Curry College Playwright in Residence Breathes New Inspiration into Midlife Musical

Nearly six years after Monsters! A Midlife Musical Meltdown took the Boston Center for the Arts by storm, Playwright in Residence Gail Phaneuf is enjoying creative success as Monsters! launches yet another full production at The Regent Theatre in Arlington. 

Phaneuf’s inventive redevelopment reveals a re-imagination of the popular musical, hitting all new high notes with its timeless storyline. Monsters!, a collaboration with Dedham native composer Ernie Lijoi, captures the humor, angst and insight experienced at life’s milestones.  

The past six years of continuous development has led to many highlights, including high-profile New York City industry readings featuring Broadway stars including Andrea McArdle, Cady Huffman, Joy Franz, Ann Harrada and Nicolette Hart.  

Most recently Monsters! was produced at The Deertrees Theatre in Harrison, Maine. The current production will feature prominent Boston actress Cheryl McMahon of Arlington, who originated the feisty role of “Mother”. 

“Boston audiences were a terrific springboard to launch this project into reality. The overwhelmingly positive response was a resounding plea to continue refining the musical. We listened carefully to reviewer and audience feedback, and took a critical look from their perspective,” said Phaneuf, “That process led to an exciting transformation of both the script and some musical numbers.  The end result is an engaging, hysterical 90 minutes of entertainment that truly fulfills my original inspiration.” 

As Playwright in Residence at Curry College, Phaneuf serves as a senior lecturer in scriptwriting, directs on the main stage and black box for Curry Theatre, and directs and produces the Class Acts and New Plays festivals.

A resident of Boston, she has many other works that continue to be produced across the east coast, including the new “teen” musical The Love Note, currently being produced nationwide. An actress, director and former president of The Playwrights' Platform, Phaneuf has earned many accolades in the Boston theater circuit.  

Her short play Stop Requested was awarded best play and best director at the 2008 Playwrights' Platform summer festival, and was published by Heuer Publishing.  

In addition, Phaneuf is the recipient of three Best Director awards and two Best Play awards from Playwrights' Platform festivals.  Her short play Random Selection was published in Belgium in a series for works by Boston playwrights. Her plays have twice been featured in the Boston Theater Marathon.  

She has appeared as an actor on New England stages for several years, most recently in the role of Stevie in The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? with the New Provincetown Players. Phaneuf holds a Master’s degree from Emerson College in Theater Education.  

Monsters! A Midlife Musical Meltdown will hit the stage at The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, from Saturday, February 25 through Saturday, March 10, 2012.  

This production will be co-produced by GP Productions, Image Theater and The Regent Theatre. Reserved seats range from $20-$30, with discounts available to groups and students.  The Regent is MBTA and handicap accessible with free parking in the municipal lot across the street.

For show times and to purchase tickets, please visit www.regenttheatre.com, or call the box office at 781-646-4849.  For further information, or to listen to sample recordings, visit www.monstersthemusical.com.

The above release was submitted by Michelle McGrath, Media Relations, Monsters! A Midlife Musical Meltdown.