The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals at Spotlight Players

ALIEN INVASION MEETS MUSICAL MADNESS! Spotlight Players Present The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals

Brace yourselves, Matawan! An invasion is coming—an invasion of song and dance! This November, from the 8th to the 17th, Spotlight Players presents the intergalactic, spine-tingling sci-fi horror musical The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals at the First Presbyterian Church in Matawan, NJ. This one-of-a-kind theatrical experience is a mashup of 1950s B-movie sci-fi, laugh-out-loud comedy, and show-stopping musical numbers that will have you tapping your toes—even if you’re like Paul Matthews and hate musicals!

Inspired by campy cult classics like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, this production is packed with high-energy choreography, sharp-witted dialogue, and a soundtrack that will stick in your head long after the final curtain falls. This is a must-see for anyone who loves theater, sci-fi, or just a good laugh!

A Plot That’s Out of This World

In the sleepy town of Hatchetfield, not much ever happens—until a mysterious meteor crashes and infects the townsfolk with a bizarre affliction: they can’t stop performing in a full-blown musical! Paul Matthews, our unlikely hero, must team up with his crush Emma to fight off the alien invaders and resist the catchy tunes that threaten to take over their minds.

Paul (played by Lamar Bronson) is the guy who couldn’t care less about musicals—until he’s forced to survive in one. The townsfolk, including Emma (Izzy Perez), have become mind-controlled, jazz-handing zombies, ready to tap dance their way into Paul's last nerve. Together, Paul and Emma try to evade the alien hive mind, whose tunes are so infectious you’ll be humming them long after leaving the theater!

Meet the Cast of Characters

What’s a musical alien invasion without a killer cast? Spotlight Players have gathered some of the best local talent to bring this bizarre tale to life. From high school drama students to seasoned theater veterans, this ensemble cast will have you laughing, gasping, and clapping for more.

• Lamar Bronson (Paul Matthews) – Our reluctant hero. Lamar’s deadpan delivery and comedic timing make Paul’s plight both relatable and hilarious.
• Izzy Perez (Emma) – As Paul’s love interest, Emma is the voice of reason in the story. Izzy’s vocals and quirky charm make Emma a standout.
• Robby Ketch (Bill) – Paul’s best friend, hilariously struggling to embrace the musical madness.
• Elise Leonard (Charlotte) – Brings a mix of charm and chaos as she navigates Hatchetfield’s strange new world.
• Daniel DePierola (Sam) – Sam is a fellow survivor whose jazz hands might just save the day!
• Olivia Bachmann (April) – A quirky conspiracy theorist who may know more about the alien invasion than she lets on.
• John Davis (General MacNamara) – The no-nonsense general ready to fight the alien invasion with military might!
• Blake Donovan (Greenpeace Girl) – Fighting not just for survival but for the planet itself.
• Chuck Hamilton (Professor Hidgens) – An eccentric professor who may (or may not) have the answer to stopping the musical apocalypse!

Together, this ensemble cast will take you on a wild ride through catchy tunes, hilarious dialogue, and heart-pounding action scenes as they navigate the world’s strangest alien invasion.

Behind the Scenes: Q&A with Director Christine DeSimas and the Cast

Director Christine DeSimas has poured her heart and humor into this production, guiding a team of talented actors in creating a blend of horror, sci-fi, and musical magic. We asked Christine and the cast some fun questions, and their answers reveal the quirky, hilarious, and occasionally absurd personalities that make this show a hit!

What’s been the most fun (or surprising) part of working with this cast and crew on such a unique production?

• Christine DeSimas (Director): “Thank you so much for asking. The process is always the best part. From that day-one buzz in the production meeting with a dream production team to witnessing the outcome unfold. I am so proud to be involved with a place that owns up to the true meaning of 'community theatre.' This involves seeing the wonderful and hilarious gifts of these local (and some not so local) actors evolve magically throughout the rehearsal weeks. It also includes calling on outside local artists or technicians to lend their own exceptionally talented and skilled hands to the process. Seeing all of these pieces come together brings me great joy. And on this production specifically, there's just been so much laughter. It's a completely outrageous and ridiculous show, add great people to that, how can you not have the best time?”

If you had to describe The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals in just three words, what would they be?

• Christine: “Eccentric, Campy, Sci-fi (Hilarious if offered a 4th)”

This show blends musical theater with campy sci-fi and horror—what drew you to this quirky, genre-bending production?

• Christine: “I listened to my teens. They first exposed me to StarKid years ago with The Very Potter Musical, and we’ve been obsessed with their productions ever since. When the opportunity came to direct this Fall, I thought it was the right time to bring something new to the stage. I love musical theatre. I was trained in it, and I’ve been involved with it both on the stage and off for decades. But what I’d love to see more of is the voice, perspective, creativity, and comedy from recent generations. They are insanely creative, talented, have so much to say, and let’s face it—hilarious. It’s important to bring something to the stage that newer generations can connect to. With the rights for The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals just getting released, all stars aligned, and now I'm thrilled and honored to be able to bring this new and unforgettable experience to more audiences.”

Q1: If your character could bring one item from home to fend off the alien zombies, what would it be?

• Izzy Perez (Emma): "Oh, that’s easy! Emma would definitely bring her guitar. She’d rather serenade the aliens into submission than join their musical hive mind!"

Q2: Who’s most likely to start laughing during a serious scene?

• Robby Ketch (Bill): "It’s me. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve broken character, especially when we’re in the middle of a tense moment and someone starts singing out of nowhere."

Q3: If you had to survive a real alien musical invasion, what’s your strategy?

• Justin Stilo (Ted): "Ted would probably say, ‘Run. And if you can’t run, make sure your jazz hands are on point!’"

Q4: You’re trapped in a 1950s-style sci-fi movie, and the only way to escape is to win a karaoke competition. What’s your go-to song?

• Elise Leonard (Charlotte): "If I'm in the 1950s, I can't go with my usual karaoke song, which is Bitch by Meredith Brooks. Maybe I'd pull a Marty McFly and sing a Patsy Cline song they haven't heard yet—they'd think I wrote it!"

Q5: If you could recruit any famous musician to help fight the alien invasion, who would you pick?

• Daniel DePierola (Sam): "Whitney Houston. Her voice is so powerful, I feel it would control the aliens and keep them in check!"

Q6: Which song in the show gets stuck in your head the most?

• Lamar Bronson (Paul): "'Show Stoppin’ Number'—it’s supposed to be ridiculous, and it totally works because I can’t stop humming it even after rehearsals."

Q7: What do you love most about performing in a sci-fi horror musical?

• Blake Donovan (Greenpeace Girl): "The campiness! It’s so fun to play up the over-the-top, 1950s horror movie vibe while also getting to belt out these great songs."

Don’t Miss Out—The Alien Invasion is Coming!

The alien apocalypse is upon us, and only you can stop it—by buying your tickets now! The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals is a show you won’t want to miss, with its thrilling plot, hilarious moments, and unforgettable musical numbers. Running from November 8th to November 17th at the First Presbyterian Church in Matawan, NJ, this production is a must-see for sci-fi fans, musical lovers, and anyone who enjoys a good laugh.

Get your tickets today by visiting Spotlight Players or our.show/tgwdlm. Don’t wait—resistance is futile when it comes to this show. Come experience the alien musical invasion, and find out if Paul Matthews can survive in a world where the music… is inevitable!

Beam me up, Scotty—I’ll see you at the show