Bend Toward the Light: The Chicago Musical Theatre Festival

Music: Sarah Slipp

Book & Lyrics: Bryce Palmer

Director: Maryanne Boaz

Asher: Aaron Pierce

Willow: Alivia Quattrocki

A sung-through, two-hander musical that explores the fractured relationship between Asher Fitzgerald and his twin sister, Willow over the course of a real-time interrogation, as Asher recounts a recent trip that he and Willow took together into the woods to recover a time capsule that they buried in their childhood.

Now in its 8th year, CMTF was created with the belief that there’s a wealth of musical theatre creators in Chicago and around the country, but the high risks of producing new musicals offers limited opportunities for emerging authors to have their work seen and heard. CMTF is designed to provide much-needed artistic resources for writers to have their work supported, explored, and most importantly – performed! Since its inception in 2014 by Underscore Theatre Company, CMTF has brought 60 new musicals to Chicago stages. Following a four-year hiatus, CMTF returned last year under the stewardship of Kokandy Productions.

Festival Producer Nicholas Reinhart comments, “Each year, we are amazed by the creativity, passion and innovation that today’s musical theatre writers bring to the table, and this year was no exception. After receiving nearly 100 submissions from across the country, we are thrilled to present five new, original musicals, including two musicals geared towards young audiences and families. We are continually proud to foster a space where bold storytelling and fresh musical voices can flourish, and we hope audiences join us at The Chopin in April.”

Executive Producer Scot Kokandy adds, “CMTF 2025 has been sponsored by an anonymous donor, whose generosity will help this year’s festival thrive.”

SCHEDULE:

BEND TOWARD THE LIGHT

Music by Sarah Slipp

Book & Lyrics by Bryce Palmer

Thursday, April 3rd at 7:30pm

MAN OF THE PEOPLE: THE TRIALS OF HUEY LONG

Book, Music, & Lyrics by Wyatt Andrew Brownell

Friday, April 4th at 7:30pm

QUEEN BEA

Book, Music, & Lyrics by Scott Evan Davis & Jason Marks

Saturday, April 5th at 2:30pm

THE MUSES

Book, Music, & Lyrics by Liam P. Mulligan

Saturday, April 5th at 7:30pm

BIG WIG

Book & Lyrics by Jonathan Keebler

Music by Ryan Korell

Conceived by Bryan McCaffrey

Based on the book by Jonathan Hillman

Sunday, April 6th at 2:30pm