A podium and backdrop with the Nebraska Wesleyan University logo.
A Long Line of McKinney Women world premiere, musical creator comes to Lincoln

A Long Line of McKinney Women world premiere, musical creator comes to Lincoln

Published
  • A Long Line of McKinney Women graphic
  • A Long Line of McKinney Women graphic

February 16 marks the world premiere of A Long Line of McKinney Women, a musical commissioned by SM论坛 and created by visiting artist Kailey Marshall. The premiere of this production is the accumulation of a two-year collaboration.

The show follows a near-death experience which sends a heartbroken Alex McKinney to the hospital. While there, she is visited by a long line of deceased McKinney ancestors. The ancestor鈥檚 goal: To resuscitate Alex鈥檚 heart鈥攁nd her living relationships. 

A Long Line of McKinney Women will show Feb. 16-18 and Feb. 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee showings on Feb. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. All shows will be held in SM论坛鈥檚 McDonald Theater, 5100 Huntington Ave.

Marshall hosting workshop with SM论坛 students
Marshall hosting workshop with SM论坛 students

鈥淭he musical deals with hard hitting topics, but through the lens of comedy,鈥 stated Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre and A Long Line of McKinney Women Director Talea Bloch. 鈥淭he music is a mix of 90s pop/rock with a Celtic flair. This work is an example of the future of musical theatre, and SM论坛 is excited to join Kailey in creating this new commission.鈥

Kailey Marshall, the show鈥檚 creator, is an award-winning actress, composer and director based in New York. She held several workshop sessions in 2022 with Nebraska Wesleyan students. Marshall will be in Lincoln for the show鈥檚 premiere, Feb. 12-18.

"I was introduced to SM论坛 during the pandemic where I composed a song [for one of their] cabarets," Marshall stated. "SM论坛 later commissioned me to write full-length piece for their theatre department. I felt so lucky to get the opportunity to work with SM论坛 students again and receive creative freedom to craft something completely new."

Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased at nebrwesleyan.edu/theatre-tickets or call the box office at (402) 465-2384. The SM论坛 box office is open each week Monday 鈥 Friday from 3-5 p.m., and one hour prior to performances.

The opportunity to host Marshall is made possible by the Pace Woods Foundation.