Paperboy

A five-person creative team, including myself, has developed a new musical called PAPERBOY, which tells the story of an eleven-year-old boy who stutters and how his life is transformed one summer when he takes over a friend’s paper route. Set in 1950s Memphis, it has a score grounded in the roots of rockabilly and Memphis Blues, with a splash of Broadway,

As you may know, many people who stutter are able to sing fluently. We thought the story behind PAPERBOY was a great fit for a musical.

PAPERBOY the musical, is based on the acclaimed, award- winning novel by Vince Vawter, which sold more than a quarter million copies and won the prestigious Newbery Honor Award. To date, the novel has been translated into over 15 languages and is on reading lists across the country. The book is the true story of the author’s experiences growing up with a debilitating stutter.

PAPERBOY debuted in March 2023 at Manhattan School of Music, with students from the Musical Theatre Program making up the cast and orchestra. The production was directed by Don Stephenson, choreographed by Liza Gennaro, and David Shenton created the music arrangements for actors and orchestra.

I’m pleased to announce that PAPERBOY will return in Summer 2026 at the Weathervane Theater in New Hampshire. Stay tuned for details!