Yale Institute for Music Theatre 2012 Selections to Include INFINITE FUNK ODYSSEY, MORTALITY PLAY

The YALE INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC THEATRE (Mark Brokaw, Artistic Director) has selected two original book musicals, Mighty Five's Infinite Funk Odyssey with music and lyrics by Zach Abramson and Derek Muro and book by Phil Aulie and Xaq Webb and Mortality Play with music by Scotty Arnold and book and lyrics by Alana Jacoby, to be developed in an intensive lab setting in New Haven, June 4-17.

ABOUT THE 2012 SELECTIONS

MIGHTY FIVE'S INFINITE FUNK ODYSSEY

Music and Lyrics by Zach Abramson and Derek Muro

Book by Phil Aulie and Xaq Webb

The time: the present. The setting: Dimension F, a spacey place powered by the Non-Stop Dance Party. Mighty Five's Infinite Funk Odyssey follows the journey of FunkBot, a robotic dance instructor without a soul, whose sexy software inadvertently creates a love triangle that threatens to destroy the relationships and friendships around him. Colonel Bootyshaker must lead the audience to help reactivate FunkBot's Soul Circuit.  Only then can he save himself, his friends, and the greatest dance party in the universe.

Zach Abramson (Music and Lyrics) is a composer, arranger, and producer specializing in collaborative multimedia works. He has created music for short and feature films, television, new theatre works and produced and arranged music for bands and songwriters. Zach received his BM and MM degrees in composition from the Manhattan School of Music. 

Derek Muro (Music and Lyrics) is a Los Angeles-based composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. His concert music has been heard in the U.S. and Europe, and he has also written works for theatre, dance, and visual media.  He has released music on several record labels, both in groups and as a solo artist.  Derek received his BM from the Manhattan School of Music. derekmuro.com

Xaq Webb (Book) is inspired by theatre that interacts with audiences in strange and exciting ways. Originally from Austin, Texas, he has worked as a producer and theatrical administrator across the U.S. He received his BA from the College of Santa Fe and is presently pursuing an MFA in Theater Management at Yale School of Drama. This is Xaq's first musical.

Phil Aulie, 1986-2012 (Book), will be remembered as a talented poet, actor, improviser, musician, and comedian.  He produced multiple albums with groups such as Federal! State! Local! and SuperHouse.  He was a frequent figure at the poetry slam in his hometown of Austin. 

MORTALITY PLAY

Music by Scotty Arnold

Book and Lyrics by Alana Jacoby 

Todd wants to be a rock star, but he's living in London in 1349, and the plague keeps getting in his way. With ultimatums from loved ones getting him down and the ghost of his former bandmate pressuring him to make a choice, Todd tries to navigate the dangers around him and to balance the forces of art and service in his life. Half rock show and half medieval morality play, this new musical follows a young man's struggle to decide between what he wants to do and what he thinks the world needs from him.  Which comes first?

Scotty Arnold (Music) has written music for Mortality Play (Yale Institute for Music Theatre, AntFest), The Wonderful Visit (NYU's GMTWP), Sasquatch... (upcoming: The Pitch), Lost and Found (Silverman Scholarship), and The Veteran's Wife (Colony Theater, LA).  He has studied at Santa Clara University (BA: Theatre, Music), ANMT: LA, NYU (MFA: Musical Theatre Writing), and New Dramatists (CLS).

Alana Jacoby (Book and Lyrics) has written book and lyrics for Mortality Play (Yale Institute for Music Theatre, ANTFest), Pandora's Paintbox (NYU), and Who Wants To Be Adopted? (4@15). Her songs have been featured at the Barrington Stage Company, Ars Nova, the Laurie Beechman Theatre, and The Duplex. She holds a BA in Playwriting from Brown University and an MFA in Musical Theater Writing from NYU. She is a teaching artist for the Roundabout Theatre Company.

For more information: www.drama.yale.edu/YIMT

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