Anthony Monteleone

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New Musical Lab: Taking Off

Book and Lyrics by Sonya Hayden; Music by Matt Lowy

Cast

Amelia: Anastasia Breen

Jean-Christophe: Mark William

May: Gracie Duffy

June: Brooke Cousins

Julie: Aubriana Scott

Alphonse: Karam Mawazini

Mindy: Samantha Dobrowolski

Craig: Oliver Angel

Trudy: Shelby Parker

Doctor: Nathaniel Myers

Chef (Baby): Sophia Catella

Émile/Pilot: Hugh Watters

Ensemble & U/S Amelia: Olivia Welch

Ensemble & U/S Julie/Mindy: Bryce Lang

Ensemble & U/S June/Chef: Casey Fosbenner

Ensemble & U/S May/Trudy: Nicole Merchant

Ensemble & U/S Doctor/Pilot/Émile: Noah Trapp

Ensemble & U/S Alphonse/Craig: August Garrett

Ensemble: Paris Thomas

Vision

The New Musical Laboratory is a partnership between the Wharton Center and the Michigan State University Department of Theatre which pairs theatre students with professionals currently workshopping musicals for the professional stage. In a three week rehearsal process, students rehearse a musical currently in workshop.

In September of 2025, I had the fortune of acting as the assistant to the writer, Sonya Hayden, on Taking Off, a fantastic musical-comedy currently in development. This opportunity provided grand insights into the professional workshop process, as well as into the thought processes of fellow writers.

Over these three weeks, I took on a production assistant-esque position as the main notetaker for additions, subtractions, add-libs, and add-flubs, as well as a dramaturgical role regarding potential edits and ideas.

Regarding Taking Off itself, I wish it, Sonya Hayden, and Matt Lowy absolutely nothing but the very best as this musical continues to fly sky high towards Broadway.

Production

Dramaturg: Molly Marinik

Director: Adam Yankowy

Musical Director: Dave Wendelberger

Production Stage Manager: Courtney Sue Mulford

Stage Manager: Emma Jestila

Assistant Stage Manager: Mara Vander Beek

Assistant Stage Manager: Ella Johnson

Assistant Stage Manager: Julia Blatson

Assistant to the Writer: Anthony Monteleone

Assistant to the Composer/Assistant Music Director: David Meagher

Intimacy and Fight Director: Alexis Black

Band

Piano/Conductor: Dave Wendelberger

Bass: Elyse Gray

Drums: Michael Giunta

Gracie Duffy as May, Brooke Cousins as June, and Aubriana Scott as Julie standing behind Anastasia Breen in MSU's New Musical Laboratory's production of "Taking Off"

Further Reading

Taking Off Virtual Program – Michigan State University

New Musical Laboratory – Michigan State University

Notes

Performed September 2025

Produced By Michigan State University New Musical Laboratory

Photos courtesy of Raymond Black Photography

Full plane in MSU's New Musical Laboratory's production of "Taking Off"
Gracie Duffy as May, Brooke Cousins as June, and Aubriana Scott as Julie standing in front of telephones in MSU's New Musical Laboratory's production of "Taking Off"
Nathaniel Myers as Doctor and Sophia Catella as Chef and Baby in
Gracie Duffy as May, Brooke Cousins as June, and Aubriana Scott as Julie standing behind Anastasia Breen as Amelia Dareheart in MSU's New Musical Laboratory's production of "Taking Off"
Full cast and crew of MSU's New Musical Laboratory's production of "Taking Off"
Karam Mawazini as Alphonse dressed as the statutue of liberty in MSU's New Musical Laboratory's production of "Taking Off"