[title of show] is a charming musical about its own creation. The current production by Prism Theatre Company is delightful.

The creators and leading characters of [title of show] are composer-lyricist Jeff Bowen and book writer Hunter Bell. They are old friends who decide to submit an entry to a festival that fosters new musicals. Their process has to be streamlined because the deadline for submissions is only three weeks away.

During a brainstorming session, Hunter says, “What if the first scene is just us talking about what to write? We could put this exact conversation in the show.” Jeff replies, “Wait, so everything I say from now on could actually be in our show?”

These lines are actually in the show. Otherwise I couldn’t quote them. From here on, the show documents its development by Jeff and Hunter, their friends Heidi and Susan, and their musical director, Larry. Like Jeff and Hunter, the supporting characters have the same first names as the original performers: Susan was originated by Susan Blackwell, Heidi by Heidi Blickenstaff, and Larry by Larry Pressgrove.

Two of the collaborators have St. Louis connections. Bell is a graduate of the Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts and appeared in several productions at The Rep. Pressgrove was the musical director of several Rep shows as well as Joan Lipkin and Tom Clear’s historic 1989 musical, Some of My Best Friends Are …

The show derives much of humor from drawing attention to its self-referencing. The metatheatricality is clever, but the drama is as impressive as the humor when the show explores the conflicts that arise among the creators after their initial brush with success.

The co-producers, Joy Addler and Trish Brown, point out in a program note, “Prism’s [title of show] is unique in that we have chosen to gender-bend the show and use an all-women cast. Our take on this musical not only provides more substantial opportunities for women (one branch of Prism’s mission), but also celebrates the uniqueness and power of the friendships and bonds between them when they collaborate and support each other.”

Except for a few places where Jeff and Hunter’s dialogue is more masculine than I would expect to hear from women, the gender changes achieve their goal without causing problems.

The excellent cast includes Katie Orr as Jeff, Jaelyn Hawkins as Hunter, Rachel Bailey as Susan, Savannah Fernelius as Heidi, and Mallory Golden as Larry.

The show fits comfortably into an intimate black box theatre thanks to Sam Hayes’s direction and costumes, Mallory Golden’s musical direction and sound design, Cady Bailey’s choreography, Caleb D. Long’s set, Catherine Adams’s lighting, and the contributions of props master Sadie Harvey and props artisan Katie Smith.

[title of show] continues through August 25 at the Kranzberg Black Box Theatre, 501 North Grand Boulevard.

—Gerry Kowarsky

Photo by Cady Bailey
Front, left to right: Jaelyn Hawkins as Hunter, Rachel Bailey as Susan, Katie Orr as Jeff, Savannah Fernelius as Heid
Rear: Mallory Golden as Larry