Emojiland
| Emojiland | |
|---|---|
| A textistential new musical | |
 Logo for the 2022 Garrick Theatre Production | |
| Music | Keith Harrison Dworkin |
| Lyrics |
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| Book |
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| Productions | |
Emojiland is a pop musical written by Keith Harrison Dworkin and Laura Schein. It premiered off-Broadway on January 19, 2020, at the Duke on 42nd Street. It centers around a group of emojis living in the world of a smartphone on the eve of a software update.
Background
[edit]"Emojiland is an electric ensemble piece about a diverse community of archetypes who take one another at face value:[1] a smiling face dealing with depression; a princess who doesn’t want a prince; a skull dying for deletion; a nerd face too smart for his own good; a face with sunglasses who can’t see past his own reflection; and a police officer and construction worker who just want to work together. When a software update threatens to destroy life as they know it, Emojiland faces the most fundamental questions a society – and a heart – can face: Who are we? And who matters?"
Productions
[edit]Emojiland was first performed live in concert in Los Angeles.[2][3]
Emojiland was first presented in New York City on July 22, 2018, as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.[4] It was staged at the Acorn Theater at Theater Row.[5]
Off-Broadway
[edit]After its success as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival, the show premiered Off-Broadway on January 19, 2020, at The Duke on 42nd Street.[6]
It starred Lesli Margherita as Princess, Josh Lamon as Prince, George Abud as Nerd Face, Laura Schein as Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes aka Smize, Lucas Steele as Skull, and Ann Harada as Pile of Poo.
The production was directed by Thomas Caruso and choreographed by Kenny Ingram, with musical direction by Lena Gabrielle. It featured scenic design by David Goldstein, costume and make-up design by Vanessa Leuck, lighting design by Jamie Roderick, sound design by Ken Goodwin, hair and wig design by Bobbie Zlotnik, and projection design by Lisa Renkel and Possible Productions.
The musical was a Critic's Pick from The New York Times[7] and played a total of 11 Previews and 59 Performances before the COVID-19 shutdown.
In May 2022, the show announced a non-union national tour beginning in June 2022, but was subsequently cancelled after its first stop in Columbus, Ohio.[8][9]
West End Concert
[edit]In October 2022 a one-off concert version of the show was held at the Garrick Theatre in heart of London’s West End. It featured a star-studded British cast including Olly Dobson as Skull, Louise Dearman as Princess, Hannah Lowther as Kissyface and Natalie Paris as Construction Worker.[10]
Musical numbers
[edit]
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Original Off-Broadway cast and characters
[edit]| Character[12] | Off-Broadway Premiere (2020) The Duke on 42nd Street |
|---|---|
| Princess | Lesli Margherita |
| Prince | Josh Lamon |
| Nerd Face | George Abud |
| Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes | Laura Schein |
| Skull | Lucas Steele |
| Pile of Poo | Ann Harada |
| Police Officer | Felicia Boswell |
| Construction Worker | Natalie Weiss |
| Smiling Face with Sunglasses | Jacob Dickey |
| Kissy Face | Heather Makalani |
| Man in Business Suit Levitating | Max Crumm |
| Guardsman | Dwelvan David |
| Woman Dancing | Tanisha Moore |
| Man Dancing | Jordan Fife Hunt |
Awards and honors
[edit]Original Off-Broadway production
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Lucille Lortel Awards[13] | Outstanding Projection Design | Lisa Renkel and Possible | Nominated |
| Drama Desk Awards[14] | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | George Abud | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical | Vanessa Leuck | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Projection Design | Lisa Renkel and Possible Productions | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Wig and Hair Design | Bobbie Zlotnik | Nominated | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards[15] | Outstanding Costume Design | Vanessa Leuck | Won | |
| Outstanding Projection Design | Lisa Renkel and Possible Productions | Won |
References
[edit]- ^ "Emojiland The Musical Original Cast Recording MP3". Broadway Records. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
- ^ Velazco, Chris (July 17, 2018). "'Emojiland' blends musical theater and existential angst". Engadget. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (April 12, 2016). "New Musical About Emojis Will Premiere in Los Angeles". Playbill. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
- ^ Collins-Hughes, Laura (2018-07-22). "'Emojiland' and a Graceful Elegy at the New York Musical Festival". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
- ^ Tiffany, Kaitlyn (2018-07-19). "Why is Emojiland so concerned with the inner lives of emoji?". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
- ^ Gardner, Elysa (2020-01-20). "Emojiland: Once You Get Restarted". New York Stage Review. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
- ^ Collins-Hughes, Laura (2020-01-20). "'Emojiland' Review: There's a Rom-Com in Your Phone. With Music". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
- ^ Wild, Stephi. "EMOJILAND Announces Cast and First Dates For US Tour". Retrieved 2022-05-19.
- ^ Henry, Alan. "EMOJILAND Tour To Close Following First Stop; Production Will Be Recorded In Columbus". Retrieved 2022-06-01.
- ^ Putnam, Leah. "Emojiland Concert Takes the London Stage With West End Alums October 31". Playbill.
- ^ Schein, Laura (2020-03-24). "Track by track breakdown the score to Off-Broadway hit Emojiland". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
- ^ Clement, Olivia (2020-01-19). "Emojiland Opens Off-Broadway January 19". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
- ^ Clement, Olivia (2020-04-14). "Playwrights Horizons leads 2020 Lucille Lortel Award Nominations with Strange Loop and Heroes of the Fourth Turning". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
- ^ Seymour, Lee (2020-04-21). "2020 Drama Desk Awards: Complete List Of Nominees". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
- ^ Clement, Olivia (2020-05-11). "Moulin Rouge leads 2020 Outer Critics Circle Award Honorees". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-09-21.