Many performers and artists are suffering with the worldwide lockdown, so the team behind the new musical theatre concept album Within Earshot: Anthems for the In-Between have announced that the first week of proceeds from the release through April 27th, will be donated to The Actors Fund.
Within Earshot: Anthems for the In-Between is a new musical, with music and lyrics by Jackson Teeley and a book by Sarah Galante. Set on February 15th (AKA Singles’ Awareness Day), a New York City barista listens as their café plays host to a chorus of stories, fantasies and tales of modern love in all its infinite varieties. Can these stories help the barista complete their magnum opus – a love poem?
Teeley, Galante and director Dan Barron said, “Our musical explores the inherent importance of human connection, a plot line that feels especially poignant right now. Music has always had the unique power to bring us closer together and spark joy in even the darkest of moments. We hope this album makes you feel a little more connected in this isolating time.”
The album features the vocals of Broadway talents like Amber Ardolino (Moulin Rouge!, Hamilton), Brittney Johnson (Wicked, Sunset Boulevard), Liisi LaFontaine (Dreamgirls), Ryan McCartan (The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again, Heathers), Andy Mientus (Spring Awakening, The Flash), Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels, Encores’ Promenade), Krysta Rodriguez (Spring Awakening, Daybreak), and Peppermint (Pose, Head Over Heels).
The Queer Review has had an advance listen to some of the tracks and they’re a great treat for fans of contemporary musical theatre. The music sits neatly in the contemporary pop musical genre (think Pasek & Paul and Jason Robert Brown), and the tunes range from heartfelt 11 o’clock numbers to cheeky duets (the opening ode to bisexuality is particularly fun). These feel like the kind of songs that will fill cabaret and open-mic nights for years to come – hook-laden, entertaining showcases for great performers. You can check out the video for the song End Up Together featuring Bonnie Milligan and Amber Ardolino on Playbill.com.
Producer Laura Z. Barket said, “Just as the Italians are belting their music out into the world, so can we. We will share these beautiful songs, and in doing so we will also be of service to our industry by donating a portion of the streaming income to The Actors Fund to support their necessary work. Connection, community, service; love is all around us.”
Get more insight into the project from April 20th when the cast and creatives will be on Instagram all week to explore the songs and themes of the show (all from the confines of their own homes). Follow @WithinEarshotMusical on Instagram for all the fun.
By Chad Armstrong
Within Earshot: Anthems for the In-Between is available to stream on all the usual platforms and available to purchase on Apple Music, Amazon Music and Google Play from April 20th. For more information, visit WithinEarshotMusical.com.
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