FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF
MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER
This musical adaptation of the beloved novel tells the story of 11-year-old Claudia Kincaid and her younger brother Jamie, as they run away from home and hide out at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In this theatrical retelling, the art in the museum comes to life, as the siblings set out to unravel a mystery surrounding a stunning statue with rumored ties to Michelangelo.
| Target Audience | Family audiences, aged 6+ |
|---|---|
| Cast Size | 10, includes 2 minors and star vehicle for seasoned actress |
| Duration | 120 minutes, including intermission |
| Time Period | 1960s |
| Musical Style | Pop/Classic Broadway |
| Comps | Annie meets The Light in the Piazza |
The show is a musical adaptation of the beloved novel From The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. After obtaining the rights from Simon and Schuster, Adam Ben-David (Music), Jessica Penzias (Book Writer), and Christyn Budzyna (Lyrics), developed the piece in residence at the 92Y and showcased an excerpt with New York Theatre Barn.
On May 16, 2022, the show received a full 29-hour reading at the JCC of Manhattan. A sneak peak of the show was featured in a concert presentation, as part of the JCC’s “Books That Changed Our Lives'' series, hosted by 5-time New York Times best-selling author, Gretchen Rubin.
A reading of the show was part of the South Carolina New Play Festival in August 2022.
A workshop of the show will be presented by the McCarter Theater in Princeton, NJ on Friday, June 17th and Saturday, June 18th.
JESSICA PENZIAS (BOOK)
Jessica is an award-winning librettist and playwright. Her shows have received more than 1,600 productions in 75+ countries around the globe. Selected works include: The Prince’s New Pet, The Fox Sisters, BOTS, The Show Must Go Online, Super Happy Awesome News, Could You Hug A Cactus, The Claw, The Whole Damn Thing, Boomer , and the book Group Scenes for Young Actors. Jessica is an alum of the 92Y Musical Theater Development Lab and a member of the Tony Award-honored BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, where she was awarded the Jerry Harrington Award For Outstanding Creative Achievement.
ADAM BEN-DAVID (MUSIC)
Adam has been active as an arranger, music director, conductor, and pianist on Broadway for the past 26 years. His credits include: The Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, Spring Awakening, Wicked, High Fidelity, The Light In The Piazza, Bombay Dreams, Aida, and Once Upon a Mattress. He has been the pianist and music director for Mandy Patinkin for the past six years and has also worked with Elton John, Kelli O'Hara, Jarrod Spector, James Taylor, Patti LuPone, and Megan Hilty. Adam has also written music for film and television, as well as a full length ballet for the Boston Ballet. He is a graduate of The Juilliard School with studies in composition, piano and conducting and a proud member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop.
CHRISTYN BUDZYNA (LYRICS)
Christyn is an award-winning musical theater lyricist. Works include: Baked Goods (2016 Sound Bites Festival, 2017 City Theatre Summer Shorts Festival winner, 2018 Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival winner), Bots! (Beat by Beat Press), The Claw (Beat by Beat Press), The Fox Sisters (Fuse Productions), From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (developed at the 92Y), The Prince's New Pet (Stimulus Children’s Theatre, Fuse Productions, Utah Story Center), and “The Lights Before Christmas” poem (Performed at the Bryant Park Christmas Tree Lighting Skate-tacular by Jane Krakowski and Alan Cumming). Christyn is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Tony Award-honored BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop..