Recent Emerson Grads Bringing Broadway to the unCommon Stage

Have you heard the Newsies? Eight newly minted Musical Theatre alums will put on a Wicked good cabaret at the Emerson unCommon Stage this Friday, May 17, and it promises to be a Wild Party.

For the first time since its opening in May 2023, recent graduates, under the direction of Performing Arts Assistant Professor Ilana Ransom Toeplitz, will perform a collection of songs from Broadway hits, including the aforementioned shows, as well as Waitress, She Loves Me, West Side Story, Frozen, and The Full Monty. The show runs from 6:00-9:00 pm.

In between sets, audience members can test their musical theatre mastery with trivia.

Performers, all from the Class of 2024, include: Lily Bucko, Max Connor, Jules Ferolie, Jasmine Gelfer, Sam Guida, Elliana Karris, Wes Mahon, and Natalie Taylor.

“Hot off the heels of their graduation, this exceptional senior class is a wonderful cohort of performing artists that I know will go on to help transform the future of musical theatre,” Toeplitz said. “After four years with us, they all now know their different strengths, talents, and how to market themselves in the industry. They were so much fun to teach and I’m really going to miss working with them, and I know they’re going to go on to do amazing things.”

Toeplitz and unCommon Stage Producer Gina Marie Jamieson hatched the plan for a Broadway Night at the unCommon Stage while waiting in line to get into ArtsEmerson’s presentation of Mrs. Krishnan’s Party.

“We realized that we are from the same hometown (Pittsburgh, PA!), and that we both obviously love musical theatre (because we are reasonable human beings),” Toeplitz said.

The unCommon Stage at the corner of Boylston and Tremont streets opened for its second season on May 10 and will host daily entertainment (weather allowing) from noon to 9:00 pm through October, as well as craft beverages from Harpoon Brewery and food from local vendors.