The world premiere of I You: The Musical based on the play by Lauren M. Gunderson, with a book by Gunderson and music and lyrics by Ari Afsar, performs on Olney Theatre Center’s Roberts Mainstage April 22 – May 24, 2026, in a co-production with McCarter Theatre Center, and by special a rrangement with Alchemation. A prior version of the show premiered at McCarter Theatre Center this past fall, and the new production, both directed by Sarah Rasmussen, arrives at Olney Theatre with revisions and a new cast featuring J. Antonio Rodriguez (Orpheus in the Hadestown National Tour) as Anthony and Alex De Bard (Anna in Olney’s production of Disney’s Frozen) as Caroline.  Jason Loewith, Olney Theatre Center’s Artistic Director, said, “Producing the rolling world-premiere of Lauren’s breakout hit play I And You in 2015 marked a triumphant shift in our work here at Olney Theatre. I’m thrilled to be working with Lauren, along with composer/lyricist Ari Afsar and McCarter Theatre’s amazing artistic director Sarah Rasmussen to bring Lauren’s unforgettable story to an even larger audience.” J. Antonio Rodriguez and Alex De Bard About the Show Anthony (Rodriguez) turns up in Caroline’s (De Bard) bedroom one night bearing waffle fries, a beat-up book, and a homework assignment they’re supposed to do together: explore Walt Whitman’s poem “Song of Myself.” Chronically sick, Caroline hasn’t been to school in a while… and doesn’t even remember meeting some kid named Anthony, which dials up both her suspicions and her “snark-o-meter.” But as the two get to know each other, they finally learn of the deeper mystery that brought them together. Whitman’s powerful poetry inspires the music and lyrics by American Idol veteran Ari Afsar, which expands the magic of Gunderson’s remarkable story with an unforgettable ending. The understudy for Caroline is Alexandra Lopez, and the understudy for Anthony is Kishan Rao. The creative team from the McCarter Theatre production reunites with director Sarah Rasmussen for the Olney mounting, including Movement Director Steph Paul, Original Music Direction by Sujin Kim-Ramsey, Music Supervisor Bryan Perri, Scenic Designer Beowulf Borrit, Costume Designer Kara Harmon, Lighting Designer Japhy Weideman, Sound Designer Elisabeth Weidner, Projection Designer Stefania Bulbarella, Hair, Wig Makeup Designer Kate Casalino, Dramaturg Julie Felise Dubiner, Voice Text Director Hannah Tamminen, and Intimacy Coordinator Alicia Rodis. Orchestrations are by Yair Evnine and Ari Afsar, with Arrangements by Sujin Kim-Ramsey and Ari Afsar. The Production Stage Manager is Becky Reed, and the Assistant Stage Manager is Allison Ann Bailey. I You: The Musical was commissioned by McCarter Theatre Center with support from the BOLD Foundation and developed in the Emily Mann Lab. ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHTS Lauren M. Gunderson (Book) has been one of the most produced playwrights in America since 2015, topping the list thrice including 2022/23. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I and You and The Book of Will, the winner of the William Inge Distinguished Achievement in Theatre Award, the Lanford Wilson Award and a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Her plays have been translated into a dozen languages and produced across the world, and her new anthology, “Revolutionary Women,” is published by Bloomsbury. Ari Afsar (Music, Lyrics Co-Orchestrator) Musicals: I You (Lauren M. Gunderson; McCarter Theatre premiere 2025, co-pro with Olney Theatre 2026), That Girl (Rehana Lew Mirza; O’Neill NMTC 2025, Berkeley Rep Groundfloor 2024), Lyle Lyle Crocodile (Pasek Paul; Pasadena Playhouse 2025, Sony Original Movie), Silhouettes (Jordan Ealey; BabelFest at Redhouse Arts Center 2025, University of Rochester), Jeannette (Lauren M. Gunderson Jordan Ealey; LMU, TX State, Signature Theatre, O’Neill NMTC, WMPAC). Afsar originated Eliza in Chicago’s Hamilton, starred in LJP’s world-premiere of Bhangra Nation (aka Bhangin’ It), and starred in Netflix’s Wedding Season. Awards: Georgia Bogardus Holof Lyricist Award, AAUW Development Grant, Miss California, Top 10 Miss America, American Idol Top 36, 2024 Artivism Fellow at BAC, 2024/2025 DGF Fellow, NYU MPA graduate. I You: The Musical runs April 22 – May 24, 2026 on the Roberts Mainstage at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD 20832. Tickets range from $42 – $103 and are available at olneytheatre.org/IandYou and 301-924-3400. Discounts for teachers, active military, and first responders are available at: olneytheatre.org/discounts Performance ScheduleWednesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm.Saturday and Sunday matinees at 1:30 pm.Wednesday matinees at 1:30 pm on April 29 and May 13Sunday Evening: May 10 at 7:00 pm.No matinee on Saturday, April 25No public performances on Wednesday, May 6  See the full schedule at: https://tickets.olneytheatre.org/overview/iandyoumusical Accessible Performances Audio-Described Performance – Wednesday, May 13, at 7:30 pmASL Interpreted Performance – Thursday, May 14, at 7:30 pm  ABOUT OLNEY THEATRE CENTER Mission Olney Theatre Center for the Arts produces and curates theatrical performance for the diverse audiences in its community, and educates, learns from, supports, and inspires a more inclusive generation of theater-makers. Vision Olney strives to become an arts and culture powerhouse, redefining the American regional theater movement by cultivating and sharing the creativity of its community. History Founded in 1938 as a summer playhouse, Olney Theatre Center (OTC) now produces world and American premieres of plays and musicals, and reimaginings of familiar titles year-round; presents the work of leading companies and artists; tours nationally and locally; teaches students of all ages; and mentors a more inclusive generation of theatermakers. For more than 8 decades, OTC has brought impactful theater performance and education to our community, helping to grow the vibrancy and vitality of its home in the Washington, DC region. Over the years, some of the biggest names in theater and film have appeared on Olney stages, including Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Bob Fosse, Phillip Bosco, Eve Arden, Eva Gabor, Burl Ives, Jose Ferrer, Carol Channing, Olivia d’Havilland, Tony Randall, Paulette Goddard, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Jane Seymour, Anne Revere, Frances Sternhagen, Arthur Treacher, James Broderick, Olympia Dukakis, Sir Ian McKellen, Marica Gay Harden, John Colicos, Uzo Aduba, Alan Cumming, Cheyenne Jackson, Robin de Jesus, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Bernadette Peters, among many, many others. Olney Theatre is now the cultural anchor of a rapidly changing region and serves one of the most diverse, best educated, and wealthiest counties in the country. Situated on the unceded land of the Piscataway-Conoy people, the Olney area was once a rural farming community with a unique Quaker heritage. Now the area is occupied by every kind of family that makes up 21st Century America, along with major corporations, shopping districts, civic associations, nonprofit organizations, and a diverse collection of houses of worship. Montgomery County’s 1 million residents play a dynamic role in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, and are a driving force behind the region’s creative economy. The post Cast announced for Olney’s world premiere of ‘I You: The Musical’ appeared first on DC Theater Arts. ...read more read less