PUN-OFF: A Musical Inside the High-Stakes World of Pun Competitions & KING OF KONG: THE UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL
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Music & Lyrics by Matthew Patrick Davis
Book by Joe Chandler, Matthew Patrick Davis & Zach Paez
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PUN-OFF SYNOPSIS:
PUN-OFF is a dark comedic musical inside the high-stakes world of Pun Competitions, which are a real thing that actually exist. A celebration of awkward word nerds, and an excuse to shoehorn as much wordplay into songs as possible. Think "Putnam County Spelling Bee," but instead of being about adorably nerdy kids it’s about outcast grown-ups. It’s also about grief and death.

At the center of the story is Ben, who has just lost his wife. He is processing his grief in an odd manner, as evidenced by his eulogy that veers into a run of 26 straight bread puns -- after all, his wife died in a tragic bread truck accident. Upon discovering that Pun Competitions exist, he escapes further into denial by going to the Annual Pun-Off, the place where he never has to talk normally again.

PUN-OFF is a musical about family: whether it’s the group of shunned punsters finding a makeshift family once a year, our villain and eight-time defending Pun-Off Champion, Brad Guy, actively pushing away love and friendship, or Ben, seeking to redefine what family means in the new normal of loss. Will his daughter, Amy, be able to get him to finally face his grief and mourn? Might be tough, he’s not a mourning person.
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Original Production Directed & Choreographed by Kathryn Burns
Workshopped at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles

Album recorded, mixed and produced by Matthew Patrick Davis
Piano/etc: Matthew Patrick Davis
Guitar: Michael O'Konis

Cover Art by Chris VanArtsdalen
Special thanks to Christopher Given Harrison & Brad Davis
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Cast:
Ben: Matthew Patrick Davis
Amy: Maddi Fraser
Rosy: Meghan Parks
Steve: Henry Kaiser
Brad Guy/Boss: Gabe Greenspan
Minion/Uncle/Nurse: Joseph Porter
Jody/Doctor: Nate Clark
Dale/Aunt/Nurse: Marie Lively
Jan/Therapist: Muriel Montgomery
Alessio: DarylJim Diaz
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KING OF KONG: THE UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL
Based on the documentary "King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters."

Music and Lyrics by Matthew Patrick Davis
Book by Joe Chandler, Matthew Patrick Davis, and Zach Paez

Cast Recording Produced by Matthew Patrick Davis
Mixed by Brad Davis

Created at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles

Cast:
Billy Mitchell: Matthew Patrick Davis
Steve Wiebe: Jeremiah Smith
Steve's Wife: Megan Heyn
Walter Day: Davey Johnson
Brian Kuh: Jeremy Radin
Greg "The Trashman" Bond: James Ross
Mark Alpiger: Jake Regal
Steve's Son / Mario: Zach Paez