The event was on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
On Saturday, August 2, 2025, composer-lyricist Joel B. New (Jonathan Larson Grant, MAC Award) celebrated 20 years of original musical storytelling with a dynamic concert at The Green Room 42. The evening featured a rotating cast of powerhouse performers breathing new life into five of New’s bold, funny, and gloriously queer musicals, directed by Billy Bustamante with music direction by Gillian Berkowitz. Check out photos below!
The cast included Lisa Howard, Becca Ayers, Charles Sanchez, Madge Dietrich, Cicily Daniels, Travis Kent, Andrew Cristi, Jill Melanie Wirth, Gavin Guthrie, Adam Grant Morrison, Will Mann, Allison Mickelson, and more. The all-star band featured Eli Zoller (guitar), Wesley Bourland (bass), Greg Germann (drums), with Berkowitz on piano. Luke Gilmore served as production assistant.
In addition to celebrating New’s prolific output over two decades, the evening was an invitation to fellow artists to keep creating — even without permission — and a poignant moment of queer joy, resilience, and storytelling.
New's second songbook The Songs of Joel B. New, Vol. II also launched that night and is available for purchase via Repertwa.
Photo Credit: Ben Sherai


Madge Dietrich and Travis Kent

Becca Ayers and Allison Mickelson

Olivia Reiter

Neal Harrelson

Jill Melanie Wirth, Olivia Reiter, Neal Harrelson, Allison Mickelson

Will Mann and Charles Sanchez

Gavin Guthrie and Company

Adam Grant Morrison and Company

Adam Grant Morrison

Rachel Schoenecker

Julianna Ingram

Marco Miralles

Julianna Ingram and Sierra Jimenez

Charles Sanchez

Charles Sanchez and Company

Joel B. New and Company

Madge Dietrich and Richard Riaz Yoder

Travis Kent and Company

Charles Sanchez
Videos