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 12 Colin Josts for the emotional ride of your life. Welcome to Charm Scene! Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Sage Hust…

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 mis…

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 McDonnell Music Director: Sam Scheidl…

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 Baldwin Music Director: Sam Scheidler Drums: Chris Ditton Follow us @CharmScenePod on I…

Names must be EARNED in this week's fully improvised musical! Charming guest Beth Nelsen, alongside a heavenly host of characters, takes us through the big bang, phone calls between realms, and the REAL origin of Christmas. Our most Biblically Accurate™ episode yet! Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Beth Nelsen Music Director: Sam Scheidler Drums:…

Happy Halloween! Get trick or TREATED to a two-guest spoOoOoky episode with Amber Linde and Alex Garday! Did you know the bathroom is the most haunted room in the house? Find out why there are so many damn ghosts in there (and how to get rid of them) in this fully improvised musical. Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Amber Linde, Alex Garday Music…

Picture this: it's the summer of 8th grade and you and your friends are exploring Spain, unsupervised. In this fully improvised musical inspired by Alex Garday's real-life adventures, join a ragtag group of teen boys as they discover music, architecture, and themselves. Also there's an unnecessarily nasty song about the Phillie Phanatic. Cast: Lily…

Strap in for a cross country road trip with Anna Bortnick! There are so many places in between Chicago and LA and we visit all of them. If you like rhyming names, unconventional marriages, and rare dollar bills, then come move with us in this fully improvised musical! Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Anna Bortnick Music Director: Sam Scheidler Dr…

Charm Scene goes VIRAL. Get your camcorders ready as charming guest Mike Gospel 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 #teambanana Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Mike Gospel Music Dire…

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 …

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, J…

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 …

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 Linde Keys: Sam Scheidler Drums: Chris Ditton Follow us @C…

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…

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 Robinson Keys: Sam Scheidler Drums: …

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 Lucas Keys: Sam Scheidler Drums: Chris Ditton Follow us @CharmScene…

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 Scholl Keys: Sam Scheidler Drums: Chris Ditton Follow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoo…

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 Mammel Keys: Sam Scheidler Follow us @CharmSc…

Inspired by special guest Ben Auxier's experience in a murder mystery show, the gang improvises a musical in a mysterious vineyard, featuring Clue-like characters and their eccentric pets deep in the Ozarks. Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Ben Auxier Keys: Sam Scheidler Follow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, or shoot us a me…

In Charm Scene's very first episode, Austin, Lily, and special guest Amber Linde improvise a cruise-ship-themed musical featuring triplets yearning for their first kisses, a pharmacist who sells questionable remedies, and...Chuck E. Cheese? You're gonna want to be at your muster station for this one. Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, Amber Linde K…

Here's a sneak peak at what's to come from Charm Scene! Featuring a completely improvised song from episode 1 with Amber Linde. Join Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard, and Sam Scheidler 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!…