Running @ AMT Theater
through September 2nd!
AMT Theater
354 WEST 45TH STREET
Thursday @ 7pm
Friday & Saturday @ 8pm
Sunday @ 3pm
27 months after the shutdown of the original production, the award-winning musical “Love Quirks” returned off-Broadway on Thursday, June 18th, for a 12-week limited run.
“Love Quirks,” is the recipient of four 2021 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards, including Best Production of a Musical, Best New Score of a Musical, Best New Book of a Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical. Due to closures, the original production was shut down in March 2020.
The original cast is returning: Maggie McDowell (Broadway’s “Disaster!”, “Kinky Boots”), Matthew Schatz (Off-Broadway’s “Heathers: The Musical”), Erin Lamar (“Bring It On!” National Tour), and Lauren Testerman. Dylan Hartwell and Rori Nogee return as the show’s understudies.
Based on actual events, “Love Quirks” centers on a group of thirty-somethings as they explore the bizarre tribulations of love, friendship, and all the blurry lines in-between. It features the award-winning score by Seth Bisen-Hersh, book by Mark Childers, and direction by Brian Childers.
Check out the online program here for full cast and crew information.
About
Love Quirks is a new musical based on actual events as a group of thirty-somethings explore the bizarre tribulations of love, friendship, and all the blurry lines in-between.
Four broken hearts must face the past and look to the future, as they march into the strange and often hilarious world of love on the island of Manhattan.
What they find is never what they expect, and they must face up to their own Love Quirks to move forward.
Love Quirks features a score of quirky, neurotic and poignant songs by composer/lyricist Seth Bisen-Hersh and a script by Mark Childers filled with laughter, pathos and sexual tension.
Music
The Original off-Broadway Cast Recording is out! Listen to it on every major streaming platform!
You can also buy a limited edition from the Kirtzerland label.
Buy the limited edition CD here.
Sheet music for the songs of Love Quirks is available at the Seth Song Store.
Cast
Erin Lamar
RyanErin Lamar is an AEA/ CAEA actor and is excited to be back with the Love Quirks family! Lamar is the proud Founder and CEO of Amplified Voices Productions (AVP), a photography and videography/filmmaking company that focuses on representing stories and championing the careers of POC and LGBTQIA+ artists and professionals. Since the launch of AVP (Dec 2020), he has produced, directed, written, performed and has been the Director of Photography in several films, pilots, series and web series. He has photographed Broadway performers, television and film actors, regional theater productions, corporate executives and small businesses. Lamar and AVP works with clients in NYC, Tampa Bay Area, Atlanta, Miami, LA and the Bay Area (California). Theater Credits include: Paradise Square: A New Musical, Sousatzka, Five Points, Bring It On! The Musical, The Wild Party, Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet, Shakespeare’s R & J, Passing Strange, A Free Man of Color, Hairspray and more. Lamar has also performed, directed and choreographed productions and concerts in London, Berlin and Tokyo. University of the Arts (2013). Special thanks to Avalon Artists Group, the cast and crew of LQ, husband, Unai and family for their continued love and support. IG: @lamar.erin, @av_productions, www.amplifiedvoicesproductions.com.
Maggie McDowell
LiliMaggie McDowell is thrilled to be back with her roommates! She was last seen as Lauren in Kinky Boots at the Ogunquit Playhouse after sharing the show on Broadway, the 1st National Tour, and at The Muny (Ensemble, Lauren u/s.) Broadway: Disaster! (OBC) Off Broadway: The Marvelous Wonderettes (Missy Miller), Disaster! (Marianne), Pinklacious! (Dr. Wink) Regional favorites: 9 to 5 (Doralee, Theatre by the Sea), Annie Get Your Gun (Annie Oakley, The Fireside) Hello Dolly! (Ermengarde, Studio Tenn) Grease (Marty, Ogunquit Playhouse) Disaster! (Sister Mary Downey, CT Rep). She also wrote and starred in Morning Person: to Broadway, Baby and Back , her NYC solo debut at The Green Room 42. Huge thanks to the LQ team and love to my boys Stephen & Thomas. Follow her @_maggiemcdowell_ and check out www.maggiemcdowell.com for more.
Matthew Schatz
ChrisMatthew’s favorite credits include Jersey Boys, Heathers, Million Dollar Quartet, and, of course, the pre-pandemic-almost-production of Love Quirks. He’s also been on TV a few times in “Difficult People”, “Hostages”, “Jon Glaser Loves Gear”, and several other shows. If you’d like to know more about him follow him on Instagram at @matthewfschatz, and make sure to watch him live on Twitch at twitch.tv/mrfancymatt.
Lauren Testerman
StephanieLauren is thrilled to be returning to the cast of Love Quirks as it reopens Off-Broadway! Favorite theatre credits include: The Black Book (swing), Next to Normal (Natalie), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive), Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More with Feeling (Buffy), & Saved: The Unauthorized Musical Parody (Hilary Faye). She was also seen in multiple readings and the 2014 workshop of Love Quirks. TV: “Most Evil”, “My Dirty Little Secret”. Huge thanks to the entire Love Quirks creative and producing team. LaurenTesterman.com. About Artists Agency.
Instagram: @LaurenTesterman.
TikTok: @lauren.testerman.
Rori Nogee
UnderstudyRORI NOGEE (Understudy) New York native! Broadway: Joseph…Dreamcoat. off-Broadway: James and the Giant Peach, Showgirls, the Musical! (Cristal Connors). Carnegie Hall: Journey to America. Fav Regional credits: Spamalot (Lady of the Lake), Young Frankenstein (Elizabeth), Rock of Ages (Regina), Disenchanted (Belle/Ariel/Rapunzel) and Rent (Maureen). Rori is also the creator of Siren’s Den: A Rock Musical (Demo available on i-tunes) and Aftershocks (NY Winterfest Best Play Nominee). Love and thanks to the Love Quirks team! Proud AEA member. @Roareen.
Dylan Hartwell
UnderstudyFavorite credits include “Chris” in Hands on a Hardbody, NEWSical the Musical (Off-Broadway) and his Carbonell-Award Nominated performance as “Fabrizio” in The Light in the Piazza. Look out for the cast album of his newest original musical RAGER!, written with collaborator Benny Gammerman. Dylan is a proud member of AEA. Love and thanks to friends, family, and fiancé!
Follow him on Instagram @dylan.hartwell.
Creative Team
SETH BISEN-HERSH
Composer/ LyricistSeth is a prolific, versatile, award-winning composer/ lyricist and performer. In addition to Love Quirks, for which he won the prestigious 2021 Off-Broadway BroadwayWorld Award for Best Score, he has written the score for The Diamond as Big as the Ritz (2019 Finalist: Stiles & Drewe Best Song Award, Studio Cast Recording), Stanley’s Party (Manhattan Children’s Theatre, 2010), More to Love (2014 Winner: Best Lyrics, West Village Musical Theatre Festival), The Spickner Spin (2004 Fringe NYC Audience Favorite Award), and Meaningless Sex (2003 Fringe NYC Audience Favorite Award). He has also written and starred in 10 cabaret song cycles of his work: And Then She Dumped Me, The Gayest Straight Man Alive, Meaningful Sex, Neurotic Tendencies, Why Am I Not Famous Yet?, Writer’s Block: a cabaret that was hard to write, I’ll Relax When I’m Dead: a reluctantly prolific cabaret, If Adele Can Do It, So Can I: an evening of mostly sorrow Not Your Grandma’s Cabaret (unless she’s really naughty) and his Self-Isolation Song Cycle during the 2020 pandemic. For 10 years, he produced two annual charity concerts of his work featuring Broadway performers (Broadway Meows and Broadway Can!); he wrote/starred in the 5 seasons of the web series “Every Day a Little Seth,” co-wrote/co-starred in the TV pilot version and has emceed, produced and accompanied over 700 musical theatre talent showcases at Don’t Tell Mama. In addition, he has published 3 books: a memoir, “Sleep. Write. Now. Emerging from a dark year of insomnia, anxiety, and depression from loss” and two books of essays: “Every Page a Little Seth” and “Millennials are Ruining the World!”, the latter which he turned into an audiobook and podcast. Also, he was a winner of a 2019 and 2020 ASCAP Plus Awards. Additionally, he’s had multiple crossword puzzles published in the LA Times and at Universal Crossword. He has two Bachelors from MIT (Computer Science & Engineering and Music Composition) and a Masters in Music Technology from NYU.
MARK CHILDERS
BookwriterMark wrote the book for the musical The Kid from Brooklyn, The Danny Kaye Story, which toured regionally for two years in NY, Chicago, NJ, FL and had a long run at the El Portel Theater in North Hollywood, CA. His play, The Rest of Us, has had several readings in New York and Boston, MA. As a writer/ filmmaker, some of his film credits include “Karma’s Choice” and “A Dinner Engagement,” highlighted by BET’s Beyond the Lens series. He also directed “The Waiting Room,” part of the Doorpost Film Project. He currently serves as Creative Director at Getfused, a Creative Marketing Agency located in Boston, MA, leading Brand Design and writing Ad spot creative for marketing campaigns.
Brian CHILDERS
DirectorDIRECTING: Fabulous Fanny: The Songs and Stories of Fanny Brice and Technology, Breasts and Other World Issues. As an actor, he received the 2002 Helen Hayes Award for “Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical” and the Mary Goldwater Award for his performance as Danny Kaye in Danny and Sylvia: A Musical Love Story. His recent tour of his new one man show An Evening with Danny Kaye has received rave reviews and has been seen coast to coast including Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C. OFF-BROADWAY: Danny and Sylvia, The Danny Kaye Musical (Danny Kaye). National Tour: The Kid from Brooklyn (Danny Kaye—Original), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Tom Sawyer). NEW YORK: Lady in the Dark (Russel Paxton Cover) City Center; Recovery (Demon/Damien) Theater for the New City. My Wife in a Chador, Theater for the New City; Sophia (Jake Kelly) Write Act Repertory; Obama in Naples (Paolo) June Havoc Theatre; Freedom’s Song: A New Musical; Miracle on 34th St.: The Musical (Marvin Shellhammer) Theatrical Gems; Promenade (Prisoner 105) The Musicals of Off-Broadway; Scandalous Behavior (Joseph Surface) York Theatre; On the Town (Gabey) St. George Theatre; Meester Amerika (Joey). Regional Theater: 90 North (Ensemble) Kennedy Center; The Titans, Kennedy Center; Lucky Stiff (Harry Witherspoon) Forum Theatre; Becoming George (The Prince) Metrostage; The Boys in the Band (Emory); Hollywood Pinafore (Ralph Rackstraw); The Robber Bridegroom (Jamie Lockhart); The Second Man (Austin Lowe) The American Century Theatre; Man of La Mancha, Olney Theatre; Crack Between the Worlds, Studio Theatre; Soloist: Hollywood Bowl: A Ball at the Bowl with the L.A. Philharmonic, Dodger Stadium (Special Guest Entertainer); Lincoln Center (A Tribute to Danny Kaye); Kennedy Center (Not a Day Goes By). Brian just released his first solo album, “Life Unfurled”, on all platforms. Brian is a proud member of Actor’s Equity.
AUSTIN NUCKOLS
Music DirectorAustin Nuckols is an NYC-based composer, writer, and pianist hailing from central Virginia. They studied Musical Theatre Writing at NYU, and have been spotted banging various pianos in the city since. Selected works include: Turtle on a Fence Post (Theater 555, Music), The Scarlet Savior: A Comic Book Musical (St. Luke’s Theater, Book & Music), Hyena in Petticoats (NYU, Book & Music), and Please Say You Love Me Too (UCI, Book & Music) with long term collaborator, Lily Dwoskin. His other works include: Inside Cloud 9 (Music & Lyrics) for Dreamers/Firehouse Theatre: a devised musical about the troupe’s experiences with autism, and #adulting: a millennial opera (St. Luke’s, Lowbrow Opera, Libretto & Music) and its commissioned upcoming sequel, #adulting 2: Here We Go Again (Lowbrow Opera, Summer 2022, Libretto & Music) with his “musical theatre sh*tposting group,” The Ballerina Kitties.
BRENT MICHAEL JONES
Stage ManagerBrent is so joyed to be back with this quirky team! He was last seen in Addy & Uno at Theatre Row while finishing his degree at Marymount Manhattan College. Stage Management credits include A Musical About Star Wars, NEWSical the Musical, The Marvelous Wonderettes, and Naked Boys Singing.
Tylar Traum
Assistant Stage ManagerTylar is incredibly excited to be joining the LQ team! She is a recent graduate from Marymount Manhattan College, where she received a BA Theatre Arts degree with dual concentrations in Directing and Stage Management. Since she was very young, Tylar has participated in every possible role in a production- from onstage to offstage, jumping in to help anywhere she can. Previously, she was the Production Assistant for A Musical About Star Wars (Off-Broadway). Other credits include various production team roles for Sacramento Theatre Company and Sacramento Music Circus. She sends much love to her parents, little brother, and her kitty Gary for their unwavering support.
@tylartraum.
JOSH IACOVELLI
Set DesignJosh has over 20 years of experience in theatre and television. His roles span from production design, art direction and scenic design. From fabrication to ideation, Josh has spent his entire career making ideas into reality. Favorite favorite design credits include: Broadway and The Bard starring Len Cariou, The Office a Musical Parody (dir Donald Garverick), Friends the Musical Parody (dir Paul Stancato), The Zero Hour (dir Piper Laurie), Hit Her with the Skates (dir Michael Schiralli), Disaster the Musical (dir Jack Plotnick), The Babies (dir Lloyd J. Schwartz), and The Book of Merman (dir. Joe Langworth) Bartenders starring Lou Mustillo. Other notable credits include long-running off-Broadway hits such as Danny and Sylvia: The Danny Kaye Musical, Dietrich and Chevalier starring Robert Cuccioli, Cougar the Musical, Sistas the Musical and It’s Just Sex, and Missed Connections. Josh most recently designed and directed Trial on the Potomac starting Rich Little. Josh received his BA in Theatre and Direction from Stockton University and his MFA from the Actors Studio.
Press
Reviews
“It is easy to see why LOVE QUIRKS, A New Musical Based on True Events, is the recipient of four 2021 Broadway World Off-Broadway Awards. This show recounts the joys and despairs of four 30-somethings (authentically portrayed by Erin Lamar, Maggie McDowell, Matthew Schatz, and Lauren Testerman) dipping and re-dipping their toes into the love pool. Seth Bisen-Hersh’s fresh lyrics and music performed by strong resonant voices move the story by Mark Childers along to places we have all been. The insecurities of coupling, the pugnacious nature of divorce, the pain of betrayal, and the general anxieties blend beautifully with the resilience of renewal, the hope of triumph, and of course the like-no-other-feeling of being in love. And yet, despite all the trials and tribulations, trust and desire keep us coming back for more. LOVE QUIRKS is a great reminder of the power of love and couldn’t show up at a better time.”
ELJNYC - Laurie Lawson - 2022
A kind of take on “Friends” for the twenty-first century, the two-act work is about four cohabiting thirty-somethings as they explore the rocky path of love and friendship. Love Quirks spins out as a pleasant romp through the modern mine-field of romantic and sexual relations, its strength in the delightful music by Seth Bisen-Hersh.
NiteLife Exchange - 2022
“With a score that shines and four strong performers each struggling through very different love stories, LOVE QUIRKS is If/Then meets First Date: a new musical for a new generation of a new New York.”
BroadwayWorld Review
“That’s the big thing that Seth Bisen-Hersh and Mark Childers get right with their show. They’ve succeeded at telling a story today’s struggling singles probably really need to hear.”
Talkin' Broadway Review
“Within moments the audience is transported; losing themselves in the story and forgetting they are seated in the tiniest of black box theaters… Book writer, Mark Childers, connects immediately and easily to the universal panoply of emotional life that relationships evoke. And he does a wonderful job of elevating the story above clichéd generational references while maintaining a youthful sensibility. Mr. Bisen-Hersh’s songs are funny, touching and come alive in the hands (voices) of four exceptional actors.”
StageBuddy Review
Ticket Information
We are offering limited discount tickets through our partner sites. The seating is selected by our box office and limited to specific performances.
$29 Student Rush Policy
Available on a first-come, first-served basis when performances are not sold out.
Where: AMT Theater box office. Time: Sold starting one hour prior to curtain.
ID: Current student ID Payment Method: Cash or credit card
Tickets per Person: Limit 2
Special Policies: Subject to availability. May not be offered for all performances.
Dining Partners
Love Quirks is playing at the newly renovated AMT Theater on 354 W 45th St, in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen. Our neighboring restaurants all support the artistic community around Hell’s Kitchen and provide amazing dining options for guests both before and after the show!
