Gather by the Ghost Light

In this episode, Jonathan and Devon chat with composer Robin Hiley & writer Becky Hope-Palmer about their musical "LIFELINE" currently running off-Broadway.

LIFELINE tells the story of Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming’s world-changing discovery of penicillin in 1928, charting the rise and fall of antibiotics. Fleming’s historic story is interwoven with Jess’, a present day doctor whose childhood sweetheart, Aaron, is recovering from cancer treatment, almost 100 years after antibiotics were discovered. But just as Aaron is desperate to resume normality and rekindle the romance, his life hangs in the balance, as he waits to see if Fleming’s miracle cure will still work well enough to save him.

The musical is a two-time Edinburgh Festival Fringe sell-out (2018 and 2022). It has toured to London, Glasgow and the east coast of the USA (2022). It has also been showcased at the UK Houses of Parliament and in Barbados for Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Previously entitled The Mould that Changed the World, the show underwent significant re-development in 2023 to incorporate numerous modern day patient stories that the producers had collected from around the world.

More info available at LIFELINE The Musical (lifelinemusical.com)

Guests - Robin Hiley & Becky Hope-Palmer

Robin Hiley was a founding partner of Charades Theatre Company upon the company’s inception in 2010. In 2017 he took the company forward as Artistic Director & CEO, overseeing its transition to a Scottish Incorporated Charitable Organisation and establishing partnerships and collaborations with major national and international organisations. As a composer, and lyricist Robin is passionate about writing and creating musical theatre that tackles pertinent social issues and also gives opportunities for the community to get involved in performing. Developing LIFELINE has been a signifcant focus for Robin over the past 6 years, immensely enjoying collaborating with writing partners Becky Hope-Palmer (book writer), his long-time friend and songwriting partner James Ross, as well as the rest of the creative team. Robin holds an undergraduate degree in music from Newcastle University and a MSc in enthnomusicology from the University of Edinburgh.

Becky Hope-Palmer is a Scottish writer and theatre director from Edinburgh. She trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was a finalist for the prestigious JMK Directing Award in 2019 and 2021. She is an associate artist for She Productions in East Yorkshire and worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2017-2019. Recent credits include work for the Lyceum Theatre and Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, Perth Theatre, Dundee Rep and A Play, a Pie and a Pint in Glasgow. Her directing and facilitation work spans musical theatre, Shakespeare, classic and new writing in various forms and capacities. As a writer, Becky’s first play with music, Seven Against Edinburgh, was produced by the Lyceum Theatre in 2022. She is delighted to be making her Off-Broadway debut with Lifeline as a book writer in collaboration with Robin, James and the wonderful team.

Produced and edited by Jonathan Cook

LIFELINE music tracks were used in this episode with permission from the creators.

Intro music by JK/47

Gather by the Ghost Light merch is available at www.ghostlightpubs.com (Ghost Light Publications)

If you would like to further support this podcast, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/ghostlight

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For more info or if you wish to contact us, please visit www.gatherbytheghostlight.com

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This episode features the audio drama PARK AND PLAY followed by an interview with the writer of the script Kara Emily Krantz.

Archibald and Jessie frequent the park every Thursday afternoon, but today holds a special, slightly disturbing and definitely disrupting surprise.

Written by Kara Emily Krantz

Directed by Devon McSherry

Performed by Avery Lewis (Jessie); Brad King (Archibald); and Korilyn Hendricks (Lucy)

Intro/Outro music by JK/47

Additional featured music by Ilona Harpaz

Cover design by Jonathan Cook

Produced, edited, and sound design by Jonathan Cook

Gather by the Ghost Light merch is available at www.ghostlightpubs.com (Ghost Light Publications)

If you would like to further support this podcast, please visit Gather by the Ghost Light is increasing public knowledge of emerging writers and actors (buymeacoffee.com)

If you enjoy this podcast, please please please leave a rating on your preferred podcast app!

For more info or if you wish to contact us, please visit www.gatherbytheghostlight.com

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This episode features the audio play THE ANGEL along with an interview with the writer Robert J. LeBlanc.

THE ANGEL by Robert J. LeBlanc. Jack has a terrible secret. He’s stuck with no way out until a chance meeting with a stranger in a deserted subway station gives him everything that he asked for.

Written by Robert J. LeBlanc

Directed by Jonathan Cook

Performed by Antonio Scales as "Jack" & Krys Bailey as "Man".

Intro/Outro music by JK/47

Cover art by photographer Andew Lynch

Gather by the Ghost Light merch is available at www.ghostlightpubs.com (Ghost Light Publications)

If you would like to further support this podcast, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/ghostlight

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a rating on your preferred podcast app!

For more info or if you wish to contact us, please visit www.gatherbytheghostlight.com

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SLASHER'S DELIGHT: A comedy horror audio play that gives the behind the scenes look at how "final girls" in slasher scenarios actually get selected to become final girls.

Written by Christopher Soucy

Directed by Devon McSherry

Performed by Audrey Robertson as "Marcia", Elizabeth Rayca-Haas as "Becky", and Jonathan Cook as "The Slasher".

Intro/Outro music by JK/47

Additional music by Naama Zafran

Cover art by Anna Lascaux

Gather by the Ghost Light merch is available at www.ghostlightpubs.com (Ghost Light Publications)

If you would like to further support this podcast, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/ghostlight

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a rating on your preferred podcast app!

For more info or if you wish to contact us, please visit www.gatherbytheghostlight.com

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"THE EVENT: A MUSICAL JOURNEY" - An ecological sci-fi song cycle. A rogue rocket launch sets off a chain reaction that traps humanity on Earth. The fallout is explored through eight musical vignettes, bound loosely by the musings of a mysterious narrator. 

Music composed by Michael R. Ray.

Book & lyrics by Dani Ray.

Performed by Vaughan Duncan, Krys Bailey, Jamie McAteer, Audrey Robertson, Adam Kronowski, Dani Ray, Ashley Rivera, Anthony Cheang, Eliza Williams, Shelby Vermilyea, Devin Rivas Martin, Maggie Tharp, Isabella Johnson, Adey Gunnin, Nathan Chamberlain, Chad Bloch, Carrie McAteer, Aiden Simmons, Brandon Paugh, Maisie Bailey, Jessica Bailey, Nicholas Horner.

Intro/Outro music: JK/47

About the composer: Michael R. Ray was a choral director and music director for more than 40 high school and middle school shows. He is an experienced music educator at the middle, high school and college levels. He received his Bachelor’s of Music from Ohio University and his Master’s of Music in Music Composition from UT. There are even more random musical (mis)adventures to be found in his YouTube portfolio! He continues to play keys, pull music out of thin air for the occasional madcap improv show, and sometimes feel seriously compelled to make zany videos.

About the writer: Dani Ray is a freelance writer and editor, translator, wordsmith, occasional essayist and full-time logophile. She's interpreted in D.C., edited Spanish-language TV in Budapest, taught High School Spanish in Augusta, GA and delved deeply into the realm of Central American modern art.

"THE EVENT: A MUSICAL JOURNEY" short film can be found at here!

Short film credits - Original Music by MICHAEL R. RAY; Book & Lyrics by DANI RAY; Directed by JAMIE MCATEER & DANI RAY; Audio and Mastering Engineer CHAD BLOCH; Video Design MICHAEL RAY; Lead Animator VAUGHAN DUNCAN; Additional Animators MICHAEL R. RAY; TRENT DENNISON; GARRET CHUCCHI

Gather by the Ghost Light merch is available at www.ghostlightpubs.com (Ghost Light Publications)

If you would like to further support this podcast, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/ghostlight

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a rating on your preferred podcast app!

For more info or if you wish to contact us, please visit www.gatherbytheghostlight.com

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A GOOD FIT: Two women visit a coffee shop. One is there for a job interview. The other for a blind date. Unfortunately, they accidentally sit at the wrong tables. Romantic comedy.

Written by Jaclyn Stiller

Directed by Jonathan Cook

Performed by Marian Thibodeau as "Tessa", Amy Thorne as "Shannon", Sol Baird as "Jon", & Andre Williams as "John".

Intro/Outro music: JK/47

You can watch the full video of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/@GatherbytheGhostLight

Gather by the Ghost Light merch is available at www.ghostlightpubs.com (Ghost Light Publications)

If you would like to further support this podcast, please visit Gather by the Ghost Light is increasing public knowledge of emerging writers and actors (buymeacoffee.com)

If you enjoy this podcast, please please please leave a rating on your preferred podcast app!

For more info or if you wish to contact us, please visit www.gatherbytheghostlight.com

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3x3 - A SHORT PLAY IN THREE SHORTER ACTS: A married couple face struggles as they try to have a baby, but hope keeps them moving forward ... accordingly.

Written by Eric Odom

Directed and Sound Design by Jonathan Cook

Performed by Devon McSherry as "Stephanie" and TJ McSherry as "Marcus"

Intro/Outro music: JK/47

You can watch the full video of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/@GatherbytheGhostLight

Gather by the Ghost Light merch is available at www.ghostlightpubs.com (Ghost Light Publications)

If you would like to further support this podcast, please visit Gather by the Ghost Light is increasing public knowledge of emerging writers and actors (buymeacoffee.com)

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a rating on your preferred podcast app!

For more info or if you wish to contact us, please visit www.gatherbytheghostlight.com

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GROUND CONTROL TO BABY TOM: Two female astronauts, charged with the important mission of carrying the first pregnancy to full term in space, find themselves entangled in patriarchal nonsense, even 400 million miles away on a spaceship orbiting Jupiter's moon Io.

Written by Emily McClain

Directed by Devon McSherry

Performed by Karla Daly as "Celeste" and Amy Pickrel as "Natasha".

Cover art by: David Curtis Studio (david-curtis.com)

Intro/Outro music: JK/47

You can watch the full video of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/@GatherbytheGhostLight

Gather by the Ghost Light merch is available at www.ghostlightpubs.com (Ghost Light Publications)

If you would like to further support this podcast, please visit Gather by the Ghost Light is increasing public knowledge of emerging writers and actors (buymeacoffee.com)

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a rating on your preferred podcast app!

For more info or if you wish to contact us, please visit www.gatherbytheghostlight.com

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POSTPARTUM: The Mother had a baby a month ago. Her Husband knows something is wrong. And the baby monitor keeps making these weird noises...

Written by Jillian Blevins

Directed by Jonathan Cook

Performed by Marian Thibodeau as "Mother" and Matt Hoffman as "Husband".

Intro/Outro music: JK/47

About the writer: Jillian Blevins is a playwright and theatre artist whose short plays have been performed in Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, New Haven CT, Providence RI, Portland ME, and New York City. In 2020/21, she conceived and produced 'Digital Dionysia', a six-week online new works festival which featured her plays 'Izzy at Zoom Therapy' and 'Be The Bacchae' along with 24 other new plays from around the globe. In the summer of 2023, her one-act ‘The Bed Trick’ was a participating play in Valdez Alaska’s Last Frontier Theatre Conference, and her 10-minute Jewish sci-fi comedy ‘Space Laser, in Space!’ was a finalist at the Samuel French Off Off Broadway New Play Festival. Her queer historical dramedy, 'Romeo & Her Sister' will premiere in June 2024 at the New Hampshire Theatre Project, closing their season and in celebration of Pride Month. Proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

You can watch the full video of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/@GatherbytheGhostLight

Gather by the Ghost Light merch is available at www.ghostlightpubs.com (Ghost Light Publications)

If you would like to further support this podcast, please visit Gather by the Ghost Light is increasing public knowledge of emerging writers and actors (buymeacoffee.com)

If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating on your preferred podcast app!

For more info or if you wish to contact us, please visit www.gatherbytheghostlight.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR: Deutero-Fung, a mold spore with big ideas, attempts to rally his fellow mold spores into blooming immediately and take over the apartment-verse, but Hyphae-Fung, a mold spore with even bigger ideas, warns the community that blooming early will be a mistake. Look out! Cuz it's Happening in your Refrigerator!

Written by Greg Kotis

Directed by Jonathan Cook

Performed by Sol Baird as "Deutero-Fung"; Brad King as "Hyphae-Fung"; and the cast of Urinetown the Musical at Le Chat Noir Theatre as the mold spore community.

Intro/Outro music: JK/47

About the writer: GREG KOTIS is a two time Tony™ Award winning author of many plays and musicals including Urinetown (Book/Lyrics), The End of All Flesh, I Am Nobody, The Truth About Santa, The Sting (Lyrics), Lunchtime, Give the People What They Want, Michael von Siebenburg Melts Through the Floorboards, Yeast Nation (Book/Lyrics), Pig Farm, Eat the Taste, and Jobey and Katherine. His work has been produced and developed in theaters across the country and around the world, including Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Conservatory Theater, American Theater Company, The Apollo (West End), The Brick, the Eugene O’Neill National Theater Conference, The Geva Center, Goodspeed, Musicals, Henry Miller’s Theatre (Broadway), Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Stage and Film, New Line Theatre, The Old Globe, Perseverance Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, Soho Rep, South Coast Rep, The Saint James (Off West End), The Tank, and Village Theatre, among others. Future projects include ZM, an original musical about teenaged fast-food workers trying to survive a zombie plague. Greg co-founded Theater of The Apes with his wife Ayun Halliday (www.theater-of-the-apes.com), and is a member of the Neo-Futurists, the Cardiff Giant Theater Company, ASCAP, and the Dramatists Guild. He grew up in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, lives in New York City, and is the proud father of India and Milo.

You can watch the full video of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/@GatherbytheGhostLight

Gather by the Ghost Light merch is available at www.ghostlightpubs.com (Ghost Light Publications)

If you would like to further support this podcast, please visit Gather by the Ghost Light is increasing public knowledge of emerging writers and actors (buymeacoffee.com)

If you enjoy this podcast, please please please leave a rating on your preferred podcast app!

For more info or if you wish to contact us, please visit www.gatherbytheghostlight.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices