Planet W: A New Science Fiction Musical
Planet W is a new science-fiction musical and intergalactic love story… A small-town couple on the verge of a relationship crisis are abducted by a race of zany Aliens hellbent on destroying the Earth! Can the star-crossed lovers save their future together AND the fate of humankind in time?!
Franco Giacomarra was selected as The Village’s 2023 Performance Artist-In-Residence and presented songs and scenes from Planet W at six sold-out Salons. After sensational responses from our audience, The Village presented the Planet W world premiere at Ars Nova’s All New Talent Festival (A.N.T. Fest) on June 14, 2024!
Click Here to Stream Planet W
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Click Here to Stream Planet W 🛸
Meet the Team
Franco Giacomarra (he/him)
2023 Performance Artist-in-Residence
Book, Music, Lyrics, Narrator
“Finding your place in between two worlds”
Franco Giacomarra is a New York City-based writer, composer, and performer who makes original works for the stage, page and screen. From an early age, Franco always knew that my path in life would be to cultivate my passion for music and writing in order to tell impactful original stories. Franco hails from the Philadelphia area, and maintains a borderline unhealthy preoccupation with all the requisite sports teams and cultural ephemera (Go Birds). He moved to New York to receive his B.A. from Fordham University Lincoln Center in Theatre and Music, and subsequently became radicalized about the importance of an asset-based approach to making one’s own work.
Franco’s obsession with collaboration has led to an eclectic body of original projects in media ranging from theater, to original music, short films, comics, and a touch of cultural criticism - all as either a writer, actor, composer, technician or some combination thereof. Franco identifies as a pop culture omnivore who draws from sources far and wide, often resulting in unique and idiosyncratic combinations of forms, genres, subject matter etc. He is most often drawn to writing about identity, and characters that feel ill-at-ease in different aspects of their being - whether it’s shapeshifting aliens acclimating to Earth, or a bicultural kid like him trying to roll his R’s just so.
Franco is currently an artist-in-residence with The Village, A Fenix 360 Artist to Watch, and a member of the Barrow Group and the Freeman Studio. His work has recently been presented with The Green Room 42, Alchemical Studios, The Latine Musical Theater Lab, The Crypt at Columbia, and more. Franco is proudly first generation Sicilian and Puerto Rican.!
Matt Coakley (he/him)
Book, Music, Lyrics
“Writing songs is like opening presents. I love opening presents!”
Matt Coakley is a singer-songwriter and music producer based in Chicago. He has been in collaboration with Planet W's Franco since childhood, when they began writing and recording music together. Matt's music draws from an eclectic mix of styles ranging from indie pop, folk, jazz, rock, soul, and worldbeat. His influences include Paul Simon, Ben Folds, Vulfpeck, Nina Simone, and Jonathan Richman. He records and produces all his music in his apartment and found spaces, but his music is far from lo-fi. He works hard to capture high fidelity recordings, crafts his arrangements carefully and doesn't compromise in getting authentic-sounding performances.
Matt grew up in the suburbs of Philly, where he nurtured his love for music by playing piano and guitar in several bands with friends. He graduated from Drexel University in 2019 with a degree in recording arts, which not only launched him into the Chicago music scene but also left him with an unhealthy obsession with microphones. After moving to Chicago, Matt worked as an assistant engineer at Gravity Studios and lately has been teaching music part time. Matt has released 4 singles under his own name in the last year. His debut EP, Splish Splash will be released on June 21. He has also released music with collaborations such as The Philadelphia Spice, Drift, Mikaela Jane, Man After Man, and Avenue Eight.
Marc David Wright (he/him)
Director, Producer
“I’ll make it happen”
Marc David Wright is a director/producer of theatre and film, community creator, and arts educator. Born and raised in Bayonne, NJ, Marc crossed the Hudson to study acting at Fordham University (B.A. Theatre 2019). He discovered directing at school, where his production of Dark Play or Stories For Boys received an Ars Nova research grant to travel to Edinburgh Fringe, where it was named one of the “10 Must-See LGBT Shows” of the festival. Theatre: Singfeld! A Musical Parody About Nothing (Now Playing Off-Broadway), Planet W: A New Musical in Concert (The Green Room 42), Sanctuary City (Pasadena Playhouse, AD), Self Tape (Alchemical Studios), What to Expect When You’re Expecting Our Lord and Savior (The Players Theater), Dark Play or Stories For Boys (Edinburgh Fringe, Fordham). Film: Enterprise 25: A Cinematic Advent Calendar for Instagram, As You Like It or the Pursuit of Love in Shared Isolation, Slay!. Co-Founder and Artistic Director of The Village, connecting emerging artists with New York audiences at eight sold-out Salon events. Proud drama teacher and director at several children’s and high school theatre education programs across New Jersey.
Hannah Brudnock (she/her)
Candace
“Twisting lemons into lemonade”
Hannah Brudnock is a passionate actress/singer originally from the desert of Arizona. She got her Bachelor’s of Music from Arizona State University (summa cum laude mom is proud to say) and she’s thrilled to be celebrating her one year in NYC! When she’s not adhering to the starving artist’s lifestyle you can find her doing YouTube yoga in her living room and gigging around the city with her folksy songwriting friends. Her recent projects include her off-OFF-Broadway debut in TNC’s Takedown.
Asha J. Houston (she/her)
God Queen
“Without despair everything is hopeless”
Asha J. Houston is an actress/singer from Philadelphia. She received her BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul and is currently pursuing her MFA at NYU Tisch Grad Acting. Lover of all things Toni Morrison and Jazmine Sullivan. Asha is super excited to be a part of this new musical!
Christopher Montalvo (he/him)
Leo
“Embrace the crisis”
Chris is a Latino singer and stage/film actor from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. He starred in the short film Hard, directed by Christian Jacob Ramon, which was a final short film selection at SXSW. As a singer Chris has performed aboard Celebrity and CCL, traveling to Mexico, Australia, Fiji, and other countries. As an actor, he most recently performed as a Mark understudy and swing for the 25th Anniversary international tour of RENT.
Coby C. Oram (he/him)
SLUG
“Actor/Singer/Songwriter who is probably his twin's clone”
Coby C. Oram moved to NYC with his identical twin two years ago to pursue a career in acting/singing. He has since worked 4 Jersey Boys contracts and written over 20 songs with his brother. Together, they will probably take over the world.
Maxwell Swangel (he/him)
2112 and Others
“I'm just a silly man with a lot of hairspray”
Maxwell Swangel is a Manhattan based actor/writer. Most recently, he was seen eating scenery as François in Cinderella, the Musical (The Players Theatre). When not nomming on stagecraft, he can be found with his cats, Barbara and Diane, and his ever-supportive partner, Kia: without whom he would surely fall flat on his face in front of all the cool kids.
Vincent Gunn (he/him)
Scenic Designer
“Always covered in paint”
Recent design credits include: Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill (New London Barn Playhouse), Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Post Theatre Company), The Laramie Project (St. Bart's Players). Vincent has also assisted designers at venues such as BAM Fisher, York Theatre Company, New York Philharmonic, Roundabout Black Box and Irish Repertory Theatre. He thanks his family for their endless support.
Ellie Mae Ryan (she/her)
Costume Designer
“Experimental ideas that make for fun and interesting visuals”
Ellie is a NYC based costume designer for Film/TV/Theater. Recent design credits include Singfeld! (Off broadway), assistant credits East New York (CBS), Mother’s Instinct (Freckle face productions), The Crowded Room (Apple TV). Working with friends is the greatest job in the world! Congratulations to all involved.
Brendan McCann (he/him)
Props Master
“All it takes is a dollar, a dream, and a glue gun”
Brendan is a Drama Desk nominated theater creative and designer. Recent off-Broadway credits include Scarlett Dreams, Make Me Gorgeous, Opposite of Love, Five, and more. Upcoming: Empire at New World Stages.
Vittoria Orlando (she/her)
Lighting Designer
“Perpetually dreaming with my eyes open”
Vittoria Orlando is an NYC-based lighting and media designer who aims to spark meaningful conversations through her work. With degrees in Theatre Design and Production, and Visual Art from Fordham University, Vittoria remains committed to pushing creative boundaries to create interesting and exciting work. Her approach is grounded in seeking imaginative solutions while recognizing the value of learning and growth. Vittoria strives to embrace each opportunity to connect with others.
Caroline Eng (she/her)
Sound Designer
“Lightning fast”
Sound Designer. Recent: Coriolanus (Portland Center Stage, Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Hurricane Diane (People’s Light), Merry Me (New York Theatre Workshop, co-design Kate Marvin), Belfast Girls (Irish Repertory Theatre), Fences (Shakespeare & Company), The Overview Effect (Contemporary American Theater Festival), Little Women (Theatreworks, UCCS), What the Constitution Means to Me (WAM Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Group).
Joseph DiGiovanna (he/him)
Projection Designer
“Photographer, Filmmaker, & Composer at the intersection of Broadway, Fashion, Music, Astrophotography, & Time-Lapse”
Joseph DiGiovanna (Projection Design) Recently designed projections for “Is it Thursday Yet?” world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse and its NYC premiere at The Perelman Performing Arts Center. Broadway photography credits include Hamilton and Moulin Rouge! Cinematography credits include Vogue, Vanity Fair, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Universal Music Group, and Blue Note Records. His work has premiered at The Venice Film Festival, The New York Film Festival, Billboard.com, NPR.com, and MTV. Joseph’s innovative chronicling of the NYC skyline with his “30 Year Time-Lapse” project has garnered features on CNN and ABC.
Instagram (Personal) | Instagram (30 Year Time-Lapse) | Website
Saúl Nache (he/they)
Music Director
“A warm hug and a spark of joy!”
Saúl Nache is a Latinx and gay AF music director, vocalist, pianist, coach, and educator who is an energetic cheerleader in all kinds of rooms and roles in the music teams of shows Off-Broadway and around the city. Credits include, Off-Broadway: HIP HOP CINDERELLA; Off-off Broadway: Quillén, The Bar Bilbao: A Kurt Weill Cabaret, La Divina; Concerts: Masked (54 Below), Eros (Joe’s Pub), Azul (54 Below); Workshops: Cats (Perelman PAC); Readings: Como Correr, Skyward, Ybor City.
Juice Mackins (he/him)
Choreographer
“An adaptable artist of many multitudes”
Alumni of the theatre program at Fordham University and current MFA student at DGSD at Yale. One of many apprentices who studied under Debbie Allen. Former Broadway cast member of The Prom as well as guest star on various episodic networks.
Dana Seach (she/her)
Producer, Stage Manager
“Building community through storytelling”
Dana Seach is a theatre and film artist based in New York City. She completed a Master of Science degree in Media Management from the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University. She has worked as a Production Stage Manager at institutions including NYU/Tisch, Less Than Rent Theatre, The Dalton School, and St. Joseph Regional High School. Dana also has experience as an Assistant Director and Script Supervisor on short films. As Managing Director of The Village, Dana seeks to uplift early-career artists in the pursuit of creating new work. She is proud to be part of The Village’s continued growth over the past three years and is eager to welcome more artists and patrons into the community!
Caroline Potter Shriver (she/her)
Producer, Stage Manager
“Creating to connect”
Caroline Potter Shriver is an actor, writer, and producer, based in Brooklyn. She graduated magna cum laude from the Alvin Ailey School /Fordham University BFA program where she double majored in Dance and Latin American studies. She has taught, choreographed, and performed with international arts education non-profits, including JUNTOS Collective and Americorps’ ArtistYear. After dancing her heart out from age twelve to twenty two, she found herself with a story to tell and in need of a medium. She stumbled upon the art of the one-woman-show and knew wanted to spend the rest of her days making theater and acting. In 2021, she collaborated with a team of artists to build The Village: a collective of artists and patrons that celebrate the creative process. The Village grew as an incubator for Caroline’s first solo-work, The Stella Show, which was workshopped at The Village’s Salon events and ultimately produced by The Village as a full-length one-woman-show in October 2023 in residency at IRT Theatre (NYC). Caroline has directed for theater, (Public Private Prayer at Ursinus Fringe Festival), acted on film, Capsules (Directed by Luke Momo), and collaborated on countless projects with the incredible artists of The Village. In addition to her work as an actor and an Artistic Director, Caroline loves writing stories and picking the brains of her amazingly creative friends, busting a move on the dance floor, and roller skating through the streets of BK.
Key Supporters
Kim Samuel, Executive Producer
Mike and Mary Coakley, Producers
Gemma and Scott Wright, Producers
Fordham University
Special Thanks
Materials for the Arts
Manatsu Aminaga
Juan Castros
Emily Cattan
Jerisha Cavazos
Joe Connors
Lilly Qualls
Ryan Reyes
Juliana Rivera
Jordan Ryder
Hannah Skokan
Sydney Skye
Addie Thompson
Valentina Zazzali