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All the World's a Stage (Gwon)

Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy  /  2w, 2m

Adam Gwon

Exploring the life of a gay teacher in small-town 1990s America, this funny and heart-wrenching new musical is about being true to yourself in a polarized world.

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All the World's a Stage (Gwon)

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades

  • Nominee: Two 2025 Drama Desk Awards, for Outstanding Lyrics and Orchestrations

Details

Summary

As a gay high school math teacher in small-town Pennsylvania in 1996, Ricky Alleman knows exactly what part he needs to play. When an offbeat student enlists his help to win a statewide theatre competition, his efforts tangle with the local church – and Ricky’s carefully compartmentalized life starts to unravel. With a small cast, a four-piece orchestra and a delightful, contemporary score, All the World’s a Stage is a brand-new musical about making connections and being true to ourselves, even in a polarized world.

History

All the World’s a Stage premiered off-Broadway at Theatre Row’s Theatre Five on April 15, 2025. Produced by Keen Company and directed by Jonathan Silverstein, the production featured Eliza Pagelle, Jon-Michael Reese, Matt Rodin and Elizabeth Stanley.

Keywords
Performing Groups

RICKY ALLEMAN – M, 30s, high school math teacher. Passionate and optimistic. Eager but careful, a people-pleaser.
SAM BUCKNAM – F, 17, high school student. A tomboy with theatre kid energy. Wry, impulsive, figuring herself out.
MICHAEL HALLETT – M, 30s, owner of a bookstore. Exuberant, with a tough skin. Unapologetically queer.
DEDE ROZENEL – F, 40s-50s, high school administrative secretary. Traditional but not a rube. A protector.

The actors playing SAM, MICHAEL and DEDE also give voice to PRINCIPAL SHAW.

“Alleman” is pronounced AH-luh-mun.
“Rozenel” is pronounced RAH-zuh-NELL, shortened to “Ms. Roz” (rhymes with “Oz”).

The actors playing SAM, MICHAEL and DEDE also give voice to PRINCIPAL SHAW.

  • Time Period New Millennium/21st Century, 1990s
  • Setting

    A small rural town in northeastern Pennsylvania. 1996-7 and 2007.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 105 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language

Media

“Disarmingly powerful… an unassuming, 100-minute marvel.” – The New York Times

“A love ballad to the theatre… Written for a cast of four and a quartet of musicians (Michael Starobin’s lovely orchestrations for piano, guitar, violin and cello take us back to the golden age of the song cycle), All the World’s a Stage is an ideal chamber musical for a company on a budget.” – TheaterMania

★★★★ “Adam Gwon’s new musical is a pleasure! Entertaining, politically hard-hitting, and eminently praise-worthy.” – New York Stage Review

“An unassuming, 100-minute marvel… charming, specific and appealing in its rendering of gay life outside the mainstream… Gwon’s yearning, pop-classical score flows together beautifully… [the characters] all seek escape through culture. This disarmingly powerful show aims for the same, and lovingly succeeds.” – The New York Times

“That rare kind of show that makes us remember why we love theatre.” – Metro Weekly

“The show is deeply moving, wonderfully provocative and relevant, to say the least.” – Gay City News

Videos

  • All the World’s a Stage – Keen Company Montage youtube thumbnail

    All the World’s a Stage – Keen Company Montage

  • All the World’s a Stage – Composer Adam Gwon and director Jonathan Silverstein (Keen Company) youtube thumbnail

    All the World’s a Stage – Composer Adam Gwon and director Jonathan Silverstein (Keen Company)

  • “Saturday Night in a Small Auditorium” from All the World’s a Stage (Keen Company) youtube thumbnail

    “Saturday Night in a Small Auditorium” from All the World’s a Stage (Keen Company)

  • “The Show Must Go On” and “Part of Me” from All the World’s a Stage (Keen Company) youtube thumbnail

    “The Show Must Go On” and “Part of Me” from All the World’s a Stage (Keen Company)

  • “Dinner,” “Someone Found the Words” and “Other Lives” from All the World’s a Stage (Keen Company) youtube thumbnail

    “Dinner,” “Someone Found the Words” and “Other Lives” from All the World’s a Stage (Keen Company)

  • “Mirrors” and “Pieces, Together” from All the World’s a Stage (Keen Company) youtube thumbnail

    “Mirrors” and “Pieces, Together” from All the World’s a Stage (Keen Company)

Show more +

Music

Music Samples

1. “Saturday Night in a Small Auditorium” – Company
2. “Pieces, Together” – Ricky & Company
3. “Typecast” – Sam & Ricky
4. “Dinner” – Michael, Ricky & Company
5. “Someone Found the Words” – Ricky
6. “Saturday Night in a Small Auditorium (Reprise)” – Company
7. “I’m Your Man” – Michael
8. “I’m Your Man (Reprise)” – Michael
9. “Other Lives” – Sam
10. “Pieces, Together (Reprise)” – Ricky
11. “The Show Must Go On” – Ricky & Company
12. “Mirrors” – Michael, Sam & Company
13. “I Don’t Ask” – Dede
14. “Part of Me” – Ricky & Company
15. “Finale: Saturday Night in a Small Auditorium” – Company

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Authors

Adam Gwon

Adam Gwon

Adam Gwon is a musical theater writer named one of “50 to Watch” by The Dramatist magazine and hailed “a promising newcomer to our talent-hungry musical theater” whose songs are “funny, urbane, with a sweetness that doesn’t cloy” by The New York Times.

His musicals have been p ...

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