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 Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Charm Scene goes VIRAL. Get your camcorders ready as charming guest Mike Gospel (Phony Award Winning Musical, Anarchy, Baby Wants Candy) takes us back to the world of high school internet stardom in this fully improvised musical, all inspired by his real life 2009 YouTube sensation "Calculus Rhapsody!" We think you'll find it a-PEALING #teambananaCast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Mike GospelMusic Director: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
All aboard! This week, charming guest Jen Connor takes us to the magical land of Hoboken, New Jersey, and things are HEATING UP. Can two distant siblings transform their relationship in time for the big audition? Can our grizzled director make art in a world of participation trophies? Can squirrels swim? The path to answers is this way!Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Jen ConnorMusic Director: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
ISU forever! Charming guests Brandon Michael Thomas and Jessica Joy are back for another fantastical improvised musical, this time inspired by Brandon's real life experience with college standup and greek life show choir. With wizards, prophecies, and Hugh Jackman, it's just another day at Iowa State University. Go Cyclones! Cast: Austin Packard, Jessica Joy, Brandon Michael ThomasMusic Director: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Do you believe in magic? Watch as we turn one guest into two in this back to back double guest extravaganza! Charming guest Jessica Joy, alongside Brandon Michael Thomas, takes us into the world of magic, castles, and more in this fully improvised musical. Listen now, and remember - there's no improv in magic (unless we put it there). Cast: Austin Packard, Jessica Joy, Brandon Michael Thomas Music Director: Sam Scheidler Drums: Chris Ditton Follow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Surprise! We're off this week, but we didn't want to leave you without your recommended dose of charm. Here are some of our favorite early test recordings, including a surprise appearance from our very first guest - Amber Linde! You just got CHARMED.Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Amber LindeKeys: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
He was an improv kid. He was a jock. Can I make it any more obvious? Just us this week with a self-indulgent, improvised romp through the world of collegiate comedy, sports, and the forces that I guess try to keep them apart for some reason. Talk about a quad conflict! Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard Keys: Sam Scheidler Drums: Chris Ditton Follow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
What's that over there? Why it's the future president of the United States of America. How timely! Chicago comedy legend Daryn Robinson joins us for an improvised musical filled with political intrigue, dubious debates, and two very charming gerbils. Cast your vote today!Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Daryn RobinsonKeys: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Gather round, kids. You know what's cool? Friendship. You know what's not cool? A big ol' bag of drugs. Charming guest Allen Lucas helps us finally be the people that we wanna be in this week's completely improvised musical. See you at camp!Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Allen LucasKeys: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
A curse. A castle. An ingenue. And so. many. books. Can charming guest Heather Scholl help us cross the moat in this fantastical improvised musical? The first rule of the pod is you gotta be confident.Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Heather SchollKeys: Sam ScheidlerDrums: Chris DittonFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Follow the shenanigans and triumphs of your city's newest superhero, MetroMan! He's great at lots of things in this improvised musical, like rounding up a rogues' gallery of wacky criminals, getting philosophical and sad, and maybe even accepting a new sidekick???Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Jono MammelKeys: Sam ScheidlerFollow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!