Penn State School of Theatre’s musical theatre program has commissioned musical theatre writer Joe Iconis to write an original musical for its graduating class. The students will rehearse the show throughout the writing process during their senior year; the program will culminate in a production at Penn State, as well as a reading and concert in New York.
The untitled new musical will be presented in January 2017. Iconis’ earlier musicals include Bloodsong of Love, Be More Chill, The Black Suits and ReWrite, among other works. His songs have also been featured on NBC’s Smash.
The occasion also marks the beginning of John Simpkins’ tenure as head of musical theatre at Penn State. Simpkins is a Drama Desk-nominated stage director and the artistic director of Sharon Playhouse.
