Kelly Krauter
Joel Kirk
Kyle Caress
Season Finale D iscov er ing Br oa dway In c. F e at u re s Loc a l Ta le n t in
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of Discovering Broadway and staff
This month, the creative team of the new musical “Hamlet” participated in Discovering Broadway Inc.’s writers retreat program in Central Indiana. Discovering Broadway premiered songs in concert from the new musical, starring Jordan Donica (“My Fair Lady”) as Hamlet, Samantha Pauly (“Six”) as Ophelia, Adam Pascal (“Rent”) as King Claudius, and Bryonha Marie Parham (“Prince of Broadway”) as Gertrude in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre at the Indiana Historical Society. “Hamlet” is the third show to participate in Discovering Broadway Inc.’s writers retreat program, following May’s “Ever After” and February’s “The Devil Wears Prada.” The new musical is the final show of the nonprofit’s inaugural season.
A LOCAL POOL OF TALENT
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ounded by Carmel native and CEO Joel Kirk, Discovering Broadway Inc. hosts Broadway creative teams in Indiana so they can develop their Broadway-bound new musicals and offer the public educational opportunities to learn about the process of making a musical. Discovering Broadway’s “Hamlet” featured eight performers and musicians from Carmel and Zionsville. Indiana cast members include Eric Wiegand (“Plaza Suite”), Kelly Krauter (“Waitress” second national tour), Christina Barnes (“Frankenstein”), Kyle Caress (“Cinderella” national tour), Jenn Maurer (“Elf the Musical” national tour), Sophie Miller, Jack Ducat and Jake Letts. When asked what the likelihood is
of some of the Carmel cast members to end up in the finalized production of “Hamlet”—on Broadway—Kirk shared, “Discovering Broadway is a launchpad for shows, and it’s also a launchpad for talent,” Kirk stated. “Most casting comes down to availability, and it comes down to what the writers of the characters envision their characters to be. This is really our first examination of what the music that has been written for those characters and what these actors do with the characters that they are given. I’m a kid from Carmel who’s directing a Broadway-bound show, so I believe that anything is truly possible.”
MEET SOME OF THE CAST FROM CARMEL AND ZIONSVILLE CHS Director of Choirs Kathrine Kouns shared her thoughts on what it
means to Kouns and her fellow directors to see seven of their former students continuing to develop their talents and follow their dreams. “We are so excited to be able to have so many of our Carmel Choir Alumni involved with Discovering Broadway and this current ‘Hamlet’ project,” Kouns stated. “In addition to the actors [highlighted in this article], Grace Plaskett and Elie Anania [CHS Choir Alumni] are also interns with the [Discovering Broadway] organization. This is such a great way to recruit young talent, try out exciting new projects and bring a bit of Broadway to our hometown here in Indiana. We are so grateful to Joel Kirk and the entire team of Discovering Broadway for their willingness to maintain their connection to Carmel High School and this entire community.”
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2021-08-24 10:30 AM
