SYNOPSIS
Gracie, a high school sophomore and non-Catholic, is sent to an all-girls Catholic boarding school when her father suddently dies.  Having never known her mother, Gracie is alone and confused.  She finds friendship in her classmates, who also help get her up to speed on a lifetime of missing catechism and religious tradition.  In class she struggles to reconcile what she is learning from Sister Francis in Religion class and Sister Lidwina in Physics. While one teaches Archimedes, the other talks of Jesus walking on water.  As she tries to make sense of her new surroundings, she also longs for the loss of her father, and wonders about the identity of her mother.

Recommended for high school and adult audiences.

PLAYWRIGHT
McKinley is a writer, musician and mechanical engineer.  She is a member of the local band, Dirty Martini and is the host of the Discovery Channel show, "Under New York".  Gracie and the Atom is her first musical.

Read The Oregonian's article about "Under New York."

BEHIND THE SCENES
Check out the new video trailer, created by Michael Ward
Click here to see a schedule of Audience Enrichment Events 
Click here to see photos of the set design
Click here to read an interview with playwright McKinley
Click here to hear McKinley and Marissa Neitling on KINK
Click here to read an interview with Musical Director Clay Giberson
Click here to hear McKinley and Mariss on KBOO's Stage & Studio

PRODUCTION HISTORY
Gracie and the Atom was workshopped by Artists Rep during the 2009 Fertile Ground New Works Festival.  The script and music are now being refined in preparation for the musical's World Premiere in April 2010. Samples of the music can be heard at http://www.gracieandtheatom.com/. 

PRODUCTION SPONSORS 

Darci Swindells

  PRESENTING SEASON SPONSOR: 

 

"...whipsmart and bittersweet Catholic schoolgirl musical..." says Portland Monthly Magazine, click here to read the full review.

"(The musical) has an intriguing core idea, a lovely pop score, and oodles of intelligence and wit."- The Oregonian.

Check out The Oregonian's Preview article here

"...warm-hearted, very funny, thoroughly entertaining show with a long list of virtues." says The Oregonian, click here for the full review.

"This was a humorous yet touching indie musical...The songs were catchy and did a nice job telling the story." - Audience Member

"It was FANTASTIC. The writing, the musicians and the performance were excellent!" - Audience Member

"I alternately cried and wanted to get up and dance!" - Audience Member

"The music, the talent, the lyrics...
It's one of the BEST shows I've seen in Portland." - Audience Member

"...charming, heart-warming play with fantastic music, delightful dancing and an exceptional cast." - Audience Member

"This was a joyful play that made my wife and I laugh and cry. Wonderful." - Audience Member

"Gracie and the Atom, singer/songwriter McKinley’s first musical, fills the stage at Artists Repertory Theater with an interesting debate between science and God, the vibrant energy, both angst-filled and joyful, of teen-aged girls in a Catholic boarding school, plus a collection of likable, intelligent songs," says Oregon Music News, click here for the full review.

"Gracie is a bright, bubbly and boisterous musical treat," says Pacific NW Theatre. Click here for the full review.