"It's only a day away."
About the Show
Just a Taste
With the impending arrival of the city's most influential food critic, the unlikely team of misfit dreamers at Lasagna Mañana must work together, all the while realizing that they may be waiting for more than just tips.
Cast of Characters
JESSE MILLER
Server at Lasagna Mañana
Jesse is a go-getter who's looking for his passion. As Steve's nephew, he's able to explore his options while working at the restaurant.
LAUREN MICHIGAN
Hostess at Lasagna Mañana
Lauren is a native Michiganian. Her parents are nationally-renowned, celebrity lawyers, and she's supposed to go to Harvard. Because she's smart.
LINDSAY PAIGE-TURNER
Server at Lasagna Mañana
An aspiring murder-mystery novelist who's had his last name legally changed, Lindsay has quite the imagination. And a creepy obsession with Lauren.
STEVE MILLER
Owner and GM of Lasagna Mañana
Steve is the owner of the restaurant and Jesse's uncle. Sometimes, he thinks he's other people and everybody knows it...except him.
JOSE GIOVANNI
Executive Chef of Lasagna Mañana
One of Steve's personalities, Jose is an eccentric, multicultural chef who's actually somewhat of a genius in the kitchen.
MR. LEAVE
Frequent Patron of Lasagna Mañana
Another one of Steve's personalities, Mr. Leave has nothing but complaints about the restaurant. And he's not afraid to share them.
SETH ROSENSTEIN
Busboy at Lasagna Mañana
Seth is half of the Rosenstein twins. A prankster at heart, he and his brother love to play tricks on unsuspecting victims around them.
MIRACLE ROSENSTEIN
Busboy at Lasagna Mañana
Miracle is the other half of the Rosenstein twins. A prankster at heart, he and his brother love to play tricks on unsuspecting victims around them.
COP
A Police Officer of the Forgetful-Type
The Cop is an officer of the law...except she's not very good at her job. She's on a mission to complete her mission...whatever it may be.
ADOLF VON PUSHPIN
The World-Famous Food Critic
Adolf von Pushpin is a master of the art of taste. Born with a special condition, he is able to retain the flavors of all that he's ever tasted.
"Mañana means tomorrow!"
Our Story
We Wrote a Musical
"Dreams are about hope and passion and love..."
In 2003, Jimmy Fisher and Harrison Stamell met as freshmen at Evanston Township High School. Sitting in the back of their Spanish class (which they both did very well in), they wrote a musical entirely by passing notes back and forth...in character. Although Against All Oddballs never made it to Broadway, it was a transformative experience that solidified their friendship. Nine years later, after graduating from college and moving to separate cities, the two embarked upon a new project as a way of staying in touch.
Since that time, Lasagna Mañana has undergone countless iterations and revisions. And while Google Hangouts is certainly a better medium than passing notes, a long-distance writing partnership ain't easy. After hundreds of hours logged, the team is excited to finally introduce this new musical to the world.
"¡Buongiorno, amigos!"
Creative Team
Pleased to Meet You!
Jimmy Fisher
Book, Lyrics & Music
Born and raised in Evanston, IL, Jimmy has been a lifelong musician and artist. He began playing piano at the age of 5, guitar at the age of 11, and has been acting since the womb. Classically trained, he branched out from Bach and Beethoven and began teaching himself everything from Disney to Broadway to whatever was on the radio.
Jimmy began writing songs at the age of 8, although the boy-band-esque sounds of a pre-adolescent kid weren’t as appealing as those of Lasagna Mañana (or so he hopes). He considers himself a dad-joke aficionado and can't resist a good groaner. He does what a silly tree does after winter - comic relief (still got it!).
Harrison Stamell
Book & Lyrics
Harrison was born to dance. Raised in Evanston, IL, he was thrilled to return to the Second City after graduating from Tufts University with a major in Drama. An improviser by night and camp counselor by nature, Harrison can get any song stuck in your head, even if he doesn’t know the words. He’s a blast to have at weddings, but has been guilty of stealing the show on numerous occasions and always leaves the dance floor in ruins.
In addition to this musical, Harrison has word-smithed several blogs, slam poems, social medias, and more. He has a passion for collaborative creativity and loves a little alliteration.
