolutely nothing. Cheers!
Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Keenan CampMusic Director: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris Ditton
Follow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Welcome back to PART TWO of our Christmas two-parter, featuring charming guests Ben Auxier and Allen Lucas! Will we make it out of Santa's underground Christmas garage? Will our friends finally fulfill their festive wishes? And just who is the mysterious Holly Rose? These answers and more in this week's Charm Scene! Happy Holidays!
Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Ben Auxier, Allen Lucas
Music Director: Sam Scheidler
Drums: Chris Ditton
Follow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Happy Holidays from Charm Scene! We've brought together TWO of our favorite charming guests for a TWO ACT Christmas musical! Ben Auxier and Allen Lucas take us to a world of winter whimsy, where trials about. Christmas wishes, crises of faith, a problematic Santa Claus, and more. And don't forget to tune in next week for act two! Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Ben Auxier, Allen LucasMusic Director: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Hear ye! Hear ye! Charming guest Haley Karlson takes us back in time in this renaissance era improvised musical! Are you sexy? Cool? BItey? All of the above? See where you fit in in this week's Charm Scene!Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Haley KarlsonMusic Director: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
An alien dog, a spy mom, and a scandalous mayor? What else could go wrong in this week's fully improvised musical, with charming guest Sage Huston! We're pulling back the curtain on local politics, so get in line now behind these 14 Colin Josts for the emotional ride of your life. Welcome to Charm Scene!Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Sage HustonMusic Director: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
It's a time jump jamboree! If you like "Merrily We Roll Along," "The Last Five Years," or that one episode of "Phineas and Ferb," you'll love this week's fully improvised musical - featuring charming guest Tyler DeLoatch! Explore the dynamics and psyche of Chicago's beloved "Blue Man Group," and discover the many things to do in Lakeview! Don't miss this heartwarming family story, or you're gonna be blue, man.
Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Tyler DeLoatch
Music Director: Sam Scheidler
Drums: Chris Ditton
Follow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
It's a classic tale of backyards and bears in this week's fully improvised musical - featuring charming guest Cat McDonnell! Join us as we discover the true nature of paternity, immortality, and Philadelphia. The door's always open (and freestanding in the middle of yard)!Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Cat McDonnellMusic Director: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Some assembly required in this week's fully improvised musical! Inspired by charming guest Andrew Baldwin's real life family ties, we visit a family reunion, a nintendo-aided falling out, and a... re-reunion? Listen now!Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Andrew BaldwinMusic Director: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!