‘Agatha All Along’ Team on Reprising ‘The Witches Road’ as a Rock Ballad and Singing With Patti LuPone: ‘It Was So Intimidating’

As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for musicals, I find myself utterly captivated by the ingenious and enchanting “Agatha All Along.” This show, while not strictly a musical, uses music as its central plot device – a clever twist that resonates throughout each episode. The ballad of the Witches’ Road serves as the backbone of the story, with its lyrics woven into every episode title and playing a significant role in the series’ progression.

Warning: Contains Spoilers: The following narrative discusses events from Season 1, Episode 4 of the series “Agatha All Along,” which is now available on Disney+.

Even though “Agatha All Along” isn’t traditionally a musical, music plays a pivotal role in driving the storyline. In Episode 2, Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) and her coven sing “The Ballad of the Witches’ Road” collectively to summon the magical pathway, aiming to fulfill their desires. The significance of this ballad echoes throughout the series; each episode title is derived from the song’s lyrics, and as executive producer Mary Livanos reveals to EbMaster, “the song will continue to play a crucial part in the show’s narrative.

In Episode 4, the group, which includes Agatha, Joe Locke’s Teen character, Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), and Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn) find themselves in a perilous situation where they must prove their witchcraft abilities. During this episode, they’re compelled to sing “The Ballad of the Witches’ Road” once more to release Alice from a curse that has tormented her family for generations. This song was originally sung by Alice’s mother, Lorna Wu, and gained popularity as a pop hit in the 1970s. As the episode unfolds, Alice comes to understand that her mother’s rendition was not just a song, but a spell, specifically designed to keep the curse from ruining Alice’s life.

To compose a tune with numerous possible interpretations and variations, Livanos and showrunner Jac Schaeffer enlisted the songwriting duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (known for “Frozen”), who won an Emmy for “Agatha All Along,” the song from Marvel’s 2021 series “WandaVision” that is believed to have inspired Hahn’s spin-off.

Schaeffer and Livanos held a conversation with EbMaster regarding the production of “The Ballad of the Witches Road,” while the cast of “Agatha All Along” exchanged thoughts on filming their scene in Episode 4 and shared experiences of performing alongside Broadway icon Patti LuPone, who has won a Tony Award.

How was this song initially developed?

Mary Livanos (Executive Producer): While writing this series, Jac struggled to grasp the storyline but was adamant about collaborating with the Lopez family once more. She devised a concept called “The Ballad of the Witches Road,” which the Lopez’s then reworked and expanded upon. They infused the story with numerous hidden references, intricate details that flourished during the development process.

Jac Schaeffer (Showrunner): I found myself relentlessly pursuing the song, and it eventually felt as if the melody itself was the focus. I envisioned the tune functioning like a magical incantation that would captivate you, the viewers, to watch our show. I wanted to entice you in the way entertainment does, and the song seemed to cast a spell over me just as a real charm would. This notion then led to the idea that the song could be used as an actual spell within the series. The song’s multiple roles greatly intrigued me. Naturally, I knew the Lopez family was more than capable of taking on this unique challenge.

Initially, we used a placeholder tune with key plot points but lacking any actual melody. It served as a sort of blueprint for the storyline. We passed it on to them, asking earnestly, “Could you transform these concepts into the catchy, memorable hit that you’re known for?” And remarkably, they managed to do exactly that.

Composing a song that carries a significant theme and progresses the storyline, all while maintaining a pleasing rhyme scheme, a memorable tune, and a rhythmic flow, can be quite an intricate task. However, they found this complex puzzle delightfully engaging.

What was it like singing with Patti LuPone?

Joe Locke (Teen): Eventually, it became less intimidating because it was too intimidating. While we were recording Episode 4, Patti went into the studio before I did, so I observed her performance. At one point, I thought, “Wow, I have to go in and perform after Patti LuPone.” Then I realized, “I can’t even come close to matching or surpassing that, let alone compete with it.” So, I figured, “It’s not a competition; she’s an icon. It doesn’t matter. I don’t have to worry about it.

Did you guys actually play your instruments during the Episode 4 performance?

Sasheer Zamata (Jennifer Kale): I did take bass lessons, so I learned to the best of my abilities.

Ali Ahn (Alice Wu-Gulliver) explained: In reality, I was participating. It was quite thrilling for me. Although I’m not heard on the recording, I was indeed part of the action on set.

Did they mention that the cast often sang collectively for enjoyment during breaks? Which tunes do you think Patti might have encouraged everyone to perform?

Ahn: She made us sing this Chuck Mangione song that I still play. It’s so good.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I found myself immersed in a Broadway-style ambiance. Unexpectedly, a tune slipped through, an antiquated country ballad that subtly leaned towards misogyny, advocating for marrying up. It wasn’t her intention to play it, but once the lyrics began to unfold, she couldn’t help but express, “Oh, this is appalling… and yet, I find myself captivated by it.

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

2024-10-03 05:17

‘Agatha All Along’ Team on Reprising ‘The Witches Road’ as a Rock Ballad and Singing With Patti LuPone: ‘It Was So Intimidating’

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