Love In Idleness, a new musical comedy about a pharmaceutical scientist who invents the title drug to reignite passion in his long-term relationship with a drag performer is set for a limited Off-Broadway engagement this fall at Actors Temple Theatre, opening November 21, 2024.
Liam Searcy in the new musical comedy Love In Idleness (Photo Adam Smith Jr.)
Written by Jay Baer, with music by Andrew David Sotomayor, and directed by Kyle Pleasant, Love in Idleness is a full-length musical comedy inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream set in 2025 NYC. Obie, a scientist for a pharmaceutical company, invents the title drug to reignite the spark in his long-term relationship with Tim, a drag performer at New York’s hottest gay club. Things go hilariously wrong, yielding absurdly mismatched pairings between Tim, Obie’s coworker and friend Hermione, her boyfriend, and more. While Obie grapples with these mismatched lovers, an evil right-wing group is conspiring to harness the drug’s power to serve its diabolical purposes. In the end, non-pharmacological love reigns and all is well.
Andrew David Sotomayor (Music)
“I set out to write a show that would address important subject matter that would also provide for a wildly fun night at the theater,” says Baer. “Love in Idleness is dead serious about LGBTQ oppression and the challenges of keeping long term relationships healthy – regardless of gender or sexuality – but it’s also brimming with laughs and gorgeous music. I’m so excited to give audiences a double uplift!”
Kyle Pleasant (Director/Choreographer)
The cast of Love In Idleness features Stanton Morales, Mikey LoBalsamo, Josey Miller, Liam Searcy, Brett Bainer, Michael Hegarty, Duncan Smith, Haley Izurieta, Nicholas Joseph C. Ochoa, Jackson Kanawha Perry, Dan Follett, Jesse J Potter, and Kyle Munson.
Jay Baer (Book/Lyrics)
Love In Idleness features scenic design by Josh Iacovelli, lighting design by Mike Wonson, sound design by Ray Schilke and costumes by Sarah Marshall. Kyle Pleasant directs and choreographs, assisted by Drew Minard. The Musical Director is Robbie Torres. Casting is by Lara Hayhurst. Sarah Adams is the Production Stage Manager. Production staff also includes Matthew Palmer and Nilton Emilio.
Love In Idleness
Actors Temple Theatre, 339 West 47th St.
November 21–24, 2024
for tickets ($48.50-$110.50 incl. fees), visit Telecharge
MEET THE CAST:
Mikey LoBalsamo (Tim) – Mikey LoBalsamo is thrilled to be part of this company. Some of his favorite regional credits include: Mr. Green (Clue), Hector MacQueen (Murder on the Orient Express), Daniel (The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged) George (Same Time, Next Year), Agent Frank (Unnecessary Farce), Tateh (Ragtime) and Harry (Mamma Mia). He would like to thank the entire cast and crew for a wonderful experience.
Stanton Morales (Obie) – National tour: Come From Away (Nick/Doug/Others) Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (George, u/s Wonka/Salt), The King & I (Capt. Orton/Sir Edward). Select regional credits include: The Secret Garden (Archibald Craven), She Loves Me (Georg Nowack), The Scarlet Pimpernel (Percy Blakeney), Jesus Christ Superstar (Pontius Pilate), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfée), for which he won the LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Special thanks to Arbender and everyone at FireStarter. For The Moms!
Josey Miller (Hermione) – Off Bway Debut! Selected credits include world premiere productions of The Perfect Mate & Game On (PCLO), The Play That Goes Wrong (Mountain Playhouse), Mamma Mia!, Side Show, Oklahoma! (BHP), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, A Christmas Story (RBT) and A Christmas Carol (WVPT). Love and gratitude to John, the Fam, & FSE Talent. MFA, WVU. @joseymariemiller
Michael Hegarty (Colonel Buttress) – Michael is grateful to be making his Actors Temple debut. He recently appeared as Roger Strong in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN at Mountain Theatre Company in Highlands, NC. Before that, he was on the road as Alfred P Doolittle in the Second National Tour of the Lincoln Center Theatre production of MY FAIR LADY, directed by Tony-winner Bartlett Sher. Other credits include the First National Tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (also directed by Bartlett Sher), LES MISERABLES (Thenardier, Peach State Summer Theatre), FOOTLOOSE (Rev. Shaw Moore, Tropicana, Atlantic City), KINKY BOOTS (Mr Price, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre), Film and TV credits include TOMMY (with Edie Falco, CBS), BETTER NATE THAN EVER (Disney+), as well as DIABOLICAL and HOMETOWN HOMICE on Investigation Discovery. Michael lives on the Jersey Shore with his longtime partner Ali and their highly-strung miniature schnauzer Ziggy. Thanks to DDO Artists Agency. More at michaeljhegarty.com.
Liam Searcy (Nick) – Liam is a NYC based actor/composer and is excited to be making his Off-Broadway debut! Credits include the Pretty Woman National Tour, Parade with The American Theater Group, and Harriet with Universal Pictures. Thanks always to Penny and Jordan at The Luedtke Agency. Insta: Liam.searcy
Jackson Kanawha Perry (Fairy) – JACKSON KANAWHA PERRY is honored to be a part of this production. He has been recently seen as Zanna in Zanna Don’t: The Reboot (Theater Q), the world premiere of The Karate Kid: the Musical and in Little Shop of Horrors starring Latrice Royale. They are a recent graduate of The University of Michigan Musical Theatre Department (2024) and an alumni of UNCSA High School Drama and the Link Program. Glory to God and special thanks to his team at Henderson Hogan Agency, family, friends, and community. www.jacksonkperry.com | @jk.perry
Nico Ochoa (Fairy) – Nico Ochoa (They/Them) is proud to be making their Off Broadway debut with Actors Temple Theatre! They recently graduated from The Boston Conservatory At Berklee with their BFA in Musical Theatre. They just moved to NYC from Boston in September! So they are happy to be here! Recent credits include Jack (Into The Woods), Kenny (Edith Can Shoot Things…), Columbia (The Rocky Horror Show), Kevin/Ensemble (The Prom) and many more. Nico sends love to their cast, crew, friends, and family! Play it with love and enjoy the show! @njcochoa
Jessie J. Potter (Fairy Swing, 2nd U/S Hermione) – Jessie J. Potter is thrilled to make her Off-Broadway debut in Love In Idleness! Jessie graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Honors Program at Marymount Manhattan College, with a B.F.A in Musical Theater and a minor in Communications. Regional credits include her work at The Engeman Theater (Legally Blonde), Flat Rock Playhouse (A Chorus Line; Cinderella), the MacHaydn Theater (A Chorus Line; Urinetown; Kiss Me, Kate), and the Theresa Lang Theatre (Good News; Pippin; Carrie). Jessie is also an accomplished gymnast, and plays piano and guitar. In her free time, she enjoys rocking out to 70s Rock and 80s Hair Metal. She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support, and of course, casting director Lara Hayhurst, director Kyle Pleasant, and the entire creative team at the Actors Temple Theater for this amazing opportunity!
Duncan Smith (Lester, U/S Nick) – Off-Broadway debut! Past credits include Dreamgirls (The Muny), Ragtime (Music Theatre Wichita), Cats (Music Theatre Wichita), and Carousel (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma). Some of his other favorite credits include Kinky Boots, Heathers: The Musical, The Wild Party, and Crazy For You. Love to his friends and family! @duncan.smith
Dan Follett (Fairy Swing) – Dan is beyond excited to be making their Off-Broadway debut as part of the Love In Idleness team! They are a dancer and musical theatre performer from North Carolina, just moving to the city earlier this year and loving it! Select credits: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Weathervane), Jelly’s Last Jam (Cape Fear Regional Theatre). So much love to the fam and to Mikey!!!
Brett Bainer (Theo, U/S Obie) – BRETT BAINER is an actor and singer from Central Connecticut. This past spring he was seen in the Midwest Premiere of legendary lyricist Sir Tim Rice’s newest musical “From Here To Eternity” at Skylight Music Theatre directed by Brett Smock. Other Recent Credits: “All Is Calm-The Christmas Truce of 1914” (Thingamajig Theatre Co.) “My Way” (Greater Ocean City Theatre Co.). National Tour: “Alexander and the Terrible…Day” Two Beans/TheaterWorks. NYC: “Do I Know You?” The Players Theatre. Regionally, he has also worked at Prather Entertainment Group, Ivoryton Playhouse and Seven Angels Theater. Recent Workshops: “Fully ReCOOPerated”, “On Trash Monsters”. Lastly, he has a single available on all streaming platforms called “Fire”. Love to this incredible team, Dolly and my beautiful support system!
Haley Izurieta (Gummy Bear, U/S Hermione) – Haley is a New York City based performer originally from Southern California. Training includes Musical Theatre and Dance at Fullerton College as well as over two decade’s worth of dance training. Favorite professional credits include Six The Musical (Cleves), West Side Story (Anita), and In the Heights (Ensemble/ understudy Graffiti Pete). Haley was last seen in Legally Blonde The Musical as Enid Hoopes at The Engeman Theater. Please protect our BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ community. @0haley0
Kyle Munson (Male Cover: Colonel Buttress, Theo, Tim) – Kyle Munson is so excited to be making his NYC debut with this amazing company! Favorite credits include Harold Hill in The Music Man, Lonny in Rock of Ages and Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. All love and thanks to his incredibly supportive friends and family, and to his incredible agent Tiera at FSE for her hard work! As they say in his home state of Louisiana, “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” IG: @kylemunson
