A Big Announcement Coming Soon!
We have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT for Spells of the Sea and we can’t wait to share it with you!
First, a brief development history with special thanks to the many many many people who have been part of this journey so far.
I was first introduced to this piece by Dr. Megan Alrutz in July 2021. Spells of the Sea, A New Musical features book by Guinevere Govea with Anna Pickett, Music and Lyrics by Guinevere Govea. It’s been a joy to work with Gwenny and Anna for these past three years.
Megan Alrutz gave encouragement to the piece as professor at UT Austin. She championed Spells of the Sea as a 5-episode podcast of the Cohen New Works Festival where Spells of the Sea.
Also while in Texas, Spells of the Sea was nominated for the B. Iden Payne Awards in October, 2021 including Anna Pickett being nominated for Outstanding Direction, and Gwenny winning Outstanding Original Score, Outstanding Original Script.
Guinevere ‘Gwenny’ Govea and Anna Pickett win B. Iden Payne Awards for Outstanding Original Score and Outstanding Original Script for Spells of the Sea.
University of Central Florida’s Pegasus PlayLab selected Spells of the Sea from 900 submissions as one of four developmental workshops, June 2022. Julia Listengarten’s team helped bring the piece from page to stage for the first time.
l-r Hanna Schorr as Pirate, Bethamy Post as Finley with Drew Stark as C.S. Crank, Mia Hammond as Pirate, and Madilynn Crown as Princess.
This robust team featured theater makers from all over the country. They included:
Julia Flood- Director
Chanel Goma-Assistant Director
Megan Alrutz- Dramaturg
Gabby Lawlor- Assistant Dramatrug
Guinevere Govea- Playwirght/Composer
Anna Picket- Playwright
Michelle Habeck- Guest Designer
Adriana Serrano- Guest Designer
Giana Blazquez Bultman- Choreographer
Julia Vega- Choreographer
Chandler Caroccio- Music Director
Deborah Wicks La Puma-Music Director Advisor
Megan Ann Rasmussen-Producer
Christian Anderson-Assistant Producer
Cory Kennedy-Assistant Producer
Claire Derriennic-Community Engagement
Xinyue Zhang-Community Engagement
Julia Listengarten-Artistic Director
Sage Tokach-Associate Artistic Director
Casey Deiter-Sound Designer
Jenna DelVecchio-Scenic
Karina Rodriguez-Toledo-Costumes
Alexander Russell-Lighting
Sonya Smith-Tembe- Scenic
Anelina Buck-Crew
Laura Ferreira de Carvalho-Crew
Samfritz Del Valle-Crew
Gary Brown-Production Manager
Bridget Parry-Box Office Manager
Jessica Compton-Marketing
Elana Treiser-Stage Manager
Toni Ghirardo-Assistant Stage Manager
Bridgett Rojas-Assistant Stage Manager
CAST
Andrea Braza- DAD/PIRATE CAPTAIN
Madilynn Crown- PRINCESS/TOWNSPERSON (KID)/PIRATE #1
Mia Hammond-DOCTOR/QUEEN/TOWNSPERSON
Renita James-SHOPKEEPER/MERMAID/ELIXIR/SEA MONSTERE/PEARL
Bellamy Kopesec-Understudy
Bethany Post-FINLEY
Hannah Shorr-TEACHER/ASSISTANT TO THE PIRATE CAPTAIN/TOWNSPERSON
Drew Stark-H.S. CRANK
Additional marketing- Mara Jill Herman, David McKibbin.
Julia Flood and Metro Theater Company co-produced the World Premiere of Spells of the Sea as part of their celebrated 50th Anniversary Season in February and March of 2023.
“A lively adventure...a lovely show””
“Everyone should grab their kids...go see this musical!”
“...a fresh voice to know...equal parts whimsy, wonder and wisdom.””
“...thoroughly engaging and uplifting”
The artistic team at Metro Theater Company was incredible. We are grateful to each including:
Julia Flood-Director
Deborah Wicks La Puma- Music Director
Dr. Megan Alrutz-Dramaturg
Jimmy Bernatowicz-Stage Manager
Margery and Peter Spack-Scenic Designers
Cynthia Nordstrom-Costume Designer
Jayson M. Lawshee-Lighting Designer
Rusty Wandall-Sound Designer
Fernanda Douglas-Associate Music Director, Orchestrator, and Copyist
Anna Pickett-Assistant Director
Tyler White-Choreographer
Katie Orr-Props Artisan
Cristie Johnston-Scenic Artist
Nathan Lessly-Costume Assistnat
Mara Dumski & Hope Freeman for Pura- Olfactory Design
Caroline & Alex Fabrigas for Scent Marketing Inc.-Olfactory Design
Juliett Roy & Matthew Solomon-Costume Design Studio Assistants
Jimmy Bernatowicz- Production Manager
Erik Kuhn-Technical Director
Julia Hogan Laurenson-Artistic Administration Coordinator
Teresa West & Cameron Tyler-House Management
Joe Gflaller-Managing Director
Karen Bain-Education Director
Sarah Thompson- Director of Communications and Media
Jennifer Lin- Content Marketing Manager
Eleanor Marsh-School Bookings and Audiences Services Manager
Community Engagement Lead- Mara Herman
Community Engagement- Deanna Knudsen
Digital Content- Caroline Tattersfield
Digital Advertising Consultant-Monica Hammond / Big Leap Brands
CAST (In alphabetical order)
Molly Burris- PRINCESS AND OTHERS
Syrhea Conaway-TEACHER AND OTHERS
Hanna Geisz- PEARL,FINLEY FRANKFURTER (u/s), AND OTHERS
Jon Gentry-H.S. CRANK
Guinevere Govea-FINLEY FRANKFURTER
Micthell Manar-ASSISTANT PIRATE CAPTAIN AND OTHERS
Colin McLaughlin-FERRIS FRANFURTER AND OTHERS
Noah Laster-PIRATE CAPTAIN AND OTHERS
Tyler White-MERMAID, SHOPKEEPER, AND MONSTER
In August of 2023 We had our first New York debut for Spells of the Sea as an internal table reading. A gathering of Broadway’s best joined us to breathe life into the characters after a series of rewrites from our St. Louis production.
We are so grateful for Aubrey Belle Adams, Lianah Sta. Ana, Jade Jones, Ryan Knowles, Loren Lester, and Brittney Mack for their help in this first touchpoint for Spells of the Sea with a New York-based creative team. The table read was directed by Rachel Klein , Sammie Estrella as Assistant Director, Ben Greiner Stage Manager with Eisenberg/Beans Casting and KGM General Management.
Most recently, March 2024, we showcased Spells of the Sea in a salon presentation this time featuring Broadway alums Gina Naomi Baez, Gizel Jiménez, and Lance Roberts with Ryan Nowles and Brittney Mack.
Rachel Klein directed the private event with Andy Peterson as Music Director and orchestrator. Sammie Estrella, Assistant Director. The event showcased newly recorded demos of songs orchestrated by Andy Peterson featuring the following musicians;
Drums- Emma Ford;
Bass- Yuka Tadano;
Guitar- Mike Rosengarten;
Keyboard- Kelly Thomas;
Violin- Rieko Kawabata;
Viola- Jessica Troy;
Cello- Zach Brown;
Oboe/Flute- Zach Larimer.*
Salon vocalists:
Gizel Jiménez- FINLEY FRANKFURTER
Lance Roberts- H.S. CRANKS
Ryan Knowles- DAD AND PIRATE CAPTAIN
Brittney Mack- MERMAID AND OTHERS
Gina Naomi Baez- PRINCESS AND OTHERS
Other parts of the team included:
Casting Agency- Eisenberg Casting/Daryl Eisenberg, CSA
Marketing Director- Madeline Corcoran
Social Media- Caroline Tattersfield
Music Editor- Jason DeWald
Key Art- Holly Reed
Producers Megan Ann Rasmussen & Don Michael Mendoza
Associate Producer- Oyoyo Bonner
Creative Consultant-Matthew Solomon
Production Assistant- Amaya Coleman
Management and filming- Kr38 Creative LLC
Development Creative Team: Cynthia Nordstrom, Juliette Roy, Emily Marshburn.
With special thanks to: Michael, Chris & Julie, Matt & Jill, Heather and Greg.
The salon was staged at the Bo Peep Cocktail and Highball Store at The Ragtrader. New York City Recording spaces provided by: Smash Studios.
*The musicians employed in creating the demos are members of the American Federation of Musicians (802), the Union of Professional Musicians in the United States and Canada.
We are so thankful for the incredible journey this new musical has had so far and we look forward to the next chapter!
