Overtures is a new musical reading series that I created and continue to curate. I serve as producer, often as dramaturg, and sometimes as director. The project was developed to create a low-stakes workshop opportunity for musical theatre writers to develop their work. Often, there are very few development opportunities between initial readings and first productions—Overtures was designed to fill that gap. Writers are provided with dramaturgical assistance, rehearsal space, and two nights of performance at the theatre, complete with box office, staff, and marketing.
A list of previous seasons of Overtures is listed below. When curating each season, I strive for equitable representation and commit to producing as many BIPOC, female, and queer artists as possible. I also look to create a diversity of styles and stories each year.
I have had the pleasure of directing a few of the new musicals during the project. They are:
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
Emma
Music by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Book and Lyrics by Meghan Brown
Past Seasons of Overtures
2019 Season
Going South
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Katya Stanislavskaya
Heartbreak Hotel
by Rebecca Lee Lerman
Feedback
Book, music, and lyrics by Jeremy Richter
2017-2018 Season
The Giant Hoax
Book, lyrics, and music by Kit Goldstein Grant
Peter and the Pied Piper, a special presentation for young audiences
Book and Lyrics by Holly Hepp-Galván
Music by Jonathan Lynch
Manuel Versus the Statue of Liberty
Book and Lyrics by Noemi de la Puente
Music and Lyrics by David Davila
The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota
Music and Lyrics by Paul Rigano and David Rigano
Book by Mark Eugene Garcia
The Turing Test
Music, Lyrics and Book by Jonathan Lynch
2016-2017 Season
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
Lyrics by Robert Farruggia and Cristina Farruggia
Book by Robert Farruggia and Cristina Farruggia
2015-2016 Season
20/35
by Ben Diskant
Emma
Music by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Book and Lyrics by Meghan Brown
Deployed
Music, Lyrics, and Book by Natalie Lovejoy
’Til Death Do Us Part
Music and Lyrics by Bobby Cronin
Book by Caroline Prugh
Lobsters Live Forever
Book and Lyrics - Sam Chanse
Composer - Bob Kelly
In partnership with the Leviathan Lab
Standby
Music by Amy Baer and Keith Robinson
Lyrics by Mark-Eugene Garcia and Alfred Solis
Book by Mark-Eugene Garcia and Alfred Solis
Based on a Concept by Alfred Solis
2014-2015 Season
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
Music, Lyrics, and Book: 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 (2013 Jonathan Larson Award)
Book and Lyrics by Christine Toy Johnson (BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop)
Rebuilding
Music by Mark Evans
Book and Lyrics by Andrew Farmer and Max Reuben