Penpals
Music and lyrics by Megan Robinson | Book by Megan Robinson
Based on an original concept by Megan Robinson and Sarah Campbell
Set in Australia in 1997, Penpals follows the story of Callie and Pearce, two young women on the cusp of adulthood. Assigned as penpals through a school program for young people going through family hardship, they continue to write to each other long after the program was meant to end, finding a deep connection despite the distance between them.
Now, as Callie plans her future beyond school and Pearce struggles through her HSC, the two come to realise that their feelings have grown into much more than friendship. But how can they be sure that the other feels the same way?
The Penpals Workshop - 2023
Director - Sarah Campbell
Music Director - Megan Robinson
Producer - Cam McCredie
Keys - Hazel Alexander
Stage Manager - Charlie Boyd
Originally workshopped at the Lighthouse Theatre
Technical Director - Micah Heazlewood
Lighting Operator - Sharelle Frazer
Set Design - Sarah Campbell
Set Concept - Megan Robinson
Costume Design - Megan Robinson
Feedback for Penpals
“Penpals reignited my love for Australian theatre. Sarah's directing and design stand out due to her meticulous attention to detail… ” - Gabrielle Rawlings (Jolly Good Musicals)
“Penpals is extraordinary. Megan Robinson has crafted a beautiful, funny and warm show with a top-notch score” - Tom S. Kelly (IGNITE Theatre Co)
“I am completely and utterly gobsmacked. I will be thinking about this show for weeks” - Ellis Pinkerton
“Despite its uplifting message, the show is real and raw, and doesn’t put an unrealistic neat bow on the struggles that are faced by many people in the queer community” - Gabrielle Rawlings (Jolly Good Musicals)
“Megan Robinson’s writing and Sarah Campbell’s direction is beyond brillant. I can't wait to see what’s next” - Zara Thompson
“Penpals is a beautiful musical, it astounds me that an original new work can be so impactful” - Michael Mulvenna (Jolly Good Musicals)
“Penpals spoke so clearly to so many queer experiences” - Rhiannon Lidbury
“Megan Robinson’s writing is welcoming and utterly brilliant. Penpals is a heartfelt queer story that celebrates the power of vulnerability” - Aden Abeleda (IGNITE Theatre Co)
“Penpals managed to so convincingly bring me along on a journey and life that I have never lived” - Jonathan Chang
Cast
Callie Gray - Megan Robinson
Pearce Hansley - Danika Rojas
Levi Gray - Toby Rowe
Rory Taylor - Danielle Lorzano
Jai Barlow - Daniel Walsh
Olive Lee - Bronwyn Dyer
Mr. Jacobs - Jack Talty
