A new musical, Only Human is being workshopped at Oklahoma City University before moving to New York.
The creative team for the musical received permission to workshop the show on campus. Students were cast from their auditions for the fall music theater season at the beginning of the semester and began rehearsing Oct. 17.
“The first two days we just worked on the music, they saw it, and they would make changes, they would come back, we would work on the changes,” said Matthew Reindl, music theater senior. “The third and fourth day we started doing read throughs of the book. What we do in the room affects what they put in the book. We’re actually a part of the creation of this musical. It’s interesting the way we as actors are influencing the writing of the show. It’s very collaborative.”
Mike Squillante, lyricist and composer, said Only Human tells the stories of the Bible from the perspective of Lucifer. “Lou”, “Jay” and “Maggie” work under “Boss” at their startup–Earth, at the beginning of time when Lou brings a new idea to Boss. The show’s music is a blend of music theater and rock n’ roll.
“I come from a traditional theater background,” Director NJ Agwuna said. “But going to New York and seeing how theater is evolving, and being able to come here with this workshop, it lends itself to the sensibilities of the students so that they can ask questions. It’s been a very eye-opening experience having this workshop here.”
The creative team consists of Agwuna, Squillante, Jess Carson, book writer, Adria Barbosa, music director and arranger, Choreographer Josue Jasmine, and Producer Jesse Murphy. With the exception of Murphy, they are all in the room for rehearsals.
Squillante and Murphy began developing the show eight years ago. Squillante said they had heard about the theater program at OCU for years and that when contacted, the faculty was very open to the idea of workshopping the show.
“The students here aren’t afraid to push themselves,” Jasmine said. “It makes the process even more interesting. You have these classically trained dancers and then you turn around to rock and add this modern feel. It’s been lovely.”
Agwuna said after the workshop is finished, the show is meant to go to New York. There will be performances of the show Nov. 7 and 8 in the Large Rehearsal Hall in the Wanda L. Bass Music Center.
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