Unveiling “The World’s Cassette Library”: An Exclusive Q&A with Creator Mike Nappi
Developing a new musical is never easy, but the pandemic unexpectedly provided a unique opportunity for Mike Nappi the multi-talented actor-musician and emerging playwright-composer behind the captivating new musical, “The World’s Cassette Library.” Fresh off performing in one of the hottest shows off-Broadway, “The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers,” Nappi brings his rich background in theatre and passion for new play development to this heartwarming production. Inspired by his own childhood memories, “The World’s Cassette Library” has already garnered significant attention, including being a finalist for the Woodward/Newman Award and an upcoming industry presentation. Join us as we explore the inspirations, creative processes, and emotional depths that make “The World’s Cassette Library” a truly unique and touching musical experience.
We had an opportunity to speak with Mike Nappi about his newest project.
MEDIUM: What inspired you to create The World’s Cassette Library, and how did the story of Joey and his siblings come to life?
MIKE NAPPI: This story is loosely based on my childhood. My brother Joey created a club called “The World’s Cassette Library.” He would record our favorite movies and TV shows on cassette tapes that my siblings and I would listen to each night under plastic glow-in-the-dark stars. Fast forward 15 years, my brother sent me a Google Drive link of digitized cassette recordings of our family vacations, my sister’s wedding, conversations with my grandmother, etc. It turned out that he had been recording everything and still was; a true audio archivist. After a very emotional listening session to these new “tapes” as an adult, I thought there was a story here! I took the idea to my best friends, Max and Sam, and away we went.
MEDIUM: The musical delves into themes of forgiveness and memory. How did you approach the challenge of portraying these complex emotions through music and lyrics?
MIKE NAPPI:Music expresses emotions and experiences in so many ways that words cannot: the unbelievable excitement of a snow day, witnessing a billion lightning bugs blinking in summer, suffering from first love heartbreak. With the score, I started at the piano first, exploring a feeling or an image; what does standing alone in a quiet snowfall sound like, for example. We learned early on in the writing process that there is something so profound in the adult siblings playing their younger selves as they jump in time from a stark present to a whimsical past, using the cassette recorder as a time machine. With the music and lyrics, we were able to really paint that contrast and apply it to the show’s themes of memory, forgiveness, loss, and family. When the siblings are in the present day, there is no music. It’s almost like a straight play. But when they go to the past, the music explodes, and everything is playful and fantastical — adulthood versus childhood.
MEDIUM: Can you tell us about your collaboration with Sam Durant Hunter and Max Sangerman on the book and lyrics? What was the creative process like for the three of you?
MIKE NAPPI:I love these guys! They are brilliant artists and just wonderful people. I came to Max and Sam with this idea in March of 2020. We talked about writing it over some Big Macs and McChicken sandwiches. I played them a few musical ideas on the piano, and then COVID hit. We all got sick at the same time in the first week. We spent a lot of the pandemic writing this show, which was both therapeutic and challenging during an insane time. The three of us are family. There was a lot of love and vulnerability in the writing process. We also had never written a musical before, which I think was part of the magic. Everyone brought a piece of themselves to the table. We jammed, sent voice memos back and forth, challenged each other, and just kept throwing darts at the board. It’s been an epic journey and a beautiful collaboration. We love the work. Write things with your besties!
MEDIUM: The World’s Cassette Library is part of The Stage Door Foundation’s Broadway Workroom Series. How has this initiative and the support from The Stage Door Foundation impacted the development of your musical?
MIKE NAPPI:Writing a musical takes time. There are so many steps in the developmental process, and I think one of the most crucial steps is sharing the work. The Stage Door Foundation has provided us with an awesome opportunity to present this story, which we’ve been working on for four years now. Nothing excites me more than seeing an original story, hearing original music, and celebrating new voices. We are so grateful for the Broadway Workroom Series and their support!
MEDIUM: What do you hope audiences will take away from The World’s Cassette Library, both in terms of its story and its musical experience?
MIKE NAPPI:Reflection can be painful but also beautiful and healing. We want people to revisit their childhood and sit with their own past, embrace the nostalgia, maybe call a family member they haven’t talked to in years, or reach out to that friend they’ve been putting off. Memory is fickle. People remember moments happening differently, which can result in festering grudges that last for decades. I think life is too short for that. I also hope audiences enjoy a new story and sound executed by this incredible cast and group of musicians!
MEDIUM: You recently closed The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers. How was your experience?
MIKE NAPPI: Oh man, it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I started Life and Slimes with Marc eight years ago. His story of overcoming obstacles is incredibly inspiring and has had such an impact on me as an artist. I am so grateful for him, Alex Brightman, Drew Gasparini, and Chad Rabinovitz for trusting me in bringing 30-plus characters to life. Marc and I also had such a blast every single night with the best crew ever! I adore everyone who worked on this show, and I will miss the weekends at New World Stages filled with pies to the face, silly string attacks, fruity pebble showers, and, of course, the slime!
The World’s Cassette Library has music and orchestrations by Mike Nappi (Life and Slimes of Marc Summers), and book and lyrics by Nappi, Sam Durant Hunter (Paris Through A Window), and Max Sangerman (A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical)
The cast will feature Reed Campbell (Gun & Powder at Papermill), Andy Christopher (Rock and Roll Man), Logan Farine (Rent national tour), Olivia Gjurich (Fiddler on the Roof national tour), and Sumi Yu (Greater Clements at LTC). The creative team includes direction by Shannon Molly Flynn (Normal Ave), music direction by Chris Gurr (Back To The Future), the stage manager is Caroline Pastore (Dead Outlaw) with Erin Reynolds (Hadestown) as dramaturg/assistant director. The band includes Gurr on piano, Samuel Quiggins (American Pops Orchestra) on cello, and Jordan Ross (The Get Down) on drums.
Open Jar Studios NYC is located at 1601 Broadway, 11th floor (enter on W 48 Street), NYC. Tickets to this presentation are $0- $75; limited seating and reservations are required.
