The Marc Pease Experience 2009

As the high school years recede into memory, Marc Pease (Jason Schwartzman) is still haunted by the shame of abandoning his Tin Man performance in a production of The Wiz, fleeing the stage as his mentor Mr. Jon Gribble’s (Ben Stiller) encouraging words were drowned out by his own crippling anxiety. Eight years later, he finds himself entwined with Meg Brickman (Anna Kendrick), a talented but disenchanted high school senior stuck in the chorus of Gribble’s latest The Wiz production. Marc’s enthusiasm for Meridian 8, his a cappella group that has already lost half its original members, is palpable as he seeks to revive their flagging fortunes with a demo tape. However, Gribble proves stubbornly resistant to Marc’s pleas, still smarting from the young man’s refusal to let bygones be bygones in light of the well-meaning advice he offered all those years ago.

As Marc tidies Meg’s bedroom, his curiosity gets the better of him, and he discovers a mysterious cassette labeled “Meg singing”. But instead of finding the expected vocal exercises or show tunes, he is treated to an impromptu duet with Gribble himself, their harmonious sounds morphing into something decidedly more intimate as the song reaches its climax. Meg, meanwhile, begins to question Gribble’s sincerity when she realizes that his effusive praise is always tempered by her perpetual placement in the chorus. Her doubts sowed, she starts to wonder if singing truly brings her joy, ultimately deciding to hang up her vocal cords.

Marc’s desperation to keep Meridian 8 intact leads him to fabricate a meeting with Gribble, claiming the director has given them the green light to record a demo – a white lie that ultimately forces him to break down in tears on stage. The night of the Wiz opening, Marc is relegated to chauffeur duty for a high school prom couple, his oft-mocked ponytail getting its final trim as he delivers them to their destination. Arriving at the show during intermission, Marc makes one last attempt to broach the subject of Meridian 8’s demo with Gribble, only to be rebuffed once more. As he leaves the theater, he receives a sobering update from his bandmate: another member has jumped ship, further eroding the group’s already fragile cohesion.

As the haunting melody of the Tin Man’s song wafts through the auditorium’s doors, Marc storms in, accompanied by Gribble, and commandeers an empty classroom. The tension is palpable as Marc confronts his mentor about Meridian 8’s perpetual promises to record in a professional studio. Gribble’s flippant responses only serve to fuel Marc’s ire, and the usually composed singer’s frustration boils over into a heated argument. In a moment of raw emotion, Marc reveals that he believes Gribble’s decision to deny Meg a starring role was a deliberate act of revenge against him, and in a bold move, destroys the incriminating tape for the young performer’s sake.

Emboldened by his newfound conviction, Marc marches backstage and severs ties with Meg, citing her youth as a reason he can no longer continue their relationship. The unexpected turn of events is compounded by the news that the actor playing the Wiz has suffered an injury, leaving the show in jeopardy. Without hesitation, Marc seizes the opportunity, donning the Wiz’s cape and taking to the stage. His powerful vocals bring the house down, and Meg, initially devastated by the breakup, finds solace in her love of singing and returns to the stage.

As the curtain falls on this tumultuous chapter, Marc has exorcised his Wizard of Oz demons and emerged a stronger, more confident performer. One year later, he’s transformed into “The Marc Pease Experience,” a professional singer with a newfound sense of purpose and a stage presence that commands attention.