OKC theater creates a magical world to be the first to stage new musical 'King of Pangaea'
Under a canopy of purple tree branches tipped with orange and gold leaves, Logan Corley is singing an earnest "Prayer."
As he croons, the actor meanders across Lyric Theatre's Plaza District stage, which has been transformed into an enchanted land through thoughtfully devised sets, props and lighting.
From his seat in one of the back rows, Martin Storrow mouths the familiar words through a smile that looks a bit bemused.
"It's totally surreal ... seeing purple trees, when, as a writer, I'm creating this world, and I don't really know what it's gonna look like. Then, all of a sudden, I walk into the theater, and I see it. And I know that might sound ridiculous, because that's what we do when we put on plays — you build a set. But there's something really inspiring and just awesome about seeing this come together," Storrow told The Oklahoman during a break in rehearsals for his new musical "King of Pangaea."
For the first show of its 2024 subscription season, Lyric Theatre is continuing its long-running New Works Initiative by performing "King of Pangaea" March 20-April 7 at its Plaza Theatre. In collaboration with Atlanta's Aurora Theatre, Lyric is staging the first fully realized production Storrow's anticipated musical.
"The music is 100%, from beginning to end, crushingly, beautifully honest and sweet. You just wipe away happy, wonderful tears the whole time, because you're like, 'That is what life is about. That's why we're here. That's how we can come to terms with (the fact) that we're all mortal,'" said Lyric Theatre Producing Artistic Director Michael Baron, who is directing the new musical.
OKC theater to stage new musical while hosting national conference
Perched on the base of a fountain at center stage, Corley watches with a perplexed expression as a suitcase-toting prophet, played by Dirk Lumbard, sings the original number "Everyone I Love," punctuating the wry lyrics with a fleet-footed flurry of tap dancing. As Lumbard finishes with a flourish, the cast and crew spontaneously break into applause during the rehearsal.
The first musical from Storrow, a prolific Jewish poet, artist and songwriter who hails from California, "King of Pangaea" is a "fantasy musical memoir" that follows 21-year-old Christopher Crow (Corley) as he suffers a sudden, shattering loss. He then travels to Pangaea, the imaginary island of his childhood, hoping to find answers that will put the pieces of his life back together.
The workshop of the musical captivated audiences at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's fall 2022 Festival of New Musicals, Baron said, so he immediately approached Storrow about staging the show.
"Within six months, we had gotten the rights to do the first production," Baron said, adding that Atlanta's Aurora Theatre will perform it in January 2025.
Lyric's production of "King of Pangaea" will coincide with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's annual spring conference. Oklahoma City is hosting the conference for the first time April 3-5.
"Everyone that saw the workshop, a year and a half later, they're seeing a full production, which never happens. So, that was also another reason to get people to come to Oklahoma," Baron said.
'King of Pangaea' tells a deeply personal yet universal story
Atop a bright yellow bunk bed that has magically transformed into a water taxi, Matthew Alvin Brown stands with his feet planted as firmly as possible, turning a ship's wheel as his co-stars steer the bed. As his co-stars and Baron discuss the best way to maneuver Brown safely around the stage, Storrow watches with apprehension.
"That's terrifying," he mutters. "Seeing him stand up there for the first time, it's awesome — but also terrifying."
Storrow penned the book, lyrics and music for "King of Pangaea" — his first musical — based on his own experience of weathering loss and grief at a young age.
"I was a singer-songwriter for several years, and I never expected to be a musical theater writer. And I'm so glad that I discovered this. ... It's definitely, I would say, inspired by both the lived experience of losing your parent in college, but also, this was my imaginary world," Storrow said.
"It's a story about loss, but, really, it's a story about hope and healing and the journey that we take through grief into something that makes us deeper."
The New York-based writer said it is still unreal to watch the story and songs he created taking shape on an Oklahoma City stage.
"It was really Michael and Lyric that said, 'We love this show, it resonates, we want to do it — and we want to do it this season.' First, that was just a huge compliment, but also, the fact that Lyric was visionary enough to want to bring a new show out and do it so quickly was really cool. So, I'm really grateful," Storrow said.
"The show is just coming to life in ways that it has never lived before. I've heard the words many times — both in my head, and we've done readings — but it's so different to see the actors living the story in front of your eyes. And for me, because it's such a personal story, I feel like, in some ways, I'm reliving these moments that I experienced many years ago. That is something that I'm still processing, but it's really beautiful."
From attending band rehearsals to watching the crew build the backdrop out of layered paper, he said each phase of the process has been thrilling.
"I try and take a picture every day, like one picture of something exciting or remarkable. I think I have to get this. ... That is really cool," Storrow said, grinning as he watched Brown and Corley trade places at the magical ship's helm on top of the bunk bed.
"It's like, 'What is my life?' This is it — and it's amazing."
'King of Pangaea'
When: March 20-April 7.
Where: Lyric’s Plaza Theatre, 1725 NW 16.
Information: https://lyrictheatreokc.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New show 'King of Pangaea' comes to OKC with national theater conference
