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Titusville Playhouse debuts new jukebox musical ‘What a Wonderful World’

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Titusville Playhouse debuts new jukebox musical ‘What a Wonderful World’

Titusville Playhouse helped develop a new holiday jukebox musical, ‘What a Wonderful World.’ The show opens Nov. 29 and runs through Dec. 15.

Titusville Playhouse will bring warmth and holiday spirit to the stage with a premiere production of a new jukebox musical. “What a Wonderful World” will open on Friday, Nov. 29 for a run through Dec. 15.

The show, written in 2021 by Jeremy Desmon with musical arrangements by Jesse Vargas, follows Santa and Mrs. Claus as they try to retire, but first they must pass the baton to a new Santa. Their choice, a young advertising executive from New York City, declines the job, putting the fate of Christmas in jeopardy. 

“It is a brand new holiday musical using familiar popular tunes alongside Christmas classics,” said director Steven Heron. “Think Tim Allen in ‘The Santa Clause’ movie set in the late 1950s with singing and dancing.”

“What a Wonderful World” weaves together storytelling with hit holiday tunes like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and popular songs by Kelly Clarkson, The Romantics, Imagine Dragons, Hootie & The Blowfish and others.

“This is a jukebox musical, so all music already exists,” Heron said. “The story is really propelled by the lyrics of some of the most popular songs, yet the music is set within a post-modern jukebox feel, so they all have a nod and feeling of the 1950s and ’60s. It keeps the show in that classic era, while giving more recent music a chance to thrive.”

The production marks the start of a collaboration between Titusville Playhouse and theatrical development company Lively McCabe Entertainment. The theater will help develop new works before they are added to Music Theatre International’s extensive catalog.

For “What a Wonderful World,” that means Titusville Playhouse has had the freedom to modify and create new moments in the existing script, as well as add musical numbers. 

“It has been exciting because our scripts and scores go directly to Musical Theatre International (MTI) for the official licensed version of the show,” Heron said. “Our very own Spencer Crosswell was tapped to create and modify any of the additional vocal and orchestrations.”

For those looking to end the year on a high note, “What A Wonderful World” promises to deliver the spirit of the holidays with joy and laughter.

“The show is just a good time,” Heron said. “It is simple and with a classic 1950s Christmas feeling about it. The kids and the elves are just so incredible and a perfect way to start the holiday season with this nostalgic new Christmas musical.”

“I know the audience will love the humor, music and heart that is in the show,” he said. “I cannot wait for everyone to see and hear this amazing new Christmas show in Titusville before the rest of the world gets to experience it.”

‘What a Wonderful World’

Where: Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, Titusville

When: 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 15

Tickets: Start at $35

Call: 321-268-1125

Website: titusvilleplayhouse.com

Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at clafortune@floridatoday.com.

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