A Musical About Hot Dogs!?
Absolutely. Hot Diggity! tells the story of competitive eater Bud Broman who risks everything for a chance to become the hot dog eating champion of the world. Set on the morning of July 4th at the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, this original musical follows Bud as he battles heart disease, a spiteful sportscaster, defending champion Johnny Peanut, and a girlfriend who'd rather he just find a normal job and settle down. Hot Diggity! is about the goals we all set for ourselves, as sportsmen, businessmen, artists, as people -- and the sacrifices we make to achieve them.
The History
As a student at the Eastman School of Music, I was surrounded by musicians who all felt a powerful connection to their craft. But they not only wrestled with demanding schedules and a competitive industry, they had to answer difficult questions such as: What is it worth? Why do I spend eight hours a day in a practice room? Will I be successful? What does the word "success" even mean?
Anyone who is the least bit career-driven asks him- or herself these questions. As a composer, I find myself plagued by them. A few years ago, I decided to retaliate. I decided to write a musical that parodies these feelings by portraying a man who is fiercely devoted to his craft, his art, his passion -- which just so happens to be eating hot dogs.
The Dream
As you may know, it takes a long time to transfer new musicals from the page to the stage. As of now, I've been working on the show for three years. It was just workshopped by the Music Box Theater in Houston, Texas and is finally ready for the next step: submission to festivals and theaters in New York and around the country.
There are many opportunities for new playwrights to have their works read, workshopped, and performed. However, these opportunities require that you submit a demo CD. With your financial support, we can put together that recording and bring this musical to a larger audience!
The Plan
Your contributions will go directly to producing a demo CD. The costs of creating such a CD are numerous. They include:
1: Studio time
2: Mastering time
3: Materials, such as CDs, labels and packaging
4: Compensation for the actors
5: Compensation for the pianist
6: Submission fees
This Indiegogo campaign is limited to just producing the CD. But that's not the end of the journey. I'll send that CD, along with copies of the script, to several festivals around the country, including The New York Musical Theater Festival and The PiTCH at the Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival. I'll also submit it to various theaters, including The Vineyard and Playwrights Horizons.
Success in these endeavors is not guaranteed; but Hot Diggity! boasts beautiful music, intricate lyrics, and a compelling, relatable story -- all ingredients for a successful musical. I believe the show has a bright future. But it requires the support of my friends, family, and theater enthusiasts everywhere!
Let's Make It Happen
Thank you for considering my campaign. With your financial support, we can launch Hot Diggity! to new heights. Together, we can bring this funny, thought-provoking musical to the stage.