Back to the 37th Annual Festival of New Musicals

Alice Bliss

2025 Festival

For More Information Contact

Beth Blickers, beth@michaelmooreagency.com


Number of Acts: 1
Number of Principals (Male): 2
Number of Principals (Female): 6
Number of Principals (Trans / GNC): 1
Total Cast Size: 9
Orchestra Breakdown:

Piano, Bass, Drums, Guitar, Cello

Casting Notes:

One child – ELLIE age 11 (s/h), The role listed above as they/them can be she/her OR they/them: Coach BD

Genre & Style:


Search Set & Costume Registry


Synopsis

2007, Upstate New York. When Alice’s dad gets deployed to Iraq, she’s furious, with no one to hate but her mom. Alice valiantly shoulders her way through tenth grade – driving lessons, first love, and all – trying to keep Dad safe by acting perfect at home. A heartstopping, richly harmonic score buoys this fresh, surprisingly funny look at girls and women on the frayed edge of America, taking the heat of war.

Development History

In 2011, Alice Bliss was commissioned by Playwrights Horizons. It has been developed with Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, residencies at Goodspeed Musicals and the Orchard Project. Playwrights Horizons presented multiple readings directed by Mark Brokaw. In 2019, Alice Bliss won the Weston Playhouse New Musical Award. Development continued with a workshop at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in December 2021, alongside a residency at the Montalvo Arts Center. A planned world premiere at TheatreWorks in June 2023, directed by Mark Brokaw, was ultimately cancelled.

Excerpts