A musical revue about people who are stuck between phases in their lives. Each song tells a story about being young, feeling old, and wanting something big.

Tales from the Bad Years is a series of short, self-contained stories in the form of songs and musical scenes from those years when you're waiting for something big to happen but it never does. From the first time you try to make the Thanksgiving turkey and screw it up, to the moment when you realize your childhood is over, these stories are about youth, determination, and unexpected love. They capture the frustration of wanting to get away from the lot you choose. These are songs you wish someone sang to you, the anecdotes you love hearing again and again, and the moments of epiphany that every person has. The "bad years" make the best stories.

Cast of Characters
Woman #1: An inscrutable woman with a powerhouse voice. Belter.
Woman #2: Young and innocent. Mixer.
Woman #3: Wry, offbeat comedienne. More mature than the other women. Belt/Mix.
Man #1: Boyish and sincere. Tenor.
Man #2: Quirky and comic. Baritone.

Follow nine refugees in their quest for asylum in the United States, and the three INS agents who decide their fate. Do they stay or do they go? How would you decide? Get it wrong and you might as well sentence them to death, or worse. Inspired by true stories from the asylum process; stories of life and death. They are real, sometimes humorous, but always compelling.

Cast of characters
Asylum applicants:
Ana. 25-30, Romanian, Anglican, married, organized, dyed red hair, well spoken.
Boris. 25-30, Russian, Jewish, shy, smart, wants to marry a Russian girl.
Altin. 35, Indian, Muslim, a sleeper terrorist, quiet, unpredictable, dangerous.
Gladys. 30, El Salvadoran, strong family ties, wants to be safe.
Jamal. 25, Sudanese, handsome, naïve, sense of humor
Huang Xiang. 35, Chinese poet, sensitive, passionate about human rights.
Zhang Ling Xiang. 25, beautiful, sensitive, Huang’s wife
Farida. 27, Algerian, married, pregnant with twins, easily confused
Jean. 30, Haitian, lies like a rug, escaped from Port-au-Prince.
INS Agents:
Gerald. 25, Altruistic, intelligent, first day on the job, roots for the Mets.
Michael. 45, cynical, intelligent, crusty, Yankee fan.
Martha Louise. 40, hippie, liberal, thinks the best of everybody.

The Penn State New Musical Theatre Festival would like to invite the public to 21, a review to benefit The American Cancer Society.
Directed by Robert Schneider
March 29th, 9pm
The Pavilion Theater
Suggested donation of $20 for adults, $10 for students
For Reservations, please send an email with the number of tickets you would like to reserve to reservations@psunewmusicals.org

Fall 2007

Spring 2007