A sanctuary for musical theatre writers to develop new musicals in the heart of the Hudson Valley .
TRIPLE R PROGRAM
Rhinebeck Writers Retreat's Triple R Program ("2 Readings and a Residency") offers a unique opportunity for musical theatre writers to develop their work in a compressed time frame.
The program begins with a cold table reading in NYC to hear the initial draft aloud, followed by a residency upstate to focus on rewrites, and culminates with a staged reading back in NYC to collaborate with a cast and creative team.
Triple R is available to writers who have previously participated in our Summer Residency program.
TRIPLE R History
LOST CITY RADIO
by Joél Perez and Benjamin Velez
The 2026 Triple R musical was LOST CITY RADIO, directed by Tony Award nominee Leigh Silverman and music directed by PJ Ju. The cast featured Arielle Jacobs, Kristolyn Lloyd, Andrew Kober, and more.
Based on the acclaimed novel by Daniel Alarcón, LOST CITY RADIO follows Norma, a radio host in a country recovering from civil war, whose search for the disappeared becomes deeply personal when a young orphan arrives with a clue to the fate of her missing husband.
Rhinebeck first supported the musical with a weeklong residency in 2022. The 2026 Triple R staged reading was presented in partnership with NEW NEXT NOW.
Emily Saliers, Beth Malone, and Mary Ann Stratton
at the Triple R Presentation, New York City
The cast of LOST CITY RADIO at the 29-hour reading
THE REAL KYLE MCCARREN
by Andy Roninson and Sean McVerry
The 2025 Triple R musical was THE REAL KYLE McCARREN, directed by Telly Leung. The cast featured two-time Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin, Mia Pak, DeMarius Copes, and writers Andy and Sean.
Based on Andy’s life, THE REAL KYLE McCARREN tells the story of his deceased best friend and bandmate Kyle, who materializes onstage as the two musicians jam, laugh, and fight their way through a rock-and-roll celebration of friendship, grief, and the lives Kyle touched.
Rhinebeck first supported the musical with a weeklong residency in 2024. Following the Triple R, the show played a sold-out concert at Joe’s Pub, received a Pipeline Foundation Arts Grant, and went on to premiere at the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Emily Saliers, Beth Malone, and Mary Ann Stratton
at the Triple R Presentation, New York City
The cast and writers of The Real Kyle McCarren
ASSISTED
by Adam Chanler-Berat & Julian Hornik
The 2024 Triple R musical was ASSISTED, directed by Annie Tippe (Off-Broadway's OCTET and THREE HOUSES) and music directed by Simone Allen.
The cast included Peter Friedman, Mary Beth Peil, Barbara Walsh and Samantha Williams.
Rhinebeck supported this musical with a weeklong residency in 2023.
Emily Saliers, Beth Malone, and Mary Ann Stratton
at the Triple R Presentation, New York City
The cast and creative team of ASSISTED at the 29-hour reading
STARSTRUCK
Beth Malone, Emily Saliers & Mary Ann Stratton
The 2023 Triple R musical was STARSTRUCK directed by Sherri Eden Barber & music directed by Cynthia Meng.
The cast included Beth in the lead role, Jeb Brown, Claybourne Elder, Ann Harada, Marc Kudisch, and Krysta Rodriguez.
Rhinebeck supported this musical in 2021 with a virtual residency.
Emily Saliers, Beth Malone, and Mary Ann Stratton
at the Triple R Presentation, New York City
The cast of STARSTRUCK in rehearsal
Kalani Queypo and Kyle Puccia during their Triple R Residency in Rhinebeck, NY
MISSING PEACE
Kalani Queypo & Kyle Puccia
The 2022 Triple R musical was MISSING PEACE directed by Devanand Janki and music direction by Yan Li.
The cast featured the talents of Glenn Stanton, Nic Rouleau, Brandi Porter, Lina Sarrello, Jake Hart, Kyla Garcia, Jaileen Viera, and Angela Gómez
Rhinebeck supported this musical in 2020 with a virtual residency and they've since gone on to the 2021 NAMT Festival and were a 2021 O'Neill Finalist.
AGAINST WOMEN & MUSIC!
Kate Douglas and Grace McLean
The 2021 Triple R musical was AGAINST WOMEN & MUSIC! directed by Jaki Bradley and music direction by Kris Kukul.
The cast featured the talents of Nikki M. James, Joel Perez, Krysta Rodriguez, Erik Lochtefeld, Mia Pak, Natalie Walker.
Rhinebeck supported this musical in 2020 with a virtual residency, and it was so exciting to bring together so many talented artists so that Grace and Kate can see their work live for the first time ever.
Kate Douglas and Grace McLean at the Triple R presentation in 2021
TL;DR: Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix
Brandon James Gwinn, EllaRose Chary
The 2020 Triple R musical was TL; DR: Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix, directed by Sherri Eden Barber and presented in a live-streamed virtual format. Performers included Hannah Cruz, Ari Groover, Sara Porkalob, and Becca Blackwell.
Following the Triple R, the show received the Richard Rodgers award and was selected for the NAMT Festival of New Musicals in 2021.
Brandon James Gwinn and EllaRose Chary at the 2019 Meet the Writers event
The Tattooed Lady
Erin Courtney and Max Vernon
The 2019 Triple R musical was The Tattooed Lady, directed by Ellie Heyman and featuring Tony-winner Lauren Patten, Annie Golden, Gisele Jiminez and Jo Lampert.
Following the Triple R, The Tattooed Lady was awarded a Project grant from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage and Philadelphia Theatre Company will produce the world premiere in Fall of 2022.
The cast and creatives of Triple R reading of The Tattooed Lady,
Bhangin’ It
Mike Lew, Rehana Lew Mirza, and Sam Willmott
The 2017 Triple R musical was Bhangin' It, when the writers saw the musical on its feet for the first time. They were selected for the 2018 Johnny Mercer Grove at Goodspeed, and Mike and Rehana won the 2020 Kleban award.
Bhangin' It had its world premiere production at La Jolla Playhouse in spring 2022. Check out the clip below with excerpts from the La Jolla production.
Rehana Lew Mirza, Sam Willmott, Mike Lew
Broadway Bounty Hunter
Joe Iconis, Lance Rubin, and Jason “SweetTooth” Williams.
As a direct result of our reading in 2015, the musical had its world premiere at Barrington Stage in Pittsfield, MA in 2016 and its off-Broadway premiere in 2019.
Cast member Badia Farha performed a selection for the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat 10th Anniversary Fundraiser Celebration. Check out the video below!
Broadway Bounty Hunter cast in rehearsal for Triple R reading