The Cousins Grimm

Description / Development History

The Cousins Grimm tells the story of cousins Leon and Jackie Grimm adapting their ancestors’ beloved stories and adding a queer sensibility to them. Strange and magical things begin to happen as their versions of the tales come to life. Book by Ted Sod.

The Cousins Grimm was showcased in London in November 2015 at Aria Entertainment’s From Page to Stage Festival of New Musicals (directed by Scott Le Crass). An earlier version of Grimms was presented in 2009 at Bailiwick Rep in Chicago (directed by Scott Ferguson) following a 2008 workshop at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in Waterford CT (directed by Michael Bush) and 3 developmental readings in 2007 – at NYMF, Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre, and at The York Theatre in NYC.

The Cast & Creative Team on stage after our London Showcase, 2015

Erin Dilly backstage at the NYMF reading of The Cousins Grimm, 2007

The Chicago cast of The Cousins Grimm w/ director Scott Ferguson, 2009

Backstage before the first reading of The Cousins Grimm at the York Theatre, Jonathan Brody, Klea Blackhurst, Ann Harada, Jillian Louis, Randy Redd, and Heidi Blickenstaff, New York, 2007

Harris Doran and Colin Hanlon in the reading of The Cousins Grimm at the O’Neill, 2008

Harris Doran and Megan Sikora as Leon and Jackie Grimm at The O'Neill, 2008

Press Quotes

“The Cousins Grimm is warm-hearted, sweet, and amusing … offers up some very likable tunes by Off-Broadway songwriters I have long admired.”  ~Chicago Tribune

“This delightful new musical unfolds as an ambitious rework of backstage Broadway musicals and a fresh–gay oriented take on the timeless Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm. Originality together with empathetic characters singing fun tunes makes for a light evening of musical comedy. I enjoyed this smart riff on fairy tales.” ~Chicago Critic.com

“The Cousins Grimm begins with the song “Why Not A Fairytale?” and by the end the audience feels like singing along.  A musical about playwrights creating a gay, musical version of the Grimm’s fairytales may sound ridiculous — and it is — but it is also fabulous. Amusing and poignant – even the most biting and edgy moments have a lot of heart. A lovely combination of satire and romance” ~NewCity Stage

Music from the Show

Erin Dilly and Randy Redd (Jackie and Leon Grimm) sing this excerpt from Why Not a Fairytale.  Jeff Caldwell is the musical director/pianist.

An excerpt from Anything/Nothing.  Ann Harada and Jillian Louis are Christina and Sally who find true love in the “Sally and the Lesbian Billionaire” tale.  Heidi Blickenstaff narrates as Jackie Grimm – joined by Klea Blackhurst, Jonathan Brody, and Devin Richards.  Jeff Caldwell is the musical director/pianist.

An excerpt from The Kiss.  Heidi Blickenstaff sings, backed by the ensemble.