Gravity: A New(tonian) Musical

Created by Joel Chapman, Weston Gaylord, Matt Herrero, Jessia Hoffman, and Ken Savage

SYNOPSIS: When modern-day Cambridge physicist Sophie travels back in time to 1666 England, her chance encounter with guitar-strumming, 23-year old Isaac Newton prevents him from seeing the mythic apple falling and discovering his famous Theory of Universal Gravity. To return home, Sophie must restore history and navigate the world of 1666, where Natural Philosophers are the pop stars of their day, emerging Enlightenment Thinkers have one chance at fame, and radical women struggle to leave their mark.

But along the way, she encounters historical luminaries such as Isaac's rival Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz, enthusiastic up-and-comer Edmond Halley, and the fearless Duchess Margaret Cavendish, who is embroiled in her own quest for fame and scientific recognition. Gravity is a madcap romp through scientific history where young ambitious thinkers ask, "What does it take to leave your mark?"

RUNTIME: 2 acts, 2.5 hours // CAST: 13 (5W, 8M) - Diverse casting is essential

"By far, the standout of the year"

-Palo Alto Online

OTHER SAMPLES

Staged Reading in SFBATCO’s New Roots Theatre Festival
November 2024

Featured at A Little New Music concert
November 2019, Catalina Jazz Club

Staged Reading Series at Brava Theatre
March 17th-18th, 2019.

Script Workshop with A.C.T.’s MFA Acting Program
June 2018

Featured at A Little New Music concert
April 2017, Catalina Jazz Club

Selected as Finalist for O’Neill National Musical Theatre Conference
May 2017

Staged Reading at TheatreWorks New Works Festival 2016
August 2016, Lucie Stern Theatre

Staged Reading at Z-Space's Z Below
March 2016, Z Below

Staged Reading series
October 2015, Z Below
October 2015, Stanford's Roble Theatre