I got to attend the test-run of a unique new theatrical experience, and then write about it for the Texas Observer:
Some theater experiences are dignified and serious, exploring the depths of human emotion with gravitas and solemnity. On the other hand, there’s “Young Greg Abbott: A FuQusical.”
“This ain’t a subtle show, just thought you should know,” sang the band leader, King Amy Blackard, at the beginning of “Young Greg Abbott,” a satirical show which saw its first two full performances on October 18 in Austin. “Please save your thoughts and prayers. It’s just Sondheim with swears.”
At this “FuQusical,” the audience was encouraged to sing along, shout, and curse at the cast—especially at the actor, Brently Heilbron, playing the youthful version of our now third-term governor. Heilbron also wrote the script and music. Many middle fingers flew during the performance I attended, among the packed crowd at the downtown State Theatre.
“It’s really fun to take a lot of anger and attach it to musical theater,” Heilbron told the Texas Observer backstage before the show. “This is how my protest comes out.”
Heilbron was first inspired to create the show after the 2021 passage of the state’s six-week abortion ban. “There’s no reason other than cruelty and demeaning women, controlling women. That was the kernel. I think I wrote a song about that because that’s just the way my brain works.” Over time, Heilbron added another 10 tunes. He said initial public readings of the show, in December and February, drew sold-out audiences.
Outside his current role, Heilbron is probably best known as the band leader of Fragile Rock, an emo puppet band. Along with Elle Mahoney, he’s half of Tin Pan Pally, a husband-and-wife team that produced the Abbott show and published the score, which is available on Bandcamp and Spotify. After the October performances, the team hopes to take the show on the road around the state and beyond—with the goal of knocking the governor’s political career down a peg.
