Photos: First Look at A NEW BRAIN at Old Library Theatre in Rehearsal

Old Library Theatre (OLT), Fair Lawn Recreation Department’s resident theatre company, will present the musical, A NEW BRAIN, over two weekends, April 12th through April 21st. Performances are on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm, with Sunday matinees at 2:00pm.

Check out the rehearsal photos below!

A NEW BRAIN, created by Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist William Finn and playwright James Lapine, is an unexpectedly funny show that gives a glimpse into the inner world of Gordon Michael Schwinn (played by Patrick Dwyer), a frustrated composer for a children’s television show. A brain disorder leaves Gordon hospitalized, where he floats in and out of consciousness, contemplating his life, legacy, the meaning of music, and the important relationships in his life. Throughout his hospitalization, Gordon is haunted by an imaginary frog from the show he works on. As a quartet of quirky hospital staff (the egotistic neurosurgeon, a nice nurse, a mean nurse, and an out-of-his element minister) try to tend to his medically uncertain needs, Gordon’s overbearing Jewish mother, his lover, and neurotic best friend work to maintain his emotional health. Throw in a deeply philosophical homeless woman, and you have the ten-person cast of this touching, funny, and relatable musical that explores life’s beauty when we take the time to appreciate it.

A NEW BRAIN is directed by Jess Katz, with Music Direction by Evan T. Charpentier. The show is produced by Amy Kurfist; with costumes by Jessi Blum, wigs by Katie Lupfer, choreography by Cassandra Barkett, prop and set design by Amy Kurfist, and Erin Sabat and Lyss Wortman as Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager. Mr. Bungee puppets designed by Kay Koch.

A NEW BRAIN stars Patrick Dwyer as Gordon Michael Schwinn; Kathy Monroe as his mother Mimi; Jonathan Krouse as his boyfriend Roger; Melissa Miller as his best friend Rhoda; Peter Vaiknoras as his boss Mr. Bungee; Sam Szentmik as the homeless lady; Dave Toussas as Richard the nice nurse; Katie Lupfer as Nancy D and Waitress; Paul Foster as the doctor; and Jeff Parsons as the minister.

William Finn’s musical genius shines through in every note. From infectious, toe-tapping tunes to heartrending ballads that tug at your heartstrings, A NEW BRAIN delivers an emotional rollercoaster that leaves audiences laughing, crying and singing along.

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