The world premiere of I & You: The Musical primarily based on the play by Lauren M. Gunderson, with a guide by Gunderson and music and lyrics by Ari Afsar, performs on Olney Theatre Heart’s Roberts Mainstage April 22 – Might 24, 2026, in a co-production with McCarter Theatre Heart, and by particular association with Alchemation. A previous model of the present premiered at McCarter Theatre Heart this previous fall, and the brand new manufacturing, each directed by Sarah Rasmussen, arrives at Olney Theatre with revisions and a brand new forged that includes J. Antonio Rodriguez (Orpheus within the Hadestown Nationwide Tour) as Anthony and Alex De Bard (Anna in Olney’s manufacturing of Disney’s Frozen) as Caroline.
Jason Loewith, Olney Theatre Heart’s Inventive Director, mentioned, “Producing the rolling world-premiere of Lauren’s breakout hit play I And You in 2015 marked a triumphant shift in our work right here at Olney Theatre. I’m thrilled to be working with Lauren, together with composer/lyricist Ari Afsar and McCarter Theatre’s superb inventive director Sarah Rasmussen to deliver Lauren’s unforgettable story to a fair bigger viewers.”
Concerning the Present
Anthony (Rodriguez) turns up in Caroline’s (De Bard) bed room one night time bearing waffle fries, a beat-up guide, and a homework task they’re alleged to do collectively: discover Walt Whitman’s poem “Tune of Myself.” Chronically sick, Caroline hasn’t been to high school shortly… and doesn’t even bear in mind assembly some child named Anthony, which dials up each her suspicions and her “snark-o-meter.” However as the 2 get to know one another, they lastly study of the deeper thriller that introduced them collectively. Whitman’s highly effective poetry evokes the music and lyrics by American Idol veteran Ari Afsar, which expands the magic of Gunderson’s outstanding story with an unforgettable ending.
The understudy for Caroline is Alexandra Lopez, and the understudy for Anthony is Kishan Rao.
The inventive crew from the McCarter Theatre manufacturing reunites with director Sarah Rasmussen for the Olney mounting, together with Motion Director Steph Paul, Unique Music Course by Sujin Kim-Ramsey, Music Supervisor Bryan Perri, Scenic Designer Beowulf Borrit, Costume Designer Kara Harmon, Lighting Designer Japhy Weideman, Sound Designer Elisabeth Weidner, Projection Designer Stefania Bulbarella, Hair, Wig & Make-up Designer Kate Casalino, Dramaturg Julie Felise Dubiner, Voice & Textual content Director Hannah Tamminen, and Intimacy Coordinator Alicia Rodis. Orchestrations are by Yair Evnine and Ari Afsar, with Preparations by Sujin Kim-Ramsey and Ari Afsar. The Manufacturing Stage Supervisor is Becky Reed, and the Assistant Stage Supervisor is Allison Ann Bailey.
I & You: The Musical was commissioned by McCarter Theatre Heart with assist from the BOLD Basis and developed within the Emily Mann Lab.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHTS
Lauren M. Gunderson (E-book) has been one of the crucial produced playwrights in America since 2015, topping the record thrice together with 2022/23. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I and You and The E-book of Will, the winner of the William Inge Distinguished Achievement in Theatre Award, the Lanford Wilson Award and a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Her performs have been translated right into a dozen languages and produced the world over, and her new anthology, “Revolutionary Ladies,” is printed by Bloomsbury.
Ari Afsar (Music, Lyrics & Co-Orchestrator) Musicals: I & You (Lauren M. Gunderson; McCarter Theatre premiere 2025, co-pro with Olney Theatre 2026), That Woman (Rehana Lew Mirza; O’Neill NMTC 2025, Berkeley Rep Groundfloor 2024), Lyle Lyle Crocodile (Pasek & Paul; Pasadena Playhouse 2025, Sony Unique Film), Silhouettes (Jordan Ealey; BabelFest at Redhouse Arts Heart 2025, College of Rochester), Jeannette (Lauren M. Gunderson & Jordan Ealey; LMU, TX State, Signature Theatre, O’Neill NMTC, WMPAC). Afsar originated Eliza in Chicago’s Hamilton, starred in LJP’s world-premiere of Bhangra Nation (aka Bhangin’ It), and starred in Netflix’s Wedding ceremony Season. Awards: Georgia Bogardus Holof Lyricist Award, AAUW Growth Grant, Miss California, Prime 10 Miss America, American Idol Prime 36, 2024 Artivism Fellow at BAC, 2024/2025 DGF Fellow, NYU MPA graduate.
I & You: The Musical runs April 22 – Might 24, 2026 on the Roberts Mainstage at Olney Theatre Heart, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD 20832. Tickets vary from $42 – $103 and can be found at olneytheatre.org/IandYou and 301-924-3400. Reductions for academics, energetic navy, and first responders can be found at: olneytheatre.org/reductions
Efficiency Schedule
Wednesday by means of Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 1:30 pm.
Wednesday matinees at 1:30 pm on April 29 and Might 13
Sunday Night: Might 10 at 7:00 pm.
No matinee on Saturday, April 25
No public performances on Wednesday, Might 6
See the total schedule at: https://tickets.olneytheatre.org/overview/iandyoumusical
Accessible Performances
Audio-Described Efficiency – Wednesday, Might 13, at 7:30 pm
ASL Interpreted Efficiency – Thursday, Might 14, at 7:30 pm
ABOUT OLNEY THEATRE CENTER
Mission
Olney Theatre Heart for the Arts produces and curates theatrical efficiency for the varied audiences in its group, and educates, learns from, helps, and evokes a extra inclusive technology of theater-makers.
Imaginative and prescient
Olney strives to grow to be an arts and tradition powerhouse, redefining the American regional theater motion by cultivating and sharing the creativity of its group.
Historical past
Based in 1938 as a summer time playhouse, Olney Theatre Heart (OTC) now produces world and American premieres of performs and musicals, and reimaginings of acquainted titles year-round; presents the work of main firms and artists; excursions nationally and domestically; teaches college students of all ages; and mentors a extra inclusive technology of theatermakers. For greater than 8 a long time, OTC has introduced impactful theater efficiency and training to our group, serving to to develop the vibrancy and vitality of its house within the Washington, DC area.
Through the years, a number of the largest names in theater and movie have appeared on Olney phases, together with Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Bob Fosse, Phillip Bosco, Eve Arden, Eva Gabor, Burl Ives, Jose Ferrer, Carol Channing, Olivia d’Havilland, Tony Randall, Paulette Goddard, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Jane Seymour, Anne Revere, Frances Sternhagen, Arthur Treacher, James Broderick, Olympia Dukakis, Sir Ian McKellen, Marica Homosexual Harden, John Colicos, Uzo Aduba, Alan Cumming, Cheyenne Jackson, Robin de Jesus, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Bernadette Peters, amongst many, many others.
Olney Theatre is now the cultural anchor of a quickly altering area and serves one of the crucial various, greatest educated, and wealthiest counties within the nation. Located on the unceded land of the Piscataway-Conoy folks, the Olney space was as soon as a rural farming group with a singular Quaker heritage. Now the realm is occupied by each sort of household that makes up twenty first Century America, together with main firms, procuring districts, civic associations, nonprofit organizations, and a various assortment of homes of worship. Montgomery County’s 1 million residents play a dynamic position within the Baltimore-Washington hall, and are a driving drive behind the area’s inventive financial system.
