[title of show]
Book by Hunter Bell
Music & Lyrics by Jeff Bowen
March 29 - April 6, 2019
[title of show] is a musical that chronicles its own journey from inception to opening night on Broadway. It is based on the real life events from Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell’s ordeals making their story a reality. The term “meta-theatrical” barely begins to describe this fun and poignant 90-minute musical.
Our production was showcased in two counties: opening night (and the first three performances) took place at The Chance Theater in Orange County, and our second weekend played in The Broadwater Second Stage in Hollywood.
[synopsis]
Jeff and Hunter, two struggling writers, hear about a musical theatre festival. However, the deadline for submissions is a mere three weeks away. With nothing to lose, the pair decides to try and create something new with the help of their friends Susan, Heidi, and Mary on the eighty-eights. With the cast in place, Jeff and Hunter begin a conversation about what to write. Eventually, Jeff suggests they write about what to write about. They make a pact to write up until the festival’s deadline and dream about the show changing their lives.
[cast]
"Jeff"
"Susan"
"Hunter"
"Heidi"
"Mary"
[creative team]
Director & Lighting Designer
Music & Lyrics
Music Director & Sound Designer
Book
Stage Manager
Producer
Choreographer
Content Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
[press]
[media]
[show sponsors]
[special thanks]
Asha Noel Iyer
David Anthony Jayden
Dustin Callahan
Henry Alex Kelly
Isaac Robinson-Smith
Mark Sutton
Madilyn Clark Studios
Rick Moreno
Sara Newton
Bicna Bagheri
Nicholas Kuebelbeck
Xanderbitz Audio
[tos]sary
by Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen
www.titleofshow.com
You might want to get familiar with some of the more obscure terms used in [tos] before seeing it, bitches.
Alice Ripley – Unbelievable Broadway actress and belter. As in, “Alice Ripley was f’in fierce in Side Show.”
Ass-broke – Without funds. Used like, “If I don’t get that check from Paper Mill, I’m gonna be ass-broke, y’all.”
Bagels and Yox – 1951 Jewish review that ran on Broadway around the same time as Borscht Capades.
Betty Comden and Adolph Green – Book writers and lyricist of many musicals. As in, “Adolph, quit fartin’ around and help Betty write those Will Rogers Follies lyrics.”
Bitches – Friends, pals, loved ones. As in, “I appreciate you bitches being so supportive at my grandma’s funeral.”
Brazilian wax – Depilatory treatment that hurts like a mother f’in bitch.
Bus and truck – The tour of a show that usually plays short gigs in many cities. Heidi may say, “Y’all, should I audition for that bus and truck of Seussical?”
Commodore 64 – Computer released in August of 1982. As in, “Hunter, I just got Donkey Kong for my C64!”
Dan Pessano – “Daddy Warbucks” to Heidi’s “Annie” in 1982. Heidi may say, “Y’all, should I audition for that production of Hello, Dolly! that Dan Pessano is directing?”
Dinah Manoff – (See “Empty Nest”).
Dixon Ticonderoga – A soft, number 2 pencil. Used like, “Jeff prefers to write songs with a Dixon Ticonderoga, not an f’in Faber-Castell.”
Doc Hollywood – 1991 film featuring Michael J. Fox, currently running every hour on the hour on TBS.
Empty Nest – (See Dinah Manoff).
Henry, Sweet Henry – The best damned Don Ameche musical ever.
John Cameron Mitchell – Talented creator of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Used like, “Susan thinks by saying John Cameron Mitchell’s name in the show it increases her chances of meeting him.”
Ken Billington – Lighting designer of A Doll’s Life, Annie Warbucks and [title of show].
Kwamina – Interracial musical from 1961 with music and lyrics by Richard Adler. Used like, “You can borrow my Kwamina record, but I’ll kill you if you scratch it.”
Lynda Carter – The most beautiful actress in the world. For example, “If Jeff wasn’t gay, he’d have a serious boner for Lynda Carter.”
Mamie Duncan-Gibbs – Talented theatre actress and star of Chicago. One of Mamie’s friends may say, “Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, that’s my girl!”
Mary Stout – Lovable Broadway actress. As in “Mary Stout was excellent as “Enid” in A Change in the Heir.”
Me doots – A variant pronunciation of “my doubts.” As in, “I hope this [tos]sary helps explain [title of show], but I have me doots.”
Mexcellent – When something is both Mexican and excellent. Used like, “My travel agent Eileen said Cancun was Mexcellent this time of year.”
Pink Sawdust – A deodorizing powder developed to absorb and neutralize vomit odors.
Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 – PC game for lonesome nerds. Jeff may say, “My Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 upgrade better have arrived in the mail today or I’m going to be sad.”
Roma Torre – NY One anchor and notable theatre critic. Our press agent may say, “I hope Roma Torre doesn’t rip [title of show] a new a’hole.”
Seafood Mare – Chelsea eatery featuring outdoor dining. A Chelsea boy may say, “I was sitting outside at Seafood Mare when–oh, my god, there’s Tim Gunn.” (see Tim Gunn)
S’luck – An appropriate response to “Wish us luck!”
Smell-em-ups – Any scented room sanitizer.
Smell-O-Vision – A 60’s invention that allows audience members to smell what they’re watching. As in, “When Susan eats Chinese food, it’s fortunate for the audience that the show isn’t in Smell-O-Vision.”
Starlight Express – Andrew Lloyd Weber + roller skates = AMAZING!
The Gray Lady – The New York Times. As in, “The Gray Lady could take the Post in a cage match any day.”
The O’Neill Center – Connecticut-based summer camp for grown-up theatre nerds. Hunter may say, “I made out hard with that dude at The O’Neill Center.”
The Rink – Kander and Ebb musical from 1984 that starred Chita and Liza. Where’s a time machine when you need it?
Tim Gunn – Design mentor of TV’s “Project Runway.” Used like, “I saw Tim Gunn walk by Seafood Mare.”
Tippy Turtle – Iconic reptile used as a litmus test for aspiring artists. For example, “My “Tippy Turtle” drawing wasn’t so good, but my “Pete the Pirate” totally rocked.”
Word – Street vernacular. Short for “word to your mother.” As in, “Word.”