The Museum Of Broken Relationships

A STAGED READING OF A NEW MUSICAL!

SpeakEasy Stage Company, in partnership with Somerled Arts, will produce a developmental workshop of the new musical THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS by David H. Bell (book writer and lyricist) and Daniel Green (composer and lyricist). Presentations are free and will be held at The Huntington’s Maso Studio on Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23. 

The musical tells the story of gallerist Kirsten who, one week before the grand opening of her new art gallery, is confronted by a man in a tux, soaking wet, and desperately looking for his mother’s wedding ring. Their encounter sparks a discovery of family secrets and unresolved conflict in both their lives. What unfolds is the story of relationships—both lost and found—inspired by a curious and surprisingly impactful real museum in Croatia that celebrates the remarkable stories revealed by everyday objects. 

The cast is led by “Hamilton” alum Nik Walker and Indianapolis-born singer/actor Carly Kincannon.  Also featured are Amy Barker, Susana Cordón, Ethan DePuy, Jesse Garlick, De’Lon Grant, Sarah Linnell, Ryan Mardesich, Will McGarrahan, Mairéad O’Neill, Ned Riseley, Jenna Sage, and Helena Tafuri.  

In addition to writing the book and lyrics, Bell will direct, Boston-based musician and educator Dan Rodriguez will be the Music Director. Other production team members include Scott Evans (Associate Director), John-William Gambrell (Assistant Music Director), Geoffrey Ko (Orchestrator), Carrie Chapter (Dramaturg), and Andy Hartman (Script Supervisor). Rafi Levavy is Production Stage Manager and Claudia Bennett is Production Assistant. 

THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS was commissioned by Somerled Arts and developed at the Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference, the American Music Theatre Project, and the Aspen Theatre Festival. 

Tickets are free and more information is available at the RSVP link. Reservations are required.  

Estimated run time is 2 hours, 30 minutes including intermission. 

The Cast

About the Creative Team 

DAVID H. BELL (Book Writer / Lyricist / Director)
David H. Bell served as Artistic Director of Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C., Associate Artistic Director to Kenny Leon at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, and Artistic Director of the American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University.

As a director, choreographer or author, David has received 46 of Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award nominations (winning 12), 5 Carbonell nominations (Florida), the Dramalogue Award (L.A.), the Helen Hayes Award (D.C.), and a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for his musical Hot Mikado.

David has written and directed A Smokey Mountain Christmas (with Dolly Parton, London Festival Hall and Vancouver Arts Club, 2021 Jessie Award Best Musical), Cowboys and Lawyers (Goodspeed Opera House), The Good War (Northlight Theatre), Shakin’ the Rafters and Gut Bucket Blues (Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre), Museum of Broken Relationships (O’Neill and Aspen Theatre Festival, Holof Lyricist Award), Theatre of Dreams (Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall), Die Schöne und das Biest (European Tour), A Christmas Carol (Ford’s Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO), The Bowery Boys and Matador (Marriott Theatre), and Rules of Love (AMTP).

Other directing credits include the world premieres of Murder for Two (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Elmer Gantry (Ford’s Theatre), Peggy Sue Got Married (Marriott Theatre), Don’t Stop the Carnival (by Jimmy Buffett and Herman Wouk), and Southern Gothic (Windy City Playhouse), among many others.

DANIEL GREEN (Composer / Lyricist)
Daniel Green was recently the associate music director of Almost Famous on Broadway. Previously he was the associate conductor of In Transit and Rocky on Broadway, and he has played or conducted on Broadway for many other shows including Parade, An American In Paris, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Wicked. Other credits include Ride (Old Globe), Ever After (Alliance Theatre), The Wild Party (Encores!), Theory of Relativity (Goodspeed), and Between the Lines (Second Stage). 
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As a writer, Daniel won the Holof Lyricist Award with David H. Bell for The Museum of Broken
Relationships, which was developed at the Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference and later presented at the Aspen Theatre Festival. His solo musical Window Treatment, written with Deborah Zoe Laufer, was produced at the TBG Theatre Off-Broadway, and his show The Tale of the Gifted Prince, written with Lezlie Wade, has been featured in festivals around North America, including the NAMT Songwriter’s Showcase and the ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop with Stephen Schwartz. 
 
Other writing honors include a NAMT grant from the National Fund for New Musicals; a retreat at Running Deer Musical Theatre Lab; a Weston Playhouse New Musical Award nomination, and inclusion in NEO at the York Theatre. Other composing credits include Fanny Brice (Asolo Rep Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Northwestern University); and Twelfth Night (Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival). Daniel is a graduate of Northwestern University and the BMI Musical Theatre Advanced Workshop.

DAN RODRIGUEZ (Music Director)

Dan is a graduate of Oberlin who now works at the Boston Conservatory @ Berklee.  Dan has taught at Emerson College, Brandeis University, and Northeastern University. Rodriguez is the winner of an Elliot Norton Award and multiple Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards for Best Music Direction. He is also a member of the American Federation of Musicians. His regional credits include: Lyric Stage (Preludes, The Last Five Years, Little Shop of Horrors, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Gypsy); The Huntington (Sunday in the Park with George, A Little Night Music); North Shore Music Theatre (Kinky Boots, Little Shop of Horrors); Reagle Music Theatre (Oklahoma, West Side Story); Moonbox Productions (Caroline, or Change, Cabaret); Wheelock Family Theatre (In the Heights); American Repertory Theatre (The Lily’s Revenge, The Blue Flower); and Front Porch Arts Collective (Ain’t Misbehavin’).