A post-modern, whimsical coming-of-age story set “back then-ish,” UNLOCK’D fuses baroque and classical with contemporary pop musical theatre in a story about the roles we are born into and people we secretly wish to become.
Jillian Gottleib, Sydney Harcourt, and company in "The Card Game" from Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St. - photo by Lee Wexler
Chandler Reeves, Catherine LeFrere, and Maria Couch as Sylphs in Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St., photo by Richard Termine
Kathryn Porterfield as Clarissa, Patrick Massey as Edwin, and Shanae'a Moore as Belinda in "The Cutting of the Lock" from Queensbury Theatre's 2018 production of UNLOCK'D - photo by Christian Brown
William Thomas Evans, Darryl Winslow, and Christopher Totten as Gnomes in UNLOCK'D at the New York Musical Theatre Festival
Phillip Brown as Zeus in Queensbury Theatre's 2018 production of UNLOCK'D - photo by Christian Brown
Jennifer Blood as Clarissa in Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St., photo by Richard Termine
Patrick Massey as Edwin, Kathryn Porterfield as Clarissa, Shanae'a Moore as Belinda, and Thomas Griffin Williams as the Baron in "The Battle" from Queensbury Theatre's 2018 production of UNLOCK'D - photo by Christian Brown
Sarah Jane Shanks (nee Everman) and Chris Gunn singing "Off to the East" in UNLOCK'D at the New York Musical Theatre Festival
Hansel Tann, Chris Gunn, and Adam Daveline as "Gentlemen" and Maria Couch, Catherine LeFrere, and Chandler Reeves as "Maidens" in Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St. - photo by Lee Wexler
Adrienne Shearer as Esther, Holland Vavra as Avia, and McKenna Marmolejo as Ariella (the Sylphs) in Queensbury Theatre's 2018 production of UNLOCK'D - photo by Christian Brown
Jillian Gottleib as Belinda and Jennifer Blood as Clarissa in Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St., photo by Richard Termine
Patrick Massey as Edwin and Shanae'a Moore as Belinda singing "Off to the East" in Queensbury Theatre's 2018 production of UNLOCK'D - photo by Christian Brown
Jim Weitzer and Jackie Burns as Baron Windsorloch and Clarissa in UNLOCK'D at the New York Musical Theatre Festival
Jillian Gottleib as Belinda and A.J. Shively as Edwin in Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St., photo by Richard Termine
Mark Ivy as Barney, Rodrick Randall as Caleb, and Dylan Godwin as Umbriel (the Gnomes) in Queensbury Theatre's 2018 production of UNLOCK'D - photo by Christian Brown
Chris Gunn and Jackie Burns singing "Where Did They Learn It?" in UNLOCK'D at the New York Musical Theatre Festival
Sarah Jane Shanks (nee Everman) as Belinda with William Thomas Evans, Darryl Winslow, and Christopher Totten as Gentlemen of Court in UNLOCK'D at the New York Musical Theatre Festival
Jillian Gottleib, Sydney Harcourt, Maria Couch, Chandler Reeves, Catherine LeFrere, Chris Gunn, Hansel Tan, and Adam Daveline in "The Card Game" from Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St., photo by Richard Termine
A.J. Shively as Edwin and Sydney Harcourt as Baron Windsorloch in "Act I Finaletto" from Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St., photo by Richard Termine
William Thomas Evans as Caleb the Gnome in the New York Musical Theatre Festival production of UNLOCK'D
Rodrick Randall as Caleb, Dylan Godwin as Umbriel, and Mark Ivy as Barney (the Gnomes) in Queensbury Theatre's 2018 production of UNLOCK'D - photo by Christian Brown
Sydney Harcourt as Baron Windsorloch and Jennifer Blood as Clarissa in Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St., photo by Richard Termine
Jackie Burns as Clarissa in UNLOCK'D at the New York Musical Theatre Festival
Catherine LeFrere, Chandler Reeves, and Maria Couch as Sylphs in Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St., photo by Richard Termine
Jillian Gottleib, Sydney Harcourt, Maria Couch, Chandler Reeves, Catherine LeFrere, Chris Gunn, Hansel Tan, and Adam Daveline in "The Card Game" from Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St., photo by Richard Termine
Kathryn Porterfield as Clarissa and Patrick Massey as Edwin singing "Where Did They Learn It?" in Queensbury Theatre's 2018 production of UNLOCK'D - photo by Christian Brown
Chris Gunn and Jim Weitzer singing "A Delicate Thing" in UNLOCK'D at the New York Musical Theatre Festival
Hansel Tan as Barney & company in Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St., photo by Richard Termine
William Thomas Evans, Maria Couch, Jim Weitzer, Sarah Jane Shanks (nee Everman), Alison Cimmet, and Mary Catherine McDonald in UNLOCK'D at the New York Musical Theatre Festival
Jennifer Blood as Clarissa and Jillian Gottleib as Belinda with Adam Daveline, Chris Gunn, and Hansel Tan as Gentlemen in "The Battle" from Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St. - photo by Lee Wexler
McKenna Marmolejo, Holland Vavra, and Adrienne Shearer as Sylphs; Rodrick Randall, Dylan Godwin, and Mark Ivy as Gnomes; and Kathryn Porterfield as Clarissa in "While Belinda Sleeps," the opening number in Queensbury Theatre's 2018 production of UNLOCK'D - photo by Christian Brown
Chris Gunn as Umbriel and Hansel Tan as Barney in Prospect Theater's 2013 production of UNLOCK'D at the Duke on 42nd St. - photo by Lee Wexler
Synopsis
UNLOCK’D tells the story of Clarissa, a smart, passionate young woman in the 18th century who has reached the limit of her frustration living in the shadow of her bombshell step-sister Belinda. Sweet, gorgeous Belinda complacently commands the attention of every gentleman of court, so, as the last party of the season approaches, Clarissa decides this is the day she’ll get Belinda married off and finally win a suitor for herself. But in a world rife with vanity, vacuous courtiers, mischievous gnomes, prudish fairies, and plenty of sibling rivalry to go around, it may not be as easy as Clarissa imagines.
Clarissa is tired of living in the shadow of her gorgeous, sweet, and sheltered step-sister Belinda, the most desired woman in the land. Belinda, while delighting in her suitors’ attention and gifts, refuses to commit to any of them. She cares most deeply for her beautiful hair, which sings to her (literally). But while the gentlemen remain in suspense, none of them have eyes for any other lady of court, and Clarissa determines that she will find a way to get Belinda married off and finally win some companionship for herself.
Clarissa pins her hopes on the Baron Windsorloch, a handsome gentleman soldier. He returned from war and immediately fell in love with Belinda (naturally), but he might just be enough of a catch to catch her. He, along with his bookish brother Edwin, is heading to a party at Hampton Court today, and the hunt is on.
What none of these mortals know is that the spirit world is watching. Three sylphs (fairies) who guard Belinda work tirelessly to keep her untouched by men. Meanwhile three grubby, mischievous gnomes seek to thwart the sylphs’ plans in any way possible.
The day progresses in a way no one could have expected, as Clarissa starts to believe that the intellectual Edwin could be a kindred spirit, while the Baron, quickly disenchanted by Belinda’s daintiness, begins to fall for Clarissa. But when Edwin and Belinda share a surprising moment of connection as they reflect on their similarly cloistered worlds (his in the library and hers at the dressing table), Clarissa snaps and cuts Belinda’s favorite lock of hair.
A Pandora’s box springs open, as Belinda is forced to deal with her own mortality for the first time, Edwin with his first experience of true passion, Clarissa with her intense envy for her sister, the Baron with the demands of duty in a complex world, and the gnomes and sylphs with their surprising attractions to each other.
Old rivalries surface, new rivalries emerge, politeness gives way to excess, and a battle soon erupts, forcing mortal and immortal beings alike to reconcile their truest hearts with the stories they have told themselves. Ultimately, they must discover that love is not just desire, but the way we care for one another.
UNLOCK’D previously won a Richard Rodgers Award, was workshopped at TheatreWorks Palo Alto and Ravinia, and was presented at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2007, where it won the “Best of the Fest” audience award and Talkin’ Broadway Citations for “Best Musical” and “Best Original Theatrical Score.”
UNLOCK’D will run at the Queensbury Theatre in Houston, TX in February of 2018.
Press
“Raw, undiluted joy… astounding, enveloping… Unlock’d shimmers with life… when musicals are taken seriously and gotten right, they can still be ravishing experiences truly worth singing about.” -Talkin’ Broadway full Talkin’ Broadway review
“As much a visual treat as it is a rare and rewarding musical. . . wholesome family entertainment at its best. . .Unlock’d glitters.” -CurtainUp full CurtainUp review
“Gregor’s music, which is simultaneously challenging and memorable… a dynamic score that will keep your ear engaged… just sit back and enjoy” – Theatremania full Theatermania review
“Witty repartee, poetic rhymes, catchy, well-sung, songs and perfectly choreographed movements. . . a comedic romp with bite.” – Theatre Is Easy full Theatre Is Easy review
