Book & Original Concept by ASHLEY ROBINSON
Music by DAN GILLESPIE SELLS
Lyrics by SHAKINA
Based on the play by ED GRACZYK | Choreographed by NANCY RENEE BRAUN | Directed by GIOVANNA SARDELLI
Produced by special arrangement with Broadway & Beyond Theatricals
FEBRUARY 11 – MARCH 28, 2027
Previews February 11 – February 28, 2027
Dates subject to change
In 1975, the “Disciples of James Dean” gather at a dusty Texas 5 & Dime store to mark the 20th anniversary of the rebel icon’s death. What begins as a nostalgic tribute soon unearths a web of long-buried truths, shattered illusions, and the heartbreaking reality of living in the shadow of a legend. But through the unraveling comes something unexpected: a fragile kind of grace, as laughter cuts through the pain and old wounds find room to breathe. Based on the cult hit play and 1982 film—both starring Cher and directed by the acclaimed Robert Altman—this new musical adaptation features music by Dan Gillespie Sells (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), book and original concept by Ashley Robinson (Brokeback Mountain), and lyrics by Shakina (“Difficult People”). Together, they bring soulful harmony and raw emotion to Ed Graczyk’s classic story—an aching, tender reminder that even in the wreckage of memory, there’s connection, catharsis, and the quiet comfort of not being alone.
THE ARTISTS
ASHLEY ROBINSON (Book and Original Concept) WRITER: His play adaptation of Brokeback Mountain premiered on London’s West End, is currently being translated and produced worldwide, and will have its US premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in June. His original musical Fall of ’94 is in development. Ashley is a Ucross Foundation writing resident. Acting: New York credits include Capote in the New York premiere of Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory (Irish Rep) and A Clockwork Orange (New World Stages). He originated the role of Jett Rink (yes, that Jett Rink—immortalized by James Dean in the film that inspired this musical) in the World Premiere of the musical Giant (Helen Hayes Best Actor nomination). London acting credits include Floyd Collins (Wilton’s Music Hall), Casa Valentina (Southwark Playhouse), and Merrily We Roll Along (Harold Pinter Theatre/Menier Chocolate Factory). Training: University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
DAN GILLESPIE SELLS (Music) is the Ivor Novello award winning songwriter and front person of pop band The Feeling. His 25-year career has taken him (and his songs) into the worlds of dance, theatre, TV and film. He has composed, arranged and produced for and with artists as varied as Becky Hill, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Rufus Wainwright and Shakka Khan. Theatre Credits include 3 with D (with Ed Watson) at The London Coliseum/Stuttgart Ballet/Joyce Theatre NY, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Crucible Theatre, the multi-award winning Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Brokeback Mountain (West End/Chicago Shakespeare Company). Other compositions (aside from his Pop songs) include the ‘Beautiful People’ soundtrack for BBC and ‘Scoring Oliver Twist’, David Copperfield and Bleak House for Sam Mendez’s Audible productions. The Feeling’s debut album, ‘TWELVE STOPS AND HOME’ sold over a million copies, whilst their second album, ‘JOIN WITH US’ reached the No. 1 spot in the UK Charts. They are currently on the verge of releasing their sixth album which is due to be released on Island Records. Dan wrote the theme to BBC’s ‘Beautiful People’ TV show in 2008. Dan’s collaboration with The Royal Ballet’s Ed Watson and choreographer Javier De Frutos 3 with D premiered at London’s Coliseum in 2014 and has since been performed at Stuttgart Ballet and The Joyce Theatre New York. Dan was the recipient of the 2015 Stonewall award for Entertainer of the Decade for his work in the LGBT community and the 2007 Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year. Other awards include Best Composer at The Stage Debut Awards 2017 plus BRIT and Oliver nominations including ‘outstanding achievement in music’. Along with friends Tom MacRea and Jonathan Butterell, Dan created the hit West End stage musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie which won multiple awards before being adapted (by the same creative team) into a BAFTA nominated movie. It was released on Prime Video in 2021. In 2023 Dan’s theatre adaptation Brokeback Mountain opened to critical acclaim in The West End. It will have it’s US premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in 2026. Last year Dan premiered two other new musicals; The Parent Agency (written with David Baddiel) at The Chester Storyhouse and Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean at Theatre Works, Silicone Valley. Upcoming projects include Friends of Dorothy for The Donmar Warehouse and Men Up for Theatre Clwyd.
SHAKINA (Lyrics/Joanne) Shakina is a Critics’ Choice Award-winning performer, director, writer, producer, and activist whose groundbreaking career has encompassed television, theater, film, and music. As the founding artistic director of Musical Theatre Factory, she helped develop hundreds of new musicals, including Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award–winning A Strange Loop and her own autobiographical glam-rock odyssey, Manifest Pussy. She made history as the first trans person to be cast in a series regular role on a network comedy in NBC’s Connecting…, and was recognized with a special Critics Choice Award for her writing and directing on NBC’s Quantum Leap. Shakina can also be seen in Hulu’s Difficult People and Amazon’s Emmy Award–winning Transparent—writing, producing, and guest starring in the show’s “Musicale Finale.” Her play Chonburi International Hotel and Butterfly Club premiered on Audible in collaboration with Williamstown Theatre Festival, winning the Drama League Award for Best Audio Theater Production. More at www.Shakina.nyc
