Book by Dan Osterman

Songs by Nick Thorkelson

Directed by Jaime Carrillo

June 17-25, 2016

at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre
Boston, Massachusetts

Click here to view photos of the production.

Dreambook, conceived by multidisciplinary artists Dan Osterman and Nick Thorkelson and directed by Jaime Carrillo, was a collaborative theatrical reimagining of pre-Civil War New Orleans, a place that is often considered the most unique of U.S. cities. Osterman and Thorkelson’s fictional drama, with musical elements performed live, served as an invitation to envision this particular past, with fresh eyes and ears, while also coming to grips with what changes have developed in American culture since then. Or not.

Dreambook, the premiere commissioned by Fort Point Theatre Channel and presented at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, interlaced Osterman’s 19th-century literary style, full of magic and pageantry, with Thorkelson’s more contemporary New Orleans musical streetscape. The year was 1848, a particularly volatile time in American history in terms of human rights and a looming war.

Featuring

Karen Dervin
Lauren Foster
Caitlin Gjerdrum
Thomas Grenon
Rebecca Lerman
Bailey Libby
Shanie Schwartzman
Alexandra Smith
Robin JaVonne Smith

Click here to read more about the cast and creative team.

Creative Team

Naomi Ibasitas, Stage Manager
Brenna Nicely, Dramaturg
Joshua Kigner, Set/Props Designer
Heather Oshinsky, Costume Designer
Ben Lieberson, Technical Director/Builder
Ian W. King, Lighting Designer
Gavin Damore, Social Media
Mary Curtin, Media Relations
Juliana Merhaut, Assistant Stage Manager
Marc S. Miller, Producer

And the Band

Joe Bargar, keyboard and band leader June 17
Paul Muse, guitar
James Nicoloro, drums
Larry Plitt, guitar
M’Talewa, bass
Nick Thorkelson, keyboard and band leader (except June 17)

#DreambookBOS

Click here to read more about Dreambook.

  • Playwright Dan Osterman tells of the history of the writing of Dreambook.
  • Dramaturg Brenna Nicely tells of Walt Whitman's time in New Orleans.
  • Composer Nick Thorkelson writes about Nicodemus, minstels, and the musical origins of Dreambook.