We’re going out not with a bang, but a “battle cry!”
The last Mainstage show at 617 Congress Ave. will be “Villain,” a musical directed by Mallory Schlossberg and Martha Neil, with musical direction by Ritika Bhattacharjee!
About Villain:
Like Wicked, but for all those other villains that don’t have a beautiful, bombastic backstory. This show will be set in a MAGICAL world, and will be filled with dynamic relationships, big belty songs, and yes — improvised SPECTACLE. This improv show will DEFY GRAVITY (within firecode limits).
From Mallory:
“I love musical improv more than anything in the world and this show embodies MUSICAL THEATER. Talk about standing center stage and belting out a want song. We’re also going to try to do improvised spectacle — yes, that includes (some semblance of) flying. Actual text thread between me and Martha right now is about improvised versions of flying monkeys. To that point, I’m SO EXCITED to partner with Martha and Ritika to bring this to life. They’re brilliant improvisers and collaborators. It’s also super bittersweet since it’s the last musical in the space. But we don’t have to get into those emotions just yet.”From Martha:
“VILLAIN is going to apply all of the bells and whistles that make musical theatre fun. Magic, showmanship and huge musical swings. It’s also going to uphold the trust, creativity, joy and support that goes into developing an improv show. We’re so excited to form a true team, where we tell an earnest story at the heart and center of the GOOFIEST (coolest, sickest, etc.) exhibits of stagecraft that are scientifically possible. And getting to collaborate with Mallory and Ritika is already an honor on its own (they’re mindblowingly brilliant); this process has already been a JOY and I cannot wait to dig in and bring this to life FOR REAL.”