SuperYouOpening Date: June 27, 2021
Closing Date: June 28, 2021 Air date: March 6, 2021 Medium: online Where to watch: Broadway on Demand |
Stage Production Notes
SuperYou tells the story of a female comic book artist who steps into her own power and learns to value herself after her superhero creations come to life.
Filipino-American artist Lourds Lane wrote the book, music, and lyrics, arrangements, and is the violin-playing co-star of SuperYou. The show’s concept was inspired by Lane’s own personal struggles and rock music background.
The themes of SuperYou Musical are in alignment with the global non-profit that Lourds created and founded called The SuperYou FUNdation, whose mission is “for youth to notice and celebrate the superhero qualities in themselves and others so that they feel inspired to positively impact their communities." The organization provides workshops in “writing, presenting, critical thinking, collaborating, music, performance, and art”. The program’s curriculum has been rolled out to over 100 schools, positively impacting tens of thousands of young people and adults in the United States and around the world.
SuperYou was first presented in a stripped-back concert form at the Player’s Club in New York City in April 2019. Reviewer Jacob Elyachar described the musical as “inspirational… [with] impeccable messages” and a “superb story” that would “empower its audience.”
SuperYou was performed in August 2019 at Open Jar Studios in New York City as part of invitation-only developmental lab presentations.
The musical was scheduled to open off-Broadway in May 2020 at the Daryl Roth Theatre, under the direction of JoAnn M. Hunter, who also served as choreographer. The creative team included Anna Louizos (scenic design), Wendy Bobbitt Cavett (music supervision and arrangements), Ryan J. O’Gara (lighting design), Brian Ronan (sound design), Caite Hevner (projection design), Paul Rubin (aerial sequence choreography), and Bobby Hedglin-Taylor (circus sequence choreography), Andrea Lauer (Costume Design), and David Bryan Brown (Wig Design)
The off-Broadway cast was slated to include Kennedy Caughell, Justin Matthew Sargent, Brie Cassil, LaVon Fisher-Wilson, Lourds Lane, Molly Tynes, Jamie Pfaff, Mike Baerga, Jillian Gottlieb, Tessa Noelle Frascogna, Bella May Mordus, Jeffrey Kringer, Katrina Rose Dideriksen, J Savage, Kate Wesler, Lauren Wright, and Mary Kate Moore.
Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the off-Broadway run was unfortunately cancelled.
In June 2020, a concert version of the musical was performed on the back of 5 pick-up trucks at the Four Brothers Drive-In in Amenia, New York. The cast and crew rehearsed and performed with strict social distancing conventions, maintaining a distance of six-feet apart and wearing masks all through rehearsals, when not on their designated pick-up truck "stage".
The concert included a selection of songs from the musical, using instrumental tracks from the "SuperYou: The Musical Concept Album" written and produced by Lourds Lane. The show was performed by Kennedy Caughell, Brie Cassil, LaVon Fisher-Wilson, Lourds Lane, and Molly Tynes.
The concert was directed and choreographed by JoAnn M. Hunter, with music supervision by Wendy Bobbitt Cavett. Julianne B. Merrill provided music direction, and Brian Ronan provided sound design.
With its two outdoor sold-out performances on June 27 and 28, SuperYou became “the first theatrical show to safely perform live during the pandemic.” It was also the first live show at the Four Brothers Drive-In.
According to Bloomberg, "The creative team’s work, the pickup trucks, the film crew’s work and equipment, and the venue were all donated."
According to Sandy Kenyon/ABC News: "I find it so fitting and appropriate that a show celebrating the power inside all of us be the one to demonstrate the resilience of live theater and show us what is possible now."
The first full developmental production of SuperYou will premier at Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin between May 26 and June 18, 2023.
SuperYou tells the story of a female comic book artist who steps into her own power and learns to value herself after her superhero creations come to life.
Filipino-American artist Lourds Lane wrote the book, music, and lyrics, arrangements, and is the violin-playing co-star of SuperYou. The show’s concept was inspired by Lane’s own personal struggles and rock music background.
The themes of SuperYou Musical are in alignment with the global non-profit that Lourds created and founded called The SuperYou FUNdation, whose mission is “for youth to notice and celebrate the superhero qualities in themselves and others so that they feel inspired to positively impact their communities." The organization provides workshops in “writing, presenting, critical thinking, collaborating, music, performance, and art”. The program’s curriculum has been rolled out to over 100 schools, positively impacting tens of thousands of young people and adults in the United States and around the world.
SuperYou was first presented in a stripped-back concert form at the Player’s Club in New York City in April 2019. Reviewer Jacob Elyachar described the musical as “inspirational… [with] impeccable messages” and a “superb story” that would “empower its audience.”
SuperYou was performed in August 2019 at Open Jar Studios in New York City as part of invitation-only developmental lab presentations.
The musical was scheduled to open off-Broadway in May 2020 at the Daryl Roth Theatre, under the direction of JoAnn M. Hunter, who also served as choreographer. The creative team included Anna Louizos (scenic design), Wendy Bobbitt Cavett (music supervision and arrangements), Ryan J. O’Gara (lighting design), Brian Ronan (sound design), Caite Hevner (projection design), Paul Rubin (aerial sequence choreography), and Bobby Hedglin-Taylor (circus sequence choreography), Andrea Lauer (Costume Design), and David Bryan Brown (Wig Design)
The off-Broadway cast was slated to include Kennedy Caughell, Justin Matthew Sargent, Brie Cassil, LaVon Fisher-Wilson, Lourds Lane, Molly Tynes, Jamie Pfaff, Mike Baerga, Jillian Gottlieb, Tessa Noelle Frascogna, Bella May Mordus, Jeffrey Kringer, Katrina Rose Dideriksen, J Savage, Kate Wesler, Lauren Wright, and Mary Kate Moore.
Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the off-Broadway run was unfortunately cancelled.
In June 2020, a concert version of the musical was performed on the back of 5 pick-up trucks at the Four Brothers Drive-In in Amenia, New York. The cast and crew rehearsed and performed with strict social distancing conventions, maintaining a distance of six-feet apart and wearing masks all through rehearsals, when not on their designated pick-up truck "stage".
The concert included a selection of songs from the musical, using instrumental tracks from the "SuperYou: The Musical Concept Album" written and produced by Lourds Lane. The show was performed by Kennedy Caughell, Brie Cassil, LaVon Fisher-Wilson, Lourds Lane, and Molly Tynes.
The concert was directed and choreographed by JoAnn M. Hunter, with music supervision by Wendy Bobbitt Cavett. Julianne B. Merrill provided music direction, and Brian Ronan provided sound design.
With its two outdoor sold-out performances on June 27 and 28, SuperYou became “the first theatrical show to safely perform live during the pandemic.” It was also the first live show at the Four Brothers Drive-In.
According to Bloomberg, "The creative team’s work, the pickup trucks, the film crew’s work and equipment, and the venue were all donated."
According to Sandy Kenyon/ABC News: "I find it so fitting and appropriate that a show celebrating the power inside all of us be the one to demonstrate the resilience of live theater and show us what is possible now."
The first full developmental production of SuperYou will premier at Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin between May 26 and June 18, 2023.
Filmed Production Notes
The drive-in concert was filmed by Ferro Productions under the direction of Joe Scacciaferro, and was filmed with two jib cameras.
The film premiered on Broadway on Demand on March 5, 2021.
The drive-in concert was filmed by Ferro Productions under the direction of Joe Scacciaferro, and was filmed with two jib cameras.
The film premiered on Broadway on Demand on March 5, 2021.
To celebrate the premiere, Playbill hosted a pre-show virtual red carpet hosted by Felicia Fitzpatrick, featuring interviews with director/choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter and lead producer Melissa Jones, writer/composer/performer Lourds Lane, cast members Kennedy Caughell and LaVon Fisher-Wilson.
After the live watch party, a Stage Door Party was held on Zoom, allowing audiences to interact with the cast and crew, and ask questions.
Writing for Times Square Chronicle, Suzanna Bowling stated “the movie is an inspiring reminder that now more than ever, the world needs a superhero. That superhero is you” and described Lourds Lane’s score as “instantly singable anthemic music.”
SuperYou was first available to stream on Broadway on Demand between March 6 and April 15, 2021. Tickets were $5.95US for 48 hours access. The musical is now available to stream on demand via Broadway on Demand.
After the live watch party, a Stage Door Party was held on Zoom, allowing audiences to interact with the cast and crew, and ask questions.
Writing for Times Square Chronicle, Suzanna Bowling stated “the movie is an inspiring reminder that now more than ever, the world needs a superhero. That superhero is you” and described Lourds Lane’s score as “instantly singable anthemic music.”
SuperYou was first available to stream on Broadway on Demand between March 6 and April 15, 2021. Tickets were $5.95US for 48 hours access. The musical is now available to stream on demand via Broadway on Demand.
Learn more about the development and filming of SuperYou with composer and writer Lourds Lane on episode 18 of the Filmed Live Musicals podcast. Available on all podcast apps.
SuperYou PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Four Brothers Drive In, Amenia
Producer: Melissa M. Jones / All Awesome LLC
Book, Music, Lyrics, & Arrangements: Lourds Lane
Director & Choreography: JoAnn M. Hunter
Musical Supervisor: Wendy Bobbitt Cavett
Music Director: Julianne Merrill
Lighting Design: Ryan J. O’Gara
Sound Design: Brian Ronan
Production Stage Manager: Chris Zaccardi
Stage Managers: Chandler Jez, Shannon Hammons, Willy Kinch, Devin McMahon
Performance Video Director: Joe Scacciaferro
Cast:
(from left to right on the pick-up trucks)
Molly Tynes, LaVon Fisher-Wilson, Kennedy Caughell, Lourds Lane, Brie Cassil
Theatre: Four Brothers Drive In, Amenia
Producer: Melissa M. Jones / All Awesome LLC
Book, Music, Lyrics, & Arrangements: Lourds Lane
Director & Choreography: JoAnn M. Hunter
Musical Supervisor: Wendy Bobbitt Cavett
Music Director: Julianne Merrill
Lighting Design: Ryan J. O’Gara
Sound Design: Brian Ronan
Production Stage Manager: Chris Zaccardi
Stage Managers: Chandler Jez, Shannon Hammons, Willy Kinch, Devin McMahon
Performance Video Director: Joe Scacciaferro
Cast:
(from left to right on the pick-up trucks)
Molly Tynes, LaVon Fisher-Wilson, Kennedy Caughell, Lourds Lane, Brie Cassil
Sources
Articles
Websites
Other
- John W. Barry, “Off-Broadway live music, 'Avengers,' 'Batman Returns,' at Four Brothers Drive-In,” Poughkeepsie Journal (June 23, 2020)
- Suzanna Bowling, “SuperYou by Lourds Lane To Stream on Broadway On Demand,” Times Square Chronicles (Feb 24, 2021)
- Dave Carlin, “Broadway Show ‘Super You’ Captivates Drive-In Movie Theater In Small N.Y. Town,” CBS New York (June 28, 2020)
- Dave Carlin/CBS NY, “Lourds Lane Musical ‘SuperYou’ Moves From The Theater To A Dutchess County Drive-In” CBS New York (June 25, 2020)
- Sarah Grace Drinkwine, “SuperYou: The Musical Announces Presentations for Industry Labs,” TheaterMania (Aug 6, 2019)
- Joe Dziemianowicz, “From TikTok to Pickup Trucks, a Musical Thrived in the Pandemic,” Bloomberg (March 19, 2021)
- Jacob Elyachar, “Jake’s Take’s Concert Reviews: SuperYou The Musical,” Jake’s Take (April 23, 2019)
- Sandy Kenyon/ABC NY, SuperYou Musical Moves to Drive-In After Broadway Shutdown - ABC7NY (July 14, 2020)
- Pat Mitchell, "TEDWomen Update: Lourds Lane and SuperYou FUNdation," Huffington Post (Dec 6, 2017)
- Playbill Staff, “SuperYou Musical, Presented Drive-In-Style, Streams March 5,” Playbill (March 5, 2021)
Websites
- Facebook: Asian American Life, “Super You! A Curriculum Strives to Empower Kids,” Accessed via: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1601917029943024
- Hearts on Fire, “LOURDS LANE | SuperYou FUNdation,” Accessed via: https://www.heartsonfire.org/lourds-lane-superyou-fundation
- Instagram, “Playbill: 5 Things You Need to Know Before Watching SuperYou”, Accessed via: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMATr25pWJr/
- Spotify, "SuperYou: The Musical Concept Album by Lourds Lane," Accessed via: https://open.spotify.com/album/6XYK9u63xFgIW3UhtBeUS7
- The SuperYou FUNdation 501c3, Accessed via: https://superyoufun.org
- SuperYou Musical, “Cast and Creative,” Accessed via: https://superyoumusical.com/#company
- SuperYou Musical, “Movie,” Accessed via: https://superyoumusical.com/movie.html
- YouTube, Fox News Denver/Chris Parente, “Driving Broadway to the Drive-In” Accessed via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQGHcCI3pBQ
Other
- Author interview with Lourds Lane, March 2021
- SuperYou email (May 14, 2023)
Written by Luisa Lyons (March, 2021, updated May 2023)