Theatre Now is an artist-service organization dedicated to the development, production, publication, and circulation of short and full-length musicals, by providing ongoing support for writers and their work in order to nurture voices and forms that push the boundaries of musical theatre.
Through this first edition of First Look, Theatre Now presents a glimpse of five new musicals that are in development as part of Theatre Now’s Musical Writers Lab, a community of writing teams who meet bi-weekly to work on the development of new musicals through Lab presentations, sharing their process and offering support. Lab members in both the National and Local New York chapters benefit additionally from Theatre Now services including developmental productions, publishing and licensing. This is a highly skilled, active, and collaborative group focused on embracing and fostering the diversity of musical theatre styles, forms, and creators.
Summary
San is a new musical that tells the true life story of esteemed Mardi Gras designer San Nicholas from his impoverished childhood in the French Quarter, through his rise-and-fall fashion designer career on 7th Avenue, to his eventual crowning as King of Mardi Gras.
About the Writers
David Gosz and Leo Fotos are TNNY Writers Lab members and BMI Lehman Engel MTW members. Works include TRU: a musical about mental health and community (2018 CMTF “Best Music”, 2019 Stage 773, streamable on all platforms), San: a musical about Mardi Gras designer, San Nicholas (2022 NMTC Semi-Finalist), "For You, Paige": the TikTok musical.
Featuring
Bryan Munar as San Nicholas
Coulter Ibanez as Calvin
Kara Arena as New Orleanian / New Yorker
Elisa Galindez as New Orleanian / New Yorker
David Gosz as New Orleanian / New Yorker
Song List
Poor In New Orleans
To Somewhere
Someday Soon
The Dress
Poor In New Orleans (Reprise)
Don’t I?
To Be A Star
Fifty-Seventh and Seventh
Summary
Dantes is a musical adaptation of the great novel, “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas blending the classic tale of revenge with themes of race and colorism so prominent in Alexandre Dumas’ own life as a biracial man.The music blends the bel canto operatic form which was all the rage at the time of the novel’s release with the hip-hop beats that drive today’s music, drawing parallels musically and textually with the current issues of the day.
About the Writers
Kenny Harmon is a lyricist and librettist. He is a member of the BMI Musical Theater Workshop and the Theater Now New York’s Musical Writers’ Lab. His work has been featured as part of the SOUND BITES festival and the Brooklyn Children’s Theater.
Steve Wallace is a multi-award winning composer. Highlights include the BMI Harrington Award, “Best Score” at Diversity at Cannes, and for composing the theme for YO! MTV Raps (2022). His critically acclaimed film musical Hal King (Amazon Prime), was nominated for “Best Diaspora Narrative” at the AMAA’s in Nigeria (2021).
Featuring
Cedrick Ekra as Edmond Dantes
Ben McHugh as Gerard de Villefort
Rosharra Francis as Martine Danglars
Mark Peters as Abbe Faria
Song List
Act 1- Scene 2: The Office of Deputy Prosecutor, Gerard de Villefort
Recit- “Dantes, too many parties in one night… We have a traitor“ (Dantes, Villefort)
Solo- “Let It Burn” (Villefort)
Duet- “My love… Give it all to me” (Villefort and Martine Danglars)
Act 1- Scene 4: Island Prison at Chateau D’if
Recit- “Treasure, an offer you can’t refuse…” (Abbe Faria, Dantes)
Duet- “Monte Cristo” (Abbe Faria, Dantes)
Recit- “So that’s it!” (Dantes)
Solo- “En Guarde!” (Dantes)
Summary
It’s Christmas Eve and the devil is out, looking to cause trouble! But an ill-tempered blacksmith, a
free-living witch, and other Ukrainian villagers may make this a hellish holiday for Beelzebub.
About the Writers
Kit Goldstein Grant is a composer/lyricist/librettist. She wrote the economics superhero musical MICRO-FACE for NPR’s Planet Money podcast, and her musical THE NOSE has been produced multiple times in South Africa and NYC. Kit has studied at Juilliard and BMI, and teaches musical theater writing with Paper Kite Arts. www.kitgoldstein.com
Featuring
Karl Hedrick Accompaniment
Christopher Michaels as Narrator/Chub/Osip/Father Cherevik
Kyle Minshew as Devil
Sierra Rein as Solokha
Chris Rothbauer as Vakula
Song List
In Dikanka/Christmas Eve
A Blacksmith in Love
A Woman Over Forty
The Only Man
My Soul for a Sole
I’ll Find You
In Dikanka (Finale)
Book, Music, & Lyrics by
Book, Music, & Lyrics by
Summary
In the tradition of madcap comedies of the day, young Navy lieutenants and student nurses during WWII, enemies at first, stumble their way toward each other. With the girls sneaking on a Navy warship dressed as sailors, that ship setting sail and just about everyone on board forced to reveal a hilarious secret in order to get back to shore.
About the Writers
Featuring
Nick Conner Music Direction
Evy Ortiz as Jenny Malloy
Carly Post as Trixie Devine
Hayden Stanes as Bobby Battles
Luke Sikora as Jinx Jamieson
Song List
Goodbye, Cleveland. Hello, More.
Ya Shoulda' Seen Your Face
Isn't That Just Like a Guy
Irish Prayer/When This War Is Over
Book & Lyrics by Jonathan Keebler
Music by Bob Kelly
Summary
Based on a memoir, the story follows a closeted gay man as he joins a seminary to become a Catholic priest and discovers its culture is gayer, more secretive, and more corrupt than he could have ever imagined.
About the Writers
Bob Kelly is a Minneapolis-based composer, pianist, and songwriter. Musicals include A Most Average Musical (with Jonathan Keebler and Talia Berger), gilgamesh & the mosquito (with Sam Chanse), and Waiting… a song cycle (with Kelly Pomeroy). His solo EP Open Road was released in 2021. More info at bobkelly-music.com
Jonathan Keebler is an NYC-based lyricist and bookwriter. Notable works include A Most Average Musical, Gay Card, and Meet and Run. His work is licensed by MTI and Uproar Theatrics. He is a member of the Dramatist Guild. Get more info and hear more at JonathanKeebler.com.
Featuring
Kyle Sherman as Tom
Wade McCollum as Father Scott, Archbishop, Confessor & Choir
David Raposo as Pat, Confessor, Partygoer & Choir
Elisa Galindez as Narrator, Confessor, Partygoer & Choir
Song List
My Confessions (Confessors & Tom)
Who Cares (Tom)
Learn How to Drink (Father Scott & Partygoers)
Closer to Heaven (Tom & Pat)
Running (Archbishop, Choir, & Tom)