Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) has announced the cast and creative team for its new musical “Milo Imagines the World,” which follows the story of a young boy who passes time on a crowded New York City subway by imagining the lives of the passengers around him. Through his sketches, Milo discovers that his initial assumptions about people are not always correct, and he gains new perspectives about family, love and resilience.
Albright and Magby, the duo behind the music and lyrics, bring their diverse musical influences and collaborative expertise to the production. Both artists have gained recognition for their innovative work in theatre and music, with compositions that push genre boundaries while maintaining accessibility.
Albright, whose background includes theatrical scoring and songwriting, described his creative process while working with Magby and the show’s production team. “For me, being the lyricist, I am the middleman. [I’m] in between the book writer as well as the composer. And so I blend both with musical language and make sure things mesh together.
“The other [songs] came through discussion and creating the storyline together,” Albright continues. “I work with Terry Guest, our book writer, and I see where he is in the script development and where he gets to those pivotal points where the dialogue feels too big to describe. Music needs to be the undertone to that.”
Magby, an accomplished composer, emphasized the importance of translating the book’s images into the stage score. “I think something that really helps us is throwing things at the wall. And it’s not necessary, [but] let’s see if this idea is going to be the one that works. Let’s just try it anyway because what ends up happening is a catalyst for finding out new information for another moment.”
Magby states, “It’s just like, well, this might not work. But we did make this discovery. We’ve probably got about seven to eight songs that have never seen the light of day. But they were the precipice for all of these new songs that have started to show up and come off.”
The production’s music direction is led by Sanford Moore, a veteran of Twin Cities theatre known for his ability to craft dynamic, cohesive musical landscapes. Moore’s work ensures that Albright and Magby’s compositions are brought to life in ways that enhance the storytelling.
The cast includes Toussaint Francois Battiste as Milo, Antonisia Collins as Adrienne, and China A. Brickey as their mother. The ensemble also features John Jamison II, Keegan Robinson, and Janely Rodriguez, with understudies supporting key roles.
The creative team behind the production includes scenic designer Sydney Lynne, costume designer Annie Cady, lighting designer Wu Chen Khoo, and choreographer Breon Arzell. Their combined efforts promise to bring Milo’s world and his subway illustrations to life on stage.
“Milo Imagines the World” marks another step forward in CTC’s commitment to commissioning new works that reflect diverse stories and perspectives, making it a natural fit for the Twin Cities arts community.
Based on the children’s book by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson, the production is a joint commission by CTC, The Rose Theater in Omaha, and the Chicago Children’s Theatre. Opening night is set for Saturday, February 8, at 7 p.m. and it runs February 4-March 9.
Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased online at childrenstheatre.org/milo. The show has a runtime of 65 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for audiences of all ages. Lap passes are available for children three and under. For school groups interested in attending, CTC offers resources and ticket information at schools@childrenstheatre.org.
