Gallery Players has often successfully produced new musicals as part of their season, such as Yank (2007) and Like You Like It (2008). To further this idea, Gallery Players has created a new program in order to directly support the development of new musicals. OVERTURES will offer staged readings of new musicals, thereby fostering the creation of new musical theatre and supporting the talented composers and writers as they refine their work. The series is helmed by theatre director and scholar, Barrie Gelles and will feature the talents of a roster of exceptional up-and-coming performers and directors.
Overtures Program Director: Barrie Gelles
“It was clear from my very first encounter with director Barrie Gelles: Gallery Players truly loves theater artists. I was honored to receive a reading in the inaugural year of Overtures, and I am thrilled to be back with Emma this fall. Gallery Players deftly handles all the logistics so the writers can focus on the work. A generosity of spirit abounds, from the directors to the cast, and I am immensely grateful for the time, talent, space, and support to develop this new musical; it is a rare gift.” – Sarah Taylor Ellis, composer – EMMA (2015)
“…having the Gallery Players and the type of support they are giving us allows us to focus entirely on the writing. Gallery Players has been fantastic about building a supportive infrastructure and for simply creating this opportunity. They’ve been so welcoming and fantastic working with all the new writers.” – Jonathon Lynch, composer – LUNACY (2014)
Past Seasons
Shows from Overtures have gone on to Off-Off-Broadway productions, New York Musical Theatre Festival, Pittsburgh CLO, regional productions, and additional workshops.
2026-2027 | 8th Year
TBD
2025-2026 | 7th Year
November 17 – November 18, 2025
The Town That Sucked at Christmas
Music, Book & Lyrics by David Christensen, Sarah Ziegler & Luke Holloway
Mar. 16-Mar. 18, 2026
The Battle of Blythe Road
Music, Lyrics & Book by Hannah Fairchild
2024-2025 | 6th Year
December 6 – December 15, 2024
Curses
Book & Lyrics by A.J. Freeman; Music by Jonathan Lynch
December 6 – December 15, 2024
Matchstick Girl A New Musical
Book & Lyrics by Jennifer A. Kokai; Music & Additional Lyrics by Kenneth Plain
December 6 – December 15, 2024
Christmas Eve in Dikanka
Book, Music & Lyrics by Kit Godstein Grant
2019 | 5th Year
Going South
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Katya Stanislavskaya
The Heartbreak Hotel
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Rebecca Lee Lerman
2017-2018 | 4th Year
The Giant Hoax
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Kit Goldstein Grant
Peter and the Pied Piper, a special presentation for young audiences
Music by Jonathon Lynch
Book and Lyrics by Holly Hepp-Galván
Manuel Versus the Statue of Liberty
Music and Lyrics by David Davila
Book and Lyrics by Noemi de la Puente
The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota
Music and Lyrics by Paul Rigano and David Rigano
Book by Mark Eugene Garcia
The Turing Test
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathon Lynch
2016-2017 | 3rd Year
Baby Bumps
Music by Jeffrey Lodin
Lyrics by William Squier
Book by William Squier and Dana Hilmer
An American Hero
Music and Lyrics by Cody Cole
Book by Kenneth L. Stilson
We Are The Tigers
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Rebekah M. Allen
Echo
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Anna Jacobs
On the Air
Music By Robert Farruggia
Book and Lyrics by Robert Farruggia and Cristina Farruggia
2015-2016 | 2nd Year
20/35
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Ben Diskant
Emma
Music by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Book and Lyrics by Meghan Brown
Deployed
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Natalie Lovejoy
‘Til Death Do Us Part
Music and Lyrics by Bobby Cronin
Book by Caroline Prugh
Lobsters Live Forever
Music by Bob Kelly
Book and Lyrics by Sam Chanse
In partnership with the Leviathan Lab
Standby
Music by Amy Baer and Keith Robinson
Book and Lyrics by Mark-Eugene Garcia and Alfred Solis
Based on a Concept by Alfred Solis
2014-2015 | 1st Year
Lunacy
Music by Jonathon Lynch
Book and Lyrics by Matt Boresi
The Yellow Wallpaper
Music by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Book and Lyrics by Lane Williamson
Closer Than You Think
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Brett Kristofferson
Based on the film Across the Tracks written and directed by Sandy Tung
Plagued (A musical comedy adventure across disease ravaged 14th century England)
Music by Nick Moore
Book and Lyrics by Daniel John Kelley
Story by Nick Moore & Daniel John Kelley
In Search of the Bandit Queen
Music and Lyrics by Kamala Sankaram
Book and Lyrics by Christine Toy Johnson
Rebuilding
Music by Mark Evans
Book and Lyrics by Andrew Farmer and Max Reuben