The writers of the musical BENNY & JOON: (left to right) GMTWP Alum, Kirsten Guenter; composer, Nolan Gasser; GMTWP Alum & Adjunct Professer, Mindi Dickstein
The Old Globe located in San Diego opened its 2016-17 season with a new musical written by GMTWP alums Mindi Dickstein (Cycle 5, GMTWP Adjunct Faculty) and Kirsten Guenther (Cycle 16). Dickstein, who wrote lyrics, and Guenther, who penned the book, collaborated with critically acclaimed composer and pianist Nolan Gasser, who served as composer for the piece. With musical direction by another GMTWP alum, J. Oconer Navarro (Cycle 15), the new musical, which is based on the offbeat 1993 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film of the same name, ran at the prestigious regional theatre from September 7th through October 22nd, 2017 and received three San Diego Theater Critics Award nominations, including one for Outstanding New Musical.
Read an interview with Mindi Dickstein about the process of bringing this beloved film to the stage by checking out the GMTWP Fall 2017 Newsletter HERE.