Audio/video recording and photography are strictly prohibited during the performance.
Please turn off your cell phone and any other device that might make noise during the performance.
Photos may be taken before the show and during intermission, when no actor is present.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
•Friends of the Festival Event •Festival Package Event
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17
5pm - 7:15pm Ticket Distribution ••
The Terris Theatre Lobby
5:30pm Friends Kick-Off Event •
The Terris Theatre Lobby
7:30pm R&J: FIRE ON THE BAYOU
The Terris Theatre
10:30pm Cabaret: Oliver Houser ••
The Terris Theatre
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
1:00pm Seminar Session I ••
Chester Meeting House
2:15pm Seminar Session II ••
Chester Meeting House
3:30pm Seminar Session III ••
Chester Meeting House
5:30pm Friends Dinner •
The Brushmill by the Waterfall
7:30pm OY BAND
The Terris Theatre
10:00pm Cabaret: Cheeyang Ng ••
The Terris Theatre
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19
10:30am Friends of the Festival Brunch •
The Brushmill by the Waterfall
1:00pm THE CAROL OF THE BELLS
The Terris Theatre
3:30pm Meet the Writers Q&A ••
The Terris Theatre
WELCOME!
Welcome to the Festival of New Musicals! The Festival is one of the cornerstones of Goodspeed’s commitment to new musical theatre development and thrives alongside our Mercer Writers Grove, developmental productions here at our Terris Theatre and new works like Maggie, Summer Stock and The 12 on the main stage at The Goodspeed.
Over these three days, you will have the opportunity to influence the life of several new musicals and the artists who make them. You will also hear from and meet some of the most influential artists in the business as they share their knowledge, expertise and skill in musical theatre development and production.
The book-in-hand presentations on The Terris stage are the centerpiece of the Festival and this year will be performed by musical theatre students from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford and from Western Connecticut State University. Welcome to those talented young people, their friends and family!
Developing new musicals is a long, expensive and labor-intensive process. If you are interested in learning more about how you can support our development initiatives, please ask any member of the team. Every classic was once a new work. Thank you for recognizing that truth and being here with us on the ground floor as these exciting new musicals are seen by audiences for the very first time!
Thank you for being with us!
Donna Lynn Hilton [she/her] Artistic Director
Photosynthesis (2024). Photo by Diane Sobolewski.
The Great Emu War (2023). Photo by Diane Sobolewski.
The Snow Goose (2024). Photo by Diane Sobolewski.
Little Miss Perfect (2023). Photo by Diane Sobolewski.
R&J: FIRE ON THE BAYOU
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 7:30PM
Conceived by Kevin Ramsey
Adaptation by Kevin Ramsey & Nygel D. Robinson
Music & Lyrics by Nygel D. Robinson & Kevin Ramsey
Music Direction by John Bronston
Directed by Kevin Ramsey
A NOTE ABOUT THE SHOW: When Kevin and Nygel first spoke to us about R&J: Fire on the Bayou, we were certain it was something that should be included in the Festival. Setting the classic story in New Orleans during Mardi Gras also allowed them to embrace the rich musical tradition of the locale, which was particularly exciting. Shakespeare’s play is one of the greatest of all time for a reason, and in an incredibly divided world, it isn’t surprising that so many artists are drawn to the story at this moment.
KEVIN RAMSEY (Conceiver, Book, Music, Lyrics, Director) is a New Orleans native, a Broadway veteran, and an original cast member of four Tony Award-winning shows: The Life, Five Guys Named Moe, Oh, Kay!, Black and Blue, also Mufasa in The Lion King (1st Natl. Tour/LA). His catalog of commissioned/produced works includes: Sirens of Song, Chasin’ Dem Blues: Untold Story of Paramount Records, I Remember Harlem (co-author), Sam Cooke: Forever Mr. Soul, A Cappella Humana, and Soultime. His directorial, choreographic, and acting assignments have been presented at Carnegie Hall with Black Stars of the Great White Way, The Apollo Theater with Malik Yoba’s Harlem To Hollywood (co-writer), Off Broadway with From My Hometown, and a plethora of prominent regional theaters—The Guthrie, The Alley, Milwaukee Rep, Delaware Theatre Company, Arizona Theater Company, Arkansas Rep to name a few. He has directed and choreographed several national television commercial spots—GM Pontiac’s “It’s in the Blood” and Prilosec’s “The Purple Pill,” as well as several industrial corporate films, including MetLife. Kevin has made guest star appearances on such primetime shows as Cold Case, Saving Grace, Judging Amy, 24, The District, The Hughleys, State of Grace, and Charmed, as well as feature films Night Falls On Manhattan, and Trial By Jury. He is a former Professor at Florida Atlantic University’s BFA/MFA theater program and AMDA College for the Performing Arts (LA), where he spent 20+ years developing a curriculum for the 21st century storyteller. Kevin is a distinguished graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of Arts and graduate work at The New School’s Media Management program. Presently developing several Film/TV projects, and is the Chair of the Theatre Division at the University of Hartford. Kevin thanks Donna Lynn, Michael Fling, the Goodspeed staff, our talented cast, and my awesome collaborator Nygel D. Robinson.
NYGEL D. ROBINSON (Music, Lyrics) is a composer/lyricist based in Chicago, IL. Nygel is the co-creator of the new live looped musical Mexodus which started development through New York Stage and Film in early 2020 and had its world premiere at Baltimore Center Stage and Mosaic Theatre in D.C and recently finished up a run at Berkeley Rep. Nygel is the composer/lyricist alongside Kevin Ramsey for R&J: Fire on the Bayou. Though we all know the story, Nygel hopes that this new interpretation of the work will illuminate the curse of generational violence and its effects on young people. A wise man once said, “careful the things you say, children will listen, careful the things you do, children will see and learn.” Nygel is appreciative to Goodspeed for believing in this work and giving us this opportunity.
JOHN BRONSTON (Music Director) was music director of The Harder They Come (Public Theatre) by Pulitzer Prize Winner Suzan-Lori Parks. Previously he was the associate music director of A Man of No Importance (Classic Stage Company), was a sub keyboard player and Music Direction Fellow at Tina on Broadway, and was the musical director for the National Tour of Hair. He has worked with Roundabout Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, New York Theatre Barn, Yale Rep, and Long Wharf Theatre on both new works and revivals and is the producer of the Creating In Color cabaret series.
OY BAND
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 7:30PM
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Bonnie Gleicher
Music Direction by Chloe Geller
Directed by Sammi Cannold & Mary Cynthia McGowan
A NOTE ABOUT THE SHOW: At the end of the day, a musical isn’t a very good one if it doesn’t have good music. So when we first heard the demos of Oy Band, we were in. Thankfully, its empowering and heartfelt story is just as memorable and fun. No matter who you are, what your background is, or who/what you believe in, we all know what it’s like to come of age and become our own person. In uplifting a very specific community, Bonnie has crafted such a special piece that resonates universally. And best believe you’ll be singing the songs for the next week—at least.
BONNIE GLEICHER (Book, Music, Lyrics) is a songwriter, playwright, and orchestrator whose music is heard off-Broadway, on TV, and on YouTube. Her theatre career began as a kid performing on Broadway in Jane Eyre and Annie and has come full circle, writing musicals for audiences of all ages. Her songs have been sung by Liz Callaway, Bonnie Milligan, Taylor Louderman, Chuck and Lilli Cooper and more. In addition to Oy Band, she’s the writer of the musicals Gavroche and Little Things; the new play Chicken, Alaska; and the songwriter of the off-Broadway musical Addy & Uno. The last time Bonnie was at Goodspeed, she was auditioning for the role of the youngest orphan Molly in Annie. Years later, it feels so special to be back at Goodspeed with her own show, and she could not be more excited and grateful.
SAMMI CANNOLD (Co-Director) is a Broadway, film, and television director who is one of Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 in Hollywood & Entertainment, one of Variety’s 10 Broadway Stars to Watch, and one of Town & Country’s Creative Aristocracy. She recently made her Broadway debut as director of How to Dance in Ohio, for which she won a Drama Desk Award. Credits include: Evita (A.R.T., S.T.C., New York City Center), Rent (Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony), Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center), Carmen (Rose Hall, Lincoln Center), Endlings (NYTW, A.R.T.), Ragtime on Ellis Island, and Violet (A.R.T.). Additional: A.R.T. Artistic Fellow, member of Cirque du Soleil’s Creative Cognoscenti, Sundance Institute Fellow, work for CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and Apple TV+, and speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Global Business Summit, and TedxBroadway. B. A., Stanford University; M.A., Harvard University. www.sammicannold.com. @sammi.cannold
MARY CYNTHIA McGOWAN (Co-Director) [she/her] is a director, producer, and arts administrator based in Brooklyn. All In: Comedy About Love (Associate Director, Broadway), How To Dance in Ohio (Associate Director, Broadway), An Evening with President Joe Biden (Associate Director, Radio City Music Hall), Ghost of John McCain (Associate Director), Paper Valley (Director, NYFA), American Patriots (Director, Salina Symphony/ VTS), Mean Girls Jr. (Director, Take It From The Top), HER SOUND (Director, NYFA, Joe’s Pub), The Tony Awards (Ticketing Manager/Operations Associate), The American Repertory Theater, American Modern Opera Company (Artistic Liaison/Company Manager), NY PopsUp (Artistic Coordinator), Evita (Assistant Director, New York City Center). Mary is also a Supporting Artist at CO/LAB Theater Group, where she serves as Program Manager. B.F.A. from Syracuse University. marycynthiamcgowan.com
CHLOE GELLER (Music Director) is a music director, copyist, and composer based in New York City. Broadway Music Team credits: Some Like It Hot, Harmony, Days of Wine and Roses and the upcoming production of Floyd Collins at LCT. Off-Broadway/Regional: Days of Wine and Roses (Atlantic Theater Company), Hippest Trip - The Soul Train Musical (World Premiere at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater), music preparation at Disney Theatricals and MTI. Chloe is a member of the Advanced BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. She is one of the winners of Write Out Loud 2021. Her song Pity Party featuring Christy Altomare is available on Spotify and Apple Music. Graduate of NYU Steinhardt and Interlochen Arts Academy.
THE CAROL OF THE BELLS
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 1:00PM
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Nevada Lozano
Music Direction by Ian Chan
Directed by Hannah Ryan
A NOTE ABOUT THE SHOW: We have been tracking The Carol of the Bells for a number of years now, but little did we expect the groundswell of love for Nevada and the piece after his performance at the Festival’s Friday Cabaret last year. Draft after draft, song after song, Nevada continues to impress us with the charm, comedy, and heart he puts on the page. He is well on his way to a yuletide smash, and the Festival audience will be there with bells on!!
NEVADA LOZANO (Book, Music, Lyrics) is a musical theater composer and lyricist, as well as a professional music director, arranger, orchestrator, and pianist. He has served as music assistant for several Broadway productions, including: Oklahoma! (2019 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical), The Sound Inside, and Sea Wall/A Life. Most recently, he served as Conductor/Keys 1 for Rent at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Nevada is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop (Advanced) and received their Jerry Harrington Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in 2018. He has participated in residencies at Yaddo, the Djerassi Center, the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center, the Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, and the Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals. His new show, The Carol of the Bells, was presented as a cabaret at Goodspeed’s 2024 Festival of New Musicals. He studied composition at the Eastman School of Music and Rice University.
HANNAH RYAN (Director) is a freelance theatre director based in Brooklyn, New York. She focuses primarily on new works and reimagined classics often exploring the themes of modern womanhood, native landscapes, and creative grief. She devises plays and theatrical experiences as a means to tell untold stories, particularly those surrounding female identity and choice. Recent credits include: Broadway Resident Director of Hamilton: An American Musical. Founding collaborator of Nettleworks. Australian Staging Director of An American in Paris. Director: Gypsy, Love Loss and What I Wore and Sally (Theatre Aspen); Spring Awakening (Cincinnati Conservatory of Music); Sally: A Solo Play (Alabama Shakespeare Festival); Confidence and The Speech (Theatre Row); Riot Song (Drama League/Joe’s Pub); Every Path (La Jolla Playhouse & Moxie Theatre- WoW Festival); Still Life (Keller Gallery); The Guys (NYC site-specific locations commemorating FDNY’s 150th anniversary- Davenport Theatre).
IAN CHAN (Music Director) is a Hong Kong-Canadian music director and composer based in NYC. Broadway: SMASH, The Heart of Rock and Roll, 1776. Off-Broadway/Regional: CATS: The Jellicle Ball (PAC NYC), Walk On Through (MCC Theater), See What I Wanna See (Out of the Box Theatrics), Jack and the Beanstalk (A.R.T.), Thumbelina: A Little Musical (A.R.T.), Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (Paramount+). In Development: Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros.), DOLLY: An Original Musical (101 Productions), ENDLESS (Library Company). Ian’s most recent musical, OUT (book by Kalos Chu, lyrics by JuHye Mun) is currently part of Theatre Aquarius’s National Centre of New Musicals. His other work, including The More You Know and Miss You ’Til Tomorrow, has been heard all across North America. @imianchan_
CABARETS
OLIVER HOUSER: WUNDERKIND
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 10:30PM
Set in a Jewish American family in the early 20th century, Wunderkind is an original piece that follows Hans, a young piano prodigy endeavoring to break free of his father’s crippling expectations and claim his creative voice. A timeless story of forgiveness and redemption with a rhapsodic score, Wunderkind expresses the universal theme of becoming who we are.
OLIVER HOUSER [he/him] Winner of the inaugural Stephen Schwartz Award, the ASCAP Foundation Sammy Cahn Award and a Dramatists Guild Foundation Fellowship, Oliver Houser (he/him) is an intersex musical theater artist who is passionate about creating original life-affirming work that facilitates healing and connection. Oliver has headlined at the Kennedy Center and presented his musicals at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Village Theater, Nashville Repertory Theater, Red Mountain Theatre Co, London’s Other Palace Theatre, the NAMT Festival and beyond. Oliver’s original musical XY was one of three finalists for the Relentless Award, the largest prize presented to an unproduced musical. The piece will premiere at London’s Park Theatre in 2025. www.oliverhouser.com.
CHEEYANG NG: LEGENDARY
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 10:00PM
Legendary is Cheeyang’s journey in unpacking and processing the trauma of moving to a new country alone, leaving everything they knew behind while navigating a completely different culture, at the same time, trying to prove to everyone that the decision was worthwhile. Legendary weaves the mythological stories that they grew up with alongside their experiences immigrating to America, in a discovery to understand loss, ambition and self.
CHEEYANG NG [they/them] Born and raised in Singapore, Cheeyang Ng is an award-winning singer-songwriter who writes at the intersection of queer, Asian and immigrant stories. They have performed around the world, including Lincoln Center with Carole King and Carnegie Hall with a cappella group Vocalosity. They are the first Singaporean to headline a concert at Joe’s Pub, Feinstein’s/54 Below and Millennium Stage at Kennedy Center showcasing their original music. Their songs have been performed in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago and London.
SOPHIE BELKIN WCSU
SIERRA CUMMINGS WCSU
IZZY GERSTEIN Hartt PA
STUDENT ACTORS
JAKE BERUBE Hartt
JORDAN CYR Hartt
CHANELLE JAIME-GUZMAN WCSU
JONAH KING WSCU TANNER JERRETT KIROL Hartt
PIPER BIRNEY Hartt
KENDYL GRACE DAVIS WCSU
NATALIE JOHANESEN Hartt PA
CELIA CASTILLO-TORRES Hartt
YAZMIN DeJESUS WCSU
ANDREW “POOCH” JOHNSON Hartt
ANNA COLATRELLA Hartt
ANNIKA DIEKGERS Hartt
ANNA MELVA JOHNSON Hartt
NATALIE KITCHIN WCSU KYLE KOBETSKY Hartt
ZOLA KNEELAND WCSU
STUDENT ACTORS
KATIE GWEN MORRIS Hartt
MILANA RAE Hartt
TRENYCE NOLAN Hartt
DYLAN RENART Hartt
KENNEDY THOMPSON Hartt
WILLET Hartt
JEREMY PARROTT Hartt
RACHEL ROTH Hartt
XAVIER TURNER Hartt
WILLSON Hartt
PÉREZ WCSU
SAXTON Hartt PA
CLAIRE DIANE VALDEZ Hartt
WRIGHT Hartt
QUILDON Hartt
(IMANI) SMITH WCSU
Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals is a Partnership in Training with
CARLOS
SYDNEY
OLIVIA
FINLEY
JENNA
BLAKELEY
SKYLER
LEADERSHIP
GOODSPEED STAFF
Donna Lynn Hilton Artistic Director
ARTISTIC
Michael Fling Associate Artistic Director
Adam Souza Resident Music Director
Chris Zaccardi Resident Production Stage Manager
ADMINISTRATION
Gretchen Wright General Manager
Matthew Sonnenfeld Director of Special Projects
Kristan McLaughlin Artistic Administrator
Angel Welter Executive Assistant
BUILDING SERVICES
Edward C. Blaschik Facilities Consultant
Cheryl Aresco Office Assistant
Jeffrey Gosselin, Niall McGovern Building Services East Coast Cleaning Custodial Services
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FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL
As of 1/3/25
Ronald Benedict & Sandy Eichelberg
Denise Bernardo & Edwin Muentes
Kianna Bromley
Jennifer Brown & Ian Ayres
Anne Sullivan Calanquin
Lorey A. Cavanaugh
Steven & Cindy Chao
Donald & Terri Coustan
Ruth Ann Davis
Sue Frost
Susan Gonsalves
William Gratz & James Bruno
Carol Lane
Jon Lukomnik & Lynn Davidson
David & Judith Macri
Sonya Mangan
Geoffrey Paul & John Voege
Will Rhys & Nancy Kluck
Hila & Saul Rosen
Anne Rothstein & Jane Hellman
Blair Russell
Kathleen Sauer
Allyn & Karen Seymour
Bert Silverberg
Carl Thompson
Even after the Festival of New Musicals ends, our Friends enjoy exclusive perks through the year such as:
• An invitation to the party following the first performance of every new work presented in the 2025 season
• First access to booking Goodspeed fundraising trips to NYC, Edinburgh and London
• Opportunities to meet cast, creatives and more!
Most importantly, Friends of the Festival provide crucial support that helps to make the Festival a premiere showcase for new musicals in the country. With a gift of $500 per person, you can be a part of this exclusive group.
