Seattle Rep closes their 2022/23 season with Lydia and the Troll, a brand-new musical by local actor and playwright Justin Huertas (Seattle Rep: Lizard Boy). Set in the Fremont neighborhood, this fantasy and folklore-inspired musical is grounded in Seattle’s noted landscape and landmarks.
“The excitement around Lydia and the Troll has been building since it was originally part of The Other Season in 2017,” says Seattle Rep Artistic Producer Kaytlin McIntyre. “Lydia has had quite a journey since the original workshop with a pandemic cancellation, a virtual concert, and more — this homegrown show about a local colossal statue is one that Seattle Rep audiences have been waiting for. We’re looking forward to sharing this magical synth-pop musical from Justin, Steven, and Ameenah with all of Seattle.”
About the Cast
Lydia and the Troll will feature performances by Janet Krupin as Jane (Broadway: Bring It On: The Musical); Sarah Russell as Lydia (The 5th Avenue Theatre: Into the Woods); and Adam Standley as Pete (ACT Theatre: Stupid F*cking Bird.)
The cast also features understudies Esther Okech (Seattle Shakespeare Company: Macbeth) and Ricky Spaulding (Washington Ensemble Theatre: Arlington.)
About the Creative Team
The creative team features Ameenah Kaplan (Director); Justin Huertas (Playwright/Composer); Elisa E. Money (Associate Music Director; Conductor/Keys/Guitar); Steven Tran (Music Supervisor; Additional Music; Music Production); Bryce Cutler (Scenic/Projections Designer); Danielle Nieves (Costume Designer); Robert Aguilar (Lighting Designer); Erin Bednarz (Sound Designer); Cherelle Guyton (Hair & Wigs Designer); Guy Garrison (Puppeteer & Designer); Daniel Arthur (Music Assistant; Copyist); Scot Sexton (Musician); Jessica Bomball (Stage Manager); and Malie Fujii (Assistant Stage Manager.)
About Justin Huertas (Playwright/Composer)
Justin Huertas (he/him) is an award-winning playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, and musician best known for his original musical Lizard Boy (Seattle Rep, Diversionary Theatre, NAMT Festival of New Musicals, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Hope Mill Theatre Manchester, Edinburgh Fringe, Original Cast Album streaming on all platforms). His performance as Trevor has earned him regional theatre awards in every city Lizard Boy has performed. Justin and collaborator Steven Tran recently premiered a new musical at the Kennedy Center called The Mortification of Fovea Munson based on Mary Winn Heider’s novel. They also composed original music for Marvel’s Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show! podcast. Other works include The Last World Octopus Wrestling Champion, The Lamplighter, and We’ve Battled Monsters Before. This June, Lizard Boy will make its Off-Broadway debut with Prospect Theater Company.
About Ameenah Kaplan (Director & Co-Creator)
AAU Film School for Directing. NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts for acting. Immersive Experience Director: Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser. Resident Director: Disney’s The Lion King. Lydia and the Troll at Seattle Rep. Sister Act at PCLO, ABC’s Encore!, The Wiz at First Stage, Our Country’s Good at American Players, Meet Vera Stark at Purdue U., How to Break at Village Theatre, The Royale at ACT, Bash’d at Celebration Theatre. Shorts: Man with a Movie Camera and The American Failure. Choreography: The Royale at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, The Dancing Granny at the Alliance Theatre, ABC’s Encore!, “Dancing with the Stars.” Gregory, Ovation, Sherwood, Queen of Angels, NAACP, and LA Weekly Awards for choreography, fight choreography, and directing.
Single tickets are on sale now online.