Summary … Slinky the Musical
I am Becky Brabham and I am leading the production team for Slinky the Musical, along with theatrical producer Gary Broughman and my dad, Bob Brabham. My dad and I are both professional musicians and musical arrangers who have enjoyed success nationally in the advertising world writing music sometimes called “jingles.” Gary is a proven producer who recently staged full length plays by renowned playwrights Neil Simon and Stephen Adly Guirgis at the Atlantic Center for the Arts. He specializes in performing arts that “feed the spirit.”
We will bring Slinky the Musical into history with a premiere run of four shows January 13-15, 2017, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“Back in the day” Bob Brabham shot 90 percent of the Slinky commercials that America saw on television for (Barton and Cureton). Before she passed away, Betty James, the remarkable woman who made Slinky the icon it is today, asked Bob Brabham and advertising executive Tom Cureton, to write a musical based on her story. Bob and Becky collaborated to write the music, Tom Cureton helped write the script, and Bob and Becky brought Gary on board to manage the complexities of production.
The script has been written and refined, the music has been recorded and is stunningly beautiful, the Gillespy Theater at the News-Journal Center in Daytona Beach has been secured, and we are ready to begin auditions.
Slinky has been in space with NASA, is in the Smithsonian and the National Toy Hall of Fame, and has appeared in movies like Ace Ventura. We believe it is headed for Broadway to take its place next to fresh new musicals like Hamilton. We want to make sure it is done right — with professional direction, actors, and a set worthy of a toy that has sold 250 million copies worldwide. That is why we are asking you to join us in “taking it to the max!”
We have compiled a budget of $16,023 which includes $5,323 for the venue, $2,500 for personnel (production team), $1,200 for set and costumes, $400 for insurance, $2,000 for talent (i.e., actors and singers), $2,000 for advertising, $300 for printing, $1,000 for rehearsal space, $300 for musical development, $500 for transportation. $500 for miscellaneous
How We Show Our Appreciation
We want contributors to know they are truly part of Slinky the Musical, which is why we offer the following to show our appreciation for your contribution:
$20 … Choose a commemorative Slinky toy or unique Slinky the Musical Tee Shirt sent to your home.
$40 … A commemorative Slinky toy and a unique Slinky the Musical Tee Shirt sent to your home.
$100 … Two tickets to your choice of shows during the premiere run of Slinky the Musical, January 13-15, 2017, in Daytona Beach Florida.
$200 … Two tickets with VIP seating to your choice of shows during the premiere run of Slinky the Musical, January 13-15 2017, in Daytona Beach Florida, plus listing in the playbill as a Gold Sponsor that brought Slinky the Musical to life.
$500 … Two tickets with VIP seating to your choice of shows during the premiere run of Slinky the Musical, January 13-15 in Daytona Beach Florida, one free night in the host hotel on the ocean in Daytona Beach, plus listing in the playbill as a Gold Sponsor that Brought Slinky the Musical to life.
If we do not reach our full fundraising goal, we will produce Slinky the Musical anyway and will stage a beautiful show. All “perks” described above will be honored. Our budget of $16,023 is designed to allow us to work at the highest level, but like many families we are skilled at “stretching” when necessary.
Impact
We believe America needs an inspiring story like Slinky the Musical right now—a true story of a working class family that caught a break and ran with it, and a woman who defied the odds when the going got tough and reached the pinnacle. This is a true story, not a manufactured fable. A popular song once said “what the world needs now is love …” That is still true, and more than ever it also needs beauty. Slinky the Musical is beautiful through and through.
The people behind this project have made wonderful entertainment happen in the past are dedicated making this their career achievement.
Risks and Challenges
Producing theater is a labor of the heart. Everyone knows it carries risks and is not a surefire investment (if there is such a thing!). But when skilled, talented, and experienced people combine with artful material, the opportunity to produce something grand is like nothing else in this world. The feeling such success brings has to be something like what Betty James felt when Slinky finally went viral!
Please, if you are inspired by Slinky the Musical, use Indiegogo’s Share tools to let others know!