[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre interview with Holy Hell!’s musical composer Robert Intriligator.
New Musicals Inc. presents Holy Hell!, as part of their 15-Minute Musicals program: When One Door Closes: Five Short Musicals About Reinvention with music by Robert Intriligator, book by Emily Beaver and lyrics by Teresa Bernadette.
NoHo is very fortunate to have New Musicals Inc. in its midst. Their mission is to foster the highest quality of musical theatre writing and to advance the state of new musical theatre production. Each year, New Musical Inc. hold a Festival of 15-Minute Musicals https://nmi.org/. This year, Holy Hell! is one of the five plays selected, and since this festival is new to us, we wanted to know more about it and, of course, Holy Hell!
We reached out to Holy Hell’s musical composer Robert Intriligator to find out more…
Hi Robert, can you tell us a little about yourself and your musical Holy Hell!
I’m a composer and songwriter trained in both classical and contemporary traditions. While I write in genres ranging from pop to orchestral, my first and deepest passion is musical theatre. Holy Hell! is a fast, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt musical. The logline, written by our incredibly talented bookwriter Emily Beaver, is: “A freshly dead guy arrives in Heaven, only to realize it’s his personal version of Hell.”
It’s a comedy with a surprising emotional core — and Teresa Bernadette’s dazzling lyrics ring the bell every time. I’ve poured myself into the music, and I’m thrilled with how it all came together.
How did you become involved with New Musicals Inc. (NMI)’s When One Door Closes: Five Short Musicals About Reinvention?
I’m currently part of the NMI Core Curriculum workshop at New Musicals Inc., led by the brilliant and multi-hyphenate Artistic Director Elise Dewsberry. Her leadership and dramaturgical insight have been an invaluable part of this process. Holy Hell! was developed within the program, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to collaborate with lyricist Teresa Bernadette and bookwriter Emily Beaver — both of whom bring wit, originality, and tremendous heart to everything they do.
The showcase explores the theme of reinvention, which turned out to be the perfect lens for this oddball afterlife story we created together.
What inspired you to write Holy Hell!?
It started with long, creative conversations with Emily and Teresa. We were drawn to the idea of someone ending up in a so-called paradise that feels all wrong — and how that might be both funny and revealing. That disconnect sparked a comic take on the afterlife that let us explore questions about individuality, belonging, and the cost of conformity — all wrapped in musical mischief.
This is a 15-minute musical — is it harder to be constrained by a specific structure like this?
Absolutely! Writing a 15-minute musical is like crafting a haiku in tap shoes. Every beat has to count. But sometimes constraints spark the most creativity. They force you to clarify your story and get lean with your storytelling — which can be liberating.
Everyone works differently! What is your process — story first or music?
Always story first. Without a strong dramatic engine, even the most beautiful melody can fall flat. Once the story is clear and the characters’ emotional arcs are mapped out, I start sketching themes and motifs that reflect their journey. Then come the lyrics — that’s when it all comes alive.
That said, Emily’s dialogue is so sharp and emotionally rich that we carved out time just to let her scenes breathe. In a fifteen-minute musical, that’s a bold choice — but it was absolutely the right one.
The incredible team at NMI handled casting, and we truly hit the jackpot. Elise Dewsberry, Jack Little, Lia Peros, and Ryland Shelton each bring charisma, heart, and sharp comic timing to their roles — their performances have elevated the whole show.
We’re also tremendously lucky to have a powerhouse creative team: the brilliant John Coppola directing, the masterful Ron Barnett music directing, and the unflappable Kim losue stage managing. Their instincts and expertise have elevated the material in ways we couldn’t have imagined. We’re so grateful to have them guiding this production.
What did you learn as a creative person through this particular process?
That fifteen minutes can be more than enough to move an audience. That clarity is kindness. And that with the right collaborators, the work feels like play — even when the deadlines loom.
We all have our doubts about our work. Is there anything you would change now that you’re about to open?
Honestly, I’m really proud of what we’ve made. The piece feels whole. That said, I think Holy Hell! has the bones to grow into a larger musical — and I’d love to explore that one day. But this version? It’s ready to fly.
Do you have any advice for burgeoning musical theatre writers?
Write what excites you. Get your work up in front of people — even if it’s messy. You’ll learn more from doing than from perfecting. And surround yourself with collaborators who inspire you and make you laugh. That part’s essential.
Bonus question: Why should people come see Holy Hell! and this showcase?
Because in just fifteen minutes, you’ll laugh, reflect, and maybe even see a bit of yourself in the chaos. Holy Hell! is just one of five brand-new musicals — all wildly different, all packed into one evening of bold, fast-paced storytelling around the theme of reinvention.
You’ll experience an entire rollercoaster of emotions — for only $25 — and be among the first to catch exciting new voices in musical theatre. Come join us. Cheer us on. And maybe leave a little changed.
Thank you, Robert! Holy Hell! Is a part of NMI’s program, When One Door Closes: Five Short Musicals About Reinvention. The program runs this weekend!
When:
July 14 (SOLD OUT!), 15 (SOLD OUT!), 16 (ADDED!) at 8PM
Where:
The Broadwater Mainstage
1078 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038
🎟️ Tickets:
https://nmi.org/15-minute-musicals-tickets-2025
Stay up to Date with the Team
https://nohoartsdistrict.com/category/acting-film-tv/musical-theatre-elise-dewsberry
www.linkedin.com/in/emily-beaver-365935116/
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To see what shows are playing, check out our theatre guide>>