Instructor Phil Darg’s original musical to premier off-Broadway

Pine Technical College liberal arts instructor Phil Darg’s original stage production, Sasquatched! The Musical, was selected by the New York Musical Theatre Festival’s Next Link Project, NYMF’s primary writer service program, to premier at the tenth annual New York Musical Theatre Festival, which runs July 8 through July 28 in New York City.

“I am honored my piece was selected,” says Darg. “As an instructor, actor, playwright, writer, and composer, I find it important to embed music, theatre, and the arts into the curriculum. The best way to do that is to stay active in my other professions and hobbies and work to inspire my students through creative means,” adds Darg.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival is the premier annual musical theater event which presents new musicals in an off-Broadway venue. Productions chosen for the Next Link Showcase are selected through a double-blind process and are presided over by a judging committee of industry professionals, including Tony Award winners and nominees.

Darg’s musical features Arthur, a kindhearted, gentle, talking Sasquatch, who is lost in a national park when he is befriended by young Sam. Together, they encounter quirky locals and elude a ruthless television crew investigating “Bigfoot.” The musical offers entertainment with light social commentary delivered with catchy music in a comical style.

“The style of the play is humorous, fast-moving, and contemporary. The subject matter is somewhat satirical in nature, but is geared toward general audiences,” Darg says. “Dramatic themes include overprotective parenting, the phoniness of the media, environmentalism, multiculturalism, and animal rights. But, it’s nothing too preachy, political, or saccharin – the show maintains a balance between edgy and sweet,” Darg explains.

Darg has appeared in several productions, both on stage and for local television. He is the author of more than a dozen plays and has composed and produced music for local and national television. Darg’s music has been broadcast on multiple networks including MTV, The History Channel, and Turner South. At PTC, Darg teaches SPCH 1250: Intercultural Communication, SPCH 1260: Introduction to Speech, HIST 1200: United States History Since 1877, and POLS 1205: American Government and Politics. Darg holds a B.A. in history, an M.A. in speech communication, and an M.A. in history from Minnesota State University, Mankato; additionally, Darg holds a Ph.D. (ABD) in history from the University of North Dakota.

Photo: PTC instructor Phil Darg, on the streets of New York City, playfully advertising to produce off-Broadway musicals.