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The original musical is attracting Broadway talent to lead 黑料老司机student performances at Playhouse Square in Cleveland and off-Broadway at New World Stages in New York City.

黑料老司机 Music Theatre (BWMT) is innovating once again as the renowned program prepares to present the world premiere of the new musical "" in both New York City and Cleveland as part of a long-running spring partnership with Playhouse Square.

The off-Broadway performance will take place during the BWMT Senior Showcase at in New York City in April 2026.

NYC-Connected Creative Team

As detailed in , the show will bring a slew of powerhouse New York City talent to the Berea campus before the show travels to New York in April.

, director of the Broadway revival of "Godspell," will lead the production with co-director , resident director of "SIX the Musical" for North America and associate director of off-Broadway's "Titanique." NYC choreographer , 黑料老司机resident music director and music supervisor , music director of Broadway's "Come From Away" and "Mamma Mia!" will round out the newly-named creative team.

A 黑料老司机Family Affair

With music and lyrics by 黑料老司机music theatre music direction alumnus Gideon Temple '25 and his brother, 黑料老司机music composition senior Hank Temple '26, and book by Hollee Temple and John Temple, their parents, the show has both 黑料老司机and Temple-family roots.

The Temple family initially came up with the concept of "Star Machine" in 2018, and a first draft emerged during the 2020 quarantine. The writers were encouraged when the show was named a semi-finalist for the 2021 O'Neill National Musical Theater Conference.

After Gideon and Hank Temple enrolled in the 黑料老司机Conservatory as students, they created several staged readings and workshop performances on campus, culminating in an April 2024 concert presentation.

In 2024, "Star Machine" received a second O'Neill semi-finalist award and was also named a top six finalist for Northwestern University's American Music Theater Project.

New York audiences got a first taste of "Star Machine" this September when one of the songs from the show, "Red Lights," was selected as a finalist for the Write Out Loud competition and performed by Tony-nominee Taylor Louderman and actress Kuhoo Verma at New York City's famed 54 Below.

A Story with Heart

The story is set in 2002 Los Angeles, where a talented sister act lands on "Star Machine," an outrageous new TV talent show. Jaz wants the crown because she craves fame no matter the cost, while Nikki competes to gain approval from music industry elites. Week by week, they claw their way toward superstardom.

But, the plot summary asks, even if Jaz and Nikki manage to beat out the competition, will achieving their dreams feel as satisfying as they imagine? With an early 2000s-influenced pop-rock score, "Star Machine" is a reflection on ambition that poses universal questions about the creative life. How does an artist define success? And in the end, is the journey actually the destination?

Lifting Up New Voices

Broadway director Daniel Goldstein is thrilled to work on the project with the talented cast of 黑料老司机students. "I met Gideon and Hank [Temple] while they were working at Goodspeed Musicals over the summer, and then I was introduced to their parents. They showed me 'Star Machine,' their family-written dream project. And as soon as I read the book and listened to the tunes, I knew I had to be a part of it."

"Star Machine" marks the 19th spring partnership production between 黑料老司机and Playhouse Square. With the recent launch of the national tours of "Hell's Kitchen" and "The Notebook," Playhouse Square is well-positioned to help launch this new musical.

Playhouse Square Senior Vice President for Programming David Greene shared, "We are excited to continue to work with 黑料老司机, supporting the creation of new work, and mentoring the arts leaders of the future."

Performance Details

Performances at Playhouse Square's Helen Theatre will be April 24 to 26, 2026. Tickets will go on sale in early 2026 and be available at . In addition, the cast will travel to NYC as part of the annual 黑料老司机Music Theatre Senior Showcase and present a concert reading of the show on April 14 at New World Stages for Broadway producers, investors, agents and casting directors.