Nashoba Players Bring 'Connected: The Musical' Back to the Stage

Open your heart and feel our love. You are worthy and you are enough.

Get ready, because Nashoba Players is preparing to present Connected: The Musical. The story follows Gabriel, who discovers his true identity as a transgender boy. Throughout the story, Gabriel and his circle of friends confront the impacts of social media, relationships, and self-discovery.

Connected: The Musical explores the profound themes of standing up for what you believe in. Now approaching its third time on the stage, Connected: The Musical has evolved, inspiring conversations about identity and the impacts of social media.

Connected: The Musical was written, composed, and lyrically crafted by Marlborough resident Kathryn Denney, a frequent music teacher for school shows and community theaters.

Denney said that Connected: The Musical has endured quite a legacy since its first premiere in 2022. During tech week at the Acting Out Theatre Company in Lawrence, COVID-19 unfortunately swept through the cast. Despite the setback, the team performed in masks and produced a professional video, which Denney later subtitled.

Denney had several watch parties of the musical, which allowed her to have open discussions on the story. During a visit to Portland, Oregon, a group of professional actors performed it to West Coast audiences. Denney said that the West Coast reaction changed everything.

In June 2024, during Pride Month, Dramatically Incorrect Theater Group produced the show. Denney said the person cast as Gabriel was a trans man and an ice skater, which fit the character. Since she had already created performance tracks with orchestrator Brandon Jackson, she said they transposed the tracks to fit with his tenor voice.

With their show about to set sail at Nashoba Players, Denney has tightened the story, reflecting on social media's impact on society. “It’s a tighter, more on-point show now,” Denney said. “And since the world has changed, social media feels different - less like the joyful connection it once was.”

Throughout rehearsals, a cast of 11 actors has collaborated together on music, choreography, and character discussions with the directors. Denney emphasized how conversations empower people to ask questions and discuss topics and themes.

The show’s music blends classic and contemporary styles. Denney said that the show’s music shifts with the characters’ situations and emotional states. “It is deep, relevant, honest, and timely, but it’s fun to watch because people break into song even when they would rather shout at each other,” Denney said.

Alison Smith Vaniz, a Sudbury resident, returns to the role of Abby Robbins, whom she read for the part in the read through over Zoom during the pandemic. She said it’s been a pleasure to watch this show evolve from paper into what it is now.

Based on situations in her life, she related to her character’s journey. “Sometimes you have to do it - afraid,” Vaniz said regarding the themes about change. “If anything, the role has helped me realize that my journey was for the best.”

Joining the cast is Framingham resident Finn Miller (Chase), in his first musical. The themes of transgender struggles led him to audition. Miller said rehearsals have been a great time, and he has learned a lot. He has added real-life experience to his character, being an autistic trans man.

“(The show) is a really important musical because representation for the trans community is lacking,” Miller said. “When I came out as trans, I didn’t know anyone who was like me, and there wasn’t a lot of media about it either.”

Miller hypes the show’s finale, describing it as a powerful moment. “I hope a young transgender person comes to see it and feels seen,” he said.

The cast and crew have put their tears, sweat, and pride into Connected: The Musical. Performances take place at Nashoba Players in Westford, MA, on October 24, 25, November 1, and 2. Tickets are available online: https://nashobaplayers.org/shows/current/intro/