Dobama presents world premiere musical

June 27 through July 14, Dobama Theatre presents the world premiere of “33⅓,” a new musical about coming of age and coming out.

Matthew Wright is the director of Dobama’s production, which will feature choreography by Holly Handman-Lopez and music direction by Matthew Dolan.

The book, music and lyrics are by Jay Turvey and Paul Sportelli, co-writers of eight musicals. 

In the musical, set in 1974, Jules finds small-town existence stifling. He lives for listening to the latest records with his best friend, Jill, and dreams of an exciting life in New York City. His father is trying his best with his only son. Jules encounters Francis, an openly gay David Bowie-loving young man, and Victor, an angry teen who seeks relief by pounding on the drums in his basement. All four experience a tumultuous New Year’s Eve that will change their lives forever. 

“33⅓” was conceived and workshopped at the Shaw Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake,  Ontario, and won the 2015 Playwrights Guild of Canada Stage West Pechet Family Best New Musical Award at the Hendry Awards in Toronto.

It will be workshopped once again during the rehearsal process, and receive its first full production at Dobama.

Dobama’s production of “33⅓” will feature Jim Bray, Jay Lee, Ben Richardson-Piché, Hanna Shykind and Tyler Tanner, and is made possible with support from show sponsor James F. Brown.

Performance days and times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Regular performance tickets are $33 to $39; preview tickets are $17; member, senior, student and military discounts are available.

For tickets, call the box office at 216-932-3396, or visit www.dobama.org to purchase tickets online and view box office hours.

Sunday, June 30, 7:30 p.m. is a pay-what-you-can performance.