PrideArts has full cast and production team for A NEW BRAIN, the opening production of its 2025-26 season, the first in its new home at the Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted. The musical is by William Finn (FALSETTOS, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE) and James Lapine (INTO THE WOODS, PASSION, and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, all written with Stephen Sondheim). Finn, whose FALSETTOS is a landmark of LGBTQ-themed musical theater and LGBTQ-themed drama in general, passed away in April of this year. A NEW BRAIN, inspired by events in Finn’s life, follows a songwriter facing brain surgery. As he floats in and out of consciousness, he imagines the songs he has yet to write and daydreams about his boyfriend Roger who is on his way to the hospital. The sung-through musical will be directed by PrideArts’ Artistic Director Jay Espano, with Music Direction by Jeff Award winner Robert Ollis, with Annie Liu as Assistant Music Director. Britta Schlicht, who choreographed PrideArts’ [TITLE OF SHOW] in the fall of 2024, is Choreographer. The score includes such songs as “I’d Rather Be Sailing,” “Heart and Music,” and “I Feel So Much Spring.” A NEW BRAIN will open to the press on Monday, August 25 at 7:30 pm following previews on August 22 and 24. It will play through September 14, 2025.
The cast will be led by Dakotta Hagar as Gordon Schwinn, the songwriter who sings how “Heart and Music” make a song. Outside of Chicago, Hagar has played such musical theater leading roles as Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and Bobby Strong in URINETOWN. Beck Hokanson, who is currently appearing as Andrew Parker-Bowles in DIANA with Theo Ubique and last fall played Dick in Citadel Theatre’s DAMES AT SEA, will be Gordon’s boyfriend Roger, who sings of how he would “rather be sailing.” Michelle McKenzie-Voight, who has appeared with PrideArts in MOTHERS AND SONS, BEAUTIFUL THING, and THE BOY FROM OZ, has been cast as Gordon’s mother Mimi, and will perform the heartfelt number, “The Music Still Plays On.” Lena Simone, seen last year in WARM ON THE COOLIN’S BOARD with MPAACT and TWIHARD: A TWILIGHT MUSICAL PARODY for Otherworld Theatre, will be Lisa the homeless lady asking for “Change.” The cast also includes Taylor Bailey (Mr. Bungee), Caitlinn Preuss (Rhoda), Cordaro Johnson (Richard the Nurse), Britain Shutters (Waitress / Nancy the Nurse), and Jonas Davidow (The Minister, U/S Gordon). Understudies are Morgan Braithwaite (U/S Mimi Schwinn/Rhoda), Kevin Chlapecka (U/S Roger), Jay Torrens (U/S Richard the Nurse, Minister), and Aidan Sternberg (U/S Mr. Bungee/Dr. Berensteiner).
The design team includes Shawn Quinlan (Costume Designer), Lea Davis (Lighting Designer), Gael Owens (Scenic Designer), Connor Blackwood (Projection Designer), Parker Vos (Props Designer),. Also on the production team are Garrett McCann (Assistant Director, Intimacy Designer), Ally Montgomery (Production Manager), Shreya Khanna (Stage Manager), Emily Stipetic (Assistant Stage Manager), Ruby Lowe (Lead Electrician), Aidan Smith (Technical Director), and Val Gardner (Sound Engineer).
A NEW BRAIN and all other 2025-26 season performances will be at Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, Chicago. Tickets are $35 for regular performances, $25 for previews. Seniors and students receive a $5 discount off all performance prices. Tickets and more information will be available shortly at www.pridearts.org.
LISTING INFORMATION
A NEW BRAIN
Music and Lyrics by William Finn, Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Directed by Jay Españo
Music Direction by Robert Ollis
Choreography by Britta Schlicht
August 22 – September 14, 2025
Previews August 22 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, August 24 at 3:00 pm
Press Opening Monday, August 25, at 7:30 pm
Performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm
Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, Chicago
Tickets $35 for regular performances, $25 for previews. Seniors and students receive a $5 discount off all performance prices. Tickets and more information at www.pridearts.org.
773-661-0770.
Gordon Schwinn is a talented yet frustrated composer who is working on a children’s TV show and is having a hard time composing a song for the show’s demanding star. His day gets much worse when he collapses into a plate of spaghetti during lunch with his friend Rhoda. He’s rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a life-threatening brain condition. As Gordon moves in and out of consciousness, a series of dreams and flashbacks help him come to terms with his career and the state of his relationships with his boyfriend, his boss, and his mother; and remind him of all the songs he has yet to write. This life-affirming musical by William Finn and James Lapine (FALSETTOS) includes such great songs as “I’d Rather Be Sailing,” “Heart and Music,” “I Feel So Much Spring.”
DIRECTOR BIOS
Jay Españo (PrideArts Artistic Director, Director A NEW BRAIN and CONSTELLATIONS ). Born in Manila, The Philippines, he joined the prestigious Tanghalang Pilipino’s Actors Company in 1998, where he trained with acclaimed Filipino director Nonon Padilla. He acted in several commercials, television series and films. Notably, he was a regular cast member of Koko KwikKwak - a spin-off of Batibot (Philippine SESAME STREET). He toured The Philippines with that show’s mascots, performing for kids throughout the country. In 2000, Jay was one of many Filipino actors who were cast in the Action Theater Singapore’s hit musical CHANG AND ENG, which toured Asia for several years.
Since moving to the Chicago area, Jay has worked with storefront theater companies such as Silk Road Rising, Prologue, Ghostlight, Halcyon, and PrideArts, where he has directed [TITLE OF SHOW], GIRLFRIEND, GAY CARD, TOMMY ON TOP and the THINGS I NEVER COULD TELL STEVEN. At City Lit Theater, he directed the world premiere musical AZTEC HUMAN SACRIFICE. He has played the role of the King in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I with various theater companies in the US and in Canada.
Robert Ollis (Music Director, A NEW BRAIN) served as Music Director for PrideArts’ productions of [TITLE OF SHOW], GAY CARD, GIRLFRIEND, THE THINGS I COULD NEVER TELL STEVEN, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, SOUTHERN COMFORT, YANK!: A WWII LOVE STORY, THE NANCE, PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT, THE BOY FROM OZ, SONGS FROM AN UNMADE BED, A HISTORY OF SUMMER, THE BOOK OF MERMAN, and UNDER A RAINBOW FLAG. He served as Music Director for Underscore Theatre’s musical HAYMARKET: A NEW FOLK MUSICAL. Robert received a Jeff Award for musical direction of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, in addition to his nominations for seven other shows. At the Palm Canyon Theatre in Palm Springs, CA, Robert has music directed THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA and VICTOR, VICTORIA. Robert is the music director and co-creator of JUDY AND LIZA: THE LONDON PALLADIUM CONCERT — A TRIBUTE and accompanies other notable cabaret performers in New York City, Palm Springs, CA, and Chicago venues.
William Finn (Composer, Lyricist, Co-Bookwriter A NEW BRAIN). Finn, who passed away on April 27, 2025, is known for being an autobiographical writer. His works center around the LGBTQ+ and Jewish experience in modern day America and he often used his own experiences for artistic inspiration. Finn is most known for his trilogy of short musicals, IN TROUSERS, MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS and FALSETTOLAND. Finn combined the latter two shows to create FALSETTOS (1992), which received the 1992 Tony Awards for Best Music and Lyrics and for Best Book of a Musical. His next major success came with A NEW BRAIN (1998), which is loosely based on his own near-death experience following brain surgery. Other notable works include THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (2005) and ELEGIES: A SONG CYCLE (2003). Finn was a member of the NYU Tisch Graduate Program in Musical Theatre Writing faculty and was the co-founder and artistic producer of the Musical Theatre Lab at the Barrington Stage Company.
James Lapine (Co-Bookwriter A NEW BRAIN). James Lapine wrote the book for and directed Stephen Sondheim’s SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE; INTO THE WOODS; PASSION; and the multi-media revue SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. He also directed MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG as part of Encores at New York City Center. With William Finn he collaborated on MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS and FALSETTOLAND, later presented on Broadway as FALSETTOS; A NEW BRAIN; MUSCLE; and LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. He has also directed on Broadway David Henry Hwang’s GOLDEN CHILD; THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK; Michel Legrand’s AMOUR; THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE; the 2012 revival of ANNIE, and his stage adaptation of the famous Moss Hart autobiography ACT ONE, which premiered at Lincoln Center Theater on the Beaumont stage.
ABOUT PRIDEARTS
PrideArts tells queer stories on a variety of platforms, including both live and virtual performances. Since its founding in 2010, PrideArts has had several chapters, including operating as an itinerant theater for their first six seasons, the developer and primary tenant in the Pride Arts Center from 2016 to 2024, and its current residency in the Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted.
The company produces full seasons of plays and musicals, as well as events including cabaret, and more. The company has earned 50 Jeff Awards and nominations, and six nominations in the 2019 ALTA Awards from the Alliance of Latinx Theater Artists of Chicago. Programming has reflected the diversity of queer communities by including work made by and illuminating the experiences of women, gay men, transgender people, and BIPOC.
PrideArts is supported by Illinois Arts Council, a State Agency; City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Alphawood Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Arts Work Fund, Driehaus Foundation, The Saints.
PrideArts is a member of Northalsted Merchants Association, League of Chicago Theaters, Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Lakeview East Merchants Association.
For more information and to donate, visit www.pridearts.org or call 773-661-0770.