‘Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist’: Do Jane Levy and other actors sing their own songs? Here's all the behind-the-scenes scoop
Zoey is back! In an all-new episode of ‘Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist’, Zoey Clarke returns after an extended time away and discovers that a lot has changed at work and in her personal life.
Stepping into its second season, the beloved NBC musical explores the undeniable healing power of music and dance. The new summary for the episode reads: "Following a tragedy, Zoey (Jane Levy) and the Clarke family begin to recalibrate and navigate their new normal. As she finds herself in a new dynamic at work and in her love life, Zoey’s musical powers will continue to both awkwardly complicate and inform her worldview as she attempts to rediscover joy and connect with those around her."
Shedding light on the new plotline, showrunner Austin Winsberg told TVLine, “When thinking of Zoey’s emotional arc and her story arc for the season, I wanted it all rooted in recovery and the different stages that we go through in grief,” and added that it mirrored his “own emotional journey” after his dad passed away from progressive supranuclear palsy.
With an ensemble cast of Jane Levy, Skylar Astin, Alex Newell, John Clarence Stewart, Andrew Leeds, Alice Lee, Michael Thomas Grant, Kapil Talwalkar and Mary Steenburgen, fans can't help but wonder if any of them actually do their own singing.
So, what is the truth? Are the actors actually singing on screen? Well, you'd be surprised to know that the main cast actually does all of their own singing and there is not much post-production dubbing by professional singers. Woah! It's fascinating how the veteran song-and-dance actors add glam and glitz to the show.
On the show, Zoey (Jane Levy), has an MRI gone wrong and develops the ability to hear the world's thoughts... well, that explains her singing on the show. In an EOnline interview, she said, "It's the funnest part of the day because when a musical number happens, the energy in the room shifts, the crew gets happy... We're all singing the song collectively for the next 24 hours. And I was envious and I really wanted to partake, and so getting the opportunity to dance and sing myself was ultimately extremely gratifying and joyful and fulfilling."
Apart from Levy, Skylar Astin — who plays Max, Zoey's coworker at SPRQ Point and her closest friend — has quite a lot of expertise with his experience in 'Pitch Perfect' movie and from his work on the 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' fourth and final season. Well, he was also a part of the original Broadway cast of 'Spring Awakening'.
Peter Gallagher, who plays Zoey's father Mitch Clarke and Lauren Graham, who plays Zoey's boss Joan also have some Broadway experience and they also appeared in 'Guys and Dolls'. In fact, Gallagher's musical theater credits date back to the late 1970s and you'd be surprised to know he was a part of a 2015 Broadway appearance in the revival of On the Twentieth Century.
Alex Newell, who plays Zoey's genderfluid neighbor Mo,is pretty well-known in the world of 'Glee' fans and is also popular for his role as Asaka in the 2018 Broadway revival of 'Once on This Island'. Moreover, Stephanie Styles, who plays Autumn, is a theater vet who starred with Corbin Bleu in the 2019 'Kiss Me, Kate' revival. The talented cast sure makes it easier for the makers and they don't really have to cast voice doubles.
As per the closing credits, a number of open air musical productions in the pilot were shot on the downtown streets of The Embarcadero and North Beach. Did you know Mandy Moore is a producer and choreographer on the show? Moreover, Gabriel Mann, Mateo Messina, Craig Wedren and Bo Boddie are credited for the music.
Written by Austin Winsberg, the show is all set to premiere with its second season on January 5 from 8 pm to 9 pm ET.