Glü, a new musical from Alexander Sage Oyen and Jake Lockwood, will get a world premiere staging at Illinois' Timber Lake Playhouse, with performances running August 22-31. Timber Lake Artistic Director Tommy Ranieri is directing the full production, presented as the inaugural entry in the company's Andy Bro New Works Program.

The original story—which features a book and lyrics by Lockwood and music and lyrics by Oyen—follows Lizzy Glühen, who inherits her family adhesive business and has to decide whether to keep it going or cash in. The cast will feature Sarah Daniels as Lizzy, Heath Saunders as Tyler, Nia Chavis as Leona, Sam O'Neill as Kevin, Emma Theriot as Meredith, Anthony Scarpone as Otto, Drew Perez Harris as Mike, Darcie A. Hingula as Mary, and Kate McQuillan as Margo.

The production will feature orchestrations by JT Kaufman, music direction by Matthew Surico, scenic design by Jonas Harrison, costume design by Matthew Robert Carl, lighting design by Alexander Le Vaillant Freer, and prop design by Finley Fields. Rachel Da Silva will be associate director, and Tommy Ranieri is stage managing.

"The most thrilling part of my job is giving a new musical its first heartbeat in front of a live audience," says Ranieri in a statement. "With the Andy Bro New Works Program, we produce world premieres at full scale, so writers see their work in the conditions it was meant for. Glü is the kind of show that proves a premiere here in Mount Carroll can echo far beyond Illinois.”

“Glü is a story about connection and trust for people in a small community. In these current times of division and disingenuous arguments, telling a story about those things almost feels subversive. But with Glü what I really love is that there’s truly something in it for everyone. And Jake’s script is absolutely bonkers!!," adds Oyen.

Tickets are available at TimberLakePlayhouse.org.