Up Next: [title of show]

Music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen
Book by Hunter Bell
Directed by M. William Panek
Music Direction by Simon Tiffin
Choreography by Whitney Havice

[title of show] was originally written in just three weeks for the New York Musical Theatre Festival. It has since become a cult favorite, offering a hilarious and moving look at creativity, friendship, and the chaos of chasing your dreams.

Jeff and Hunter, two struggling writers, hear about a new musical theatre festival. However, the deadline for submissions is a mere three weeks away. With nothing to lose, the pair decides to try to create something new with the help of their friends Susan, Heidi, and Larry on keyboard. They make a pact to write up until the festival's deadline and dream about the show changing their lives. [title of show] -- taken from the space on the festival's application form which asks for the "[title of show]" -- follows Hunter and Jeff and their friends on their journey through the gauntlet of creative self-expression. In the span of 90 minutes they write and perform their show at the festival and learn lessons about themselves as people, friends and artists.

Content warning: Contains adult language, references to sexuality, creative anxiety, and moments of self-deprecating humor.

CAST
Hunter - Kendall Jeonson
Jeff - Jake Fava
Heidi - Rachel Gladd
Susan - Carissa Yau
Hunter/Jeff Understudy - Russell Zillman
Heidi/Susan Understudy - Addi Barclay

Station Theatre to Host Second Annual Summer Bash and Reveal 53rd Season Lineup

The Station Theatre will host its Second Annual Summer Bash on Saturday, June 22, 2025, from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m., behind the theatre at 223 N. Broadway Ave. in Urbana. This free, public event celebrates the conclusion of the theatre’s 52nd season and offers an early look at the 2025–2026 season.

The afternoon will feature live music by local pianist Andrew Simek, performances from the Station’s summer productions (Assassins and [title of show]), and sneak peeks from the upcoming season’s Ordinary Days and Head Over Heels. As part of its ongoing support for the local arts ecosystem, the Station will also include cross-promotional performances from other summer musicals in the Champaign-Urbana area, including CUTC’s Beautiful, Urbana Park District’s Anastasia, and Champaign Park District’s Hadestown.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets and enjoy a relaxed outdoor atmosphere along the Boneyard Creek. Light snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase from local vendors. After the event, attendees are invited to continue the celebration at The Yard on Broadway for dinner and an informal afterparty.

During the event, the Station Theatre will also announce the full list of directors for its upcoming 53rd season, which runs from September 2025 through August 2026. This season is unified by the theme of persistence, highlighting stories of characters who endure, resist, and transform through adversity, humor, and connection.

“It never ceases to amaze me how big they are able to make this theater.”

— Scott Wells, photographer

Intimate space. Live theatre. Since 1972.

Welcome to the Station Theatre, an intimate space in downtown Urbana—located in the historic passenger station of the Big Four Railroad—provides live theatre year-round to inspire, educate, and challenge east central Illinois.