Theatre Nova to Present New Rock Musical IRRATIONAL

Theatre Nova, an Ann Arbor company that focuses exclusively on new and recent plays, will premiere an original rock musical by Ann Arbor playwright and Ann Arbor composer David Wells and R. MacKenzie Lewis this April.

Producing a World Premiere musical is no simple equation. Just ask David Wells, and R. MacKenzie Lewis, whose original rock musical about math "Irrational" - now getting its inaugural production in April at Theatre Nova - began its journey approximately 3.14 years ago (no joke). The two, who collaborated on Wells' play "Brill" at the now defunct Performance Network, with Lewis as arranger on that show, began hatching the idea to write a show about the fascinating story of Pythagoras in January of 2013, and it's been an improbable journey since then.

After a year's worth of collaboration, an early draft of the play was first read at Eastern Michigan University (where Lewis is a professor) and at Performance Network's Fireside New Play Festival in January of 2014, where it received raves from festival audiences. The show was quickly snapped up by Artistic Director Carla Milarch for inclusion in Performance Network's 2014-2015 season, just months before that theater was closed by its board. Milarch, who went on to found Theatre Nova later that year was quick to include the show up for her new theater's inaugural season, but timing and budgetary constraints led to a second postponement. Now, with casting nearly complete and rehearsals beginning on March 29th, the show will finally find its wings.

Milarch says "The waiting has truly been the hardest part of our journey. With a show this good, you just want to start diving in creatively, but we've had to be very patient in getting it just right. Ultimately, I think the multiple postponements have led us through a deeper, richer process, with more time to ponder and think about the characters and the story. I've had these songs running through my head for two years now!"

The show's musical style is an eclectic mix of rock, pop, funk, and everything in between, referencing Lewis' diverse musical influences. Its musical palette will appeal to multiple generations, with hints of Earth, Wind and Fire, Chicago, The Police, Queen, Motown/R&B, the Beastie Boys, The Roots, Michael Jackson, and even Burt Bacharach.

Set in Ancient Greece, "Irrational" explores the original cult of personality - the Pythagoreans, led by the charismatic mathematician, philosopher and... rock star? This rockin' musical is inspired by the true story of Pythagoras and his fervent followers, who believed that divinity was found in the harmony of ratios. When one of their own discovers irrational numbers, he blows a hole in their worldview and crosses the wrong mathematician.

Theatre Nova veteran Sebastian Gerstner returns after his run in season opener "Chesapeake" to play Hippasus, a newcomer that shakes up Pythagoras' world. Irrational pulls from ancient Greek history with its use of the chorus, a feature of Greek theatre in which a group of actors speak with one voice to serve as narrator. For Irrational, Anna Marck and Gabrielle Minchella serve double duty as the chorus and as Pythagoras' loyal groupies. Tara Tomscik plays Eloris, the wealthy love interest to Gerstner's Hippasus, while Emily Brett plays Theadusa's rival for Hippasus' affections as she works with him to change things with a new discovery. Matt Pecek plays Dramascus, the oft ignored Pythagorean who brings all the action to a head.

"Irrational" will run April 22nd - May 15th in the Yellow Barn (410 W. Huron, Ann Arbor), a downtown performance space that also hosts musicians and classes. Theatre Nova features free parking for patrons as well as quick access to the city's restaurants, bars, bakeries and coffee shops. New patrons can find it across Huron Street from Ann Arbor's YMCA, through a parking lot entrance on the north side of the street.

Theatre Nova has marked all tickets for all performances as pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $20. Visit https://www.artful.ly/store/events/8229 to purchase tickets. Members with a donation of $75 or more also receive admission to all seven season productions, every show in the New Play Readings series, and children's shows. Patrons can attain memberships by going to https://www.artful.ly/theatre-nova/store/donate

Theatre Nova is Michigan's only theater exclusively producing new plays. Its mission is to raise awareness of the value and excitement of new plays and playwrights, and provide resources for playwrights to develop their craft by importing, exporting, and developing new work. It seeks to create a sustainable theater for generations to come, built on the cornerstones of accessibility, transparency, artist-leadership, and equality. It is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization. Visit theatrenova.org for more information.

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