Tweet Charity Theatre Company in Bologna, Italy has announced it will premiere the Italian version of PLACEBO (Music and Lyrics by Danny Abosch, Book by Joshua Borths and Danny Abosch) in June 2019. The Italian Translation and Adaptation is by Director Stefano Bonsi.

PLACEBO, written by Danny Abosch and Joshua Borths while students at the University of Michigan, was the winner of the 2012 PMTP Development Award, resulting in a fully produced workshop at the Pasadena Playhouse directed by Ryan Scott Oliver. PLACEBO has had additional workshops at the University of Michigan, Oklahoma City University, Emerson College, and Pace University. Songs from PLACEBO were featured in the cult favorite 2014 film “Waiting In The Wings”, and the award-winning sequel, “Still Waiting In The Wings”,  starring Chita Rivera, Seth Rudetsky, Sally Struthers, Ed Asner, Bruce Vilanch, and Lee Meriwether. The Original Concept Cast Recording is available on iTunes, Amazon, and more.

According to the show’s description:
Robert Wilson and his brother Blake persuade their town to purchase what they claim to be a miracle pill, invented by their late father, the scientist Dr. Wilson. The pill is actually a placebo made of nothing but sugar, but the town, believing it to be real, becomes carried away with the ‘miracles’ that the pill is reportedly responsible for. Robert and Blake’s plan is wildly successful…but at what cost? PLACEBO is a story about dreams, and questions the idea of reality in a world where what isn’t ‘real’ often appears more promising.

“PLACEBO is unique, clever and tuneful, venturing into new musical theatre territory never mined before.”
-Jason Fortner, Broadway Cafe Society

“Danny Abosch’s tunes are an infectious, ear-pleasing joy, particularly the exuberant “Everything You’ve Ever Dreamed Of” in which the population of Silverville falls into the thrall of the titular drug.”
–Andy Propst, Theatermania.com

The Bologna production marks the show’s second European production, following a 2017 production in the United Kingdom, and the show’s first production in Italian.

Check out the teaser trailer here.

Placebo Il Musical

Bologna, Italy | June 2019

The Pasadena Musical Theatre Program’s production of PLACEBO opens tonight at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, CA. The production is directed by renowned musical theatre writer Ryan Scott Oliver. The production, which features a revised book and two brand new songs, runs through Sunday. Tickets are available here: http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/box-office/carrie-hamilton-theatre/placebo-a-new-musical.html

Tickets are now on sale for the Pasadena Musical Theatre Program’s produced workshop of Placebo, which runs August 2-5, 2012 at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse, directed by Ryan Scott Oliver.

Here is the link for tickets: http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/box-office/carrie-hamilton-theatre/placebo-a-new-musical.html

PLACEBO has been selected by the Pasadena Musical Theatre Program (PMTP) for its second annual Development Award. The Development Award includes a fully produced workshop presented at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse in August 2012, directed by Artistic Director and musical theatre writer Ryan Scott Oliver.

The Pasadena Musical Theatre Program (PMTP) is a unique non-profit performing arts training organization in Pasadena, California, dedicated to developing and nurturing creative talents in the performing arts by encouraging students to embrace musical theatre as a method of self-exploration to enhance their personal growth and professionalism. Established in 1995, it continues to grow under the leadership of Artistic Director Ryan Scott Oliver, with two theatre companies serving elementary through high school students, a conservatory, masterclasses, concerts, and more throughout the year. It provides the highest level of arts education while also remaining the lowest costing theatre organization in Pasadena, dollar-per-hour. Find out more at http://www.pasadenamusicaltheatre.org.

“If We Never” from PLACEBO is included on a recently published “Last-Minute Mixes” playlist by TheaterMania.com that features “17 tracks of exception new songs from the past year – written on both sides of the Atlantic.” The playlist is available for purchase on iTunes as a ‘Last-Minute’ holiday gift idea! Click Here to read the full article, and click here to buy or gift this TheaterMania mix.

TheaterMania’s review of the PLACEBO Original Concept Cast Recording:

“This concept recording will prompt many listeners to wonder when this giddy, utterly delightful new tuner will reach a stage near them. The show focuses on the populace of a small town that’s willingly suckered into believing in a miracle cure-all drug. While the recording doesn’t fully indicate how Joshua Borths’ satiric book will play, Danny Abosch’s tunes are an infectious, ear-pleasing joy, particularly the exuberant “Everything You’ve Ever Dreamed Of” in which the population of Silverville falls into the thrall of the titular drug.”
-Andy Propst, Theatermania.com

Jacob Porter and the Musical Theatre Society of Emerson College will be presenting a workshop reading of PLACEBO on May 1st, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. The workshop will be directed by Ryan McGovern and music directed by James Kennedy.

The focus of this workshop will be to explore and develop the show through rehearsal, performance, and discussion. The cast and directing team comes to the material with fresh eyes; in fact the idea for this workshop originated from an Emerson student who came across the PLACEBO Concept Cast Recording on the internet and decided to pursue the possibility of mounting a workshop.

We’re excited for the East Coast premiere of PLACEBO and will post updates in the near future! You can find more information about the Musical Theatre Scoiety at http://musicaltheatresociety.com/

Check out the following reviews of the Original Concept Cast Recording! (available on iTunes, Amazon, hard copy, or free download.)

“This concept recording will prompt many listeners to wonder when this giddy, utterly delightful new tuner will reach a stage near them. The show focuses on the populace of a small town that’s willingly suckered into believing in a miracle cure-all drug. While the recording doesn’t fully indicate how Joshua Borths’ satiric book will play, Danny Abosch’s tunes are an infectious, ear-pleasing joy, particularly the exuberant “Everything You’ve Ever Dreamed Of” in which the population of Silverville falls into the thrall of the titular drug.”
-Andy Propst, Theatermania.com

“PLACEBO THE MUSICAL, written by University of Michigan students Danny Abosch and Joshua Borths is unique, clever and tuneful, venturing into new musical theatre territory never mined before…When the overture started I sat up and took notice of the strong melodies Mr. Abosch provides, showing a sure hand and a knowledge of musical theater…the score is highly promising, reminiscent of a diverse number of great modern scores with a happy nod to Broadway’s past. Mr. Abosch has a great ear for melody, creating both catchy show tunes and lilting ballads that serve the story well…the CD is highly entertaining and a strong indication of amazing things to come from these talented young writers.”
-Jason Fortner, Broadway Cafe Society

“Placebo: A New Musical, music and lyrics by Danny Abosch and book by Joshua Borths, had me feeling its effects all day, and I say this in the best way possible.

It’s been a while since I’ve been so fascinated by a show’s concept, and despite the fact that a musical of this title could easily be a one trick pony, I was surprised at the many facets of human relationships that one little pill could reveal…These details really lend themselves to some skilled, thoughtful songs, many of which explore the idea of a placebo for all its nuances.”
-Kimberly Lew, Emerging Musical Theatre

We’re excited to announce the release of the Original Concept Cast Recording, professionally recorded with the full cast and orchestra of the 2010 Michigan Production! Our hope is to be able to share this recording with as many people as possible, so we’re offering it as a free download here. It is also available on iTunes and for purchase as a physical disc (which includes a booklet with photos from the production). Check it out and share it with all your friends!

Click the image to download!

Press release courtesy of BroadwayWorld.com (original post here).

Check out some recent articles about the show!

‘Placebo’ musical is super effective — Michigan Daily, 11/8/2010

New musical ‘Placebo’ premieres via U-M’s Basement Arts this weekend — AnnArbor.com 11/10/2010

UM students to premiere new musical — University of Michigan Museum of Art