Next ThingYou Know is a musical written by American writing duo Joshua Salzman and Ryan Cunningham. Next Thing You Know looks at a time in life where one day you wake up, and instead of a hangover, you have a job. Instead of a fling, you have a live-in girlfriend. And instead of naïve dreams, you have reality. Theatermania describes the show as "Life is like a bartender - it'll only give you so many shots. Next Thing You Know is the story of four New Yorkers waking up from their invincible twenties and confronting adulthood in the city that never sleeps."
History and productions
Salzman and Cunnigham first met in New York University's graduate program in musical theater writing, where they began writing the songs that became their first musical I Love You Because. Developed with director John Simpkins the musical was first presented as a song cycle at New York University The show is now in development with both Encore Theatre Company in the States as part of their Musicals in Development Initiative and Sell A Door Theatre Company in the UK. The show was put on in June 2011 at CAP21. It was directed by Terry Berliner, scenic design by Andy Yanni, costume design by Julia Broer, lighting design by Brian Tovar, audio design by John Emmett O'Brien, and musically directed by Kurt Crowley. The show starred Lauren Molina, Adam Kantor, Heath Calvert, and Lauren Blackman. The cast album was recorded with Lauren Blackman, Colin Hanlon, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and Patti Murin. The show premiered in Paris, France in 2015 by American Musical Theatre Live staged by Tolgay Pekin featuring Lauren Berkman and Marion Préïté, Frédéric Brodard and Vinicius Timmerman, Quentin Bruno and Miranda Crispin with musical direction by Mathieu Becquerelle. The show continued its Paris run throughout 2016.
Plot overview
In the CAP21 production, the story follows Waverly, who lives in Manhattan and begins with her getting a promotion from the law firm she works at, going from temp to full-time while also bar tending at night. A result of this is the loss of her acting career, and the thought of losing it is hard for her to deal with. On top of that, her playwright boyfriend Darren does not understand why it is so hard. His reaction causes their breakup, and she begins a fling with the casanova Luke, who works in sales where Darren temps.
Characters
Waverly - A woman in her late 20s. Actress who tends bar to make ends meet. Has struggled to build a career for herself as a performer since arriving in the city. Now has a non-performing day-job she loves, and a man she adores – but when they both look for her to move to the next level, it scares her to death.
Darren - A man in his late 20s. Brooding and talented yet charming writer who dreams of settling down, while still pursuing his artistic endeavors. Thoughtful and loving guy, but at times very self-involved and distracted. Struggles to balance the life he wants with the woman he loves.
Luke - A man in his late 20s. Charismatic playboy who has everything he could ever want, but has a lot of growing up to do. A man-child, he has no intention of settling down – until a woman sneaks into his heart, and he's forced to decide between the dreams of a young cad and the life of a man.
Next Thing You Know Finale - Luke, Lisa, Darren, Waverly
Home Calls - Lisa
Reception
of the New York Times said the cast was "amiable and understated, ideal for CAP21’s black box rigged as an intimate theater in the round." She also noted the great performance of Kantor, but said the blocking was at time didactic and some of the songs were forced or forgettable. She positively concludes "the show still achieves a nearly effortless resonance — especially with any 20-something who has recently moved to the Big Pond that is the Big Apple."
