Chicago Musical Theatre Festival

ABOUT THIS SHOW

Launched in 2013 by Underscore Theatre Company, the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival is a showcase of new musicals from Chicago and beyond! The aim is a celebration of musical theatre creators, emerging authors and innovative artists looking to push the boundaries of storytelling within the form. Festival submissions are reviewed by volunteer adjudicators from the music and theatre fields, with five finalists being selected for concert presentations over the weekend of the festival.

The full-line up and performance schedule includes: 

Thursday, August 8 at 8 pm: WANDERLUST

Friday, August 9 at 8 pm: The Brass Teapot: A New Musical

Saturday, August 10 at 3 pm: Jenny: A New Musical

Saturday, August 10 at 8 pm: ei hytte (the cabin), an a cappella musical

Sunday, August 11 at 3 pm: Out of Focus

WANDERLUST
Book and Lyrics by William Nedved
Music by Grant Escandón
Directed by Becca Holloway 

Desmond finally takes a vacation – only for Henry, his tech mogul boss, to show up at his Sydney surfer’s hostel. While Desmond works overtime to save their company, Henry parties it up with the international backpackers. Soulful surfer Tico flirts with Henry. Social media influencer Sonja films him. Homesick Jessica calls him out. Corporate fixer Alex kidnaps him. And hostel manager Kit wants Henry gone. As day turns to night and the truth comes to light, will Desmond save Henry or himself WANDERLUST is a modern-day, old-fashioned musical comedy about learning to live outside of your comfort zone.

The Brass Teapot: A New Musical
Music and Lyrics by Chaz Cardigan
Book by Tim Macy & Ramaa Mosley
Co-Conceived by Erik Kaiko
Directed by Landree Fleming

Alice loves John. John loves Alice. Their only problems are that they are underemployed, broke, their high school bully is the landlord, their former friends are either too rich to care about them or just as broke as they are, and their luck shows no signs of improving. That is, until a seemingly random series of events brings a mysterious ancient object into their life: a brass teapot. The teapot magically spouts money, but only when it senses pain. Pretty soon, Alice and John are debt free and living large, with just a few bumps and bruises… but people are starting to notice, and ask questions. Not only that, but the teapot is demanding more, different, deeper pain to keep the money flowing. How far would you go to win unlimited fortune if it meant hurting those you love? Would you break a tooth? Break their arm? Break their heart?

Jenny: A New Musical
Book and Lyrics by Maryanne Boaz
Music by Elizabeth and Maryanne Boaz
Directed by Andrew Lund

When Jenny gets the opportunity to follow her dream far away, she must choose between pursuing her purpose or staying home with her family. As the deadline draws near, Thomas, her boyfriend, struggles to find peace with Jenny leaving as their plans to move-in end. Lana, Jenny’s sister, fights a mental-health spiral, trying to reorganize life without Jenny. Hopeful for what's next, Jenny decides to leave; but when tragedy strikes, the family must confront the unthinkable. Through self-discovery, everyone finds a new chapter of life where they don’t move on – but maybe move forward. 

ei hytte (the cabin), an a cappella musical 
Book, Music and Lyrics by Eric Matthew Richardson
Directed by Noah Watkins

During an unseasonable blizzard, two strangers become trapped inside one of Norway's many off-grid public cabins. Without access to electricity, phone or internet service, the hikers wait out the storm. Veronica is a true crime author, and Colin is a warehouse worker. Neither are inclined to reveal too much about their personal lives beyond that. Pressured by the forces of the unseen Valkyries, the strangers push each other to their breaking points. 

Out of Focus
Music and Lyrics by Kelan M. Smith
Book and Lyrics by Quinn Rigg 

Directed by Frankie Leo Bennett
Out of Focus is a coming of age rock musical about a young photographer named Nick in his first year of college. As Nick struggles with his newfound independence, he is faced with his mother's own struggle of a newly diagnosed case of early onset dementia. In his journey to find himself, and grapple with familial uncertainty, he comes of age alongside a cast of other young characters, all of whom are dealing with their own unique familial imperfections. As demons from the past threaten their clarity of the future, each of them attempts to fill in the missing pieces of their lives. But only through one another can they bring what’s out of focus into frame.

ABOUT KOKANDY PRODUCTIONS:

The mission of Kokandy Productions is to contribute to the development of Chicago-based musical theatre artists while raising the profile of Chicago’s storefront musical theatre community. Founded in 2010, Kokandy has built a reputation for high-quality productions, complex storytelling and immersive, rewarding experiences for artists and audiences. With a mix of new work, Chicago premieres and thrillingly reimagined classics, the musical company continues to push the form into the experimental and avant-garde. 

Artist Links: @kokandyprods