Photo Flash: Queensbury Theatre Hosts Texas Premiere of UNLOCK'D

Unlock'd, a new musical by New York Musical Theatre writers Sam Carner and Derek Gregor will run at CityCentre's Queensbury Theatre from February 7-25 (Opening Night, February 16), in a new production in association with New York / Chicago producer Judy Loseff and directed by local Marley Singletary, featuring Houston-area talent.

Unlock'd, described as "a modern-ish musical romance," was produced Off-Broadway in an extended run at New York's Duke Theatre, following a notable run at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, where it won "Best of the Fest" and workshops at venues around the country including Ravinia, TheatreWorks Palo Alto, and more.

According to producer Judy Loseff, "This is the most hopeful, magical show I've ever seen. People are truly transformed and uplifted by it in ways that persist long after they leave the theatre. It's deeply thought-provoking, sophisticated, and great fun at the same time."

Authors Carner & Gregor , who were included in Playbill.com's 12 "Contemporary Musical Theatre Songwriters You Should Know," won the Richard Rodgers Award, the John Wallowitch Award for songwriters under 40, the coveted $100,000 Kleban Prize, and more. Their work has been nominated for 10 Manhattan Association of Cabaret awards for "Best Song" and is produced widely across the world

"We're thrilled with the exceptional level of Houston talent. The cast brings intelligence, grace, and incredible charm to the work--they really get the sensibility," according to Carner, the show's lyricist/book-writer, who adds, "Marley [the Unlock'd director] has created brilliant staging. I'm excited to see it come to life on February 7th."

Thomas Griffin Williams, who stars as The Baron Windsorloch, adds, "It's exciting to get to work alongside a New York creative team and to watch the creative process in action-being 'in the room where it happens.'"

"Being here, in this community, has really fed my creative soul," says Gregor, the team's composer, adding, "Some of the voices I've come across here are as strong as any I've encountered."

The Unlock'd Texas premiere, directed by Singletary, is choreographed by Dana Lewis and musical directed by Jonathan Craft, features notable local actor/singers Phillip Brown, Dylan Godwin, Mark Ivy, McKenna Marmolejo, Shanae'a Moore, Kathryn Porterfield, Rodrick Randall, Adrienne Shearer, Holland Vavra, and Thomas Griffin Williams, along with New York performer Patrick Massey.

Cast member Holland Vavra remarked, "It's based on a pretty unknown poem [Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock"], but it still has a real relevance to today, featuring an intriguing female heroine-and female antagonist as well. It also make me laugh!

Shanae'a Moore, who stars in the production as Belinda added, "I believe in the show because it defies stereotypes and shows depth in people we don't normally look for depth."

Joining the creative team is Christina Giannelli (Lighting Designer), Ryan McGettigan (Scenic Designer), Bryan Nortin (Sound Designer), Kristin Knipp (Costume Designer), Amber Stepanik (Costume Designer), Eric Olmos Tristan (Wig and Makeup Designer), and Edgar Guajardo (Props Designer).

Queensbury Theatre is located at CityCentre Houston (12777 Queensbury Ln., Houston, TX 77024).

Tickets now on-sale at queensburytheatre.org/unlockd.