Writer's & Composer's Notes
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People often ask how a writer comes up with an idea for a story. Hallmarked came from a conversation with a family member. She loves Hallmark movies and her husband piped up with, "Not me! I can't believe you like them." She quickly reported that he walks through the room and stops and stands behind the couch and watches over half the movie from there. Showing the world he doesn't like them by standing and not relaxing and simultaneously being pulled in by the gravity of these lighthearted, silly, formulaic and incredibly popular stories. I thought about how I'm guilty of that, too. I would proclaim they weren't for me - - and watch half of them from behind the couch.
So I imagined a formulaic Hallmark story where the protagonist exclaims her dislike and points out the absurdity of this type of romance all while she is whole-heartedly participating in one. I knew it should be a musical. I knew who should write that music. The collaboration was easy and fun and everything clicked into place quite readily. During the process, I slowly recognized that all classic American musical theatre love stories follow this formula. Hallmark didn't create this plotline style - it comes from Broadway! Tonight, I'm glad you aren't standing behind the couch to enjoy this. Whether you love Hallmark-styled movies, or pretend not to, I'm happy you are in a seat! — Michael D. Fox Playwright |
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Why Not Us Over the past two years of writing this music together—as a mom, dad, and 17-year-old son—we faced more than a few moments of doubt. There were times we questioned whether we were “enough” to take on something like this. Each time, we chose to set those doubts aside and keep creating. It has been a true honor to write a musical that is joyful, hopeful, and uplifting—and an even greater honor to open this new theatre with an original work born from that belief. This project is rooted in family, legacy, and sound. Our son performed every instrument on the score and produced the tracks, bringing a rock-and-roll influence shaped by years of playing music together as a family band. That energy helped guide the emotional arc of this show—driving moments of humor, heart, risk, and triumph. We also carry with us a deep theatrical lineage: our great-grandparents, Ruth and Nathan Hale, wrote dozens of plays, and Sally Dietlein—mom and grandma—composed music for seven musicals. Much like Julie takes a bold leap in this story, we too have taken a leap as a family. We hope you love this music as much as we have loved creating it—and that it might encourage someone reading this to step outside their comfort zone and share their talents in a way that builds others. Why Not Us. — Quinn, Dawn & Cameron Dietlein Composers & Lyricists |
Director's Notes
Thank you to this amazingly wacky and dedicated cast who made every rehearsal a playground. Many thanks to Michael Fox, Quinn, Dawn, and Cameron Dietlein for creating such an exuberant new piece. Thanks to our producers who continue to have faith in new works. Thanks to our amazing design team, who channeled their inner romcom and created a perfectly curated world where anyone can breathe in the pristine saccharine air and manifest their own flannel clad love. And to all of you crazy formulaic romance movie junkies who have come for your live fix, we hope you will leave joyfully Hallmarked! — Dave Tinney Director |
