Maxwell

A New Rock Musical by Joe Popp

Directed by R. M. Lawrence

Jan. 4 – 20, 2002

Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center for the Performing Arts

Feb. 1 – 2, 2002

Galapagos Art Space, New York City

Joe Popp (Joe Popp Band, Whirligig – A New Rock Musical, Shakespeare in the Park's Macbeth) brings his inimitable talent back to Tampa with this world premiere rock musical directed by R. M. ("ranney") Lawrence (Zora Neale Hurston, The Ruins, Whirligig – A New Rock Musical). Concluding the Tampa engagement, MAXWELL will be traveling to New York City's Galapagos Art Space February 1 – 2.

MAXWELL tells the story of Joseph Maxwell, a prodigal genius born to working-class parents who, under the tutelage of Stephen Hawking, devises a plan to end mankind's need to work, starve, suffer or toil with the introduction of his Maxwell Machines – a new invention carrying the most complex algorithm mankind has ever known that perfects real time intelligence.

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The Ensemble of Jobsite's MAXWELL.

Click to enlarge

Problems arise once mankind becomes disillusioned and bored due to the Maxwell Machines' invasion of every sector of life. Joseph Maxwell becomes caught up in his own power and glory as the play moves forward until society, aided by Maxwell's best friend as well as girlfriend, rebels to overthrow the machines and Maxwell's regime.

MAXWELL ends on a note of reflection and the recurring notion that "So many times in life/What we need is inches away/But we're too distracted to grab it."

Jobsite promises an explosive production, fueled by high-energy music of varying styles (rock, cowpunk, gospel, even Broadway-style showtunes) by Joe Popp and the impeccable direction of R. M. Lawrence.

About the Artists

MAXWELL stars David M. Jenkins (True West, Laughing Wild, Accidental Death of an Anarchist) as Joseph Maxwell, Ami Sallee Corley (Dracula, Waiting on Sean Flynn, The Ruins) as Maxwell's mother Louisa, Jobsite newcomer Michael McGreevy as Maxwell's father Gerhardt, Nevada Caldwell, also a Jobsite newcomer, as Maxwell's love interest Rosa, Jason Evans (Dracula, Waiting on Sean Flynn, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare) as best-friend Oscar, Chris Holcom (Waiting on Sean Flynn, Lysistrata, The Ruins) as Stephen Hawking, and the ensemble of Christen Petitt, Tanesha Warren, Mark Trent and Harry Richards.

MAXWELL also reprises the incredible design team that brought you Dracula: Joy Platt (costumes), Brian Smallheer (sets) and Dickie Corley (lights).

Joe Popp's credits include The Joe Popp Band, as a solo acoustic performer, sound design and composition for the modern dance troupe Freefall (ltd), sound design for modern composer Elliot Sharp, former Technical Director at Galapagos Art Space, and sound design for both the Wau Wau Sisters and The Pontani Sisters. Joe was also subject of an NYU short film The Joe Popp Movie. Joe is no stranger to the creation of a musical as he has created two from Mac Wellman plays: Whirligig and Why the Y in Ybor? (later titled Fnu Lnu) as well as the critically acclaimed punk-rock Macbeth for American Stage's Shakespeare in the Park and the 15-minute cult hit, JY2K.

See more about the Cast & Crew.