And just like that, folks, Rave Theater Festival begins performances this Friday and several of the performances are already sold out!

I can hardly believe it’s been five months since we announced this brand-new festival for emerging writers and Theater Makers from across the globe.  And we’ve got 20 incredible shows by creators of diverse backgrounds . . . our top selling show was written by a 12-year-old . . . we have teams coming from South Africa, Australia, and Ireland . . . there are shows that span the centuries and will open hearts and minds.

It’s all part of my mission to help 5,000 shows get produced by 2025, so I hope you’ll turn out and support some new theater.

Recently, I asked the creators of each show to tell me why audiences should choose to see their show out of all 20, and here’s what they had to say . . .

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911 GNOMES: A CHRISTMAS EMERGENCY

Written by Shellie O’Neal

911 Gnomes is an entertaining journey to a land of imagination where you can forget the troubles of today and be inspired to hope for a better tomorrow.

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BACK

Written by Matt Webster

It’s like a live version of a black mirror episode about human connections.

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BIG SHOT THE MUSICAL

Written by Lauryn Gaffney, Music and Lyrics by Lauryn Gaffney

Big Shot represents the future of Broadway with a blend of drama, comedy and unforgettable original music, all the way from Ireland.

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DOPPELGANGER

Written by Craig Donnelly

Artists ask the tough questions and explore tricky subject matter. Doppelgänger examines the powerful companies that control the content we view on the Internet and what happens when what we see on screen becomes more important than what we do off screen. If you enjoy smart dramas that open up your perspective, come see Doppelgänger.

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FANCY MAIDS

Written by Harold Hodge

Fancy Maids explores the ramifications of slavery, the power of sisterhood, and the strength in womanhood, all while posing questions society has yet to answer.

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GIRLS ON TAP

Written by Sally Dashwood, Music and Lyrics by Sean Peter

Come see Girls on Tap if you like female empowerment, tap dancing Australians and to have a good time!

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JUST LAUGH

Written by Lauren Gundrum, Music by Brandon Lambert

People should come to see Just Laugh because it’s cheaper than therapy.

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NI MI MADRE

Written by Arturo Luís Soria

Come experience your larger-than-life Brazilian mother, who swears she would’ve been the “It” thing if it weren’t for Madonna and Meryl Streep, as she grapples with the secrets that tear her and her son apart.

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NOIR TOWN

Written by Michael Bontatibus

If you’re up for an adventure, are willing to discover things, and follow your own detective instincts, Noir Town is your show.

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OCEANBORN

Written by Morgan Smith, Music and Lyrics by Mhairi Cameron

Created, written, produced, and crewed entirely by teenage girls, Oceanborn will remind you that the future is worth investing in.

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ROSE’S WAR

Written by J. Todd Allan, Music by Doug Katsaros, Lyrics by Peter B. Allen

In a time where we most need love to bridge the divide, the interracial love story in Rose’s War shows us how love can withstand the ravages of war and racism.

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STORMY WEATHER

Written by Michael MacKenzie Wills

It has always been my belief that above all, we are here to entertain and Stormy Weather is pure unadulterated entertainment. It’s a farce that powerfully uplifts the audience and lets them forget their troubles and laugh at this cockeyed world we live in.

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SWEET LORRAINE

Written by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj & Adam Mace

The world is very divided right now, and it is vital to find work and creative space where stories like Sweet Lorraine can be shared, as it reminds us that love wins and that Lorraine and James were fighting many of the same societal ills that we find ourselves fighting today, both politically and socially.

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THE ERRONEOUS MOBY DICK

Written by Thom Talbott

The literary classic of revenge, obsession, and friendship gets turned on its head in a modern retelling. In other words, it ain’t your Dad’s Moby Dick.

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THE PERFECT FIT

Written by Joshua Turchin

This original musical for all ages (book, music and lyrics by 12-year-old musical sensation Joshua Turchin) addresses the important and universal message of acceptance and finding your own perfect fit in the world. With its all-star Broadway cast and creative team, come see The Perfect Fit, “It’s where you belong!”

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THE TYCOONS!

Written by Graham Techler

The Tycoons! packs more railroad cash, parasols, soothing jujubes, newspapery, lentil pâté, hand-to-member action, business coups, bullwhipping and deer heads into 90 minutes then you’ll see in every other play for the rest of your life combined.

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TRAINING WHEELS

Written by Robin Bradford

If your only solution to infidelity is dissolution, strap on some training wheels.

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UMSHADO – MARRIAGE OF HERITAGE

Written by Bogosi Bolokwe, Music and Lyrics by Eddie Mathiba

The journey to experience the beautiful singing and sharp choreography of diverse cultures in  Africa.

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WAITING FOR JOHNNY DEPP

Written by Janet Cole Valdez and Deedee O’Malley; Music by Janet Cole Valdez, Deedee O’Malley and Bettie Ross; Lyrics by Janet Cole Valdez and Deedee O’Malley

The L.A. and Houston hit musical Waiting for Johnny Depp is laugh-out-loud funny, heartbreakingly poignant, and features a tour de force performance by Broadway’s Donna Vivino!

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YOUNG PILGRIMS

Written by Sydney Blake

What’s funnier than the Pilgrims?

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If you want to support new work by up and coming talent, click the ticket links above to secure your seat or click here and snag a festival pass for 30% off with code RAVE30.  Several performances are already SOLD OUT so don’t wait!