Broadway comes to Bloomington for world premiere musical 'The Moon and the Sea'
A dose of demonstrated Broadway talent comes to Bloomington June 8-25 in Constellation Stage & Screen's world premiere musical "The Moon and the Sea."
'The Moon and the Sea' plot
Let it go. Therapists have been telling their patients that for decades. Creighton Irons' and Broadway's Douglas Lyons' "The Moon and the Sea" reminds us of love's tonnage and how it hurts to watch it float away.
Characters Erin and Charlie broke up four years ago. Life has inadvertently brought them together again. But, now, Erin is scheduled to promise "I do" to someone else. Suddenly it's hard to keep her old love for Charlie at bay.
Irons composed the score and wrote the lyrics; Lyons wrote the book. If you've seen Lyons' Broadway comedy "Chicken & Biscuits" you'll already know how pot-stirringly good he is.
More:Constellation Stage & Screen offers original plays, premiere performances for 2023-24
The director, Josh Rhodes, from Broadway
New York City's and Broadway's Josh Rhodes is directing. On Broadway he choreographed several shows, including Rodgers and Hammerstein’s "Cinderella." On London’s West End, he choreographed "Carousel" at the English National Opera and "Sweeney Todd" starring Emma Thompson. He recently directed the musical film "Beau," which has earned awards in festivals throughout North America. Some of his other highlights include directing and choreographing at the Kennedy Center, New York City's City Center Encores! and St. Louis' The Muny.
A popular local — Scott Van Wye
To make this premiere even more tempting for us locals, a Bloomington favorite of yore, Scott Van Wye, who studied at Indiana University before moving to New York, returns to join the cast.
The writer, Douglas Lyons, from Broadway
As the musical's bookwriter, Lyons has been studying how people behave for years. "It is the most useful resource for my writing inspiration," he said in an email.
"I’m constantly trying to infuse healing and love into my scripts. Luckily, Creighton’s score already had an abundant amount of love baked into it."
For Lyons' Broadway playwriting debut, "Chicken & Biscuits" — an often produced and good-time play — he grabbed a nomination for a GLAAD Media Award. GLAAD stands for Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and honors films, TV shows, musicians, video games and journalism that embody the LGBT community in ways that are deemed fair, accurate and inclusive.
"I think 'Chicken & Biscuits' is the second most produced play of the 2022-2023 season because people see themselves reflected on stage. They see their cousins, aunts and uncles. They can laugh because they relate to this Black family sifting their way to healing."
Multitalented, Lyons also has acted on Broadway in the "Book of Mormon," the original cast of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical," and he's currently in the revival of "Parade." He said "Parade" reminds him that a well directed compelling story is enough. Elaborate sets and technology are impressive, he believes, but it is the story that he always looks for.
Lyons has embedded messages in "The Moon and the Sea" that he hopes will linger with audiences: one of those is that love lacks perfection.
"Love can be messy, hurtful and blissful, but ultimately full of valuable lessons; and I think this show challenges any lover to find some kind of healing in life's heartbreaks."
Writers write from experience; Lyons' misery has impelled him.
"At 25 I had one of the most dramatic breakups of my life. I just knew my love life had expired."
Clearly, however, he has succeeded in the arts, and it's interesting to watch how that can change a person.
"The last five years have turned me from just an actor into an artist. I no longer limit my mindset based on what I’m given. I dare to dream beyond what I can see and a lot of those bigger dreams are coming true. This production being one of them."
If Lyons were able share advice with his characters Erin and Charlie, he said it would be this: “Your love was not in vain.”
If you go
WHAT: "The Moon and the Sea," world premiere musical by Creighton Irons and Broadway's Douglas Lyons. For ages 16 and older.WHEN: Showtimes, 2 and 7:30 p.m., vary according to which day, June 8-25. Check the website, seeconstellation.org/, for details and tickets.
WHERE: Waldron Auditorium, 122 S. Walnut St.TICKETS: $38 for adults, $23 for students with ID, or choose your own ticket price on a Pay What You Will Thursday. These can sell out quickly.