"Where Are You Taking Me?" took me far!

By Amrita Mangus, 2008-2009 Allen Lee Hughes Dramaturgy Fellow

Who wants more musicals? From the enthusiastic turnout at the "Where Are You Taking Me?: What's Next in Musical Theater" performance, apparently many people do!

On November 10th, Arena Stage and Georgetown University hosted a symposium on the development of new musicals in the United States and an evening performance of songs from featured new musicals. The symposium integrated prominent producers and creators of new musicals from across the country to express their experiences and issues with the development of new musicals. Fascinating questions and striking insights flooded the room as symposium participants wrestled with provocative topics, such as the best practices for new musical development, what needs to be changed, and the ideals for musical development in a Utopian world. Opinions ranged, but the profound respect for musical theater as a reputable art form was evident and symposium participants unanimously agreed that more symposiums on new musical development should take place in the future.

The performance introduced the audience to the development of new musicals by featuring songs from Vanities, Sleeping Beauty Wakes, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Redhand Guitar, Stunt Girl, Wisconsin Death Trip, Emma, Rooms, Giant, and Long Story Short. Each musical differed in musicality and lyrical content, ranging from musicals with more of a classical feel to musicals focusing on punk rock or heavy guitar riffs. The audience left pleased and impressed for the future of musical theater, eager to hear more. Let's "hear" it for musicals as they continue to maintain their cultural presence in the 21st century and for centuries yet to come!