About the Show

Synopsis

Connected, the Musical: finding our true identity in a changing world

The musical begins with Link, the embodiment of the Internet, ushering users online. Gabriel and his friends are excited to learn that trans heartthrob Amber Wilde has been cast in a new movie. Gabriel's mom, Helen, can't wait to show the world her star ice skater, who is preparing for a skating show with coach Abby and partner Derek. Abby's personal life is in crisis as she tries to juggle the balls that her husband, Jeremy, drops. 

Abby's best friend Megan, a music teacher, starts to notice changes in her students' behavior: specifically, Gabriel (whom she and everyone else currently knows as "Angelina") and Liz, Abby's daughter. It becomes increasingly clear to Abby that Jeremy is hiding things from her: interactions with other women, complaints about his job online, and large purchases from their joint account. Megan helps Abby come to terms with Jeremy's dishonesty. Megan and Abby commiserate over Helen's overbearing nature, realizing that constant access to their cell phones creates unique problems for their and their children's generations. 

After a disastrous skating practice, Gabriel goes online to unpack his complicated feelings about skating as a girl. He finds a community of transgender individuals online and realizes that he might feel the same way. A conversation with his future self assures Gabriel that he will come out of this feeling stronger and more himself. 

The group goes to a carnival, where the teens are thrilled to hear Amber Wilde speaking about authenticity. Gabriel's conversation with Amber spurs him to come out as a transgender boy to his best friends, Liz and Brooke. Meanwhile, Megan strikes up a pointed conversation with Jeremy that causes him to argue with Abby after they leave the carnival. Liz seeks Brooke's support as her parents fight. 

As the skating show arrives, Abby and Jeremy's disagreements come to a head, and Gabriel prepares to come out to the world... at a very inconvenient time. Gabriel's decision shocks his mother and leaves his partner Derek in the lurch. 

Two months later, Derek confronts Gabriel about leaving him alone at the show, and Gabriel stands his ground. Helen's worldview has been rocked by Gabriel's coming out, and she resists his new identity, leaving him without support at home. Abby has moved into her own house, but her kids, Liz and Chase, are having trouble adjusting. Megan invites Gabriel to join the tenor section of her chorus and encourages Liz to go to therapy. 

Brooke, Megan's daughter, tries to convince Helen to use Gabriel's new name and pronouns, but instead causes a fight between Gabriel and Helen. Desperate to help her friends, Brooke asks Megan to help her buy gender-affirming clothing for Gabriel. Megan agrees hesitantly, knowing that it will upset Helen further. Gabriel makes amends with Derek, who encourages Gabriel to return to the ice as a male skater. 

An uncomfortable coffee shop conversation between Megan and Helen leaves Megan feeling discouraged. Meanwhile, Abby reconsiders her separation from Jeremy, to Megan's horror. Helen reluctantly turns to the Internet for information about Gabriel's identity, realizing that he is becoming a vocal member of the trans community and being met with universal celebration and pride. 

A crisis with Liz causes Abby to cut ties with Jeremy once and for all, taking Liz and Chase with her. As Gabriel learns to skate as a boy, Helen reflects on her expectations for her "daughter" and realizes that she wants to maintain a relationship with her son, and she finally embraces Gabriel's identity. The show ends with the group preparing for a pride event, and Gabriel welcomes a young nonbinary user to his online community.

Dramatis Personae

Abby Robbins: 40s, emotionally abused, meek before she finds her inner strength, the hard-working skating coach ultimately escapes her abuser; soprano. G#3 to G5

Liz Robbins: 15, a depressed, confused, high school student whose struggles are clear; alto. A3 to C5

Chase Robbins: 11, the funny, savvy younger child of Jeremy and Abby, soprano. C4 to F5

Gabriel Corelli: 14-16, a transgender ice skater who works hard to please other people. Vocal part is transposable to alto or tenor. F3 to C5

Helen Corelli: 50s, the type-A, irritating stage mom of a transgender boy, mezzo soprano. G3 to E5

Megan Foster: 40s, Abby's best friend, a bold, accepting music teacher with good advice and a few boundary issues. Mezzo patter role. F3 to G5

Brooke Foster: 15, a privileged, open-hearted high school student who feels deeply; soprano. A3 to F#5

Jeremy Robbins: 40s, the self-centered, impulsive father of Liz and Chase, with priorities out of whack. Vocal part is transposable to tenor or bass. C3 to F4

Derek Johnson: 18, the kind, patient, gay skating partner to Gabriel, transposable tenor-bass. B-flat2 to D4.

Link: represents social media algorithm: can be any gender, age, voice part. Vocal music in treble or bass clef. either A3 to G5 or A2 to G4

Internet Troll: any age and gender, transphobic and inappropriate, non-singing role. *Must NOT be played by an actual transphobic person.

Veronica: 30s, a well-intentioned friend of Jeremy’s, short singing solo. G3 to E4

Julie: 20-40, a well-intentioned friend of Jeremy’s, party girl. Short singing solo alto. (Could be the same actor as Veronica)

Future Gabriel: a 20-25-year-old trans man who visits Gabriel to give him advice about the future. Tenor. E-flat3 to F4

Amber Wilde: 17-60, a trans woman movie star, wildly popular. Short alto/tenor singing solo. E-flat 3 to E-flat 4

Youth Ensemble including Andy, Jane and Suzy (each with a mid-range solo); group numbers can also include Brooke, Liz, Chase and Jason.

Adult Ensemble each has at least a few spoken lines, and some have singing solos. The adult ensemble can be as few as 5, doubling with Amber, Future Gabriel, Veronica, Julie and the Troll, or the lines could be spread among many more ensemble members, with a bigger cast, to give everyone something interesting to do.