An exciting synergy of creative forces is set to captivate audiences as the annual New Musical Laboratory unites accomplished Broadway professionals and Michigan State University students in the development of a new musical production. This collaborative endeavor between Wharton Center Institute for Arts & Creativity and the MSU Department of Theatre promises an electrifying showcase of innovation, bringing together a professional writer, director, producer, and actors with young talent, to develop a new musical production.
For this year’s New Musical Laboratory, 118 exceptional entries of new theatre work were received and from those entries one outstanding production was chosen and is now being meticulously refined over a span of three intense weeks, culminating in a staged concert, which will take place Sept 19, 21, and 22 at the Pasant Theatre in the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. The New Musical Laboratory provides a unique learning experience for student actors and backstage creatives as they work under the guidance of Broadway-caliber professionals.
This year’s New Musical Laboratory production is “In Pieces,” an anthology musical by Joey Contreras that explores the romantic journeys of six individuals across three chapters of life, illustrating that sometimes the greatest love stories are those involving soulmates who are not meant to be together. This new musical, which is being guest directed by Emily Maltby, a New York City-based theatre director, choreographer, and writer, begins as the six individuals face a turning point. Before they can take the next step, they must retrace the journey, the stories, and the relationships that got them there.
Contreras, a New York-based, Mexican American musical theatre and pop songwriter who also is a Fred Ebb Award finalist and three-time Jonathan Larson Grant finalist, wrote the book, music, and lyrics for “In Pieces,” which is already a National Alliance of Musical Theatre finalist with an album release on Broadway Records. This new musical has gained popularity online, with millions of streams and a growing social media presence. Its songs have become popular staples for auditions among a younger generation of aspiring singers, and a clip of one of the songs, “Ohio,” has become a viral hit with 1.5 million views on TikTok.
The “In Pieces” creative team is currently developing the musical with an eye towards a commercial premiere.
Each performance at MSU will include a post-show chat where audiences can offer insight and feedback.
Performance Dates and Times:
- Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 22, 2 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at whartoncenter.com, in person at the Wharton Center Ticket Office, or by calling 517-432-2000 or 1-800-WHARTON.
Ticket Pricing:
- General Admission – $15
- Students and youth – $10
For more information on this show and other MSU Department of Theatre productions, visit whartoncenter.com/events/category/dept-of-theatre.
