Original Musicals
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BOTTLE SHOCK! The Musical
A true story of love, rock and roll, and fermentation underdogs.
Music and Lyrics by Charles Vincent Burwell
Book, Lyrics & additional Music by James D. Sasser
1976. Before Napa was known for its grapes, a small group of California underdogs took on the establishment. The world of wine would never be the same. Based on the incredible true story of The Judgement of Paris, BOTTLE SHOCK is an American underdog tale about love, fermentation, and the spirit of rock and roll. Based on the 2008 cult hit movie Bottle Shock.
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World Premiere Production at California Center for the Arts Escondido, July 2023
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Upcoming California Short Engagement Tour (2024-25)
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National Alliance of Musical Theatre Frank Young Fund Award Winner
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General Management by Nathan Gehan and Jamison Scott of ShowTown Theatricals
Reviews for BOTTLE SHOCK! The Musical:
“Bottle Shock! delivers a memorable and enchanting theatrical experience that celebrates the triumphs of the human spirit.” Splash Magazine
“An upbeat, entertaining musical… a rousing tribute to wine.” Vista Press
“A truly enjoyable experience.” Desde Otro O/From Another Zero
Official Music Video
Official Promo Video
LOOKING FOR CHRISTMAS: The Clint Black Christmas Musical
A new musical based on the best-selling Christmas album by the multiple Grammy award winning country music legend.
Book by James D. Sasser, Music and Lyrics by Clint Black
Looking For Christmas follows the story of a young veteran Army medic returning home, and his wife and young daughter, who help him rediscover the true meaning of family, community, and Christmas. Based on Mr. Black’s best-selling Christmas album of the same name, with four new songs.
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World Premiere at The Old Globe, San Diego, Christmas 2018
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SE Premiere at the Cumberland County Playhouse Christmas 2024
Reviews for LOOKING FOR CHRISTMAS:
"Another definitive classic ...perfection for the holiday season. A friendly, warm story that upholds the meaning of Christmas for the entire family." San Diego Downtown News
"A cup of hot cocoa on a cold day, or that first bite of your favorite confection. A feel good musical where no matter what, love and family will triumph over any and all obstacles." Broadway World
"I suddenly became aware of just how poignant and timely the Clint Black musical is..." Vista Press
BY GEORGES! A Day in the Life of the Legendary Chevalier de-Saint Georges
Book and Lyrics by James D. Sasser
Music and Lyrics by Charles Vincent Burwell
Joseph Bologne The Chevalier de Saint-Georges was the first known classical composer of African ancestry, a virtuoso violinist, conductor of the leading symphony orchestra in Paris, and renowned champion fencer. A satirical imagining of a day in the life at the height of his fame, as he tries to balance the loss of a rich patron, raising money for his new opera, and fighting several duels over various matters of honor. Not much has changed for artists creating new work over the years, it seems.
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Commissioned by Lamplighters Music Theatre - its first new works commission in its 70 year history.
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WORLD PREMIERE May 2023 in San Francisco at the Presidio Theatre.
Reviews for BY GEORGES!:
“Smoothly engaging… light and whimsical – just as Gilbert and Sullivan might have done. A fascinating combination of past and present… [that] moves assuredly back and forth between faux 18th century strains and a fluid, hip-hop style for Saint-Georges.” Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle
“Rather than approach the story as a biography, the composers present a light-hearted look… The arias joyfully and with fun mimic the late eighteenth century music played in salons and on stages. [A] laugh out loud… glitter and glitz… that gives way to a more modern style and feel when the debonair Saint-Georges sings his assigned arias.” Eddie Reynolds, TheatreEddys
LE COMTE NOIR
A new musical about the real Count of Monte Cristo
Book and Lyrics by James D. Sasser
Music and Lyrics by Charles Vincent Burwell
A fictionally inspired tale about Dumas’ attempt to finish The Count Of Monte Cristo while suffering crippling writer’s block. In order to complete it he is encouraged by both his lover and his mother to finally reconcile his relationship and the truth about his father, a seminal figure in the French revolution and rival to Napoleon. Alexandre Dumas Sr. was a Haitian born son of a French nobleman and one of Napoleon’s best generals. His life and subsequent imprisonment by Napoleon for two years would inspire characters and plots in The Three Musketeers, The Man in the Iron Mask, and especially Dantes in The Count Of Monte Cristo.
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Commissioned by Manhattan School of Music's Musical Theatre Department New Works Program
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Digital Streaming Premiere Feb 2021 – a pandemic version in the world
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MSU's dramaturgical lab 2020
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TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Developmental, Spring Writer's Retreat, 2015
CUBAMOR
Love finds a way in this sexy romantic collision of Afro-Cuban hip hop with A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Book and Lyrics by James D. Sasser
Music and Lyrics by Charles Vincent Burwell
Inspired by the Sundance Audience Award winning film by Joshua Bee Alafia, CUBAMOR takes A Midsummer Night’s Dream and sets it in against the backdrop of traditional Afro-Cuban culture and hip hop as a contemporary love story about two Americans that fall in love with two Cubans, and have to navigate the cultural and historical divide of both cultures.
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Developmental Premiere at The Village Theatre Beta Series 2016
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Official Selection for The Village Theatre 2015 Festival of New Works
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Official Selection of the 2014 NAMT Festival in NYC at New World Stages
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Presented at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley New Works Festival, 2013, Kent Nicholson, Director
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29-hour staged AEA reading reading (Sept 2012) with Kent Nicholson, Director
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Conceived and developed at NYU-Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program