Ep 64: Welcome to Tourettaville

Host Luisa Lyons chats with  playwright, lyricist, book writer and producer June Rachelson-Ospa and actor-director-choreographer and publisherMichael Perry about the musical Welcome to Tourettaville which tells the story of a young boy who is diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. Topics include the challenges of creating work based on real people, the power of theatre to inspire and heal, and the world of theatre publishing and licensing.

June Rachelson-Ospa and Daniel Neiden have collaborated on musical theater projects which include Bollywood and Vine, Bully on You, Gone to Texas, Triangle, Rapunzarella White: A Fairly Fractured Tale, Stupid Wig, S.W.A.K. (Sealed With A Kiss), The Hotel Belleclaire, The Tempest, Trixie Shmoop, True Colors of Weedle, and Welcome to Tourettaville. June won the VSArts Award and have had their work performed at The Kennedy Center; Bergen County Players; The Midtown Children’s Musical Theater Festival; Bryant Park, and The Public Theater. Her individual songwriting experiences date back to work sessions with Doc Pomus, and The FUGS Steven Taylor. Her work has been recorded by Grammy legend Dr. John; Peppy Castro; Luther Kent; Jennifer Lewis; Shannon McNally and, most recently, VOICELESS, recorded for animal charities by Broadway stars Ann Crumb, Olga Merediz, and Judy McLane (www.Broadwayvoiceless.com). June was a “POG” for Godspell at Circle in the Square. Investor for the A Christmas Story the Musical (at the Lunt Fontaine) Madison Square Garden.

C. Michael Perry -- was born in Colorado and raised in Chicago, but now lives near Bangor, Maine. He found the theatre in High School and has made a living in theatre, film and television since then. He has worked major network television shows, and as a High School Theatre teacher. He has played in front of live audiences from Chicago to Utah to Canada to Germany and Italy in various plays and musicals; and has received acting awards for many leading and supporting roles. He has served as Director/Choreographer for over 70 shows on the Community, Educational, and Professional level. He is a Composer-Lyricist with over 40 produced/published musicals. (One in NYC: An Enchanted April) He is also the President of Premiere Theatrical Licensing, an umbrella organization that manages four subsidiary companies offering live performance rights on over 500 theatrical titles in all kinds of theaters across the world. 

Show Links:

• Welcome to Tourettaville
• June Rachelson-Ospa
• C. Michael Perry
• Premiére Theatrical Licensing

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Filmed Live Musicals is created by Luisa Lyons, an Australian actor, writer, and musician. Luisa holds a Masters in Music Theatre from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now lives, works, and plays in New York. Learn more at www.luisalyons.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.