in control
Music and Lyrics by David M. Mahokey and Greg Kerestan
Book by Greg Kerestan
2 acts, musical
Book by Greg Kerestan
2 acts, musical
'cause it's Chemo, day Three Hundred and Four, and i've only got infinity more...'
Every survivor has scars. For Steve Bloom, life should have been a sitcom: hanging with his brother and best friends, dating a gorgeous girl and playing in one of the million unsuccessful garage bands that dot the nation. But the memories of his experience as a childhood cancer survivor always lurk at the back of Steve's mind. With the shadow of his mortality looming larger and larger, can Steve hold his friendships, relationships and sanity together, or will he lose control?
Based on the small-time rock and roll experiences and dating mishaps of writers David M. Mahokey and Greg Kerestan, as well as the childhood cancer ordeals originally described in Mahokey's autobiographical solo performance pieces, "In Control" blends comedy and drama, realism and fantasy, garage rock and musical theatre, into a stylistic melting pot described as "Rent meets Scrubs" in the original production.
Based on the small-time rock and roll experiences and dating mishaps of writers David M. Mahokey and Greg Kerestan, as well as the childhood cancer ordeals originally described in Mahokey's autobiographical solo performance pieces, "In Control" blends comedy and drama, realism and fantasy, garage rock and musical theatre, into a stylistic melting pot described as "Rent meets Scrubs" in the original production.
CASTING: 6 men, 3 women, ensemble
Steve Bloom, 23-25 (Tenor, plays instrument). Charming but caustic, wears a brace over his heavily-scarred leg.
Steve’s Friend, 23-35 (Baritone/Bass). Personification of Steve's cancer itself, his worst enemy but also his closest relationship.
Jude Bloom, 17-20 (Tenor, plays instrument). Cocky, swaggering and girl-crazy younger brother of Steve.
Keith Garrett, 23-25 (Baritone, plays instrument). Leader of the garage band. A little world-weary and short-tempered, but attempting to stay grounded. (Plays some guitar)
Darren Reese, 21-24 (Baritone/Tenor, plays instrument). Jude's best friend. Level-headed, sincere, can't find a boyfriend.
Fisher Austin Taylor III, 23-25 (Tenor). Steve's former college roommate; handsome, rich and cocky, but does not realize he is kind of a douchebag.
Mary Sue Parker, 18-22 (Mezzo). Fisher's girlfriend, hides her low self-esteem and mistrust of most men under a cheerful exterior.
Rachel Anderson, 19-23 (Mezzo/Soprano). Steve's recurring love interest, an artist with a sensitive soul who wears her emotions on her sleeve.
Dr. Patricia Morales, 35-55 (Alto). Chief oncologist at the hospital's cancer ward. Deeply caring and sympathetic, but not without a somewhat unexpected streak of gallows humor.
Ensemble (doctors, nurses, patients, shoppers, shadows, concertgoers)
ORCHESTRATIONS:
Piano Conductor (Keyboard 1)
Keyboard 2
Lead guitar
Rhythm guitar (electric/acoustic)
Bass
Drums
Violin (optional)
Viola (optional)
Cello (optional)
Reed (optional)
LOCATIONS:
Hospital waiting room
Basement man-cave
Upscale shopping mall
Hospital cancer ward
Backstage at Carnegie Hall
Steve Bloom, 23-25 (Tenor, plays instrument). Charming but caustic, wears a brace over his heavily-scarred leg.
Steve’s Friend, 23-35 (Baritone/Bass). Personification of Steve's cancer itself, his worst enemy but also his closest relationship.
Jude Bloom, 17-20 (Tenor, plays instrument). Cocky, swaggering and girl-crazy younger brother of Steve.
Keith Garrett, 23-25 (Baritone, plays instrument). Leader of the garage band. A little world-weary and short-tempered, but attempting to stay grounded. (Plays some guitar)
Darren Reese, 21-24 (Baritone/Tenor, plays instrument). Jude's best friend. Level-headed, sincere, can't find a boyfriend.
Fisher Austin Taylor III, 23-25 (Tenor). Steve's former college roommate; handsome, rich and cocky, but does not realize he is kind of a douchebag.
Mary Sue Parker, 18-22 (Mezzo). Fisher's girlfriend, hides her low self-esteem and mistrust of most men under a cheerful exterior.
Rachel Anderson, 19-23 (Mezzo/Soprano). Steve's recurring love interest, an artist with a sensitive soul who wears her emotions on her sleeve.
Dr. Patricia Morales, 35-55 (Alto). Chief oncologist at the hospital's cancer ward. Deeply caring and sympathetic, but not without a somewhat unexpected streak of gallows humor.
Ensemble (doctors, nurses, patients, shoppers, shadows, concertgoers)
ORCHESTRATIONS:
Piano Conductor (Keyboard 1)
Keyboard 2
Lead guitar
Rhythm guitar (electric/acoustic)
Bass
Drums
Violin (optional)
Viola (optional)
Cello (optional)
Reed (optional)
LOCATIONS:
Hospital waiting room
Basement man-cave
Upscale shopping mall
Hospital cancer ward
Backstage at Carnegie Hall