Executive Overview
The contemporary musical theatre landscape is perpetually searching for narratives that resonate with modern cultural obsessions. Enter Like Father, an upcoming world-premiere true-crime musical that pushes the boundaries of theatrical storytelling by merging the ubiquitous, high-stakes world of investigative podcasts with the intimate, emotional vulnerability of the coming-of-age genre. Set to bow at Atlanta’s prestigious Alliance Theatre with previews beginning October 8 and an official opening night slated for October 16, this highly anticipated production is poised to be a major cultural touchstone of the regional theatre season.
At its core, Like Father explores the collateral damage of public scandal through the eyes of a 17-year-old girl named Chris. Following the shocking arrest of her father, Chris is forced to uproot her life and move in with her estranged mother and stepfather. Compounding the family’s private turmoil is a runaway hit true-crime podcast determined to exhume every buried secret and broadcast them to a ravenous public.
With a book, music, and lyrics penned by Jacob Ryan Smith (who also created the project) and Caroline Pernick, and under the visionary direction of Alliance Theatre’s Artistic Director Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, the production marries gripping theatricality with top-tier musical craftsmanship. As anticipation builds, the creative team has released a sneak preview of the haunting track "Landscapes," performed by rising star Sophie Pollono. Backed by a formidable commercial producing team, a powerhouse Broadway-caliber cast, and a world-class design collective, Like Father represents a bold step forward in the evolution of modern musical theatre.
Detailed Chronology: From Incubator to Mainstage
The journey of Like Father from a conceptual seed to a fully realized world-premiere production at a major regional theatre highlights the rigorous development process required to bring contemporary musicals to life.
The Incubation Phase
Created by Jacob Ryan Smith, who collaborated with Caroline Pernick on the book, music, and lyrics, the musical was conceived during an era dominated by the cultural phenomenon of true-crime podcasts. Recognizing the inherent theatricality—and the profound human cost—of society’s obsession with real-life mysteries, the creative duo crafted a narrative that shifts the spotlight away from the detectives and perpetrators, focusing instead on the family members left in the media’s crosshairs.
Industry Recognition and Validation
Before securing its coveted slot at the Alliance Theatre, Like Father had to prove its mettle in competitive developmental spaces. The project earned early industry validation when it was named the winner of the inaugural Open Jar Musical Shark Tank, a high-profile platform designed to champion fresh theatrical voices and propel new works toward commercial viability. Building on this momentum, the musical further burnished its credentials by being selected as a semi-finalist at the prestigious Eugene O’Neill New Music Theater Festival, a renowned incubator for groundbreaking American musicals. These early milestones caught the attention of commercial producers and regional theatre programmers alike, setting the stage for its upcoming Atlanta premiere.
The Atlanta Engagement Timeline
The production’s trajectory culminates this autumn at the Alliance Theatre:
- October 8: The first public preview performances commence, allowing the creative team to calibrate the pacing, emotional beats, and technical elements in front of a live audience.
- October 16: The official opening night gala, welcoming press, industry insiders, and theatre patrons to the world premiere.
- Fall Engagement: The run establishes Atlanta as a primary launchpad for new American musical theatre before potential future iterations.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Creative Engine and Production Architecture
Cast and Creative Leadership
The artistic weight of Like Father is anchored by a stellar ensemble cast featuring veterans of Broadway and television.
- Sophie Pollono (A Walk on the Moon) stars as Chris, the 17-year-old protagonist navigating the dual trauma of familial disruption and public scrutiny. Fans can already sample her vocal prowess via the newly released track "Landscapes."
- Charity Angél Dawson (& Juliet, Waitress) takes on the role of Lillian Clark.
- Hannah Elless (Bright Star) stars as Michelle.
- Benjamin H. Moore (Hell’s Kitchen) plays Ben.
- Frankie J. Rodriguez (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) steps into the role of Trevor.
- Billy Harrigan Tighe (The Heart of Rock and Roll) rounds out the principal cast as John Grady.
- Understudy Company: Mila Bolash, Branden Hembree, Aavyn Lee, and Nevaeh Riddle ensure the production’s resilience.
Casting for the production was spearheaded by The TRC Company’s Kevin Metzger-Timson and Frankie Ramirez, in collaboration with Jody Feldman.
The Commercial and Supporting Infrastructure
A rare feat for a regional world premiere, Like Father boasts a heavily populated and robust commercial producing roster. Led by Westway Studios, Howard Alter, Zachary Hausman, and Madison Thompson, the producing team features an extensive lineup of co-producers, including Jonathan & Rae Corr, Steven N. Lerner, Happy Recap Productions, Caryl & Kendrick Smith, City Cowboy Productions, Kerri Mandelbaum, Fahs Productions, Bonnie & Michael Hausman, Leachman Feigelson Productions, Ella Lao & Amy Lao, Amanda Larney, and Tracey & Chip Thompson. Jennifer O’Grady serves as associate producer, Alex Lobel as assistant producer, and Ella Lao as content associate.
Design and Orchestral Mastery
To translate the moody, suspenseful world of a true-crime podcast into a compelling stage spectacle, director Tinashe Kajese-Bolden has assembled a top-tier design and music team:
- Choreography: Dell Howlett
- Music Supervision: Alejandro Senior
- Music Direction: Adam Beskind
- Orchestrations: August Eriksmoen
- Scenic Design: Luciana Stecconi
- Costume Design: Lex Liang
- Lighting Design: Thom Weaver
- Sound Design: Melanie Chen Cole and Hidenori Nakajo
- Projection Design: Caite Hevner
The backstage and production hierarchy is expertly managed by stage manager Jayson T. Waddell, assistant stage manager Xiaonan Chloe Liu, production management lead Courtney O’Neill, and production assistant Samantha Honeycutt.
Furthermore, the extensive creative and technical support network features dramaturg Amanda Watkins; music copyists J&J Music Preparation, Josephine Bearden, and Jacob Fjeldheim; associate director Rachel Sabo-Hedges; assistant music director Greg Matteson; music assistant Holt McCarley; music production assistant Amanda Wansa Morgan; script assistant Vijay Vikram Patnaik; assistant scenic designer Jack Golden; assistant costume designer April Andrew Carswell; costume studio assistant Sydney Dufka; associate lighting designer Rachael N. Blackwell; associate sound designer Tamir Eplan-Frankel; and keyboard programmer Taylor J. Williams. The live onstage band features instrumentalists Patrick Arthur, Geoff Gills, Yinzi Kong, Kenneth Lambert, and Marc Miller.
Official Statements and Industry Perspectives
While formal press releases have framed Like Father primarily as a "coming-of-age musical" uniquely intersecting with modern media consumption, industry insiders and cultural analysts have noted its deeper thematic resonance. By utilizing the framework of a true-crime podcast—a medium that has captivated hundreds of millions of listeners globally—the musical speaks directly to our cultural preoccupation with voyeurism, accountability, and the search for truth in an era of sensationalized narratives.
The choice of the Alliance Theatre as the launchpad is equally intentional. Known as a incubator for vital new American works that frequently transition to Broadway and major national tours, the Alliance provides an environment where creators Jacob Ryan Smith and Caroline Pernick can refine their vision. Artistic Director Tinashe Kajese-Bolden’s leadership ensures that the production balances the high-octane intrigue of a mystery narrative with the grounded, empathetic emotional truth required of a coming-of-age story.
Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead for Like Father
As Like Father prepares to lift the curtain on its world premiere run in Atlanta, the broader theatrical ecosystem is watching closely. The convergence of several key factors signals a bright trajectory beyond this regional engagement:
- Commercial Viability: Unlike many developmental pieces that rely solely on non-profit regional funding, Like Father enters its premiere with a fully formed commercial producing superstructure already in place. This indicates that the stakeholders are actively planning for a commercial life—whether that points toward an off-Broadway run, a commercial transfer, or national licensing.
- Genre Expansion: Musical theatre has historically drawn from literature, historical events, and cinematic classics. By tapping into the contemporary true-crime podcast genre, Like Father opens the door for a new wave of theatrical storytelling that mirrors modern digital consumption habits, potentially attracting younger and non-traditional theatregoers.
- Cast and Creative Momentum: With a cast boasting prominent credits from Broadway hits like & Juliet, Waitress, Bright Star, Hell’s Kitchen, and The Heart of Rock and Roll, alongside television recognition from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, the production possesses the star power and artistic pedigree necessary to generate sustained national buzz.
As audiences in Atlanta take their seats beginning October 8—culminating in the official opening on October 16—they will not merely be witnessing the birth of a new musical; they will be participating in the potential genesis of a major commercial property. For those unable to attend the Atlanta engagement, the release of tracks like "Landscapes" offers a tantalizing window into a score that promises to be as haunting as the mysteries it seeks to explore.
Tickets and further information for the world premiere engagement can be found by visiting AllianceTheatre.org.
