Following the success of its first American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers event in 2013, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Lied Center for Performing Arts will host its second ASCAP/Grow A Show New Musical Theatre Workshop Sept. 9-11.
Typically held in New York and Los Angeles, the workshop seeks new musical theater works with the potential to become full-scale productions. After receiving nearly 100 submissions from playwrights and composers nationwide, two new musicals have been selected to be performed and critiqued by Broadway industry experts during the workshop: “The Geranium on the Windowsill Just Died But Teacher You Went Right On” by Michael Lluberes (book and lyrics) and Jared M. Dembowski (music) and “Persephone Unplugged” by Marcus Stevens (book and lyrics) and Oran Eldor (music).
Based on the best-selling book by Albert Cullum, “The Geranium on the Windowsill Just Died But Teacher You Went Right On” is an avant-garde musical exploring the inner thoughts and feelings of elementary-school students as they navigate their way through the trials and tribulations of an ordinary day at school. A staged reading at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 will feature a cast of local elementary and middle school students directed by Lincoln actor/playwright and director Becky Boesen.
In “Persephone Unplugged,” the relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter can be sheer hell, especially if that daughter is the Greek goddess Persephone. “Persephone Unplugged” raises a myth from the dead, finds contemporary relevance and sets it to a pop/rock score. A staged reading of the work will take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 11 featuring musical theater students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln under the direction of Alisa Belflower, coordinator of musical theatre studies at the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.
The workshop offers the community a glimpse into the creation of a new Broadway musical featuring staged readings, master classes and constructive critique. Expert panelists include Kevin Bannerman, the co-creator of “Ice Age” and regular panelist for the ASCAP/DreamWorks New Musical Theatre Workshop; and Steven Lutvak, who made his Broadway debut in 2013 as composer and co-lyricist of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.” One of Broadway’s rising stars, Lutvak was recently featured in Time Magazine’s “People to Watch” column. Actress, singer and Broadway legend Karen Morrow returns to Lincoln as a panelist after teaching a master class, serving on the panel and performing in the Lied Center’s first workshop in 2013.
“We are thrilled to have some of Broadway’s most respected experts at the Lied Center in September,” said Bill Stephan, the Lied Center’s executive director. “We are especially excited to have Steven Lutvak of ‘Gentleman’s Guide’ just a few months before the show’s first national tour makes its way to the Lied Center Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 as part of the Glenn Korff Broadway Series.”
At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10, Lutvak will host an evening of Broadway on the Lied Center stage featuring top Nebraska talent and special guest Morrow performing his award-winning music.
All events are free and open to the public. Due to popular demand, all events will be ticketed. Tickets are available at the Lied Center Box Office at 12th and R streets or by phone at 402-472-4747. Tickets for “Broadway at the Lied Featuring the Music of Steven Lutvak” can also be reserved online at http://liedcenter.org.
