NC Stage premieres a compelling new musical based on the dystopian novel by Aldous Huxley.

After playing a vital role in the development of Stalking the Bogeyman before its Off-Broadway and West End runs, and Someone Else, currently slated for an off-Broadway run this spring, North Carolina Stage Company (NC Stage) announced the world premiere of the brand new musical Brave New World. This will consequently change the originally slated production of Bad Dates.

NC Stage has the unique opportunity to present Brave New World for its Asheville audiences and play a key role in the journey of a musical being developed for future commercial productions. Brave New World has a book by Ben Andron (White’s Lies Off Broadway, Broken Snow, Breaking Bobby Stone); music by Jonnie Rockwell (The Anthem Off Broadway) and Grammy and Emmy Award winner John McDaniel (Broadway music director and supervisor credits include Bonnie & Clyde, Catch Me If You Can, Brooklyn); and lyrics by Tony nominee Bill Russell (Side Show; Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, Pageant).

Charlie Flynn-McIver, artistic director and co-founder of NC Stage stated, “We’re really lucky to have a local theatre scene that has created the kind of confidence that New York producers have now tapped into several times to help birth their creative projects. NC Stage is thrilled to help bring this musical to life for the first time on a stage!”

Brave New World focuses on the World State, where the population is chemically engineered, technologies control emotions, and perpetual happiness is just a small pill away. There are reservations beyond these borders where savages still live according to the “old” ways, fenced-in with no knowledge of this perfect new world. One man is given special permission to leave and experience the wonders of civilization. Two worlds collide in Huxley’s provocative story about love, humanity, and loss, set against the backdrop of a place where the most dangerous offense is an original thought.

The artistic team for Brave New World includes director Thomas Caruso (Southern Comfort at NYC’s Public Theatre, Dynamo: Seeing Is Believing in the West End, national tours of Matilda and Ghost), and original choreography by Ryan Kasprzak (Southern Comfort, So You Think You Can Dance). Joining this creative team will be a crew of local designers, musicians, and actors.

If You Go: Brave New World, May 11 – June 5, 2016. Performances Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Pay-What-You-Wish night, Wed., May 11 at 7:30 p.m. Suggested ticket price: $6-$20. Happy Hour and a Half: Complimentary hors ‘doeurves before curtain, Thurs., May 12 at 6:30 p.m. $1 Beer Night + Actor Q&A: $1 Beer at concessions bar + Q&A following the show, Fri., May 13 at 7:30 p.m. Opening Night Toast: Champagne and dessert with cast and crew following curtain, Sat., May 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available by calling (828) 239-0263 or visiting us online at ncstage.org. NC Stage Company, 15 Stage Lane in downtown Asheville.