Colorado’s Theatre Aspen has announced that it is teaming up with The Wheeler Opera House to develop The Mad Show, a new musical from “the twisted minds behind MAD Magazine”—the long-running publication known for its satirical take on politics, sports, and celebrities, among other things. The creative team is led by Emmy-winning comedy writer Rich Talarico, a Second City company member who has written for the likes of MADtv, Key & Peele, and SNL.

The Mad Show’s week-long residency will culminate in two presentations at the Wheeler Opera House beginning September 12 as part of the fourth annual Aspen Theatre Festival.

The cast will be made up of Nicole Parker (Wicked, MADtv), Lauren Pritchard (The Sarah Silverman Program, MADtv), Craig Cackowski (Drunk History, Veep), David Pompeii (The Daily Show, Key & Peele, Heroes), Martin Garcia (Ray Donovan), and Paloma Nuñez (Second City).

T.J. Shanoff (Blank! The Musical) is the composer and musical director.

Wheeler Opera House Executive Director Gena Buhler says that there is an “improv element to the show,“ and that audience participation will be key.

“Developing new work is an important part of our mission. Our commitment to the artists must include providing the resources they need to be creative to make this intense time in Aspen transformative for their project,” adds Theatre Aspen's Interim Artistic Director Markus Potter in a press statement. We are grateful to Gena Buhler and the team at the Wheeler for partnering with us and enthusiastically sharing their resources.”

The show is not associated with the 1966 Off-Broadway musical revue, The Mad Show, which featured music by Mary Rodgers.

The Mad Show is produced in association with Warner Bros Theatre Ventures (WBThV). MAD Magazine and all related elements are TM & © E.C. Publications, Inc.

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