Peter Flynn Directs World Premiere Workshop Off-Broadway

Peter Flynn, professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance, recently directed the world premiere workshop of the new musical If I Could Go off-Broadway. The new musical, written by Steve Engelbrecht, explores that Irish myth of Tír na nÓg, the legendary Land of Eternal Youth. The story follows a shy bookstore employee who escapes into a fantasy world, blending myth, imagination, and self-discover.

The production featured an acclaimed cast that included Tony Award nominee Marc Kudsich and Drama Desk Award winner Andrea Burns, alongside four current Musical Theatre BFA students: Jack Gemmell, Genesis Harper, Diogo Ramirez, and Lussi Pearl Sal. It also featured two alumni, Darius Lee ’16 and Jadon Lopez ’23.

The workshop provided students with the opportunity to collaborated with established Broadway peformers, gaining valuable industry experience while contributing to the development of a new musical work.

Flynn is an award-winning director, writer, and educator who has created two educational programs and several new musicals. Formerly the Director of Musical Theatre at the Stella Adler Conservatory, he developed curriculum integrating training for the singing actor with the Adler acting philosophy.

He also previously served as Artistic Director of the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, New York, and Artistic Director of the Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where he partnered with industry leaders including Stephen Schwartz, Jeanine Tesori, and Adam Bock while mentoring emerging artists from across the country.

Through projects like If I Could Go, Flynn continues to connect Montclair State students with  meaningful creative experiences within the theatre industry.