Theater News

World Premiere Musical Midwestern Gothic Set to Begin Performances

Matthew Gardiner directs the musical at Signature Theatre.

Timothy J. Alex stars in the world premiere of Josh Schmidt and Royce Vavrek's musical Midwestern Gothic, directed by Matthew Gardiner, at Signature Theatre.
Timothy J. Alex stars in the world premiere of Josh Schmidt and Royce Vavrek's musical Midwestern Gothic, directed by Matthew Gardiner, at Signature Theatre.
(photo provided by Signature Theatre)

Midwestern Gothic begins performances tonight at Signature Theatre.

This new musical from Royce Vavrek and Josh Schmidt is a thriller with a musical twist. It is described as follows: "Not all is well in a little town in the middle of continental nowhere. With no options of escape, the occupants seek other, stranger, diversions. With a bold, brash and gorgeous score, Midwestern Gothic is like nothing else you’ve seen before ― and will leave you breathless."

The production star Morgan Keene (Newsies) as Stina, Timothy J. Alex (Tuck Everlasting) as Red, Sherri Edelen (Cake Off) as Deb, Sam Ludwig (Titanic) as Anderson, Bobby Smith (Titanic) as Dwayne, and Rachel Zampelli (The Gulf) as Luann. The ensemble is rounded out by Evan Casey (The Flick), J.P. Sisneros, Chris Sizemore (Titanic), and Stephen Gregory Smith (Titanic). Matthew Gardiner directs.

"When Josh Schmidt and Royce Vavrek sent me an early draft of the script I knew it was a piece I wanted to tackle," said Gardiner. "Daring, provocative and darkly humorous, the piece takes the seemingly plain and ordinary life of a Midwestern town and reveals the darkness and complexity rumbling beneath the surface."

The creative team includes musical direction by Timothy Splain, scenic design by Misha Kachman, lighting design by Colin K. Bills, costume design by Ivania Stack, sound design by Ryan Hickey, and fight choreography by Casey Kaleba. The production stage manager is Julie Meyer.

Performances continue through April 30.

For tickets and more information, click here.

Featured In This Story

Midwestern Gothic

Closed: April 30, 2017