A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Now. Here. This.

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

Book by Hunter Bell and Susan Blackwell / Music and Lyrics by Jeff Bowen / Based on the collaboration by Hunter Bell, Michael Berresse, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen, and Larry Pressgrove

Created by the team that brought you [title of show], Now. Here. This. is a new musical tackling life's big questions with inimitable humor and humanity.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)
Now. Here. This.

Details

Summary
The show follows the evolution and adventures of four friends in a natural history museum as they journey through time--from the present day museum, to the past, and back again. Inspired by various exhibits (bees, reptiles, early man, ancient civilizations and outer space), the foursome shares their stories about friendship, hoarding, hiding, laughing, living, dying and middle school in an attempt to step directly into that elusive "present moment": the Now. Here. This.
History
History of Now. Here. This.
Written By: Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell & Jeff Bowen
History. Of. Show.

Many of you interested in performing this show came to it by way of a Broadway musical called [title of show]. That piece was originally created and performed by the same collective of artists responsible for Now. Here. This. While NHT is neither a prequel nor sequel to [tos], it did come about from a desire the original [tos] team had to continue a very productive and powerful collaboration. Around the time [tos] was on Broadway, we were often asked to appear in benefits for some great causes in and around New York City. Because we had the ability and desire to create our own work for those benefits, we did. What came about in many of these pieces was this hybrid of original song and story telling. After several of these pieces were created, an opportunity to workshop a full length show of these pieces came to us in the summer of 2009 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, and we were fortunate to begin to build the foundation of what would eventually become Now. Here. This. The project continued to take shape with residencies at The MacDowell Colony and Weston Playhouse. Then, our collective returned to the Vineyard Theatre where we had performed [title of show]. In the summer of 2011, a staged lab workshop of NHT was presented which led to a full off Broadway production in the Vineyard’s season in the spring of 2012. That production starred Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff and was directed and choreographed by Michael Berresse with musical direction by Larry Pressgrove.

We are so grateful to the artistic institutions that helped shape NHT and incredibly proud of the show you hold in your hands.

We also hope your artistic journey and production brings you joy, growth, reflection and an appreciation for the present moment. That’s just what it did for all of us.
Performing Groups

The action begins with the opening number ("What Are the Odds?"), which reflects on our natural history (both prehistoric, and recent), and explores the evolution of the human race that has permitted the performers and audience to arrive at the starting point of the show. 

The scene shifts to a planetarium exhibit in the museum, and the foursome ponder what they could acquire to make them happy, each expressing their desire for "More Life." They divide to conquer the museum. Exhibits begin to trigger memories. For Woman 2, the Hall of Birds evokes childhood recollections ("Give Me Your Attention"). At the deep-sea exhibit, Man 1 shares his experiences competing in a middle school talent show, where he discovers his intuitive need to cloak his true self from unwanted scrutiny ("Dazzle Camouflage"). 

At an exhibit studying natural selection, the group learns that those who fail to adapt, fail to survive. They reflect on how "˜survival of the fittest' applied to their own middle school experiences ("Members Only"). Soon, Woman 1's discovery of the bee exhibit triggers her self-recognition as a "˜busy bee' who fills her life to avoid the pain of growing up in a hoarding house. As their memories and stories grow into a chaotic "Cacophony," they all begin to understand the obstacles that stand between them and their enjoyment of life in the present moment also known as the Now. Here. This.

Man 2 wanders, lost and bored in the museum, finding himself at a turtle display, where he continues fantasizing about what would make his life more interesting and fabulous ("Archer"). At a display featuring early hominids, Woman 1 and Woman 2 debate whether money and privilege can buy happiness ("That'll Never Be Me"). Man 1 then recalls the regret of masking his true self and passions in college ("Kick Me").

The gang continues to share "˜a-ha' moments that they've experienced, including the teaching of Trappist monk Thomas Merton, and his advice to keep in mind three words: Now, Here, and This. Merton believed that if you can get to the intersection of Now, Here, and This, then you will be present to truly appreciate your life.

After Man 2's botched attempt at making a real connection with security guard Archer, the gang exchanges stories about moments when they found themselves directly in the moment, but not necessarily moments they enjoyed ("That Makes Me Hot").

In "Penny Words," Woman 2 and Man 2 share their experiences of extremely precious moments of life, and how small acts of self-expression are sometimes the most powerful. 

As their museum exploration continues, the quartet discovers an exhibit on various kinds of tribes and families, and sings in celebration of having found each other-their own tribe-out of all the people in the world ("Then Comes You").

In "Golden Palace," Woman 1 shares the false myth of a place where only highly educated, deeply intelligent, privileged people are granted the opportunity to create works of greatness. In "Get Into It," Man 2 shares his history of living in a fantasy world. And in "This Time," Woman 2 struggles with her father's expectations but eventually celebrates in accepting him for exactly who he is, freeing her to enjoy her life.

After a full day at the museum (and a fuller life), the cast invites the audience to step out of the museum and directly into the present moment, to experience the adventure of their own lives.

PRINCIPLES
2 Men
2 Women

CHARACTERS
Man 1 (Bari-tenor, B to G#)
Man 2 (Tenor, C to A)
Woman 1 (Alto, F to C)
Woman 2 (Alto, F to D)
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 90 minutes

Media

“A BLEND OF GOOD HUMOR AND GOOD FEELING WITH AN AUDIENCE-EMBRACING BRIO THAT NEVER FLAGS.”
— Charles Isherwood, The New York Times

“A FUNNY, EMPATHETIC, ENTERTAINING SHOW. SWEET, PEPPY AND TUNEFUL!  If it takes a tuneful musical to remind people to seize the moment and enjoy life more, NOW. HERE. THIS is perfect for the job.”
— Jennifer Farrar, Associated Press

“A TOUCHING, PLUCKY AND HEARTWARMING ODE TO ART AND FRIENDS! NOW. HERE. THIS. is bubbly, larky and sweetly cosmic!”
— David Cote, Time Out New York

“CHEERS FOR NOW. HERE. THIS.! A distinctively original and delightfully quirky musical.”
— Michael Sommers, New Jersey Newsroom

“A DELIGHTFUL COMBINATION OF CHILDLIKE GIDDINESS AND ADULT SELF-DEPRECATION!”
— David Sheward, Backstage

“ANOTHER GEM! Thoughtful entertainment that doles out equal doses heartfelt humor, humanity, and hindsight.”
— David NouNou, Stagezine

Videos

  • Now. Here. This. Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Now. Here. This. Trailer

  • Now. Here. This. - Beyond Broadway  youtube thumbnail

    Now. Here. This. - Beyond Broadway

  • In Studio with the Now. Here. This. OCR youtube thumbnail

    In Studio with the Now. Here. This. OCR

  • Why You Should Listen to Now. Here. This. youtube thumbnail

    Why You Should Listen to Now. Here. This.

Music

Music Samples

1. ''What Are The Odds'' - All
2. ''More Life'' - All
3. ''Dazzle Camouflage'' - Man 1 & Others
4. ''Give Me Your Attention'' - Woman 2
5. ''Members Only'' - All
6. ''I Rarely Schedule Nothing'' - Woman 1 & Woman 2
7. ''Cacophony'' - All
8. ''Archer'' - Man 2
9. ''That'll Never Be Me'' - Woman 1 & Woman 2
10. ''Kick Me'' - Man 1
11. ''That Makes Me Hot'' - All
12. ''Then Comes You'' - All
13. ''Golden Palace'' - All
14. ''Get Into It'' - All
15. ''This Time'' - All

Full Orchestration

Keyboard
Bass (Electric, Upright)
Drum
Guitar (Electric, Acoustic, Mandolin)

  • Musical Style Contemporary Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Minimal
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

    PLEASE BE ADVISED: There are multiple versions of this title. Before you proceed, please double-check to ensure that you are applying for the version you want. We will not be able to refund rental or shipping fees if you pay for the wrong version. If you’re not sure which version best suits your needs, you may purchase a perusal for each available version.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!

6 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Keyboard-Conductor
1 Bass
1 Drum Set
1 Guitar

6 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Keyboard-Conductor

Add-Ons

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Authors

Hunter Bell

Hunter Bell earned an Obie Award, a Drama League nomination, and a Tony nomination for Best Book of a Musical for the Broadway musical [title of show]. Other credits include books for Now. Here. This., Found (Drama Desk Nomination, Outstanding Book of a Musical), Silence! The ...
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Susan Blackwell

Susan Blackwell is on a mission to free people’s creative self-expression. As a creativity coach, performer, writer, speaker and podcaster, she champions this cause around the world—on Broadway, off-Broadway, in classrooms and writing, and on TV, film, sound recordings and th ...

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Jeff Bowen

Jeff Bowen wrote the music and lyrics for and starred in the Broadway musical [title of show] (Obie Award). Additionally, he has written music and lyrics for Now. Here. This. (Vineyard Theatre), Villains Tonight! (Walt Disney Company), and the theme songs for the web series t ...
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