Band Geeks! — about a collection of high-school marching-band misfits, played by adult actors — will launch the season. The show was first tested at Goodspeed's 2009 Festival of New Artists, and will play the Terris May 13-June 6. Co-writer Gordon Greenberg (who directed Goodspeed's Penzance, Half a Sixpence and Happy Days: A New Musical) will direct. Denis Jones will choreograph.
Radio Girl, a musical with songs by Krieger and lyricist Susan Birkenheard, inspired by the novel "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," will play July 29-Aug. 22.
The third new musical, which will be announced soon, is scheduled to run Oct. 21-Nov. 14.
Band Geeks! features music by Mark Allen, Gaby Alter and Tommy Newman, with lyrics by Alter and Newman, and book by Newman and Greenberg. The concept is by Newman.
According to Goodspeed, "Band Geeks! is a high-stepping tribute to high school marching bands and misfits everywhere! With just nine members and dwindling funds, the Cuyahoga High Marching Beavers are close to extinction. When a troubled athlete is relegated to their ranks, Elliott, the tuba-playing band captain and Laura, his best friend, must find a way to unite the band, embrace their inner geek and save the Marching Beavers. A rousing and triumphant musical for all ages!" In January 2009, Band Geeks! was heard as part of Goodspeed's fourth annual Festival of New Artists. Since then the writing team has been working to develop and fine tune the brassy musical comedy. The team has furthered their progress through work with the Music Theatre Program at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford. Most recently, Band Geeks! appeared in the 2009 National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) Festival of New Musicals in New York.
Daniel Goldfarb (Broadway's Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me) wrote the book for Radio Girl, which will be directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli (Goodspeed's Emmet Otter, choreography for Broadway's South Pacific).
According to Goodspeed, "Rebecca is a spunky ten year-old with a 'can do' attitude and enormous talent. She doesn't let anything get her down — not even being an orphan, or living during the Depression, and especially not her cantankerous Aunt Miranda! With charm, street smarts, pluck and a glorious voice, Rebecca triumphs as 'Lucky Little Radio Girl' and lifts the spirits of America."
Krieger wrote the music for Broadway's Dreamgirls and Side Show. Birkenhead wrote lyrics for Working and Jelly's Last Jam.
Band Geeks!, Radio Girl and the fall production will be produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price.
Season tickets are available now through the Goodspeed Opera House Box Office. Individual tickets will go on sale March 25. For more information call (860) 873-8668 or visit www.goodspeed.org.
The Norma Terris Theatre is located at 33 North Main Street in Chester.
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Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT, and additional productions at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, CT, which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. The only regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement), Goodspeed also maintains the Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in the Musical Theater.
