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Scavengers Take The Stage In DUMPSTER DIVER THE MUSICAL

By: Sep. 02, 2018
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A musical about Dumpster Diving? Yes, really ...

A musical about dumpster diving is coming to New York City. Yes, really.

Dumpster Diver the musical was selected as an official entry for The New York Theater Festival, and is getting a 3-day run (October 1, 5, 7) at The Hudson Guild Theater in Chelsea, Manhattan.

"It's a classic love story told in an unconventional way," says Kris Kemp, writer (book/score) and creator of the musical. "I'm working with an amazing director, Maya Faye Gordon, and we've got a fantastic cast that's bringing this story to life."

Dumpster Diver the musical, explains Kemp, is a simple story with universal themes and even some philosophical undertones.

Essentially, it tells the story of two friends, Faith, a carefree, hippie traveler, and Trevor, a conventional software engineer. The first act follow them as they graduate college and head their separate ways. At the end of the first act, four years later, they re-meet.

When Faith confronts Trevor with the truth about his company-that it has evil intentions-and urges him to join her and her renegade friends (Dumpster Liberation Front - DLF) to help shut it down, Trevor has a decision to make. Will Trevor continue working at his company, and living a life of comfort and stability, or quit his well-paying job, abandon everything, and join Faith and the DLF to travel across the country in order to shut down the company? Find out what happens in this story of friendship, adventure, and dumpster diving.

A variety of influences helped inspire the musical.

"When I was a kid, I was introduced to Jeff Wayne's musical version of "War of the Worlds". It's such a fantastic and enchanting story that years later, when I wrote the book for "Dumpster Diver the musical", that served as one of the main influences. Especially since it tells a story of love and adventure in an apocalyptic setting. I also was inspired by "The Sound of Music" and the original "Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory", the one with Gene Wilder. As far as comparisons go, however, people have told me that it reminds them of "Urinetown", which is a high compliment."

Although the philosophical themes run throughout, they rely mainly to serve the story of the musical.

"On a deeper level, it asks certain questions which, at some point, we probably ask ourselves. Should you lead a life that's comfortable or one of risk and adventure? How do we determine the difference between revenge and justice?"

"I used to live in a quonset hut in West Palm Beach, Florida," says Kemp. "It was inhabited by a revolving door of artists, drifters, dreamers, writers, musicians. And living there was such an interesting character study. It was like birdwatching for humans. That's where I started writing the musical. Most of the characters are based on real people."

But really? A musical about dumpster diving? Do the actors actually jump into dumpsters and collect food and other items?

"Find out," says Kemp, with a smile. "Get tickets for the musical. Invite your friends."

See Dumpster Diver the musical, as it makes it's 3-day/night run in New York City

Get tickets for the show here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3522592

Get dates & theater info here: http://newyorktheaterfestival.com/dumpster-diver-the-musical/

More about the musical here: http://www.DumpsterDiverMusical.com







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