We're pleased to announce the cast and production staff for our spring musical, A New Brain!

A New Brain

Music and lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Directed by Alicia Sweeney
Produced by Judi Wobensmith
Performance dates: April 12 - May 5, 2019

A New Brain is an autobiographical musical by William Finn, of Falsettos and Spelling Bee fame, concerning his bout with an arteriovenous malformation in his brain and the healing power of art through the character of songwriter Gordon Schwinn.  The show opens with Gordon working at his piano to meet a deadline, irritated because he must write a song about spring for a children’s television host, Mr. Bungee, who dresses as a frog. At lunch with best friend and agent, Rhoda, Gordon collapses face first into his meal and is taken to the hospital. Gordon’s greatest fear is dying with his best songs still unwritten. Descending upon his hospital room are a hilariously absurd cast of characters: his oppressive mother, his supportive lover, hospital staff, and a wise homeless woman and a hallucination of his haranguing, amphibian boss. Facing his own mortality and awaiting brain surgery, Gordon wrestles with the person he has been, the legacy he will leave behind, and ultimately, the person he will be if he survives.

The Cast

The Production Staff

Cheryl Campo as A Homeless Lady Aref Dajani as Dr. Jafar Berensteiner Rebecca Downs as Mimi Schwinn Ron Giddings as Micheal Schwinn Eric Meadows as The Minister Jamie Miller as Waitress/Nancy D Heather McMunigal as Rhoda Tom Newbrough as Mr. Bungee Lablacq Pearl as Richard Rob Tucker as Roger Delli-Bovi

Director: Alicia Sweeney Music Director: Jessica Deskin Assistant Director: Shannon Benil Producer: Judi Wobensmith Play Consultant: Sharie Valerio Stage Manager: Shirley Panek Technical Coordinator: Wes Bedsworth Lighting Designer: John Purnell Assistant Lighting Designer: Jenn Smith Sound Designer: Richard Atha Nichols Set Designer: Carol Youmans Lead Carpenter: Ted Yablonski Costume Designers: Fran Marchand, Lura Meyers Properties Designer: Charlotte Robinson