A NEW BRAIN
MUSIC & LYRICS BY WILLIAM FINN
BOOK BY WILLIAM FINN & JAMES LAPINE
VOCAL ARRANGEMENTS BY JASON ROBERT BROWN
DIRECTED BY SEAN ELIAS^
May 31 - June 9, 2019
Baltimore Theatre Project
From the Tony Award-winning authors of Falsettos, William Finn and James Lapine, with vocal arrangements by Tony Award-winning Jason Robert Brown, A New Brain is an energetic, sardonic, and often comical musical about unforeseen life events reminding us of who we are, what we're made of, and who we hope to be. Gordon, a composer for a children's TV show that features a human frog named Mr. Bungee, dreams of quitting his 'talent killing' job and writing Broadway's next hit musical. At lunch, Gordon collapses into his meal and wakes up in the hospital, surrounded by his maritime-enthusiast boyfriend, his overbearing mother, a co-worker, and a team of medical professionals. Thought to have a tumor inside his brain, Gordon finds the courage to confront not only his mortality as he agrees to the necessary yet life-threatening surgery, but also the specter of Mr. Bungee and the music still left unwritten.
The story of A New Brain is drawn from Finn's own life. Back in 1992, shortly after the successful opening of Falsettos on Broadway — the culmination of years of work — Finn suffered a brain seizure and was hospitalized. During this painfully difficult time, his doctors could not immediately pinpoint the cause of the seizure and were not sure if he would survive. Finn also feared that, even if he lived, he still might lose his ability to write. From such dire source material came this surprisingly joyous and funny musical.
CAST
Kathryne Daniels as Rhoda, Danielle Harrow^ as Lisa, Eva Hellerbach as Nancy D / Waitress / Dance Captain, Charles Johnson as Gordon Schwinn, John Knapp^ as Mr. Bungee / Dr. Jafar, Nicholas Miles^ as Richard / Minister, Brian Ott* as Roger, and Sebastian Ryder✝︎ as Mimi Schwinn.
PRODUCTION
Stage Management by River Hansen^ with Assistant Stage Management provided by Nicholle D’Anna. Set Design by Keith Silberg with Costume Design by April Forrer^, Lighting Design by Janine Vreatt^, and Sound Design by Sam Lee^. Additional accompaniment provided by Ching-Yi Lin and Suzanne Jones. Safer Spaces training provided by Shawna Potter of Hollaback! Baltimore.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
“…this charming piece of theatre is not one to miss, and considering its relative obscurity, it’s unlikely we Marylanders will have another easy opportunity to see it again anytime soon.” - MD Theatre Guide
“…it will indeed send you out happy.” - Broadway World
“…staged with smartness and sparkle by Iron Crow Theatre under the direction of Sean Elias.” - DC Theatre Scene
“…a powerful theme, well-conveyed in the new Iron Crow Theatre revival of A New Brain.” - Broadway World
“The Iron Crow cast is more than up to A New Brain’s intricate song stylings and wordplay lyrics, which put you in mind of Sondheim’s phrasing but are also peculiar to Finn.” - DC Theatre Scene
“…director Sean Elias’ blocking was…very clever, appropriately quirky, and pleasing to the eye.” - MD Theatre Guide
“…often stunning to hear. Likewise, all of the big solo numbers were expertly fielded.” - Broadway World
* Appearing through an agreement between Iron Crow Theatre and Actors' Equity Association, the union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
^ Indicates Iron Crow Theatre Resident Artist.
✝︎ Denotes SAG/AFTRA Member.