The new musical podcast In Strange Woods will premiere Dec. 14, 2020, and continue every Monday until Jan. 11, 2021. The serialized mockumentary tells the story of 18-year-old Peregrine Wells, who visits Whitetail National Forest to learn survivalist skills from an enigmatic old recluse. The creative team includes writers Jeff Luppino-Esposito, Brett Ryback and Matt Sav, with support from Brandon Grugle and Stephen Jensen (sound design), Evan Cunningham (music production, mixing, mastering, audio), Lauren Shippen (editing), and Lillian Holman (production manager).
The cast includes Brett Ryback (Brett), Lily Mae Harrington (Peregrine), Donna Lynne Champlin (Kathy), Patrick Page (Howl), Larry Bates (Donald), Michaela Watkins (Irene), Kristian Bruun (Declan), Jonah Platt (Sheriff Porter), Ryan Alexander Holmes (John Francis), Lana McKissack (Lexy), Philip Labes (Woodsley), Briggon Snow (Eric), Raymond J. Lee (Bobby), Lauren Shippen (Gerda), and Beth Leavel (Sandra).
Below is Lana McKissack at the Foundation for New American Musicals in 2018, singing “When Something Happens” from the podcast, accompanied by creators Jeff Luppino-Esposito and Brett Ryback.