Don't worry; we're on it. Lucky for you, season tickets are on sale for New Line's gut-busting, mind-blowing 34th saeson. Just click here for info!
Last season was the first time we did a whole season of shows that we had produced before, so I vowed we wouldn't repeat any more shows for a while. And then the election happened. Immediately, it was clear to me that the shows we'd produce in 2025-2026 had to speak strongly, fearlessly to this moment in our cultural and political history.
That's our job, after all. And though it wasn't our plan, all the shows turned out to be really funny. And we ended up with one repeat.
I am such a fanboy for songwriter Larry O'Keefe. In addition to his remarkable score for Bat Boy, he also wrote music for Heathers and Legally Blonde. New Line previously produced Bat Boy in 2003 and 2006, and we produced Heathers in 2015.
From the perspective of today, this story of "Christians" hunting down this "Other" in order to kill him, doesn't feel entirely fictional anymore. We can't help but think that if this story were set today instead of 1992, most or all of these West Virginia ranchers would be wearing MAGA hats.
Bat Boy runs Oct. 2-25 at the Marcelle Theater in Grand Center. Just click here for more info. And click here to order season tickets.
As soon as our associate artistic director Chris Moore originally suggested the idea to me, I knew it was something our company should do. And the reception to the concert was so enthusiastic!
So we're doing another evening with basically the same agenda, this time called Broadway Noir Deux!
When we were discussing the first edition last season, I couldn't help but think that it was wonderful to be able to give these amazing performers this chance, but also, how sad that we need to. I mean, why can't Eliza Doolittle be black or Asian or Latina? Everybody in the audience knows that's not actually Eliza there onstage, that it's really an actor playing Eliza. Why can't Henry Higgins be played by an Asian man? Why can't Pickering by played by a middle-eastern man? Or a woman?
It's all pretend, and everybody knows it.
We don't usually get all knotted up over whether an actor is the same height as the character, or has the same eye color. Why do we get so knotted up over whether an actor has the same skin color as the character? And while we're at it, why do we assume that if a character's race isn't mentioned, they must be white?
Because we haven't yet got past this toxic silliness, we needed Broadway Noir last season and we need this season's sequel Broadway Noir Deux! But don't come because it's important -- come because you will have a great time!
Broadway Noir Deux! runs two nights only, Jan. 9-10 at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center, right behind the Fox Theatre. Click here for more info. And click here to order season tickets.
It's one of the only absurdist musicals ever written, and it's one of those shows that will drive you mad if you try to make sense out of each moment -- but just lean back and go for the hilarious ride and you will have so much fun!
It's going to be a gargantuan challenge for me and Chris as directors, for Jason as music director, and for all our designers. But what's the point of starting a new project if you're not a little bit terrified?
That's the only way we grow!
This show is almost never produced, so this may your only chance to see this amazing, surprisingly relevant, and legendary oddball musical. There's truly nothing else like. It will leave you in a puddle of giggles. Don't miss it.
Promenade runs March 5-28 at the Marcelle Theater in Grand Center. Just click here for more info. And click here to order season tickets.
At this moment in America's history, when Trump & Co. are screwing around with the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center, this comedy about a dystopian future isn't entirely divorced from our current reality. It will remind us why we need storytelling, and how much we'd miss it if it were gone.
In a weird way, totally accidental, We Will Rock You is kind of a companion piece to my recent novel The Wonderful Music of Bozz, also about a dystopian future and the healing power of music.
We Will Rock You runs June 4-27 at the Marcelle Theater in Grand Center. Just click here for more info. And click here to order season tickets.
Last season, after every performance, people came up to me in the lobby, really shocked at how healing American Idiot and Broadway Noir and Rocky Horror and Rent all were -- and that's the word almost everybody used, healing. That's what stories do for us. They make us feel less alone, less lost, more connected. That's something we all need desperately right now.
So come join us this season. We've got some truly wonderful musical theatre to share with you. There's a pretty good chance that you'll never get another chance to see any of these shows again! So don't make a terrible mistake and miss out!
Just in case you've forgotten since the beginning of this post -- all you have to do is click here for info! You will be so glad you did.
Rehearsals started last week for Bat Boy and I am so thrilled to be back inside this smart, funny, big-hearted show. We've got a killer cast (see what I did there?), and some really talented new staff, and I CANNOT WAIT to share this show with you.
Long Live the Musical!
Scott
To get your Bat Boy tickets, click here.
P.S. To check out my newest musical theatre books, click here.
P.P.S. To donate to New Line Theatre, click here
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