Rosetta Project is a new musical in development.
Rosetta Project aka Wakeman, is "23 National Alliance of Musical Theater (NAMT) Finalist, and a '23 O'Neill Conference Semi-Finalist. Writer Jenn Grinels is a '24 Kleban Prize for Lyrics Finalist, as well as a '24 inaugural Emerging Artist in Residence at Circle in the Square Theater School (workshopping Wakeman).
*This trailer was filmed at a workshop concert in collaboration with Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre July 2021. To request the full concert, please email us at rosettamusical@gmail.com.)
The Story
The Rosetta Project is a new folk-rock musical which centers around the true story of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, a young woman who presented herself as a man and joined the Union Army during the Civil War. Her adventures are forever captured in a series of letters written to her family chronicling her daily life as Private Lyons Wakeman in the 153rd New York infantry. Original songs by lyricist/ composer Jenn Grinels bring to life this tale of identity and the pursuit of the American Dream.
It is estimated that over 400 women fought in the Civil War. The Rosetta Project weaves together the fascinating stories of these untold heroes, as they grapple with equality, identity and place.
Demos: (Click here for LYRICS)
Composer/Lyricist/Bookwriter- Jenn Grinels
Now an award-winning, nationally touring singer/songwriter, Grinels actually began her career in musical theater, performing in professional productions around Southern California after studying theater at UC Irvine. Grinels played Yitzhak in the West Coast Premiere of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and spent nearly three years portraying Janis Joplin in Beehive, The 60’s Musical. With the release of her first album, Grinels hit the road, performing her original music across the country and abroad, sharing the stage with 10,000 Maniacs, Christopher Cross, Marc Cohn, Edwin McCain, Marc Broussard, and countless others. As an independent artist, Grinels has built a large, grassroots following and released six full length albums, selling over 25,000 copies and accumulating over 1,000,000 streams online. With The Rosetta Project, Grinels returns to her musical theater roots, combining her experience on theatrical stages and as a singer/songwriter.