Let's Write a Musical
at Hudson Theatre Backstage
Directed & Choreographed by John Coppola
In memory of Ben Smylie
Spencer Frankeburger
Aryiel Hartman
Luke Wall
Michelle Vasquez
Robert Towers
Follow Us:
Let’s Write a Musical
Life's Final Act Deserves a Showstopper
Workshop Production — Hudson Theatre Backstage
September 5–14, 2025
Based on a true story, Let's Write a Musical is a heartfelt and inspiring journey that follows David Hamilton and his wife Lucy as they write a romantic comedy in the wake of David’s cancer diagnosis. As their real-life challenges unfold, so does the story of Olive and Blake, a young couple in the 1950s navigating love, laughter, and misadventures.
Presented by
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Notes
Producer's Note:
Tonight’s performance of Let’s Write a Musical is not just entertainment—it’s an invitation. With a brilliant creative team, a cast full of heart, and guidance from grief professionals, this show offers more than a night in the theatre. It offers a shared space where we can celebrate love, confront mortality, and remind one another that even in loss, we can make art.
And we are honored you are here.
Elizabeth Coplan
Song List
Opening NumberSon – [title]
1. Love's A Roller Coaster - David, Lucy, Musical Ensemble
2. Batter Up & Pow! - Blake & Gus
3. I Met A Guy Last Night - Olive & Shirley
4. Why Does Blake Get All the Girls - Gus, Olive, Shirley & Blake
5. Don't Pick Up The Phone - Shirley
6. Just Sayin' - Shirley, Olive & Blake
7. I Could Have Sworn - Olive & Lucy
8. Out of Play - Blake & David
9. Broken Hearts - Blake, Olive, Gus, Shirley & Lucy
10. You're My Poopsie Woopsie - Gus & Shirley
11. Joy, Joy, Joy - Archie
12. I'm Out of Play/I Could Have Sworn - Blake & Olive
13. Finale: Love's A Rollercoaster - Full Ensemble
Meet the Company
Elise Dewsberry
Elise Dewsberry is an actor, director, and dramaturge who has performed across Canada and the U.S. She toured with Nine Months and now serves as Artistic Director of New Musicals Inc., where she’s developed new work for over 20 years and creates educational content on musical theatre at nmi.org.
David Pevsner
David Pevsner is an actor, writer, and provocateur known for Fiddler on the Roof, When Pigs Fly, Naked Boys Singing, and his one-man shows. Screen credits include Modern Family, Spa Night, and NCIS. His book Damn Shame: A Memoir of Desire, Defiance, and Show Tunes, is a funny, daring and incredibly honest memoir.
Luke Wall
Luke Wall is thrilled to be reviving his role as Blake in Let’s Write A Musical after debuting it at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2019. Some of his other credits include The Last Five Years (Jamie), Starlight Express
(Electra), and Grease (ensemble).
Brooke Moltrum
Brooke Moltrum is an accomplished film and theatre actress based in Los Angeles. She was a finalist for the Jimmy Nederlander Awards on Broadway in 2016 . Since then, she has built a career across theatre, musical theatre, TV and film. In 2023, she received “Best Actress” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival and is passionate about developing new works.
Spencer Frankeberger
Spencer Frankeberger is an award-winning actor, director, and improviser. Recent credits include Impro Theatre, Blow the Man Down (Fringe 2025), and The Infinite Husk (SXSW). He’s a board-certified music therapist, Universal Studios tour guide, and co-host of Theoretical Thrills. Off-Broadway debut coming May 2026.
Aryiel Hartman
Aryiel Hartman is an actor, singer, and host whose global career spans circus tours, the Sydney Opera House, and Hollywood burlesque. A musical comedy veteran of iO West and Second City, she recently starred as Killer Queen in We Will Rock You.
Robert Towers
Robert Towers* began in radio at six. His career spans stage, screen, and voiceover. He originated Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (LA), voiced in Doctor Dolittle and Real Ghostbusters, and was Captain Crook for McDonald’s. Film credits include Benjamin Button and Don’t Look Up. For TV, Frasier, Grey’s Anatomy, Perry Mason, Hunters, and more.
Michael Lamb
Michael Lamb is a veteran of over 50 theatrical productions in Los Angeles, New York and abroad. In his last project, he starred in the drama "Four" which appeared at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2023 and then subsequently was staged at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Michael's love of theatre has propelled him into many of the artistic departments including lights, stage managing, props and house manager.He is proud to be working now on "Let's Write a Musical"
Lawrie Chiaro
Lawrie Chiaro has been a vocal music teacher at a Los Angeles elementary school for 20 years. A talented pianist and guitarist, she has been writing songs since childhood. She co-wrote a 15-minute musical with collaborators at New Musicals, Inc., which was produced at the Colony Theatre in Burbank and Studio C in Hollywood. Her latest musical, Let’s Write a Musical, is based on her true story. It earned top honors at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Elizabeth Coplan
Elizabeth Coplan is a playwright, author, producer, and founder of Grief Dialogues, a nonprofit using theater and film to spark conversations on death, grief, and hope. Her plays—including Hospice: A Love Story and ’Til Death (Abingdon Theatre, Pulitzer nominee)—have been staged in the U.S. and U.K. She produces award-winning films and theater (Honoring Choices, Overcoming) and has been involved in Broadway and Off-Broadway works including Parade, Queens, and Village of Vale.
John Coppola
John is a Brooklyn-born director and acting coach whose clients have starred across major networks and streaming platforms, including HBO, Showtime, Netflix, and FX. He has directed over 100 theatrical productions in New York, Los Angeles, and abroad, with acclaimed adaptations of Madame Butterfly and Cabaret. His film directing credits include Possibility (Best Director, NY International Film & Video Festival), Bourbon Street, and In the Basement.
Merrie L. Davis
Merrie L. Davis is a Tony and Olivier Award - winning Creative Producer with credits on Parade (Best Revival 2023), Company (Broadway and West End), Eclipsed, and Gigi. She founded Next Act 2, merging producing with innovative marketing, bringing fresh strategies to shows like Allegiance, 39 Steps, and Wicked. She spent over 20 years in publishing and marketing, launching IN in New York, and WHERE. Her projects span Broadway, Off - Broadway, London, and touring productions.
Clayton Howe
Clayton Howe, Consulting Producer, is a Tony Award–winning producer and the founder of Roxedge Entertainment, a theater production and general management company. Under his leadership, Roxedge has brought numerous productions to both Broadway and Off-Broadway stages and launched the acclaimed podcast Entertainment x, which explores the journeys of creative professionals across the entertainment industry.
Lisa Pahl
Lisa Pahl is Co-creator of The Death Deck (thedeathdeck.com) and The E•O•L Deck; games that inspire meaningful conversations on what matters most in our lives and in our deaths. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over seventeen years of experience in hospice and seven years in emergency medicine, Lisa helps people cope with illness, dying, and grief. With a passionate belief that peace at the end begins with meaningful conversations over time, Lisa engages people in talking about and preparing for this important stage of life.
Ron Barnett
Ron Barnett is an LA based composer and Director of Music at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, Glendale. Full length musicals: The Fish Whisperer, Reality Trip, When Butter Churns to Gold, (Northern Sky Theatre, Fish Creek, WI), Manson's Girls (Hollywood Fringe), Around the World in 80 Days, A Christmas Carol, (Fulton Theatre, Lancaster, PA), and Last Lists of my Mad Mother (book by Julie Jensen, lyrics by Julianne Homokay). Choral music published by MorningStar and GIA.
Michelle Vasquez
Michelle Elizabeth Vasquez* (Stage Manager) grew up in sunny Burbank and has wrangled everything from touring shows to concert galas to brand-new productions. Her favorite credits include Richard III, Titanic The Musical, and Is God Is. When she’s not in the booth calling cues, she’s mentoring middle and high school students in stagecraft and choreography. Michelle dedicates every show to her biggest fans—her parents. Endless thanks to them, and much love to the audience! @mich.eliz.vasquez
Matt Richter
Rob Sanduski
Rob Sanduski began his career at Western Costume’s Hollywood location, learning Costume Design from legendary professionals in the field. He has worked in various performance media including live productions with artists such as Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Madonna and David Bowie. He was Nominated for an Emmy Award for his work with Madonna.
Liz Doubrovsky
Liz Doubrovsky is excited to make her design debut at the Hudson Theatre in LA. Previous main stage design credits include A Chorus Line (CSUF), Lost Girl (CSUF), and The Comedy of Errors (Alchemy Theatre). While she’s not designing she spends her time as a company member with Reverb Tap Company.
Jeanne Tweten
Jeanne is newly captivated by the world of theater! Professionally an attorney, judge, and private consultant, she developed a first-in-the-nation method of proof upheld by the US Supreme Court. A board member of arts, medical and educational institutions, she became a leader in funding capital campaigns.
Kristina Sullivan
Kristina Sullivan is an award-winning filmmaker, actor, writer, and producer. She serves as Media Consultant for Let’s Write A Musical and works with Grief Dialogues, one of the show’s producing partners. Passionate about creating meaningful, uplifting stories, Kristina’s films have earned multiple awards and screened at festivals across the country.
Photos
Donors
Ensemble Circle $100-$499
Laurel Altman
Robyn Bensinger
Barbara Blatt
Phoebe Claggett
Carolyn Cohen
Claudia Coplan
Jordan & Spencer Coplan
Kate Danley
Victoria Davis
Kathy Ford
Debi Frankle
Meg Jolley
Diantha Lebenzon
Mary Pohlmann
Susie Sullivan
Brian Timm
Alison Tunney
Supporting Cast Circle $500 to $999
Mary Carpenter
Elizabeth Davis
Sarah Doering
Claire Simon
Spotlight Circle $1,000 to $4,999
Marilyn Anderson
Laurie & Steve Arnold
George & Leslie Conant
Annie & Joe Schlafly
Jill Stein
Visionary Circle $10,000-$15,000
Scott & Elizabeth Coplan
Jim Leslie & Jeanne Tweten
Legacy Circle $20,000
Anonymous
Partner & Sponsor Organizations
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Special Thank You to our Angels
Acknowledgements
Grief Dialogues is a national arts-and-health initiative founded by Elizabeth Coplan that uses theater, film, and storytelling to transform how we talk about dying, death, and grief. Through performances, workshops, and community partnerships, Grief Dialogues fosters honest conversations and practical connections to resources. Programming includes ’Til Death (Off-Broadway, Pulitzer Prize nominee), Hospice: A Love Story, and Grief Dialogues: The Experience(headed to Edinburgh Fringe 2026).
About the Creators
Elizabeth Coplan is a playwright, author, and producer, and the founder of Grief Dialogues. Her work includes ’Til Death (Off-Broadway, Pulitzer Prize nominee), Hospice: A Love Story, and Grief Dialogues: The Experience.
Lawrie Chiaro is a Los Angeles music teacher, pianist, and songwriter. Her first full-length musical, Let’s Write a Musical, earned top honors at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival and is based on her own experience facing cancer with creativity and humor.
John Coppola is an award-winning director and acting coach whose work spans stage and screen. Known for his actor-first philosophy and emotional clarity, he brings Let’s Write a Musical to life with energy, style, and soul.
Media Inquiries & Interview Requests
Elizabeth Coplan — Grief Dialogues
elizabethcoplan@gmail.com | 206-930-9984
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @griefdialogues | @letswriteamusical
Facebook: facebook.com/griefdialogues | facebook.com/letswriteamusical
Stay Connected
Don't be a stranger. Stay connected to see where this show goes. Here's how:
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Instagram: @griefdialogues | @letswriteamusical
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Facebook: @griefdialogues | @letswriteamusical
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Donation: https://donorbox.org/grief-dialogues
You are cordially invited to join one of our Grief Dialogues Contributors' Circles. In doing so, you show your support for all our works or you can choose to donate directly to Let's Write a Musical. All of our Grief Dialogues shows speaks openly to vital themes often silent in our society. - NEXT UP:
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