MSU New Musical Laboratory leaves audiences ‘In Pieces’

There needs to be a term like “trigger warning” that gives attendees of a show a heads up that they’re about to feel some feelings. Feelings they haven’t felt in a while — maybe since early adulthood, when they were still figuring out who they were and how to navigate relationships successfully. A nostalgia warning, tinged with a bit of regret, that they might leave the theater unable to shake the feeling that their soulmate and “the one who got away” are, in fact, the very same person.

“In Pieces,” produced by the Michigan State University New Musical Laboratory, is well worth a couple of hours of your time. The newest work by New York City singer-songwriter and playwright Joey Contreras, the show follows six people — Alex, Grey, River, Peter, Charlie and Sam — across three different chapters in their lives as they experience love, breakups, possible reunions, self-acceptance, more breakups and, sometimes, love again.

The show is absolutely hilarious, occasionally heartbreaking, and, just like real life, not everything is tied up in the end with a neat little bow. The strong characters and original songs deftly capture the experiences of people learning to love and accept themselves and others over the course of several years. As the show’s tagline states, “Sometimes the greatest love story is about the soulmates you don’t end up with.”

If you aren’t familiar, the New Musical Laboratory is a collaboration between the MSU Department of Theatre and the Wharton Center that offers students educational and networking opportunities while allowing writers to workshop new musicals. The shows are directed by a Broadway-caliber director and feature professional actors in leading roles.

The New Musical Laboratory also provides a unique experience for audience members. Seeing actors holding scripts on stage and being invited to stay after the show for a Q&A session and to provide feedback isn’t the norm at most performances. For audience members unable to stay after the performance, there’s also an opportunity to provide feedback online.

There are only two more chances to catch this delightful musical while it’s being workshopped at Wharton’s Pasant Theatre. Fans of musical theater will enjoy the chance to not only see a new production but also help that production make its way to Broadway. Imagine, years from now, Contreras thanking you for your amazing suggestion as he accepts his Tony Award!