Showmance- With Chad Beguelin

The Drama Book Shop presents, in association with Jay Michaels Global Communications, “Showmance "with Chad Beguelin - A talkback, signing, and live podcast recording.

About the book: 

Noah Adams is a down-on-his-luck Broadway playwright whose first Broadway musical, Stage of Fools, was a flop, closing on opening night. When a family emergency sends him back to his Podunk hometown of Plainview, Illinois, he figures he can hide out for a bit and lick his wounds. But to his shock (and horror) his agent (and boyfriend) has secretly arranged for him to stage an amateur version of the career-ending musical at the local community theater. Despite his strong desire to refuse, Noah also has fond memories of the local theater, which was a safe haven for him as a queer kid growing up in a rural town where he was relentlessly bullied. It was there that his passion for theater was fostered and blossomed, so he begrudgingly agrees to put on the show.

 Among the people from his past that he’s forced to reconnect with is Luke Carter, the jerk who used to bully him in high school. Luke is beloved by everyone in town—including Noah’s dad—and he’s undeniably gorgeous. Seething with anger and jealousy, Noah can’t help but acknowledge confused feelings for Luke. Why is he so friendly? How come he doesn’t seem to remember how he tortured Noah in high school? How did he become so close to his dad? Why is he so very handsome?! Noah soon realizes that things are not always what they seem. As rehearsals begin, he is surprised by his cast’s insights, the warmth of the town he dismissed, and the reality of what actually happened with Luke all those years ago. Just how much has Noah misjudged?

 Chad Beguelin drew not only from his Broadway experiences to write SHOWMANCE, but from his roots as a queer kid and a musical theater writer, from a small town. “I felt there was a lot of comedy and heartfelt moments to be mined from juxtaposing the two worlds,” he explains. He also liked the idea of a main character who’s become somewhat of a New York snob who thinks he knows it all, but who quickly gets brilliant ideas from the unassuming community theater cast. “As far as the romance, I was drawn to the concept that we don’t always remember the past with 20/20 vision and sometimes two hurt people can fit together like a puzzle.”

 SHOWMANCE is an utterly charming, hilarious romp that provides a behind the scenes look at what it takes to write a Broadway musical. It’s a tender story about coming home, finding connection in the most unexpected of places, and forgiveness.  And it’s a redemption story, where in the end everyone, including the broken musical, gets a second chance.

About the Author: 

Chad Beguelin is a six-time Tony Award nominee. His Broadway works include The Prom, Disney’s Aladdin, Elf and The Wedding Singer. Chad also co-wrote the screenplay for The Prom, currently available on Netflix. Chad is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Dramatic Writing Program. He currently lives in Bridgehampton with his husband Tom and their dog, Tucker.

About the event

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The Drama Book Shop, 266 West 39th Street, New York, United States