Origin Story
The Magic of Vermont
The Waiting is a fictional story based on a very real place in rural Vermont. Maria's grandfather bought a cabin on Castle Hill Road - a place for his family to gather and spend time together. Though Maria never met her grandfather, when she would visit this house as a young girl, it was almost as if the spirit of his love and character lived in the land.
Inspired by this place and spurred on by the global pandemic of 2020, we were driven to write a narrative about time, love, loss, and family. The Waiting is a larger-than-life, magical musical that explores how those that have passed on continue to live in our memories, and asks how we can move forward when faced with impossible grief.
EmmaLee and Maria took a trip to the setting in 2020 - below are more pictures from the cabin in Vermont as well as the forest surrounding the home.
Production History & Development
Pace New Musicals
Pace New Musicals
Pace New Musicals
Our first opportunity to produce the musical was through the Pace New Musicals festival, where we had the chance to do a "zoomsical" of the show.
Pictured: A screenshot of "Willow," performed by Sam Foti and Kailin Brown.
Quisisana Resort
Pace New Musicals
Pace New Musicals
In the summer of 2021, we presented a concert of 11 songs from the musical at Quisisana Resort in Lovell, ME. This was our first time doing an in-person concert of music from the show.
Pictured: Maria and EmmaLee following the performance.
The Triad Theater
Pace New Musicals
The Triad Theater
In December of 2021, we put on a concert of 14 songs from the show at the Triad Theatre on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We were so glad to sell out the theatre and share some of our new songs from the musical.
Pictured: Rehearsal at Ripley Grier.
SHEnyc festival
Pace New Musicals
The Triad Theater
In 2022, we staged The Waiting at the SheNYC festival. It was an amazing learning experience in pacing, movement, and storytelling.
Pictured: Liz Neitge and Evan Michael Smith
Days of the dead festival
Score & Choreography Workshop
Days of the dead festival
In October of 2022, we had the great opportunity to share 15 songs from the show at the Days of The Dead festival at the Kraine Theatre.
Pictured: Maria Isabella Andreoli.
29 Hour Reading: Act one
Score & Choreography Workshop
Days of the dead festival
In the summer of 2023, we self-produced a 29 Hour Reading of the first act of the musical. Presented at Open Jar Studios in NYC, this was the perfect opportunity to see our revisions come to life.
Pictured: The cast at Open Jar Studios.
Score & Choreography Workshop
Score & Choreography Workshop
Score & Choreography Workshop
As a part of our residency with Musical Theatre Factory, we engaged in both a score and choreography workshop to explore our flexible vocal score & how movement impacts the storytelling.
Pictured: Simón Gomez Villegas, Thani Brant, & Temídayo Amay.
Developmental Premiere!
Score & Choreography Workshop
Score & Choreography Workshop
We are now heading toward our first full production of the musical with Playhouse Stage Company. This is our first chance to see set, lighting, and costume design, and hear our score with seven-piece band! We hope to see you there.
The Waiting Premiere!
Our original musical, The Waiting, is having a developmental premiere at Playhouse Stage Company June 12-15. Click here to get your ticket!