Gimpy: A New Musical

A new work by Realwheels’ inaugural Playwright-in-Residence

The public reading of Gimpy: A New Musical took place
virtually on November 25, 2020 @ 7pm PST.

Thank you for joining us!

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Gimpy: A New Musical  follows Soren, a young woman with a disability living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who dreams of becoming a Broadway musical star. Meanwhile, her father, the fictional mayor of Tulsa, insists she follow a more practical career path. Soren meets a musician who recognizes her songwriting talent and she discovers a different route to her dreams of being a performing artist, helping out her beloved town along the way. The universal themes in this story will resonate through the perspective of a person with cerebral palsy carving their own path in life. In addition to writing her first play, Kirsten Kirsch also plays the lead character.

About the Playwright: Following a national call for submissions for a playwright who lives with disability, Toronto-based artist Kirsten Kirsch was named as the recipient of our inaugural Playwright-in-Residence Award. Kirsten brings 20 years of theatre experience and recently furthered her dream of recording an album by releasing her first EP, Kirsch Royale (2013), available on Spotify and iTunes. Her first single, Firefly (2019), from the upcoming Blue Roses, is also available on music streaming platforms.

Kirsten has been working on her first original play, Gimpy: A New Musical, with support from dramaturges Liesl Lafferty, Susinn McFarlan, Lynna Goldhar Smith, and Realwheels Artistic Director Rena Cohen.

Thank you for experiencing this new work with us! We extend a huge shout out to our team,
and to our much appreciated donors! We couldn’t do this work without you.
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Credits:

Book, Lyrics and Co-Composer: Kirsten Kirsch
Co-Composer & Musician: Darin Meilleur
Additional Lyrics & Co-Composer: Katie Berger
Director: Rena Cohen
Musical Director: Caitriona Murphy
Dramaturges: Rena Cohen, Liesl Lafferty
Performances by: Kirsten Kirsch (Soren), Matt Ramer (Matthew), Krystle Dos Santos (Kirby),
& Mason Temple (Presley)
Play Development: Susinn McFarlen, & Lynna Goldhar Smith
Producer: Cadence Konopaki
Technical Director: Kimit Sekhon
Stage Manager: Michael Saunders
ASL Interpretation: 

Realwheels is thrilled to be able to support Kirsten who brings heartfelt sensibilities about the human condition combined with a sense of humour that is matched by her multiple talents in music and storytelling.