The Musical

United States202684 minEnglish

When a frustrated playwright and middle school theater teacher finds out his ex-girlfriend has started dating his nemesis, the school’s principal, he decides to ruin the principal’s chances of winning the Blue Ribbon of Academic Excellence.

+ More

In her colorful, constantly surprising feature debut, director Giselle Bonilla delivers a darkly funny, delightfully twisted ode to the inspirational power of spite. Alexander Heller’s screenplay offers a witty takedown of public school performance culture and riffs on the politics of the theater world as it follows Doug Leibowitz down his unhinged path for revenge and recognition.

Will Brill captivatingly embodies Doug’s stewing toxic resentment as his personal and professional torment transform him from an uncharismatic sad sack into a hilariously dastardly antihero. Brill’s bravura work is supported by veteran actors Rob Lowe and Gillian Jacobs as the couple whose relationship spurs Doug’s quest for revenge, as well as the spirited comic turns of the talented young performers portraying the eager middle school theater troupe he influences with his antics. — HZ

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 29–February 1) and credentialed press and industry (January 28–February 1).

U.S. Dramatic CompetitionAll FeaturesComedyFictionClosed CaptionOpen CaptionU.S. Only- less

Credits

Director(s)
Giselle Bonilla
Screenwriter
Alexander Heller
Producer
Rob Lowe
Greg Lauritano
Alexander Heller
Findlay Brown
Jordan Backhus
Executive Producers
Gillian Bohrer
Jonathan Levine
Chris Quintos Cathcart
Tyler Boehm
Giselle Bonilla
David Duque-Estrada
Sean Calvano
Vince Jolivette
Jiarui Guo
Dan Reardon
Kyle Fox
Director of Photography
Tu Do
Production Designer
Liz Toonkel
Art Director
Al-e McWhorter
Composer
Mateo Nossa
Costume Designer
Jennifer Eve
Editors
Chris Chandler
Devin Dulany
Casting Director
Jamie Ember
Principal Cast
Will Brill
Gillian Jacobs
Rob Lowe

Contact
Greg Lauritano
greg.lauritano@gmail.com

Meet the Artist

Giselle Bonilla

Giselle Bonilla, an AFI Conservatory Directing MFA and Audi Fellowship recipient, earned major honors for The Bullfighter, including a DGA Student Film Award. A Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship alum, she’s also received Latino Film Institute x Netflix, Telluride FilmLAB, and Frieze x Deutsche Bank Fellowships, and has a BFA from NYU Tisch.

Carousel

A divorced doctor’s carefully constructed life in Cleveland is upended when his daughter’s debate aspirations and the unexpected return of a past love force him to confront his own choices and embrace a second chance.

(1hr 43mins)

U.S. Dramatic Competition

The Friend’s House is Here

US Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast

In Tehran’s underground art scene, two young women build a blissful world of freedom and sisterhood. But when their creative circle is exposed, they must fight to save each other.

(1hr 37mins)

U.S. Dramatic Competition

Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty!

Directing Award: US Dramatic

Haru and Luis love competing in Tokyo’s ballroom dance scene, but after tragedy strikes, Haru withdraws into isolation. When friends coax her back to the studio, she develops an infatuation with the new instructor. She must face what comes next as sparks fly.

(2hrs 2mins)

U.S. Dramatic Competition

Josephine

After 8-year-old Josephine accidentally witnesses a crime in Golden Gate Park, she acts out in search of a way to regain control of her safety while adults are helpless to console her.

(2hrs)

U.S. Dramatic Competition

Bedford Park

US Dramatic Special Jury Award for Debut Feature

Haunted by an abusive childhood, Audrey, a Korean American woman in her 30s, faces her emotional past. When her mother’s car accident brings her back to her parents’ home, she meets the man responsible for the accident. Their relationship builds, passions ignite, and they form a loving connection.

(2hrs 1min)