NEWS
MUSICALS
IN THE LIGHT,
A Faustian Tale
Music & Lyrics by Michael Mott
Book by Kate Mulley and Nathan Wright
Arrangements by
Michael Mott and Joshua Zecher-Ross
Orchestrations by Kim Scharnberg
Based on a work by Justin Silvestri & Michael Mott
IN THE LIGHT follows Dr. Johann Faustus, an astronomer accused of blasphemy by the Holy Inquisition. Guided by a mysterious being, Johann and his wife flee to a small town, where he meets a scholarly young woman named Gretchen. Gretchen believes Johann can help rebuild her town and influence the new Baron. When news of the town's rise and Johann's supposed miracles reaches an old rival, Johann must resist the temptation that his ambition yields, and Gretchen must make a choice between living authentically and saving her town.
AND SOMETIMES...
LOVE
Music & Lyrics by Michael Mott
Book by Gretchen Suárez-Peña
Directed by Peter Flynn
Inspired by the true story A Love Not Meant For Me
by Aryana Rose
AND SOMETIMES... LOVE is an original musical inspired by the life of Aryana Rose, whose story went viral in 2017. Aryana, in her 40s, single, and the mother of grown children, has yet to experience romantic love. The Universe conspires in her favor guiding her to Gianluca, a charismatic and passionate artist, though many years her junior. Falling deeply in love, Aryana and Gianluca navigate romance, sex, life, and how a relationship must ultimately change. And Sometimes…Love is a breathtaking once-in-a-lifetime romance musical.
In 2022, the show received two table readings in NYC, produced by The Latiné Musical Theatre Lab. In March of 2023, And Sometimes... Love (formerly The Fairy's Tale) received its first industry presentation in NYC, directed by Peter Flynn. The cast included Broadway's Eden Espinosa as Aryana Rose Diaz, Antonio Cipriano as Gianluca Lejuene and Julia Bain as Valerie/ Woman-In-Black/ Mother Mary. Joshua Zecher-Ross served as Musical Director with Michael Clarkston as Stage Manager and Elliott Cunningham as General Manager.
MOB WIFE,
A Mafia Comedy
Music & Lyrics by Michael Mott
Book by Corey Skaggs
Directed by Lorin Latarro
MOB WIFE, A Mafia Comedy is a madcap musical farce centered around a 1970s Italian housewife, Debra Delbono. When disturbing news comes out about her husband’s faithfulness, she is forced to question her near-perfect marriage. To make matters worse, her husband seems to be struggling to meet his obligations as Mob Captain, putting the entire family in jeopardy. Through a series of mishaps, miscommunications, and near-fatal misunderstandings, she learns that her husband isn’t the only one keeping secrets. Debra must get to the bottom of all this deception and try to get her husband on track if she’s ever going to set the record straight - she just needs to stay alive long enough to do so.
RIDING OUT
THE STORM,
A Ten Minute Musical
Book & Lyrics by Christine Toy Johnson
Music by Michael Mott
October 29, 2012. Late afternoon. On the day Hurricane Sandy is set to hit Staten Island,
a woman must decide whether or not to evacuate the house her late husband built.
Written as the first year final project for the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Writer's Workshop in 2013, this piece originally starred Broadway's Victoria Mallory as Beth,
Jaygee Macapugay as Jane and television's John Bolger as Bob with direction by Broadway's Michelle Pawk.
The below demos were recorded in NYC in 2014 featuring Broadway's Mimi Bessette
as Beth, Jaygee Macapugay as Jane and television's John Bolger as Bob.
In 2014, Riding Out The Storm was invited in to participate in the National Asian Artist's Project Festival of New Musicals, produced by the legendary, Baayork Lee.The cast included Hazel Anne Siegel as Beth, Anne Fraser Thomas as Jane and Mel Maghuyop as Bob. The production was directed by Alan Muraoka.
In October 2023, a film adaptation of the piece was released by Moongate Productions. Starring Mimi Bessette as Beth, Diana Huey as Jackie, Wade McCollum as Bob and
Mel Maghuyop as Beth's husband. Christine Toy Johnson adapted her book and lyrics for the screenplay while Michael Mott expanded the songs and composed the film score.
Riding Out The Storm was accepted into the 2023 New York International Short Film Festival and was directed by Bruce Alan Johnson.
The film won "Best Musical Film" in both the Oniros International Film Awards and the New York International Film Awards. The soundtrack is available on all major streaming platforms.
LUCIFER
Music & Lyrics by Michael Mott
Additional Music & Lyrics by Mike Squillante
Book by Corey Skaggs
Directed by Gregg Wiggans
Produced by TopRat Entertainment
LUCIFER was a piece commissioned by Top Rat Entertainment during the summer of 2015. This original musical retells the story of the Bible from the Devil’s perspective. With a looming deadline quickly approaching, The Boss assesses that a crucial element is missing. One particularly cunning angel comes up with a game-changing solution: humans. Betrayal and obsession take hold leading this angel down an iconic path to their own personal Hell.
THE PROPHET
Lyrics by Michael Mott
Music by Jeff Thomson
Orchestrataions by James Sampliner
The Prophet is a musical adaptation of Khalil Gibran's book of the same name from composer, Jeff Thomson. Each song features a lyric by a different collaborator and Thomson asked Mott to write the lyric to the lesson "On Time."
Right On Time is the result of their collaboration. The demo features a vocal by Andi Alhadeff.
Project in development.