Kick-Starting 'The Perks of Writing a Musical'

 

In recent months, I've been thoroughly impressed by creative people's use of KickStarter -- the DIY Web site where you can pitch your idea to potential backers, and keep them abreast of your project's progress.

 

Last week I heard from the executive producer of "The Perks of Writing a Musical" -- a proposed Web series about an awkward high school boy who tries to win over the girl of his dreams by writing a musical based on her favorite book, "The Perks of Being a Wall Flower" -- and was charmed by the cast and crew's enthusiasm, so wanted to share it with you guys today.

 

In addition to hiring a cute group of kids -- naturally, there's a cute competing love interest and a gay best friend who helps our protagonist along -- I figure anyone who casts the hilarious Arden Myrin to be in anything has to be pretty smart. (She'll play Ms. Pilgrim, the wacky/cool English teacher. BroadwayWorld.com wrote a nice article about the project HERE.) If lyricist Mishaela Faucher and composer Jason Michael Snow gave me pause by describing the soundtrack as being inspired by the "music we grew up with -- Blink 182, Third Eye Blind and 'American Idiot'" -- wasn't I about 35 when most of those were happening?!! -- creator Tom Diggs pulled me back in with his "Glee" meets "Freaks and Geeks" characterization of series' overall feel and tone. To learn more or make a contribution, watch the video above or click HERE. To follow the day-to-day ups and downs, check out the project's fun blog HERE. (Oprah's following them on Twitter!) Good luck, everybody! (Follow me on Twitter HERE.)