Masterworks Broadway will release the world-premiere recording of Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical September 16. The recording will feature the voice of The Wiz Live!’s Shanice Williams.
Written by Douglas Lyons, Melvin Tunstall, III and Greg Borowsky, Polkadots is inspired by the true events of the Civil Rights pioneers Ruby Bridges and The Little Rock Nine.
Also featured on the album are recording artist Alex Newell (Glee), Lilli Cooper (The SpongeBob Musical), Alysha Deslorieux (Hamilton), John Arthur Greene (American Idol Season 15), Katie Thompson (Giant), Julia Knitel (Beautiful), Brittney Johnson (Motown), Gerard Canonico (Dear Evan Hansen), Sara King (Hair) and Talia Thiesfield (Veep).
Polkadots, according to press notes, “follows 8-year-old Lily Polkadot who just moved to the ‘Squares Only’ small town of Rockaway. As the first Polkadot in an all Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. From daily bullying, to segregated drinking fountains, Lily’s quest seems hopeless until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her unique polkadot skin blooms into an unexpected pal-ship. Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson for children, reminding them that our differences make us awesome, not outcasts.”
Polkadots has had two developmental runs at Carnegie Mellon University and The Ivoryton Playhouse, where it was awarded the Bully Free Communities Spotlight Award. The new musical is now being licensed regionally and is searching for a theatre to host its New York City bow.
Polkadots was conceived by Lyons, who also wrote lyrics and co-composed music with Borowsky and features a book by Tunstall, III. The creative team also includes Madeline Smith (music supervisor), Ted Arthur (musical director), Ethan D. Pakchar (orchestration) and Salina Giardino (illustration).
The recording is produced by Marc Blakeman, Shaun Hurwitz, Douglas Lyons and Greg Borowsky.
A track listing follows:
1. “First Day” – Talia Thiesfield, Gerard Canonico, Brittney Johnson, Julia Knitel
2. “Sticks and Stones” – Alex Newell
3. “Sticks and Stones Reprise” – Alex Newell
4. “One Pal” – Shanice Williams
5. “Square Motto” – Sara King, Talia Thiesfield, Gerard Canonico
6. “Beautiful John” – Arthur Greene
7. “The First” – Katie Thompson and Alysha Deslorieux
8. “One Pal Reprise” – Shanice Williams
9. “Cool Kid” – Lilli Cooper
10. “The Squadot” – Talia Thiesfield, Gerard Canonico, Brittney Johnson, Julia Knitel
11. “New Day” – Talia Thiesfield, Gerard Canonico, Brittney Johnson, Julia Knitel
12. “Finale” – Talia Thiesfield, Gerard Canonico, Brittney Johnson, Julia Knitel
Bonus Tracks:
13. “Taught” – Katie Thompson
14. “Polkadot Christmas” – Brittney Johnson
For more information on the musical, follow Polkadots on Facebook at @PolkadotsforCoolkids and Twitter at @Polkadotmusical.
