BIG NEWS:
I am THRILLED to announce that How to Repair a Mechanical Heart has been adapted into a stage musical! I‘m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work with the three brilliant guys who make up the core creative team: Marc Erdahi (director), Jay Falzone (book & lyrics), and Trent Jeffords (composer). Over the past few years, they’ve welcomed me into the process and made me a part of their team, and I’ve learned so much and had SO MUCH fun. I’m hoping we get a good run somewhere, because a joyful, funny, romantic, geeky, and extremely queer musical is just what we need these days.
FOR UPDATES: Please give @mechanicalheartmusical a follow over on Instagram to keep up with musical news! But for now, here’s a little peek at what’s been happening.
CAST READTHROUGHS
The first in-person cast readthrough was in August 2021 at Ripley-Grier Studios in NYC, led by Troy Iwata (Broadway’s Be More Chill; Netflix’s “Dash & Lily”) as Brandon, Chris Medlin (Broadway’ Diana, Mean Girls; Netflix’s “Sweet Magnolias”) as Abel, Maria Habeeb (NY: Songs for a New World) as Bec, and Lily Talevski (Regional: Hedwig & The Angry Inch) as Miss Maxima. Let me tell you: it was EVERYTHING. The talent, passion, humor, and absolute joy the whole cast exuded was…..I dunno, for once I don’t even have words for it. Here are a couple photos:
Cast photo!
Abel, Brandon, and Bec doing the BFF thing
Cadmus + Sim 4EVA
Miss Maxima hitting those high notes
The cast did another presentation at the Green Room 42 in NYC in October—I wasn’t there for that one but heard it was no less spectacular. Seeing this cast all together makes my heart grow three sizes.
CONCEPT ALBUM PREVIEW PARTY
In November and December of 2021, composer Trent Jeffords worked with the amazing cast to record a concept album of 13 songs from the show. The creative team decided to unveil it early to start building excitement and awareness about the musical.
The concept album preview party is scheduled for Thursday, 12/30 at 8 pm EST—a great chance to hear the songs in advance and meet the cast and creative team. (This virtual preview party will also double as a fundraiser for the workshop presentation we’re trying to launch, though there’s no obligation to donate.)
SIGN UP FOR A FREE TICKET HERE!
WATCH THE AD, featuring cast member Ben Bogen (Ed Ransome/Captain Cadmus)
WHAT’S NEXT?
Not sure about the where and when of the actual show yet, but I’ll definitely post updates when I know more! Our next step is to fund and launch a workshop presentation of the show to attract investors, so if you or anyone you know would like to help a terrific LGBTQ+ musical with its next stage of development, shoot us a DM on Instagram (@mechanicalheartmusical).