“[title of show]” was written by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell and takes moments from their lives as writers and the art of musical theater. The award-winning show is a musical about the writing of a musical.

The aptly-named characters, Jeff and Hunter, are struggling writers who have just heard about a new musical theater festival. With only three weeks until the submission deadline, they decide it’s time to create something new with a few of their friends. The two take the name of their show, “[title of show],” directly from the festival’s application and Jeff ultimately suggests that the duo should write about “what to write about.”

Making the decision to keep writing until the show’s deadline, Jeff and Hunter dream about how the show will change their lives. In 90 minutes, the team writes and performs their show, which is really a love letter to the musical theater art form and the joys of collaboration.

After a successful run in 2006 at the Vineyard Theater Off-Broadway and the release of an original cast album, the show gained an even larger audience through the extremely popular web series, “the [title of show] show.” Fans of the web series were first to learn that the musical with Broadway aspirations would reach its goal with a debut at the Lyceum Theater on July 5, 2008. The show subsequently received a Tony Award nomination for Best Book of a Musical in 2009. This show will resonate with thespians on every level and with all audiences. The humorous take on the pleasures and perils of the artistic process makes this show a must see.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
The cast of the Stage Door Productions presentation of (title of show) rehearse a scene recently at the Hawkeye Community Theatre. The are, center, Amy Porter, as Susan, Jason Laird, with Nathan Schelle, as Jeff. Esther Laupp, as Heidi and Jason Laird, as Hunter, right circling around her.

Performances will be held at Hawkeye Community Theatre, 521 N. 12th St. on Feb. 1 and 2, 2019, at 7 p.m., with an additional matinee performance on Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 each and will be available as of Jan. 1, 2019, at First American Bank, FD Fine Arts Gallery, and at the door for each performance.

In addition to the winter show, Stage Door Productions offers multiple opportunities throughout the year for actors and musicians of all ages.

Not only does Stage Door Productions offer performance opportunities, but it also provides educational opportunities for artists in Fort Dodge and the surrounding communities to hone their skills.

For the second year in a row, Stage Door Productions is collaborating with Broadway Dreams Foundation to bring back the successful Triple Threat Extreme weekend. The weekend intensive pairs area artists with people who really know the business of musical theater. Guided by a team of elite educators, students take part in a series of demanding exercises that push their talents and abilities, teaching the skills and stamina necessary to be a successful stage professional. Currently Broadway Stars Tyler Hanes and Sara Ford lined up to come as faculty. As well as Broadway Dreams Founder and President, Annette Tanner. More names to be released soon. If anyone has questions regarding the opportunity, please contact Shelly Bottorff at stagedoorfd@gmail.com or 570-7807. Registration is at www.broadwaydreams.org.

The next Triple Threat Extreme weekend will be held Feb. 23 and 24, 2019, and registration information can be found at https://www.stagedoorfd.com/ or on the Stage Door Productions Facebook page.

In addition to the winter show and the upcoming educational opportunities, There will also be a cabaret experience in April and “The Little Mermaid Jr.” will be performed in July.

For all of the important details for all of Stage Door Productions events, including audition opportunities, new events as they continue to pop up, and for information on how to participate, visit the Stage Door Productions Facebook page.