Pioneer Theatre Company will present a special developmental reading of Ten Brave Seconds, a new musical by Will Van Dyke and Jeff Talbott, on Tuesday, September 9 at 7 p.m. in the Meldrum Theatre. The one-night-only event is open to the public with limited seating available.
The reading comes ahead of the show’s world premiere, scheduled for January 30–February 14, 2026, at Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre. Both the reading and the full production will be directed by Ellie Heyman, with music direction by Patrick Sulken.
Ten Brave Seconds centers on Mike, a teenager preparing for one of the biggest days of his life. He has been holding onto a secret, and today it’s finally coming out, while, at the same time, the country faces decisions that will change lives everywhere. With pop-infused melodies and a big-hearted story, the musical follows a family and community navigating a pivotal moment together.
Carson Stewart (Broadway’s The Notebook) leads the reading cast as Mike, joined by Tony nominee John Cariani (Something Rotten!, Fiddler on the Roof), Ben Crawford (The Phantom of the Opera), Jake Pedersen (Parade, Wicked), Khadija Sankoh (Little Shop of Horrors), and PTC alum Maggie Scott. The ensemble features Makenna Ashby, Jordan Briggs, Ariana Bagley, and newcomers Kaden Conrad, Adam Moore, Sydney Rudel, Harrison Timm, and Ella Mei Williamson.
The performance will be followed by an onstage conversation with Van Dyke, Talbott, and PTC Artistic Director Karen Azenberg.
“We’re thrilled to offer audiences the chance to see a musical in process and on its way to being fully realized,” Azenberg said.
Tickets for the reading are $10 and can be purchased at bit.ly/tenbrave or by calling 801-581-6961.
