Question 1

about the new musical

Accepted Answer

After being expelled from college, Anna is stuck with her soon-to-be-remarried father and a revolving door of therapists — thanks to court-mandated probation. This, coupled with a new diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, forces Anna to grapple with demons she has always lived with but never had a name for, until now. Through a unique fusion of pop melodies, jazz harmonies, funk beats and hypnotic waltzes, the score captures the chaotic beauty of a psyche. As this darkly comedic musical asks, how do you reach out for help when you’re afraid to admit you’re sick? Benjamin Velez's work has been produced at Ars Nova, Joe's Pub/The Public Theater, York Theater, and others; his musical, Kiss My Aztec, written with John Leguizamo will receive its world premiere at Berkeley Rep this spring. Aryanna Garber has worked for HBO, Lincoln Center, PYPO and more. Aryanna and Benjamin won the 2018 Weston New Musical Award for Borderline and are 2018-19 Dramatist Guild Foundation Fellows.   Please note that this piece may contain discussion of suicidal ideation and self harm. If you or anyone you know would like information regarding mental health resources, we encourage visiting https://www.nami.org/Find-Support.

Question 2

about the writers

Accepted Answer

After graduating from Barnard College, book writer Aryanna Garber received a Master’s Degree from Columbia University in the field of Narrative Medicine; combining her passion for writing and patient advocacy. After graduating, she went to work as the personal writing assistant for best-selling author, Erica Jong. In 2013, Aryanna transitioned into television, and worked as the executive assistant for Emmy Award-winning producer and director, Stephanie Laing. Aryanna worked with Stephanie on the HBO award-winning series Veep and Vice Principals. In 2016, Aryanna became the head writer and a contributing founder of Stephanie Laing’s new digital comedy network, Pypo. After working as the writer and Special Communications Manager for the President’s Office at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, Aryanna now works part-time as a research associate at Harvard Business School for author and professor, Debora Spar. In 2018, Aryanna, along with composer/lyricist Benjamin Velez, won the 2018 Weston New Musical Award for their original work, Borderline, and was selected to be a 2018-2019 Dramatist Guild Foundation Fellow.   Benjamin Velezis a composer and lyricist whose work has been seen at Ars Nova, Joe's Pub/The Public Theater, NAMT, NYMF, NEO, with the Civilians, 4@15, and more. His musical, Kiss My Aztec, written with John Leguizamo, Tony Taccone, and David Kamp, will receive its world premiere at Berkeley Rep in Spring 2019. A Columbia graduate and member of the BMI Workshop since 2010, Benjamin won the Harrington Award in 2012. He was a 2017 Sundance Artist at the UCROSS Foundation and their Spring 2018 Artist-in-Residence. His original musical Starblasters received its first reading Dixon Place this March, directed by Daniel Goldstein; his musical Afterland was workshopped at the Yale Institute for Music Theater and the York Theater, directed by Mark Brokaw. Borderline was the 2018 winner of the Weston Playhouse New Musical Award. He is currently a 2018-2019 Dramatist Guild Foundation Fellow.

Question 3

cast & creative team

Accepted Answer

Book by Aryanna Garber Music & Lyrics by Benjamin Velez Directed by Jaki Bradley Music Directed by David Gardos Dramaturged by Carrie Chapter Cast Includes: Florrie Bagel, Charl Brown, Lincoln Clauss, Matt Dallal, Sarah Lynn Marion, Gilli Messer, Andy Taylor, & Tatiana Wechsler

Alexander Gemignani, Artistic Director

The River is Me by Troy Anthony & Sukari Jones
Fora by Jae Broderick & Matthew AC Cohen
Mill Girls by Diana Lawrence, Samantha Beach, & Jess McLeod
Diane Steals The Show! by Joe Kinosian & Kellen Blair

box office

blue gene's pub

membership

C O N T A C T

C O N N E C T

D I S C O V E R