When President Trump took over the Kennedy Center, the institution canceled a number of Pride events and other queer-themed works. Among them was a children's musical called Finn, which had a world premiere run last year at the Washington, D.C. theatre and had been due to come back via a tour. After the musical was canceled, the theatre community rallied around it—first with a star-studded concert in New York, and now, a new presentation at D.C.'s Monumental Theatre Company, in honor of WorldPride.
The concert reading will take place June 5�6, and stars several members of the original Kennedy Center production including Caroline Graham, Caelyn D. Williams, Kara-Tameika Watkins, and Dylan Toms—who reprises his role as the title character, Finn.
Said Toms: "I adore the story of Finn with every ounce of my being. I feel like we all have memories of struggling to fit in or not being able to find the group where we belong�'our chosen family.' I think it is so important for children and adults to be reminded that existing as your authentic self is possible. And not only is it possible, it's something we all should encourage each other to do. Now, more than ever, is the time to foster environments where it's safe to be who you truly are. My hope is that we can spread a little bit of light with this piece. Every chance I get to do it is an absolute privilege, and I'm so elated to be sharing it for WorldPride."
In Finn, a gentle young shark feels out of place among his shark family. He then discovers he may fit in more with fishes. The creators of Finn—Chris Nee, Michael Kooman, and Christopher Dimond—have previously said the musical could be read as a metaphor for the LGBTQ+ experience. "Had this story been given the national tour it deserved, I believe Finn's 'fishiness' could have been interpreted in a multitude of ways, most simply—a shark who doesn't fit in with other sharks," said Clancey Yovanovich, who is directing Finn at Monumental. "That said, in honor of WorldPride, we have decided to lean into the beauty and expansiveness of queerness for this concert reading of Finn!...We honor the queer community, and their chosen families, with this beautiful musical that celebrates acceptance, friendship, and the mind-changing possibilities of the individuals unafraid to stand out."
The concert will be music directed by Nathan Beary Loughstein, who also oversaw Finn at the Kennedy Center. "Finn is the musical that I wish existed when I was growing up," said Loughstein. "Music plays two roles in this show. Of course, it furthers the story through brilliantly catchy tunes that invite us into each character’s inner world. But it’s also part of the plot: Finn and Seasil discover how liberating dancing and singing can be. Michael Kooman’s music and August Eriksmoen’s orchestrations make this revelation joyful, and in Monumental’s production, a live band is bringing it to life. I’m delighted that audiences will groove along to these songs at WorldPride."
The concert will also star Olivia Luzquinos, Steven Nicolás Franco, and Harrison Smith.
The creative team also includes stage manager Sophia Menconi, sound designer Alec Green, music supervisor Marika Countouris, costume designer Logan Benson, lighting designer Erin Sanders, and sound mixer Elisabeth Dupuy. The casting director for this show is Megan Bunn.
Monumental Theatre Company is a professional, nonprofit theatre company founded in 2015 by Beth Amann, Jimmy Mavrikes, and Michael Windsor. It's dedicated to developing and producing works by emerging artists.
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