Ian Ferguson and Lauren LeBlanc collaborate on transforming her young adult novel into a musical production
Lauren LeBlanc, a renowned actress who has recently starred in musicals like Lizzie and Gods and Heroes, is set to make a new mark in the world of theatre with her latest project, The Penumbra. This supernatural thriller, which LeBlanc wrote the libretto for, is a collaborative effort with Ian Ferguson, a fellow Dallas actor, who composed the music, lyrics, and some instrumental music for the production.
The Penumbra is a complex story that caters to young audiences without patronizing or talking down to them. It operates on three planes of existence, weaving together the story of a teenage girl from a struggling family, a town grappling with an escalating pattern of missing children, and an ancient folktale involving love and destruction.
The book took LeBlanc five years to finish, and another five for it to morph into a musical. The transformation was inspired by LeBlanc's own childhood experiences with ghost stories and the supernatural. Ferguson, who suggested the change in medium from book to musical, added a musical dimension that prose alone could not provide.
The musical adaptation of LeBlanc's book is having its first public performances in a free workshop production at the Bath House Cultural Center. The production will resemble a reading, with actors in street clothes performing from scripts. Scenic designer Leah Mazur has been hired to create practical effects for the show, but they will initially be represented by projections during the workshop production.
LeBlanc, who won a children's literature fellowship a decade ago, has two previous musical projects that were affected by the pandemic and two unpublished young adult books. Her next young adult novel is a ghost story, inspired by a childhood experience.
The workshop production of The Penumbra has assembled a top-notch cast and creative team, including director Sasha Maya Ada, Denise Lee, Jeremy Landon Hays, and Aubrey Ferguson. The musical will have its first public performances at the Bath House Cultural Center on Aug 20-21. The event is free and can be found at whatisthepenumbra.com.
Ferguson, who was a musician and actor in plays before the twain started meeting, is still hesitant to label himself as a musicals guy. However, with The Penumbra, it's clear that he has found a new passion in this genre. The musical promises to be a thrilling ride, blending personal coming-of-age elements with a larger mythic and ghostly framework. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to witness the birth of a new musical masterpiece.
The book-turned-musical "The Penumbra" is a carefully crafted narrative that resonates with young audiences without trivialized or simplifying its themes. It delves into three distinct planes of existence, incorporating elements of a teenage girl's struggles, a community grappling with mysterious disappearances, and an ancient folktale rooted in love and destruction.
The upcoming performances of "The Penumbra" at the Bath House Cultural Center, featuring a prestigious ensemble of actors and creators, will provide community members with an extraordinary opportunity to experience the birth of a new musical masterpiece. Catch this unique event on Aug 20-21, and explore more details about it on whatisthepenumbra.com.
