2022 Shows
Music & Lyrics by G. Victoria Campbell, PhD, Book by G. Victoria Campbell & Andrew Coopman, Arrangements by Joseph Purdue
In the present-day, moody, Pacific Northwest, people go about their day like every other day, unaware of the environmental tragedies occurring around them. While some fight for the trees, others have come to accept there is no changing the status quo. Ash, heir to a logging empire, is at the center of it all and for them, life is easy. But when they are suddenly confronted with a life-changing decision, they are forced to reflect on their purpose in life: remain loyal to the firm, join the activists, or--carve a new path of their own. As Terra, the activists, and a mysterious, otherworldly chorus of elements guide them, they contemplate what their legacy will be. Tensions rise between the loggers and activists, local and global needs, and the present and future in this love story between humanity and Earth. Ash’s journey unfolds via a soaring soundtrack blending indigenous, Western and folk music, resulting in an Americana story which demonstrates how we each have the power to act to save the world. The question is… Will you play your part before it’s too late?
Music by Stephanie Henry; Text adapted from Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
Polly the Musical is a musical adaptation of Eleanor H. Porter's novel Pollyanna. It is stylized in the 1950s.The action takes place in the fictional town of Harrington, NY. Polly Whittier is an eleven-year-old orphan girl who has been taught to always find something to be glad about, even in the worst of circumstances. Following the death of her father, Polly is sent to live with her closest living relative, her late mother's sister, and a woman whom she has never met. Miss Polly Harrington. Polly Harrington is a wealthy woman who has a reputation for being cold. She agrees to take care of Polly because she prides herself on always doing what is morally right. She does not, however, take any joy in the idea of allowing a child to come into her house or her life. She initially does very little to make her niece feel welcome or comfortable in her new home. Polly, however, always sees the best in everybody and cannot help loving her Aunt Polly from the start. Polly's cheerfulness and her desire to make everybody around her as happy as possible has a positive impact on all of the people with whom she comes into into contact.
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Elle Tyler
Everything on the island of Jessa seems perfect. Everyone has exactly what they need, living in harmony with the earth and each other…or so it seems. Under the surface of perfection, Jessa is beginning to decay. The sea is growing cloudy, and the stars are starting to dim. The only hope for help lies through a mysterious Door that few know of and no one is able to open. No one, that is, except the two beings on Jessa who have magical powers. One, a young dreamer who longs for adventure; the other, the island’s aged outcast, banished to the edge of the world for a crime few remember. The two form an unlikely pairing as they seek to save-or destroy-Jessa forever.
2022 Writers
G. VICTORIA CAMPBELL (she/her) is an Indonesian-American poet, singer-songwriter, composer-lyricist, playwright and industrial-organizational psychologist. She spent the majority of her career working in HR Consulting helping drive positive organizational change before pivoting to theatre in 2020 to create art focused on positive global change. Her mission as an artist is to uplift and empower marginalized communities by inspiring humanity to play their part to achieve a more inclusive, equitable society.
Her debut theatrical work is TREESON: AN ECO-MUSICAL (2020) and songs from TREESON have been performed at Spotlight on New Musicals (London, 2022), Women in the Arts & Media Coalition Conversations in America (2022), Tin Pan Alley 2’s Concert Series (2021), The Latest Draft Podcast’s Season 2 Finale cabaret show (2021), the It's Time Climate Festival (2020), and Red Piano Productions Emerging Artists Showcase (London, 2020). She will join the acclaimed BMI Lehman-Engel Musical Theater workshop in 2022 and will be a resident of the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Ireland in 2023.
In addition to musical theater, she writes pop, rock, folk, and nu jazz music and frequently collaborates with electronic music producer Mattias Gillis Winge Rudh of MoEoStAr Music and The Churning Mondays. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild, BMI, Maestra Music and Mercury Musical Developments. She currently resides in Zürich, Switzerland and will move to NYC in 2022.
Stephanie Henry is a classically trained pianist and composer from Minneapolis, MN. She has performed with classical and theatrical ensembles, as well as with rock bands. She composed original works for film, musical theater, orchestras, quartets, and solo piano.
Stephanie’s music has been applauded for its originality and charismatic charm. She studied music at St. Olaf College and received her Master’s from Hamline University.
Stephanie is one of Parlando’s Commissioned Composers and her works have been celebrated by the Parlando and Boulder community.
Instagram @stephanie.e.henry
Tiktok @StephanieHPiano
Website: stephaniehenrycomposer.com
Elle Tyler wants all people to experience the wonder and joy that come with creating and encountering music and theater. For the last ten years, she has taught toddlers through elders in general music, piano, and songwriting, and has served as musical director for full-scale theatrical productions and community cabarets. As part of the duo The Bootlegger’s Wife, she writes and performs original songs inspired by favorite works from East of Eden to It’s a Wonderful Life. The group had the opportunity to open for Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore in 2018. While completing her masters in piano performance and pedagogy at the University of Colorado, she began teaching at Parlando School of Musical Arts, where she still maintains an active studio.
Elle currently performs as half of the duo Chansonniers—women performing music composed by women, from the Baroque era to Broadway. She is a 2022 Artist in Residence at the YMCA of the Rockies. In addition to stand-alone songs, Elle has written and produced an Easter cantata entitled Good News!, and a full-length musical entitled Getting Through April. The Door is her second full-length musical.
@ellegtyler @chansonniers.music
2022 Directors
Ben Stasny, Treeson Director
Ben is delighted to be working with Parlando and the Dairy Center in continuing developing Treeson, a new, eco-conscious musical! Ben graduated with his BFA in acting from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2015. As an actor, Ben has worked all around the country (and world). He just graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with his MA in theatre and performance studies with an emphasis in environmental studies and will be staying on to pursue his PhD this fall. While in grad school, Ben has led climate theatre workshops in London as a graduate researcher, directed and co-conceptualized last fall’s opening mainstage show Climate Cabaret, presented at conferences and engaged in all sorts of pro-environmental mischief in and around Boulder. Ben believes that climate communication is not a one-size-fits-all effort. We hope this musical offering leaves you with the desire to engage YOUR community in meaningful storytelling as it relates to climate change. Thank you for supporting the arts.
Amina Gilbert, Polly Director
Thadd Krueger, The Door Director
Amina Gilbert (She/They) is an inspired Director, Stage Manager, Lighting Designer, Musician, Actor and Clown. She is currently completing her B.A in Theatre with concentrations in Directing and Lighting Design from Columbia College Chicago.
Amina’s most recent credits include You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Production Stage Manager), Gut Dreams, a New Works Project (Assistant Director), María Irene Fornés’ Springtime (Production Stage Manager), a new original play Fields of Clover (Lighting Assistant), Columbia College Chicago’s 24 Hour Play Fest (Assistant Stage Manager), A Piece of My Heart (Production Stage Manager), and Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’ Gloria (Production Stage Manager).
Amina is currently working on her first self-produced ensemble production in which she hopes to make her clown debut mid-August of this year.
While she is an active and busy innovator within the Chicago Theatre industry, she is proud to call herself a Boulderite and a Parlando graduate! Amina is excited to continue to push the envelope with new works, young voices, queer joy, and overall tomfoolery.
Instagram: @https.amina
Thadd Krueger* ( Director THE DOOR ) is a multi faceted director, educator, performing artist, coach, and adjunct instructor who most recently directed EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL at Red Rocks Community College. As an accomplished stage actor, he has toured the country for over 25 years on stages from New York City to Los Angeles having most recently appeared as George in KINKY BOOTS at the Arvada Center and The Minister in ANYTHING GOES at Westchester Broadway Theatre. Member of Actors Equity Association (AEA), Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Eligible (SAG/AFTRA) in directing, TV and film.
In New York City, Thadd spent 10 years dedicated to the development of new plays and musicals in industry readings, tours and workshops with some of America's best emerging theater writers, directors and composers. Representation by Radical Artists Agency, CO/Hutson Talent Agency, VA.
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Ash: Lou A.
Terra/Earth: Lucy M.
Wind/Activist Mitch: Maureen M.
Water/Activist Jenna: Melody B.
Fire/Activist Wren: Tatum H.
Don: Nat Miller
Trent: Marcus Schaller
Lief: Anneliese G.
Everyperson/Activists/Loggers: Melody B., Alison L., Rei B., Sarah H., Sydney W., Vivian T., Isabel F., Maddy G., Drew W., Jamie L.
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Polly Whittier: Vivian T.
Ms. Polly Harrington: Isabel F.
Nancy: Annie G.
Mr. John Pendleton: Robert D.
Jimmy Bean: Maya L.
Mrs. Snow: Sue K.
Dr. Thomas Chilton: Jamie L.
Conductor: Julia S.Q.
Salesgirl: Alice M.
Ensemble: Maya L., Carolyn A., Robin M.
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Synda: Drew W.
Frell: Robert D.
Shava: Carolyn A.
Dyn: Sydney W.
Dryn: Lexie M.
Veem: Rei B.
Theren: Sue K.
Koren: Jamie L.
Akeela: Allison L.
Kooba: Ravel L.
Vell: Maya L.
Tairn: Robin M.
Townspeople: Annie G., Anneliese G.
Ensemble: Marcus S., Alice M., Julia S.Q., Lou A., Vivian T., Lucy M.