Musicals
HELSINKI
—a new musical comedy—
music & lyrics: Barrett Riggins
book & lyrics: Graham Techler
A down-on-her-luck waitress and down-on-his-luck factory worker spark a shy love affair that’s put to the ultimate test by the economically (and emotionally!) depressed landscape of 1990s Finland. Helsinki is an absurdly deadpan, achingly romantic dark comedy that asks if life’s losers can find (and keep!) the love they deserve.
Winner of the 2025 Richard Rodgers Award. Selection of National Alliance for Musical Theatre 2024 Festival of New Musicals, directed by Marshall Pailet, music direction by Andrea Grody. Finalist for the 2023 Normal Ave NAP Series. Semi-Finalist for the 2024 and 2023 National Music Theater Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center. Semi-Finalist for the 2023 American Music Theatre Project.
...PORTIS COLFAX...
—a silly sad one-man musical Western—
music & lyrics: Barrett Riggins
book & lyrics: Graham Techler
He rode with Tanrill! He fought at Alamosa! He can carry a tune! Now thrill to tales, anecdotes, and feats of gunmanship from Portis "Six Pace" Colfax's storied life and career of romantic frontier adventure! In person! Unextemporaneous! Accompanied by musician! And safe for the ears of women!
Presented as part of Ensemble Studio Theatre/Youngblood's Bloodworks 2025 Reading Series, directed by Dylan Guerra. Recipient of a 2025 Ouroboros Commission.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
—a new musical adaptation—
music & lyrics: Barrett Riggins & Graham Techler
Commissioned by Roustabout Theater to write new songs for an adaptation of Dickens' novella in December 2021 and 2024, directed by Clark Houston Lewis.
THE MODERATORS
—a new musical—
book: Graham Techler
music & lyrics: Barrett Riggins
Lee is an overworked office drone at Coaxial, a company contracted by Facebook to review and remove content deemed too disturbing for the public. When he finds evidence that could potentially stop some of the acts being posted, he has to convince his chipper manager to take action in a darkly comic look at Big Tech's underbelly.
Produced at the Kraine Theater as part of the Originals Theatre Festival in January 2020, directed by Madeline Rouverol.
More here soon!