Community Can Have Their Say On Broadway Play

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

July 14, 2021

Local theater teacher Mark Mazzarella is offering community members the opportunity to attend workshop productions of “Out of the Blue,” a script which he ultimately aims to adapt into a Broadway play.

“Out of the Blue,” produced by Revolutionary Youth Theater, will be shown July 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic High School at 1001 Stafford Ave. Featuring a cast of 13 young actors, ranging in age from 14 to 21, the script is inspired by students that have come through Mazzarella’s theater program over the past 17 years.

“Every musical gets its start somewhere – why not here at Revolutionary Youth Theatre?” Mazzarella said.

Revolutionary Youth Theater, Mazzarella explained, is a “unique summer theater program,” featuring “master classes” from industry professionals including Broadway stars, producers and casting directors. The production will be staged as part of Revolutionary Youth Theatre’s “Summer Teen Intensive.”

Mazzarella provided the following plot synopsis.

“Inspired by true events, the new musical Out of the Blue is a remarkable and inspiring story of a 17-year-old girl named Sienna who is losing her eyesight to a genetic disease during her senior year. As an aspiring art student her dream of getting into her top choice art school is now all but lost with her impending diagnosis. With the help of her two best friends and an unlikely student tutor, Sienna finds the power to break through the darkness and hardships to fulfill her dreams and future life as an artist.”

Mazzarella said he plans to explore many paths to bring this script to Broadway.

“This will be the first workshop version,” said Mazzarella, who is the artistic director for the play. “I have plans to go to a festival in Alabama with rewrites based on what we learn in Connecticut. We will keep moving forward with revisions until we’re confident in what we want to present.”

Mazzarella said he plans to have some producers he knows attending the show. After the performance, there will be a “talk back” segment, where audience members can ask questions and provide feedback.

“We will be working off that feedback as we go forward,” Mazzarella said. “Scenes may be shortened or cut based on what the audience enjoys. This type of feedback is usually very helpful to playwrights and composers.”

New York based composer Sean. P Pallatroni, who is responsible for the musical score and lyrics, will act as musical director for this production. The book was written by Mark Mazzarella and Darren J. Butler.

Mazzarella said the production was originally planned as a reading, but as covid-19 restrictions eased, he realized he would be able to stage it after all this year. The workshop production will have some set pieces and five musicians in a pit orchestra providing musical accompaniment.

Mazzarella encouraged people to take advantage of the opportunity to see the first staged production of “Out of the Blue.”

“We’ve got a very talented cast and it’s rare that you get to watch a musical at the very beginning,” he said. “Many years ago, I was invited to see Hamilton back when they were still workshopping it and no one had heard of it. Most people don’t get a chance like that. This will be different than going to a show you know. The music and the story is all brand new which, to me, is very exciting. If you want to test the waters and see how shows get their start, this is a great place to go.”

For ticket information, visit our.show/outofthebluemusical. For additional show information, visit revolutionaryyouththeatre.org.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.