Metro Theater Company presents the world premiere musical at the Grandel Theatre

World premiere musical adventure originates at Metro Theater Company with anticipated off-Broadway transfer in Fall 2023

Metro Theater Company (MTC), St. Louis’ premier professional theater for youth and families and St. Louis’ third-oldest professional theater company, continues its 2022/23 50th Anniversary Season with the world premiere musical, Spells of the Sea, live at the Grandel Theatre February 10 – March 5 and virtual streaming February 16 – March 5 at metroplays.org. Tickets are $20-$36 (including ticketing fees) and available through MetroTix. 

Due to a breakthrough COVID-19 case within our cast, we are postponing the opening of Spells of the Sea until Friday, February 10 at 7 pm. If you have tickets for the February 5 performance, we will gladly reschedule your tickets to a date of your choice.

Current MTC donors are invited to contact Individual Support and Events Manager Sarah Rugo to exchange your tickets at srugo@metroplays.org. All other patrons may contact either Eleanor Marsh, School Bookings and Audience Services Manager at eleanor@metroplays.org or MetroTix at 314.534.1111 to reschedule.

Our originally scheduled donor reception on February 5 has been moved to Saturday, February 11–following the 1 pm performance.

School matinees will still be offered February 8, 9, and 10.

As a result of the change to our opening date, the start date for streaming will be changing as well. MTC will update our website with those details and contact all ticketed streaming patrons as soon as that start date is finalized.

Spells of the Sea in-person performances run through March 5. Thank you for your understanding and help us wish our cast member a speedy recovery!

At the center of Spells of the Sea is Finley Frankfurter, the 15-year-old daughter of a heroic fisherman, but who herself so far has been terrible at fishing. H.S. Crank is a grumpy old lighthouse keeper who has been sitting for 20 years in the dark. Together, this unlikely pair begins an adventure through the ocean to find ingredients to make the Elixir of Life, an elusive remedy that will save Finley’s father from a mysterious illness. On their journey, the pair encounter mermaids and pirates, whirlpools and their worst fears, and finally a new understanding of the meaning of family, friendship, and trust in yourself. 

Spells of the Sea is Metro Theater Company’s first project in its 50-year history with a commercial production partner. Presented by special arrangement with award-winning commercial producer Megan Ann Rasmussen Productions, Spells of the Sea is based on the book, music, and lyrics by Guinevere “Gwenny” Govea, with additional creative contributions by Anna Pickett. Gwenny began Spells of the Sea in quarantined isolation in Austin, Texas and developed it into an enchanting podcast during the pandemic. Now, this unique tale breathes new life as an epic musical adventure on stage at the Grandel Theatre. 

“Metro Theater’s 50-year history of creating work that celebrates the emotional wisdom of young people makes this theater the perfect place to create a new musical for families,” said Megan Ann Rasmussen, president of MAR Productions. “They value young people, families, community, and theater that uplifts and strengthens. I can’t think of a better place to make its world premiere.”
The production features innovative olfactory design incorporated into the story, creating a complete ambiance for audiences of all ages at key moments in the musical. After Metro Theater Company’s world premiere, Spells of the Sea makes its way to commercial stages outside of St. Louis, with an anticipated off-Broadway transfer for the fall of 2023.

Spells of the Sea continues Metro Theater Company’s legacy of bringing the best new voices to the stage. Gwenny Govea is an award-winning actor, writer, and composer, who recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. She and Anna Pickett are shining young talents in musical theater whose careers are lifting off, both on stage and off. In Metro Theater Company’s world premiere production of Spells of the Sea, Gwenny plays Finley Frankfurter and Anna serves as assistant director. The production also reflects MTC’s commitment to create new work that responds to the emotional intelligence and needs of young people with respect and joy. 
During Metro Theater Company’s world premiere run, three theme weekends will be offered to help young audiences embrace the fun of the story. Costumes are welcomed each weekend, and themed photo booths with props are available for guests to enjoy being a princess, a pirate, or a mermaid each weekend. 

Spells of the Sea is directed by MTC Artistic Director Julia Flood. Musical direction is by Deborah Wicks La Puma. The cast, which features performers from St. Louis and across the country, includes Molly Burris, Syrhea Conaway, Hannah Geisz, Jon Gentry, Guinevere Govea,Noah Laster, Mitchell Manar, Colin McLaughlin, and Tyler White. A full listing of Spells of the Sea design and production team can be found online at https://www.metroplays.org/spells-of-the-sea. Spells of the Sea is 70 minutes with no intermission. It’s recommended for ages 8 and up!  

Who/What 

Metro Theater Company by special arrangement with Megan Ann Rasmussen Productions presents the world premiere of Spells of the Sea

When  

February 10 – March 5, 2023

Sundays at 2 p.m.  |   Fridays at 7 p.m.  | Saturdays at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Socially distanced performances: Every Saturday at 4 p.m. 

Audio Description performance by MindsEye: February 25 at 4 p.m.

ASL-interpreted performance by DEAF, Inc.: February 26 at 2 p.m.

Where

Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63103

Tickets

$20-$36 (including ticketing fees). Tickets are available now through MetroTix at 314-534-1111 or https://www.metroplays.org/spells-of-the-sea.

Theme Weekends

Enjoy fun photo booth opportunities in the lobby of the Grandel Theatre. Costumes are welcomed, but not required. 

Princess Weekend: February 10-12

Pirate Weekend: February 17-19

Mermaid Weekend: February 24-26

Virtual Streaming

February 16 – March 5, 2023

Online virtual streaming begins at $20 and is available through the MTC website, https://www.metroplays.org/spells-of-the-sea.  (The video for the virtual streaming is from an early February filmed performance.) 

Virtual streaming is a part of PNC Arts Alive funding’s of the MTC Remote initiative – MTC’s online streaming of mainstage productions that ensures digital accessibility across the St. Louis region and beyond.

Pay-What-You-Wish Tickets

Metro Theater Company is committed to ensure that economic barriers do not prevent families from experiencing its programs. MTC offers pay-what-you-wish tickets for live performances and virtual streaming. Details at https://www.metroplays.org/spells-of-the-sea.  

Pay-What-You-Wish in-person performances: February 10 at 7 p.m., February 11 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Pay-What-You-Wish streaming: February 16-18 

School Groups & Group Sales

School groups can enjoy live performances or virtual field trips at heavily discounted rates, with streaming tickets available for $5 or less and in-person tickets available for $10 per student. Group sales of 10 tickets or more receive a 40% discount. Full details at https://www.metroplays.org/group-sales.  

Support

Spells of the Sea is presented by National Endowment for the Arts, Thornock Family Fund, and Mid-America Arts Alliance.

Metro Theater Company’s 2022-23 Season lead institutional support comes from The Shubert Foundation, Regional Arts Commission, Emerson, Kranzberg Arts Foundation, Whitaker Foundation, PNC Arts Alive, Crawford Taylor Foundation, Missouri Arts Council, The Opportunity Trust, Arts & Education Council, Trio Foundation of St. Louis, Edward Jones, the Saigh Foundation , and RGA.

For tickets or more information on Spells of the Sea, visit metroplays.org/spells-of-the-sea.

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About Metro Theater CompanySince 1973, Metro Theater Company has been creating productions that respect young people’s intelligence, tell compelling stories, stimulate curiosity, and provoke thoughtful reflection. The Company has reached a total audience of more than two million and has a national reputation for excellence in the field of professional theater for young audiences. Metro Theater Company has received major honors and awards, both locally and nationally. The company is led by Artistic Director Julia Flood and Managing Director Joe Gfaller. For more information, please visit http://metroplays.org. 

About Megan Ann Rasmussen Productions Megan Ann Rasmussen is the president of MAR Productions. For more than 20 years she has served as an award-winning producer, director, and educator, creating theater that uplifts and strengthens. She is thrilled to help bring Spells of the Sea to life and celebrate the voices of Gwenny Govea and Anna Pickett. Megan Ann’s Broadway credits include A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical (INVESTOR) and Joy: The Musical (CO-PRODUCER), a new show with Tony award-winning producer Ken Davenport. Additional credits include Barry Manilow’s Harmony (INVESTOR), The Griswold’s Broadway Vacation (INVESTOR), Kinky Boots (Off-Broadway | INVESTOR), True North (regional | INVESTOR), and Heaven Come Home (regional | PRODUCER). Her directing credits include Senora Tortuga and Cinderella Eats Rice and Beans: A Salsa Fairy Tale. Megan Ann served as president of Theater for Young Audiences/USA and delegate to the International Association of Theater for Children and Young People. She taught theater at three universities in Utah and was founder and producing artistic director of The Firehouse Theatre for Youth. Megan Ann’s articles and photos can be seen in Stage of the Art and TYA Today. She is the founder of the new podcast Bit by Bit, Broadway’s only podcast dedicated to the producer/investor relationship. For more information, please visit https://meganannrasmussen.com.