The Brass Teapot: A New Musical
2024 Festival
Director
Catie Davis
Music Director
Rick Edinger
Script Assistant
Julia Sonya Koyfman
For More Information Contact
thebrassteapotmusical@gmail.com thebrassteapotmusical.com
Number of Acts: 2
Number of Principals (Male): 4
Number of Principals (Female): 4
Number of Principals (Trans / GNC): 1
Preferred Ensemble Size: 10
Total Cast Size: 18
Orchestra Breakdown:
Piano (1), Guitar (1-2), Drums (1), Bass (1), Synth (0-1), Cello (0-1)
Casting Notes:
Some Principals will double as Ensemble, so that a realistic cast size could be between 11-14. Other than the main couple JOHN and ALICE, DR. L is the next biggest character and we are intentionally keeping gender and race entirely open for this role as it has the potential to inform the direction of that character, their relationships, and frankly, the lore of the teapot in unlimited potential interesting ways.
Genre & Style:
Dark Comedy, Alt-Rock-Pop Musical, Musical Thriller
Synopsis
Based on the 2012 indie cult film, The Brass Teapot is a magical, mischievous dark musical comedy with a driving alt-pop-rock score that asks: how far would you go to hurt the ones you love, if it meant you and they would want for nothing?
Development History
The Brass Teapot is adapted from the 2012 indie cult film of the same name. The creative team began working on the musical stage version in 2019 and held an informal Zoom reading of the first draft in June 2021. After a writing retreat in 2022, major structural changes were implemented, and further improvements were made. The piece was named a semi-finalist for the O’Neill Center’s 2023 National Music Theater Conference, as well as the American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University. The third complete draft was accepted to NAMT’s 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals in 2024.
Fest Fast Facts
- The Brass Teapot is based on the 2012 film, written by the musical bookwriters Tim Macy and Ramaa Mosley, and directed by Mosley. The film starred Juno Temple, Michael Angarano, Alexis Bledel, Billy Magnussen, Alia Shawkat, Thomas Middleditch, Bobby Moynihan, Steve Park, and Ben Rappaport, among others.
- The original 2012 film was adapted from a short story written by Tim Macy in 2007. The short story was developed into a graphic novel by Ramaa Mosley and Macy, which served as the basis for the film.
- The Brass Teapot lends itself to visionary theatre artists who can embrace the theatricality and the opportunities for magic: how does the money erupt from the teapot? Does it pour out onto the audience at the end of Act One? Do ghosts appear through cubicle walls and windows of their friend’s house? There are limitless possibilities for a range of budgets.
- The Brass Teapot received a full-length reading in August 2024 as part of the Chicago Music Theatre Festival presented at Steppenwolf Theatre Company by Kokandy Productions, directed by Landree Fleming and music directed by Devin Reilly.
- The show has been developed with the financial support of a small team of commercial investors. We are seeking to partner with experienced producers and/or theatre companies who share our vision for the future of The Brass Teapot, which would allow for productions with wide reach, commercial possibility, and may or may not include New York/Broadway specifically.