our annual 15 minute musicals
The 15 Minute Musicals are an annual event that represent the culmination of the Core Curriculum. The writers who have taken part in the Core Curriculum for that year are given the final task of writing a 15 minute musical on a specific theme, and for a specific cast. The musicals are then produced by New Musicals Inc., and presented at a theatre in Los Angeles.
For more information about how the 15 Minute Musicals fit into the Core Curriculum, visit the CORE CURRICULUM page.
For visual highlights from past season’s of 15 Minute Musicals, continue on this page!
highlights of past 15 minute musicals...
EVERYBODY JUST CALM DOWN!
six short musicals about over-reacting
July 8 and 9, 2024
Broadwater Mainstage
Hollywood
RED TEAM
Scents & Sensibility - book by Stephen Nolly, music by Wikus van der Hoven, lyrics by Jessica Welsh
Theodore’s Big Day - book by Vanessa Gamble, music and lyrics by Kevin Cloud
Y2CHAOS - book by Charlotee Freud, music by JR Rubinger, lyrics by Hollis Wong-Wear
DIRECTORS: Catie O’Donnell-Heckel and Troy Barboza
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Ron Barnett
CAST: Troy Barboza, Lia Peros, Stephy Rojo, and John David Wallis
BLUE TEAM
Off the Grid - book by Jordin Wang, music by Rusti Stern, and lyrics by Wendy Braff
Catch and Release - book and lyrics by Esther Shimanovich, music by Kathleen Mills
MONA 1.0 - book by Veronica Driscoll, music by Michael Turnblom, lyrics by Joseph Gregorio
DIRECTOR: John Coppola
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Jan Roper
REHEARSAL PIANISTS: Ben Ginsberg, Alyssa French
STAGE MANAGER: Tyler Li Stoner
TECH ADVISOR: Kim Iosue
CAST: Shara Kirby, Evan McNamara, Oliver Rotunno, and Dare Taylor
This season’s 15-minute musicals at NMI are made possible in part by a grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.
REPLACED!
six short musicals about obsolescence
July 10 and 11, 2023
Broadwater Mainstage
Hollywood
RED TEAM
IQ The Musical - book by Eric C. Jones, music by Charles Betz, lyrics by Kristen Egan O’Hare
For the Good of Humanity - book by Richard Uhlraub, music by Ron Barnett, lyrics by Grace Kendall
Chessica’s Adventures in Buttfish Land - book and lyrics by Ben Ginsberg, music by Brian Morales
DIRECTOR: Catie O’Donnell
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Ron Barnett
CAST: Troy Armand Barboza, Elizabeth Summerer-Bouton, Randal Miles, and Asia Ring
BLUE TEAM
The Singer - book and music by Chelsea Rousselot-Suarez, lyrics by Adriana Roze
One Person’s Trash - book by Mike Robinson, music by Laura Watkins, lyrics by Jackie Lee
Habitual Mirrors - book by Elena Lockleis, music by Michael Turnblom, lyrics by Stephanie Bentley and Tatiana Gomez
DIRECTOR: Joanna Syiek
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Rachel Ohnsman
STAGE MANAGER: Kim Iosue
CAST: Wilson Bell, Sunita Chiu, Sydnee Ortiz, and Elliot White
This season’s 15-minute musicals at NMI are made possible in part by a grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.
An interesting note about the 2023 15 Minute Musicals: The outline that the teams used for their adaptations was generated by ChatGPT (which was given the prompt of the title - REPLACED! - and the idea of three people working with/against some kind of AI). The logo artwork and 5-note composer motif were also all generated by ChatGPT!
DON’T BACK DOWN
six short musicals about standing your ground
July 12 and 13, 2022
Broadwater Mainstage
Hollywood
RED TEAM
Unbound - book by Patricia Baer, music by Ron Barnett, lyrics by Jeff Kasanoff
Seeing the LIght - book and lyrics by Ahou Yasmine, music by Kiarah Davis
Mother Russia - book by J.A. Moad II, music by Erika Ito, lyrics by Katherine Glover
DIRECTOR: Elise Dewsberry
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Ron Barnett
STAGE MANAGER: Kim Iosue
CAST: Tatiana Gomez, Emily Elizabeth Jones, Amir Levin, Harry White
BLUE TEAM
Kellyanne - book and lyrics by Katherine Cowell, music by Kat Zimmerman
Goodland - book by Sissy Van Dyke, music by Nathan Scalise, lyrics by Jenson Parker Neal
The Cootie Conspiracy - book by Sierra Blanco, music by Xander Ambrose, lyrics by Sarah Horton
DIRECTOR: John Coppola
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Thomas Craig Buckley
STAGE MANAGER: Catie O’Donnell
CAST: Melvin Biteng, Chloe Brewer, Asia Ring, Elliot White
CRIMES & MISDEMEANORS
eight short musicals about getting away with it
July 13 and 14, 2021
Broadwater Mainstage
Hollywood
RED TEAM
The Haunting Crimes of Dave - book by Makena Metz, music and lyrics by D. Michael O’Dell
Down the Isle - book by Davern Wright, music by Lisa Maria Sedares, lyrics by Jackie Brenneman
Inside - book and lyric by Elizabeth I. Simko, music by Orlando Byron
Broken Tree Lane - book and lyrics by Lawrence Cousineau, music by Anton Chesnokov
DIRECTOR: Scott Guy
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Marc Macalintal
STAGE MANAGER: Timothy Michael Reyes
CAST: Elizabeth A. Bouton, Lauren Byrd, Nyx Ciel, and Chris Smith
BLUE TEAM
Alligator - book and lyrics by Abel Alvarado, music by Nathan Douglas Scalise
For Richer or For Poorer - book by Kim Bixler, music by Michael Steven Turnblom, lyrics by Greg Beattie
Between COVID and the Deep Blue Sea - book by Celeste Chan Wolfe, music and lyrics by Benjamin Emory Larson
Back to Your Grave, Ma! - book and lyrics by David Harry Yoon, music by Michael Vegas Mussman
DIRECTOR: John Coppola
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Ron Barnett
STAGE MANAGER: Kim Iosue
CAST: Carrie Lynn Certa, Max Havas, Stephanie Rojo, and John David Wallis
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
six short musicals about separation
July 2020 - ONLINE (due to the Great Pandemic!)
RED TEAM
A View from the Moon Book by Richard Holland, music by Ben Ginsberg, lyrics by Stacey Weingarten
The Traitor Book and lyrics by Stephen K. Nolly, music by Ron Barnett
I Need Space Book and music by Sergei Stern, lyrics by Jordan Toopes
Starring: Ashley Felkner, Casey Hunter, Jordan Mitchell-Love, and Lindsay Zana
Directed by Scott Guy
Music Directed by Ron Barnett
BLUE TEAM
Close (But Not Too Close) Book by Paloma Sierra, music by Dusty Sanders, lyrics by Julia Koyfman. Starring Taji Coleman, Jesimiel Jenkins, Tonoccus McClain, and Katherine Washington.
Breakout Book by Lalit Sritara, music by Evan Johnson, lyrics by Kellan Meador. Starring Wilson Bell, Carrie Lynn Certa, Camden Espino, and Socks Whitmore.
The Perfect Wedding Book by Nicola Scott, music and lyrics by Laura Watkins. Starring Judi Domroy, Marcello Padilla, Lelia Symington, and Luke Wall.
Directed by John Coppola
Music Directed by Ron Barnett
Stage Managed by Carrie-Lynn Certa
GREEN-EYED MONSTERS
eight short musicals about jealousy
July 18 and 19, 2019
Broadwater Theatre Second Stage
Hollywood
RED TEAM
I Heart Jeffrey Braddock by Marilyn Haese, Ron Barnett, and Charlotte Bash
The Cure by B.K. Wells and Xavier Vidal
The Fith Element by Wayne Self and Joelle Ferrando
Greener Gardens by Sara Beil, Jon Kull, and Greg Beattie
Starring: Corinne DeVries, Seth David Mitchell, Giane Morris, and Patrick Steward
Directed by Elise Dewsberry
Music Directed by Ron Barnett
Stage Managed by Rachel Shanblatt
BLUE TEAM
The High Wire by Gustav Hoyer, Joely Zuker, and Elizabeth Coleman Everhard
Granny Wars by Kimberly Barger and Katie Brady
Stanford or Bust by Michael Harold and Jane Wong
Cheese & Crackers by Thomas Blakeley, Duncan Smith, and Bill Coe
Starring: Melvin Biteng, Tianna Cohen, Marcello Padilla, and Andrea Somera
Directed by John Coppola
Music Directed by Jake Anthony
Stage Managed by Jenn Dupre
THE GREAT DIVIDE
seven short musicals about bridges and gulfs
June 21 and 23, 2018
Broadwater Theatre Second Stage
Hollywood Fringe Festival, Hollywood
RED TEAM
A Family Portrait by Makena Metz and Angela Parrish
Fears Anonymous by Deborah Cohen, Jennifer Rosenfeld, and Linee Ferguson
Bundled Together by Claire Partin and Kat Zimmerman
Against the Grrrain by Wayne Self, Kevin Mathie, and Michael Vegas Mussman
Starring: Hannah Madeleine Goodman, Nichole LaMay, Logan Mack, and John David Wallis
Directed by Elise Dewsberry
Music Directed by Kevin Mathie
BLUE TEAM
Kaboom! by Sissy Van Dyke, Clifford J. Tasner, and Scott Kriloff
Legend of the Brothers Legrand by Rhonda Legeyre, Eliza-Jane Morris, and Leslie Sloan
The Split by Peter Welkin, Scott Wilkinson, and Melanie Watson
Starring: Ben William N Fisher, Rachael McLachlan, Mindy Montavon, and Bob Moran
Directed by John Coppola
Music Directed by Ron Barnett
Stage Managed by Arlene Mantek
Rehearsal Pianists: Jake Anthony, Kevin Mathie
Now or Never!
- three short musicals about seizing the day
June 20 and 21, 2016
Lonny Chapman Theatre
North Hollywood.
Dewey “The Animal” Decimal
book by Angie Rupert, music by Ross Plotkin, and lyrics by Karen Bradley Strahan
Before We Do
book by Isabel Storey, music by Clayton Daniel Briggs, and lyrics by Marissa Kochanski
The Yentl Club
book and lyrics by Jeffrey McCrann, music by Stephen Coleman
DIRECTOR: Elise Dewsberry
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Ron Barnett
CAST: Rachel Daniel, Joshua Finkel, Luke Simon, and Amanda Walter
STAGE MANAGER: Julia Taylor
FORKS IN THE ROAD
seven short musicals about life-changing moments
June 28, 29, July 1, 2015
Lonny Chapman Theatre
North Hollywood
RED TEAM
Fork You! by Lucy Wang, Molly Siskin, and Shawn Ryan
Can I Help You Out? by Weston Scott, Laura Wardrip, and David Rackoff
End of the Line by Howard Ho, Kristen Rea, and Chris Edgar
Starring: David Crane, Shannon Martinous, Conchita Belisle-Newman, and Louis Silvers
Directed by Scott Guy
Music Directed by Ron Barnett
Choreographed by Noel Britton
Stage Managed by Rita Cannon
BLUE TEAM
Have A Nice Trip by Dan Margules, Raphael Nemes, and Marissa Kochanski
Margot’s Blessing by Lori Ada Jaroslow and Morgan Hollingsworth
Half Off by Rich Cook and Jeff King
Queen Hamembsheput Says What? by Danielle Roderick, Sahara Sunday Spain, and Mitchell Glaser
Starring: Melvin Biteng, J. Bailey Burcham, Elise Dewsberry, and Emma Sperka
Directed by John Coppola
Music Directed by Ross Kalling
Stage Managed by Angel Hernandez
Can’t Get Enough!
- three short musicals about addiction
June 23 and 24, 2014
Lonny Chapman Theatre
North Hollywood.
The Lover
Grace Jasmine (book and lyrics)
Ron Barnett (music)
Smartest Zombie at Harvard
Bryon Richards (book)
Natalie Elder (lyrics)
Marc Macalintal (music)
Spoilers!
Mitch Glaser (book)
Michael Gordon Shapiro (lyrics)
Erik Przytulski (music)
DIRECTOR: Joshua Finkel
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Ron Barnett
CAST: Noel Britton, Sara Gonzales, Jeffrey Landman, and Kevin Yee
STAGE MANAGER: Angel Hernandez
HAVES AND HAVE NOTS
four short musicals about inequality
June 24, 25, 2013
Met Theatre
Hollywood
Gracie … from Economy Class
Book and Lyrics by Joel Adlen
Music by David Anthony Hall
Conception of Love
Book by Robert Rosen
Music by David Haworth
Lyrics by Denis McCourt
In Mysterious Ways
Book by R.K. Rich
Music by Brian Graden
Lyrics by Ben Boquist
Coming Out of the Cave
Book by John Aaron
Music by Ron Barnett
Lyrics by R.K. Rich
Starring: Nikki Jenkins, Kevin Noonchester, Rachel Tyler, and Peter Welkin
Directed by Scott Guy
Music Directed by Jake Anthony
Stage Managed by Kevin Meoak
Choreographed by Peter Welkin
Produced by Elise Dewsberry
MAN v. MACHINE
five brand new 15-minute musicals about techno-geeks and techno-phobes
June 26, 27, 2012
Colony Theatre
Burbank
The “Harmon Galloway Reboot Your Life Total Self-Improvement Method and Enchancement System” Show
Book by David Hollingsworth
Music by David Orris
Lyrics by Mara Hitner
iWish
Book by Gabrielle Wagner
Music by Bryan Blaskie
Lyrics by Lawrie Chiaro
Bank Shot
Book by Patrice Cassedy
Music by Richard Plotkin
Lyrics by Julie Weiner
Photo Finish
Book by Joel Bailey
Music by Jan Roper
Lyrics by Eve Weston
#Brad4Laura
Book by Matthew Alexander
Music by Erik Przytulski
Lyrics by Karla Kelly
Cast: Allie Costa, Luke Klipp, Shannon Elizabeth Martinous, and Kila Packett.
Director: Elise Dewsberry
Music Director: Jake Anthony
Producer/Stage Manager: Kevin Meoak.
LOST AND FOUND
four short musicals about recovery (or not)
June 27 and 28, 2011
Lonny Chapman Theatre
Nothing Personal
Book by Johanna Besterman
Music by Joe Greene
Lyrics by Erin Thompson and Johanna Besterman
The Bombay Staircase Hound of Peek-a-Boo Peak
Book by Elizabeth Carol Thompson
Music by Ronnie Cavalluzzi
Lyrics by John Sparks
Frankie’s Laundry
Book by Bryon L. Richards
Music by Jerry Ranger
Lyrics by Sandy Kasten
Carnival of Souls
Book by Joanna Warren Smith
Music by Todd Syswerda
Lyrics by Fred Piegonski
Cast: Adrian Bewley, Jordan Kai Burnett, R. Christofer Sands, and Erika Whalen
Director: Elise Dewsberry
Music Director: Jake Anthony
Producer: Patricia Zehentmayr
FOR RICHER, FOR POORER
June 28 and 29, 2010
Colony Theatre
Burbank
Witch Is It?
Book by Maureen Borillo, Music by Matthew Levine, Lyrics by Richard Castle
Dough!
Book by Sarah Hernandez, Music by Clifford J. Tasner, Lyrics by Ron Ovadia
Green Thumb
Book by Joan Enguita, Music by Nancy Gitlin, Lyrics by Karrie Vach and Joan Enguita
Shoot Ma!
Book by Joe Moe, Music by Ryan Luevano, Lyrics by Richard Hefner
Cast: Sonia Alcazar, Patrick Foley, Emily Kimmel Plotkin,Barry O’Neil, Gabrielle Wagner.
Director: John Sparks
Music Director: Jake Anthony
Stage Manager: Pat Loeb
Producer: Elise Dewberry
Associate Producer: Patricia Zehentmayr
THE PROMISE AND THE PRICE
seven short musicals about heroes and traitors
June 22-25, 2009
Colony Theatre, Burbank
RED TEAM
Hired Hands
Book by Larry Gene Fortin, Music and Lyrics by Peter Alexander
Zombie Love
Book by Narda Fargotstein, Music and Lyrics by Clifford J. Tasner
The Ring
Book and Lyrics by Eric Dodson, Music by Alan Ross Fleishman
The Battle Between Good and Evil
Book by Michael Greenspun, Music by Jerry T. Fernandez, Lyrics by Mitchell Glaser
Cast: Caroline Freeman Champ, Megan Crockett, Tara Hunnewell, Sylvin Jansen, Kevin Noonchester
Director: Elise Dewsberry
Music Director: Jake Anthony
Stage Manager: Rita Cofield
BLUE TEAM
Standing Up
Book by Paul Elliott, Music by Joseph Blodgett, Lyrics by Larry Todd Johnson
The Veteran’s Wife
Book by Adrian Bewley, Music and Lyrics by Scotty Arnold
The People V. Superman
Book by Frank Mula, Music by Edward Auslender, Lyrics by Glenn Johnson and Frank Mula
Cast: Kellan Christopher, Kelly Lester, Paul Marchegiani, Dana Shaw, Heather Stewart
Director: Scott Guy
Music Director: Jake Anthony
Stage Manager: Rita Cofield
RED v. BLUE
June 23 and 24, 2008
Colony Theatre
Burbank
The Rightful Monarch of America
Book by Cynthia Ferrell, Music by Carl Johnson, Lyrics by Jeff Marx
Hell’s Belles
Book by Cynthia Ignacio, Music and Lyrics by Brian Leader
The Blue Queen and the Red Shadow
by Jan Alejandro and Jonathan Price
Bone Appetit
Book by Joanna Perry-Folino, Music by Jerry Ranger, Lyrics by Kincaid Jones
Keeping Score
Book by Yolanda Mendiveles, Music by John Piraino, Lyrics by Chana Wise
Cast: Paul Wong, Brent Schindele, Barry O’Neil, Kendra Munger, and Elise Dewsberry
Director: Andrea Press and Scott Guy
Music Director: Bill Brown
Stage Manager: Carla Porter
Producer: Elise Dewberry
PHOBIAS and FETISHES
seven short new musicals
June 25-28, 2007 Colony Theatre, Burbank
Produced by Elise Dewsberry
RED TEAM
Cain and Abel: The Naked Truth
book by Myrna Emata, music by Madley Katarungan, lyrics by Kellen Blair
Divine Encounter
book by Maureen Borillo, music by William Johnson, lyrics by Jeffrey Scharf
The Liar
book by John Sparks, music by Allison Johnson, lyrics by Patricia Zehentmayr
Cast: Leighton Grampp, Rachel Payne, Amy Reiss, Brent Schindele, and John David Wallis
Directed by Dan Fields
Music Director: Ross Kalling
Stage Manager: Rita Cofield
BLUE TEAM
Mamarama
book by Tara Redepenning and Hillary Rollins, music by Darin Goulet, lyrics by Hillary Rollins
Oh God, We’re Gonna Die!
by Jeff Marx and Jake Anthony
Quandary
book by Terri Baker Weiss, music by Beverly Crain, lyrics by William J. Berry
Cast: Alex Chester, David Holmes, Adam LeBow, Kelly Lester, and Amber Nelson
Directed by Michele Spears
Music Director: Bill Brown
Stage Manager: Elspeth Weingarten
CARDINAL VIRTUES and DEADLY SINS
four short musicals about the saintly and the nasty
June 13 & 14, 2006
The Pico Playhouse
Got God
book and lyrics Kincaid Jones, music by Richard Fowkes
The Nik of Time
book by Mel McKee, music by Peder Fedde, lyrics by Chris Smith
April in New York
book by Virginia Gail Emrick, music and lyrics by Stephanie Hutchinson
Let Us Prey
book by Doug Dispiri, music by Myrna Emata, lyrics by Carla Porter
Cast: Kathleen Chen, Leslie Friedman, Adam LeBow, Deb Owen, and Stephen Vendette
Director: Elise Dewsberry
Producer: Scott Guy
Music Director: Jake Anthony
Stage Manager: Sara B. Ware
DEATH and TAXES
five new very short musicals about two of the most nasty inevitabilities of our lives
June 13-14, 2005
Edgmar Center for the Arts
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
book and lyrics by Robin Share, music by Karlan Judd
The Dependants
book by Bebe McGarry, music by Michael Paul Girard, lyrics by Debra M. Gussin
The Frog Prince
book by Ken Gardner, music by Ken Neufeld, lyrics by Ken Gardner and Ken Neufeld
The Pitch
book by Neville Johnson, music by Charles Gran, lyrics by Nikos Tsakalakos
Where There’s a Will
book by Nancy Crawford, music by Carmen Balas, lyrics by C.J. Ver Burg
Cast: Erika Davis Marsh, Jackie Levy, Happy Mahaney, Bonnie Perlman, and Fred Pinto
Directed by Gary Gardner
Produced by Elise Dewsberry
Music Director: Jake Anthony
Stage Manager: Susan B. Ware
GOOD IDEAS and BAD INTENTIONS
four short musicals about the saintly and the nasty
June 14-17, 2004
The Colony Theatre, Burbank
Written by: Terrence Atkins, John Sterling Carter, Susie Chodakiewitz, Aaron Coleman, Barbara Dixon, Kaye Dunham, James Goins, Peter Grand, Thea Iberall, Laurel Jones, Eric Law, Chuck Pelletier, Fred Pinto, Jeffery Lyle Segal, Erica Stux, Richard Tuttobene, and Megan Wygant
Cast: Teressa Byrne, Ellen Dostal, Brian Dyer, Pat Loeb, and Matthew Rocheleau
Directed by Greg Zerkle
Music Directed by Ross Kalling
Produced by Elise Dewsberry