Following the viral autobiographical concept album of the same name in 2020, Drew Gasparini is now bringing this music to life in a brand new musical. In WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE: A New Kind of Musical – a reflection of us all, audiences will be taken on a poignant and heartwarming journey that explores the profound essence of never truly feeling like one has grown up. Set against a backdrop of vibrant melodies and captivating lyrics, the story challenges traditional norms of musical theatre and pushes us into the complexities of humanness, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to make life-altering choices.
Drew Gasparini is a songwriter and musical theatre composer/lyricist, best known for writing songs for season 2 of Smash, as well as the scores for the Broadway musicals The Karate Kid, Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, and more.
The workshop cast will include Roshani Abbey (Hamilton, Victoria Palace, West End; &Juliet, The Shaftesbury Theatre, West End; Gypsy, The Royal Exchange Theatre ), Johnnie Fiori (Hercules, Disney Animated Feature; Hairspray, The Shaftesbury Theatre, West End; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Royal Exchange Theatre), Chelsea Halfpenny (Emmerdale, ITV; Grantchester, ITV; Waitress, UK & Ireland Tour; 9 to 5 The Musical, UK Tour), Josh St. Clair (City of Angles, Donmar Warehouse; Frozen, Original London West End Cast; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Paris Lido), and Archee Aitch Wylie (Portia Coughlan, Almeida Theatre; The Odyssey, Royal National Theatre Studios; Babies, Original Concept Album).
Drew Gasparini comments, I wrote WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE: A New Kind of Musical – a reflection of us all without recognising its significance or its relatability. It felt like a small thing, just for me, to reflect on my own life like musical diary entries. I didn’t realise it would be so universal in so many ways that very few of us, as humans, talk about. Little moments can create big impacts, and that’s what this piece showcases universally. What I love (as an audience member) but dread (as the writer) is just how deep into the emotional crevasse we go, with joyous or rock bottom, there is an all-connecting human element. My collaborators Richard Fitch and Chris Cuming have been massively influential on the truly unique approach we are taking in telling this story. I’ve never written a musical that broke so many rules before. And I love that about this piece.
WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE: A New Kind of Musical – a reflection of us all celebrates the beauty and struggles of embracing one’s authentic self, inviting audiences to reflect on their own personal journey of growth and transformation. This new musical will defy conventions and redefine what it means to not be kids anymore.
Inspired by the songs from the concept album, this workshop will offer a one-of-a-kind fusion of live concert energy and the emotional depth and storytelling of musical theatre. Drew Gasparini, together with Richard Fitch (Director), End of the Pier Productions for WAKA RIGHTS in association with Norwich Theatres, Chris Cuming (Movement and Choreography), Lauren Hopkinson (Musical Supervision), and Sarah-Jane Price (Casting) will turn this album into a live experience. The workshop will not include all the songs from the album but will present some in a never-before-seen order with a new narrative and one brand-new song!
The material will very much be linked to the cast and will be re-orchestrated and changeable based on the voices the songs link to. Long term, the way these songs are heard and stories are told will change from night to night based on the performers, thus making it a true song cycle and giving the actor more autonomy in telling the narrative.
