BUZZED! in 5 Minutes – a captivating peak at highlights from Monday Night Playwright – Staged Reading – May 6th, 2024
BUZZED!
An original, over-the-top, pop-rock creature-feature musical satire, for MA14 audiences, and up.
Will shy hero, nerdy lab-partner, Austin Zuckerman, win the heart of his science soulmate,Chloe Edgecombe? And will their pro-procreation pheromone, Bee-agra save bees from the brink of extinction, or unleash mayhem in Middle America??!
Our World? The late 50’s, Cold War. Rock and Roll is coming AND the threat of the bomb. Worse yet – Bees have stopped mating, crisis ensues, and our heroes must step up!
But Chloe and Austin’s work’s sabotaged, as bees turn bad – packing a sex-fever wallop in every sting.
The college kids go full Caligula, the military arrives, and our heroes must flee to rescue their bees and of course, fall in love.
Eight players. Fifteen hilarious roles. 90 minutes of funny, far out, and fast paced musical action with Bigfoot, boners and a cannabis sparked bee-in to save the day.
BUZZED! is a perfect match for comedy leaning venues, late-night stages and festivals, featuring 16 original tunes from four fab composers and book and lyrics by ace storyteller, Cj Critt. cjcritt@mac.com
Don’t dream it bee it! And…Get BUZZED!
MEET THE CREATOR AND AUTHOR
Book and Lyrics by CJ Critt
Music by:
Morgan Clarke
Rebecca Cordes
John T Prestianni
Barry Young
Hello! As a nature lover and tree hugger from Oregon, I’m driven by a passion to blend messages of love for the environment with humor and catchy tunes, aiming to entertain and uplift our community.
“BUZZED! The Musical” has consistently captivated audiences ranging from teens to groovy geezers, proving there’s a wide appetite for comedic theater that can provoke hearty laughter and plant seeds of joy.
Originally titled “The Pollinators” and envisioned as a screenplay that paid homage to the classic creature-features of the 1950s, the project caught the attention of Dream Fly Productions in Dallas, TX, and was optioned for development.
Feeling the magnetic pull of live performance, the project transitioned to the theater scene in Oak Cliff, TX, embracing the dynamic energy of stage productions. Under the direction of Jake Nice, the Oak Cliff Cultural Center hosted staged readings on May 15, 2019, and again on November 13, 2019, with the introduction of our initial set of songs.
As the world grappled with the pandemic, we adapted with a Zoom reading to keep the cast size manageable, and in Spring 2021, we showcased our evolving musical score—crafted by four talented composers—through performances by six singer/actors at the Wild Detectives venue in the Bishop Arts District.
2023 marked a significant turning point for us. Collaborating with the DFW-based Musical Theater Writers Academy sparked a creative epiphany, leading to a comprehensive rebranding of the show. Now equipped with a new name, logo, and a refined focus on comedy and romance, “BUZZED! The Musical” is ready to take the stage anew, inviting audiences to join us on this joyously satirical adventure.
CJ Critt - Book, Lyrics & Queen Bee
Morgan Clark, Composer
Rebecca Cordes, Composer
Barry Young, Composer
John T Prestianni, Composer
BUZZED! Staged Reading - Monday Night Playwright @ Theatre Three - May 2024
Bradley Campbell - Major Brinks
Dalton Chase Crawford - Soldier Dickerson & Various
Tracie Foster - SpokesBee & Various
Vee India - Chloe
Joshua Kumler - Hayden Edwards
Karl Martin - Austin
Deanna Santos - Prof Carlson & Sharlie Rainwalker
Andrea Fernandez-Tom
Music Samples
Yearning” deftly describes the intense longing Austin Zuckerman feels for Chloe Edgecombe, his lab partner and the epitome of his mid-century dreams. As he beholds her on the brink of discovery, the croons “SCIENCE GIRL,” underscoring his deep emotions and aspirations. A favorite from the mad cap musical.
HIVE ARCHIVE
BUZZED! Table Read @ 1106 Lupo Dr. Studio - August 2023
| Chloe Edgecombe | Tracie Foster |
| Austin Zuckerman | Karl Mart |
| Hayden Edwards | John Baker |
| Professor Carlson & Farmer | R. Bradford Smith |
| Major Brinks & Radio Anncr | Brad Campbell |
| Dickerson, Miss Honey, Tammy & Trucker | Dayna S. Fries |
| Coed, Spokesbee, Illya & Sassi | Megan Francis |
| Coed, Forest Ape Expert & Beautician | Mandy Sanders Scofield |
| Sharlie Rainwalker | Allyn Carrell |
| Stage Direction | LisaAnne Haram |
| SOUND | Dave Buell – Real to Reel Studios |
Before the BUZZ, there was …The Pollinators!
Early Development includes: Concert Staging for First Draft @ The Wild Detectives - May 2021
Staged Readings with Director and Dramaturg, Jake Nice @ O.C.C.C. - May and November 2019
Jake Nice, Dramaturg & Reading Director
Braden Socia
Steven Smith
Bill Jenkins
Bwalya Chisanga
Olivia Cinquepalmi
Jamal Houston
Natalie King
Daryl Mayfield
