Edges (musical)

2005 musical by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Edges

Music|

* Benj Pasek
* Justin Paul

Lyrics|

* Benj Pasek
* Justin Paul

Book|

* Benj Pasek
* Justin Paul

Productions| List of productions

Edges (sometimes produced as Edges: A Song Cycle) is a work of musical theatre by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. This work is a song cycle about coming of age, growth and self-discovery of people mostly in their 20s.[1][2]

## History

[edit]

The musical was written by Pasek & Paul in 2005 when they were 19-year-old undergraduates in musical theatre at the University of Michigan.[3] They decided to write their own show after being unhappy with the roles they were assigned in musical theatre productions at the school.[4]

In 2006 the duo won a $20,000 Jonathan Larson Award, becoming the youngest to have ever won the award, which was established by the estate of Rent composer Jonathan Larson to encourage composers, lyricists, and bookwriters at the beginning of their careers.

## Productions

[edit]

After over 30 productions at colleges across the United States, the first professional production was at the Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, New York, in 2007 starring Colin Hanlon, Whitney Bashor, Farah Alvin and Steven Booth. Justin Paul was musical director for the production.[4][5] The show has now been done over 100 times across North America, Asia, Australia, Europe and Africa.[citation needed]

A 2008 Toronto production featured Sara Farb, Jordan Bell, Eric Craig and Gabi Epstein.[6]

In 2010 Edges was brought out to Australia by James Anthony Productions in Sydney to the Parade Theatre in Kensington.

A Philippine production ran for three weeks in July 2010 at the Ateneo de Manila University. It was staged by Ateneo Blue Repertory under the direction of Mahar Mangahas.

A non professional production was performed at the Landor Theatre, London, UK from May 31, 2011 to June 5, 2011, the inaugural production of Notion Theatre Company, directed by Katherine Hare and with musical direction by Leigh Thompson.

The South African premiere production took place in June 2011, directed by Paul Griffiths with musical direction by Garth Tavares. The cast featured Roland Perold, Luella Holland, Shannyn Fourie and David Fick. The production toured the South African National Arts Festival in Makhanda in July.[7]

A Cantonese production was performed in Kwai Tsing Theatre, Hong Kong in 2012. This production was presented by theatre company Musical Trio.

Edges made its Singapore premiere in April 2013 at the Drama Centre. It was staged by Derrick Chew, Artistic Director of Sightlines Productions with musical direction by Joel Nah. The cast included Benjamin Kheng, Mina Kaye, Kristy Griffin and Linden Furnell.

Edges made its premiere in Paris, France in June 2013 presented by American Musical Theatre Live. The production was directed by Stéphane Ly-Cuong with musical direction by John Florencio and vocal direction by Miranda Crispin.[8]

The UK professional premiere took place at the Tabard Theatre from 29 July - 30 August 2014 with direction by Adam Philpott and Choreography by Lewis Butler [9]

Edges made its Houston premiere in April 2016 at Frenetic Theatre. The production was produced by PMT Productions and starred Blair Carrizales, Danny Dyer, Scott Lupton, and Chaney Moore. The production was directed by Travis Kirk Coombs and Music Directed by Eduardo Guzman. On July 13, 2018 Edges was performed as part of a Masters' thesis project at the Guildford School of Acting. In January 2024, the musical was revived by 'Taylor Jay Productions' at Phoenix Arts Club, London.

## Song List

[edit]

### 2005 Original

[edit]

* "Become" - Man 1, Woman 1, Man 2, Woman 2
* "Boy with Dreams" - Man 1
* "Caitlyn and Haley" - Woman 1, Woman 2
* "Be My Friend" - Woman 1, Man 2, Woman 2, Man 1
* "Transition #1"
* "Lying There" - Woman 1
* "I Once Knew" - Man 1
* "Transition #2"
* "I Hmm You" - Man 2, Woman 2
* "I've Gotta Run" - Woman 2
* "Man of My Dreams" - Woman 1, Man 1, Man 2, Woman 2
* "Transition #3"
* "Part of a Painting" - Man 2
* "Ready to Be Loved" - Woman 1, Woman 2
* "Coasting" - Man 1, Man 2, Woman 1, Woman 2

### 2007 Revised Version

[edit]

* "Become" - Man 1, Woman 1, Man 2, Woman 2
* "Monticello" - Man 1
* "Lying There" - Woman 1
* "I Hmm You" - Man 2, Woman 2
* "Along the Way" - Man 2
* "Pretty Sweet Day" - Man 1, Man 2
* "Transition #2"
* "Perfect" - Woman 2
* "Better" - Man 2, Woman 2
* "Coasting" - Man 1, Man 2, Woman 1, Woman 2
* "In Short" - Woman 1
* "Transition #3"
* "Dispensable" - Man 2, Woman 1
* "I've Gotta Run" - Woman 2
* "I Once Knew" - Man 1
* "Part of a Painting" - Man 2
* "Transition #4"
* "Ready to Be Loved" - Woman 1, Woman 2
* "Like Breathing" - Man 1, Woman 1, Man 2, Woman 2

Samples of the songs can be found at the composers' official site.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Keyes, Bob. "Coming-of-age musical 'Edges' in Maine debut", Portland Press Herald, 2006-06-29, p. D9.
2. ^ Thomas, Colin. "Songs from the edge", The Georgia Straight, 2008-02-21. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
3. ^ Ouzounian, Richard. "Musical aimed at Facebook generation", Toronto Star, 2008-10-27, p. L4.
4. ^ a b Barnes, Steve. "'Edges' creators set their sights on Broadway", Times Union, 2007-10-28, p. H1.
5. ^ Eck, Michael. "Could Capital Rep's 'Edges' be next 'Rent'?", Times Union, 2007-10-19, p. E6.
6. ^ Ouzounian, Richard. "Musical journey of self-discovery is breaking all of the rules", Toronto Star, 2008-10-28, p. L8.
7. ^ Agulhas, Amanda (ed.)."EDGES at Kalk Bay Theatre" Cape Town Magazine, June 04, 2011
8. ^ "Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's Edges Will Make Paris Debut". Playbill. June 7, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-09-28.
9. ^ "Welcome to The Tabard Theatre". www.tabardweb.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-10-13.

## External links

[edit]

* Edges at the Music Theatre International website

* v
* t
* e

Works by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

* Benj Pasek
* Justin Paul

Musicals|

* Edges
* James and the Giant Peach
* Dogfight
* A Christmas Story: The Musical
* Dear Evan Hansen
* La La Land (lyrics)
* The Greatest Showman

Film work|

* Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz (songs)
* Trolls ("Get Back Up Again")
* La La Land (lyrics)
* The Greatest Showman (songs)
* Aladdin (new lyrics)
* Dear Evan Hansen (songs)
* Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (songs)
* Spirited (songs)
* Snow White (new songs)
* Atlantis (songs)

Television|

* Johnny and the Sprites (songs; 6 episodes)
* Smash (songs for Season 2; 3 episodes)
* The Flash (song "Runnin' Home to You" for season 3, ep. 17: "Duet")
* A Christmas Story Live! (songs)
* Only Murders in the Building (songs for Season 3; 5 episodes)

Songs|

| Dear Evan Hansen|

* "Waving Through a Window"
* "Sincerely, Me"
* "You Will Be Found"
* "Only Us"

|

La La Land|

* "Another Day of Sun" (lyrics)
* "City of Stars" (lyrics)
* "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)" (lyrics)

The Greatest Showman|

* "The Greatest Show"
* "A Million Dreams"
* "Never Enough"
* "This Is Me"
* "Rewrite the Stars"

Related|

* La La Land (soundtrack)
* Dear Evan Hansen (cast recording)
* The Greatest Showman (soundtrack)
* Aladdin (soundtrack)
* Dear Evan Hansen (soundtrack)
* Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (soundtrack)
* Spirited (soundtrack)
* "Found/Tonight"
* Evan Hansen

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