Our Summer Musical!

For the first time in Chicago​, Brown Paper Box Co. Presents
​Now. Here. This.
Music & Lyrics by Jeff Bowen
Book by Hunter Bell & Susan Blackwell
Directed by M. William Panek*
Musical Directed by T.J. Anderson*
 
Rivendell Theatre
July 22 – August 21, 2016

From the award-winning writing team that brought you [title of show], Now. Here. This. is a new musical tackling life's big questions with humor and humanity. In its Chicago premiere, the show follows the evolution and adventures of four friends in a natural history museum as they journey through time - from the present day museum, to their formative pasts, and back again. Inspired by various exhibits, the foursome share stories about friendship, hoarding, roller coasters, dying, middle school, and Archer the security guard in an attempt to step from the past into that elusive present moment…into the Now. Here. This.
 
“The chance to follow up [title of show] with Now. Here. This. is an amazing opportunity which timed itself out perfectly,” says director M. William Panek. “When production rights became available last summer, we wanted to continue Jeff & Hunter’s storytelling with as many of the same team members as possible. Not only did we want to recreate 2015’s excitement with this special opportunity, but we also wanted to highlight the writers’ collaborative nature with designers and actors who really have a handle on who these people are. I’m thrilled to see how these artists have grown, and welcome new faces on the journey – both onstage, backstage, and in the audience!”
 
The cast includes the reunited co-stars of Brown Paper Box Co.’s Jeff Recommended [title of show] - Neala Barron (Woman 1), Matt Frye (Man 2) and Anna Schutz* (Woman 2) – with new cast member Nick Shoda* (Man 1) joining the team.
 
The production team includes M. William Panek* (Director), T.J. Anderson* (Musical Director), Justin Harner* (Asst. Musical Director), Laura Wiley (Projection Designer), Sara Heymann*(Set/Prop Designer), Damian Wille* (Production Manager), and Charlie Sheets* (Graphic Designer).
 
*Denotes Brown Paper Box Co. members