''Saved'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman and the book by John Dempsey and

Rinne Groff Rinne Groff (aka Rinne Becker Groff) is an American playwright and performer. Biography Groff was trained at Yale University and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she currently teaches. A founding member of Elevator Repair S ...

. It is based on the 2004 film ''

Saved! ''Saved!'' is a 2004 American independent satirical black comedy film directed by Brian Dannelly, and starring Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin, Patrick Fugit, Eva Amurri, Martin Donovan, and Mary-Louise Parker. Its plot follows a tee ...

''. It premiered off-Broadway at

Playwrights Horizons Playwrights Horizons is a not-for-profit Off-Broadway theater located in New York City dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers, and lyricists, and to the production of their new work. Under the ...

in 2008.

Productions

''Saved'' premiered at Playwrights Horizons on June 3, 2008, and closed on June 22, 2008. Directed by Gary Griffin, the cast featured

Celia Keenan-Bolger Celia Keenan-Bolger (born January 26, 1978) is an American actress and singer. She is known for portraying Scout Finch in the play ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' (2018), which earned her a Tony Award. She has also won three Drama Desk Awards and an ...

(Mary),

John Dossett John Dossett (born April 15, 1958) is an American actor and singer. Early life and education Dossett attended Mount Pleasant High School in Wilmington, Delaware, from 1972 through 1976, where he was an announcer for the school's radio station, ...

(Pastor Skip), and Julia Murney (Lillian). The choreography was by

Sergio Trujillo Sergio Trujillo is a theater director and choreographer. Born in Colombia and raised in Toronto, Canada, he is now an American citizen and resides in New York City. Trujillo was the recipient of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography for ''Ai ...

, costumes by

Jess Goldstein Jess Goldstein is an American costume designer. He has designed over 30 Broadway shows, including ''Jersey Boys'', '' Take Me Out'' and ''Proof''. He received a Tony Award for Best Costume Design for his work on the play '' The Rivals'', in 20 ...

, lighting by

Donald Holder Donald Holder is an American lighting designer in theatre, opera and dance based in New York. He was born in 1962. He has been nominated for fourteen Tony Awards, winning the 1998 Tony Award for Best Lighting Design as well as the Drama Desk Awar ...

, and sets by

Scott Pask Scott Pask is an American scenic and costume designer. He has worked primarily on stage productions in the United States, on Broadway and Off-Broadway, and in regional theatre, as well as in the United Kingdom. He has won Tony Awards for his work ...

. The ''

Time Out New York ''Time Out'' is a global magazine published by Time Out Group. ''Time Out'' started as a London-only publication in 1968 and has expanded its editorial recommendations to 328 cities in 58 countries worldwide. In 2012, the London edition becam ...

'' magazine article noted that ''Saved'' "runs on teen power — its cast features 13 young characters rocking out against two adult authority figures." The musical was produced by Kansas City Repertory, in Kansas City, Missouri, in September and October 2010, and directed by Griffin. "The show's original creative team believed the show needed another opportunity to further its development. According to Griffin, 'Saved' is like many other successful musicals that do not reach their full potential in their first production. I believe we were only able to get a good first draft in New York, and it would be a shame to stop when we were just discovering the musical's strengths. The cast featured Sarah Gervais, Graham Rowat and Nick Spangler. The writers have continued to develop the musical, according to '' Playbill''.Hetrick, Ada
"Felicia Finley, Graham Rowat and Nick Spangler Will Be Saved in Kansas City"
'' Playbill'' August 10, 2010.

Synopsis

At American Eagle Christian High School, Mary and her friend Hilary are seniors. Mary's boyfriend Dean tells her that he may be homosexual, and Mary has a religious vision. In her vision, she is advised to help him. However, her attempts at good deeds go awry, and she questions her faith and beliefs. The principal of the high school, Pastor Skip, and Mary's widowed mother Lillian are romantically involved.

Musical numbers

;Act One *"In the Light of God" - Company *"I'm Not That Kind of Girl" - Mary, Hilary Faye, Lana *"Orlando" - Lillian *"I Can't Help It" - Hilary Faye, The Christian Jewels *"What's Wrong With Me?" - Dean, Mary, Company *"Make It True" - Patrick, Company *"Saved!" - Cassandra, Roland *"What Am I Missing?" - Pastor Skip, Lillian, Mary, Patrick *"Prayers" - Mary, Company ;Act Two *"Something Wrong" - Company *"Changing" - Mary *"Heaven" - Hilary Faye, Company *"The Pastor's Son" - Patrick *"I'm Not The Man I Thought I'd Be" - Pastor Skip, Patrick, Roland, Dean *"Prayers (Reprise)" - Cassandra *"How To" - Lillian, Mary *"Prom" - The Christian Jewels, Company *"Corithius" - Company

Original cast

- Mary *

Mary Faber Mary Benton Faber (born in Greenville, North Carolina) is an American actress. She graduated from the Governor's School for the Arts and Brandeis University. Stage career Faber made her Broadway debut on December 26, 2005, replacing Stephanie D ...

- Hilary Faye *Curtis Holbrook - Roland *Van Hughes - Patrick *Emily Walton - Tia *Morgan Weed - Cassandra *

Aaron Tveit Aaron Kyle Tveit (; born October 21, 1983) is an American actor. Tveit originated the lead role of Christian the composer in the stage adaptation of ''Moulin Rouge!'' on Broadway, a performance for which he won the 2020 Tony Award for Best Acto ...

- Dean *Juliana Ashley Hansen - Lana *

- Pastor Skip * Julia Murney - Lillian *Josh Brekenridge - Shane *Jason Michael Snow - Zac

Awards and nominations

;

Lucille Lortel Award The Lucille Lortel Awards recognize excellence in New York Off-Broadway theatre. The Awards are named for Lucille Lortel, an actress and theater producer, and have been awarded since 1986. They are produced by the League of Off-Broadway Theatre ...

*Outstanding Musical (nomination) *Outstanding Choreographer (nomination)

References

{{reflist

External links

Internet Off-Broadway listing
2008 musicals Evangelicalism in popular culture Off-Broadway musicals Musicals based on films Plays by Michael Friedman LGBT-related musicals Musicals based on religious traditions