THE GIANT HOAX
A New Musical based on the True(?) Story of New York's Infamous Cardiff Giant
Book, Music, & Lyrics | Kit Goldstein Grant
CREATIVE TEAM
Director | Christopher Michaels
Choreographer | Molly Model
Music Director | Jonathon Lynch
Orchestrations | Mark Brymer
Set Design | Theron Wineinger
Costume Design | Tyler Carlton Williams
Lighting Design | Conor Martin Mulligan
Sound Design | Patrick Lachance
Puppet Design | Noel Williams
Asst. Choreographer | Katie Hardin
Production Photographer | Brian E. Long
Produced by IndieWorks Theatre Company
in association with Visceral Entertainment
and Tom Gavin, Judith Manocherian,
Christopher Michaels & Jeremy Terry
CAST (in alphabetical order)
P.T. Barnum | Paul Aguirre
Puppeteer | Mary Albert
John/Newsboy/Jack | Henry Fin Berry
Reverend Turk | Greg Carter
Beth | Sarah Chiu
Dr. Martin | Yvette Monique Clark
Puppeteer | Jianzi Colón-Soto
The Cardiff Giant | Daniel Moser
Mother | Robyne Parrish
Carl Franz Otto/Reporter | Kevin Riddagh
Emily | Staci Stout
Dr. Boynton/Judge | Ben Tostado
William "Stub" Newell | Forest Vandyke
VENUE
Theatre One at Theatre Row | 42nd Street, NYC
DATES
November 19th - December 7th, 2019
SYNOPSIS
Step back in time to 1869! Emily, a bright young girl with an overactive imagination, has run away from home to prove that there are wonderful things in the world out there! Before long, she finds herself in the employ of a shady showman, William "Stub" Newell, the owner of a prehistoric, petrified giant! She and the Giant become instant “imaginary friends,” but all is not well. When the unscrupulous circus impresario, P.T. Barnum, offers a hefty sum to buy Newell’s profitable, prehistoric attraction and is refused, he comes up with a scheme to steal Stub's business right out from under his nose forcing Emily to sort through what is fact, what is fiction, and what's all in her imagination.
Kit Goldstein Grant’s new musical, based on the true story of New York's famed Cardiff Giant, features a catchy score packed with wonderfully whimsical music and clever lyrics making for a fun, family musical that bursts with excitement – and even a bit of history – as a cast of colorful characters takes you on a journey to the past by way of a young girl’s imagination.
WHAT'S THE BUZZ...?
"The storytelling is creative and clear. The Giant Hoax is memorably staged by director Christopher Michaels to evoke this particular time period and this bizarrely entertaining story. The creative elements are outstanding and well coordinated.
The direction and performance of the ensemble is to be commended. Everyone seems to have a purpose to be onstage which enriches the entire viewing experience.
Stunning... Superb... A production that is thoughtful and imaginative."
- BroadwayWorld
"In IndieWorks’ staging of The Giant Hoax, seamless dialogue/eye/hand coordination makes the Cardiff Giant puppet worthy of any Julie Taymor production.
...a charming morality tale about telling the truth and growing up. The expert hands of director Christopher Michaels and choreographer Molly Model are clearly at work in all aspects of this production, bringing a touching story with affable songs and clever lyrics to life with a cast of first rate actors, a fine ensemble, and inventive and humorous choreography... to fill the hearts of its audience to bursting, as long as actors of this production’s caliber are playing it."
- TheaterScene.net
"The Giant Hoax will empower current and future generations of children."
- Theatre Review NYC
"One wonderful song follows another portraying through music, drama, and puppetry a story of innocence meeting the reality of life just as it heralds honesty and truth’s triumph.
This show is destined for Broadway with its wonderful singing, dancing, music and acting and perhaps a live orchestra to intensify its intimate musical beauty, reminiscence, and romanticism. It’s great family entertainment connecting a familiar yet imaginative story with all. Children and adults alike smiled, laughed and empathized with the characters throughout the musical. Most were humming the tunes on the way out of the theater.
Truth is, every family should see this performance."
- The Front Row Center
"The Giant Hoax is the first main stage production for IndieWorks Theatre Company and I look forward to seeing more of what they produce."
- The Time Square Chronicle
"Beautifully orchestrated and realized, the music is first-rate, the lyrics extraordinarily clever. Christopher Michaels and Jonathon Lynch have done a fine job turning Ms. Grant’s excellent musical into a mainstage production. She is obviously a rising talent. I don’t doubt we’ll be hearing more from her very soon."
- Theatre Review NYC