Wakeman (fka Rosetta Project) is a new musical in development.
"Living Out Loud" featuring Ari Notartomaso, filmed at Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon
WAKEMAN 2025
NAMT FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS SELECTION
Wakeman was one of eight musicals selected from over 570 submissions and nearly 1000 writers to be featured in the 37th annual NAMT Festival of New Musicals. The winners were presented in October 2025 in New York City.
Development & Recognition
'26 Developmental Production at New London Barn Playhouse, co-produced w/Limehouse Productions
'25 NAMT Festival of New Musicals
'24 Village Theatre Festival of New Works
'24 NAMT Recommended
'24 Inaugural Circle in the Square Conservatory Writer in Residence (workshop of Wakeman)
'24 Kleban Prize for Lyrics Finalist (Jenn Grinels/Wakeman)
'24 Concert Presentations Tower Theatre in Bend, OR & Alberta Rose Theater in Portland, OR
'23 National Alliance of Musical Theater Finalist
'23 O'Neill Conference Semi-Finalist
'23 29 Hour Reading (TBD Theatricals/Hunter Arnold)
'22 Lewis & Clark University & Reed College Mini-workshops w/ Dr. Jenna Tamimi
'21 Concert Presentation Bridgetown Conservatory
The Story
Wakeman 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. Wakeman weaves together the fascinating stories of these untold heroes.
Demos: (Click here for LYRICS | Order the limited edition Demos on Vinyl)
Composer/Lyricist/Bookwriter- Jenn Grinels
Now an award-winning, nationally touring singer/songwriter, Grinels 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 2,000,000 streams online. With Wakeman, Grinels returns to her musical theater roots, combining her experience on theatrical stages and as a singer/songwriter.
Contact
Seth Glewen - SGlewen@gersh.com