OVERTURES

 

Curses!

Book and Lyrics by A. J. Freeman
Music by Jonathon Lynch

Friday, December 6 at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 7 at 7:30pm

Director: Todd Buonopane
Featuring: Laura Cetti and A. J. Freeman

Through a series of seven spellbinding stories, Curses! explores the relationship between luck and fate and human frailty.

Director and Choreographer: Barrie Gelles
Music Director: Ty Brennan
Stage Management by Torianne Hommer
Featuring: Luisa Boyaggi, Zoe Brown, Kenny Harmon, David Michael Kirby, Mariela Olivo, Anna Marie Peterson, Jude Regula, Sanni Small, Tommy Snow, Abby Wheeler

It is New Year’s Eve in 19th century Denmark. As the people bustle about the town, carrying treats like cakes of marzipan rings to share with friends, Sofia stands alone, shoeless in the bitter cold with a handful of matches for sale. A chance encounter with an old friend, Johan, on his way to his family’s ball, gives her a glimpse of a world of warmth, love and safety that she is denied and leaves Johan troubled and conflicted about what he should or could do for her. Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved story is brought to life in a sweeping family friendly musical about what we owe to each other in a community. Matchstick Girl was a semi-finalist at the 2023 O’Neill National Musical Theatre Conference.

Director: Joey Murray
Music Director: Joseph K. Ivan
Stage Manager: Jo Calhoun
Associate Producer and Assistant Director: Alexa Powell
Producer: Judith Manocherian
Featuring: Juan Calix, Emily Esposito, Christopher Michaels, David Perlman, Bailey Seeker, Ellen White

It’s Christmas Eve in Dikanka, and a blacksmith must find fancy shoes like those worn by the Czarina in the next few hours or lose the heart of his lady love. But when the Devil comes to town, will he give up his soul for a sole? And what will he do about his mother, who is a promiscuous witch? No really, an actual witch. This loosely adapted take on Nikolai Gogol’s story sets the show in a meta-theatrical universe which combines a Ukrainian 19th century absurdist tone and a modern sensibility, plus a lotta slapstick.

“It was clear from my very first encounter with director Barrie Gelles: Gallery Players truly loves theater artists. I was honored to receive a reading in the inaugural year of Overtures, and I am thrilled to be back with Emma this fall. Gallery Players deftly handles all the logistics so the writers can focus on the work. A generosity of spirit abounds, from the directors to the cast, and I am immensely grateful for the time, talent, space, and support to develop this new musical; it is a rare gift.” – Sarah Taylor Ellis, composer – EMMA (2015)

 

“…having the Gallery Players and the type of support they are giving us allows us to focus entirely on the writing. Gallery Players has been fantastic about building a supportive infrastructure and for simply creating this opportunity. They’ve been so welcoming and fantastic working with all the new writers.” – Jonathon Lynch, composer – LUNACY (2014)

Gallery Players has often successfully produced new musicals as part of their season, such as Yank (2007) and Like You Like It (2008). To further this idea, Gallery Players has created a new program in order to directly support the development of new musicals. OVERTURES will offer staged readings of new musicals, thereby fostering the creation of new musical theatre and supporting the talented composers and writers as they refine their work. The series is helmed by theatre director and scholar, Barrie Gelles and will feature the talents of a roster of exceptional up-and-coming performers and directors.

Program Director: OVERTURES – Barrie Gelles
 

Past Seasons of Overtures

Shows from Overtures have gone on to Off-Off-Broadway productions, New York Musical Theatre Festival, Pittsburgh CLO, regional productions, and additional workshops.

2019

Going South
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Katya Stanislavskaya

The Heartbreak Hotel
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Rebecca Lee Lerman

 
2017-2018

The Giant Hoax
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Kit Goldstein Grant

Peter and the Pied Piper, a special presentation for young audiences
Music by Jonathon Lynch
Book and Lyrics by Holly Hepp-Galván

Manuel Versus the Statue of Liberty
Music and Lyrics by David Davila
Book and Lyrics by Noemi de la Puente

The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota
Music and Lyrics by Paul Rigano and David Rigano
Book by Mark Eugene Garcia

The Turing Test
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathon Lynch

 
2016-2017

Baby Bumps
Music by Jeffrey Lodin
Lyrics by William Squier
Book by William Squier and Dana Hilmer

An American Hero
Music and Lyrics by Cody Cole
Book by Kenneth L. Stilson

We Are The Tigers
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Rebekah M. Allen

Echo
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Anna Jacobs

On the Air
Music By Robert Farruggia
Book and Lyrics by Robert Farruggia and Cristina Farruggia

 
2015-2016

20/35
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Ben Diskant

Emma
Music by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Book and Lyrics by Meghan Brown

Deployed
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Natalie Lovejoy

‘Til Death Do Us Part
Music and Lyrics by Bobby Cronin
Book by Caroline Prugh

Lobsters Live Forever
Music by Bob Kelly
Book and Lyrics by Sam Chanse
In partnership with the Leviathan Lab

Standby
Music by Amy Baer and Keith Robinson
Book and Lyrics by Mark-Eugene Garcia and Alfred Solis
Based on a Concept by Alfred Solis

 
2014-2015

Lunacy
Music by Jonathon Lynch
Book and Lyrics by Matt Boresi

The Yellow Wallpaper
Music by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Book and Lyrics by Lane Williamson

Closer Than You Think
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Brett Kristofferson
Based on the film Across the Tracks written and directed by Sandy Tung

Plagued (A musical comedy adventure across disease ravaged 14th century England)
Music by Nick Moore
Book and Lyrics by Daniel John Kelley
Story by Nick Moore & Daniel John Kelley

In Search of the Bandit Queen
Music and Lyrics by Kamala Sankaram
Book and Lyrics by Christine Toy Johnson

Rebuilding
Music by Mark Evans
Book and Lyrics by Andrew Farmer and Max Reuben