Tiktaalik: The Musical

Music by Alex Ngo
Book and Lyrics by Andrea J. Love
Story by Alex Ngo and Andrea J. Love

It’s the Devonian Period—375 million years ago—and one bold Tiktaalik is about to take their inaugural steps onto the land and change the course of evolution. But an unexpected visitor from far away has other opinions about what our pioneering tetrapod should do. In the most ridiculous of circumstances, this hilarious musical examines how pursuing one's passions in the face of societal pressure can change the world.

Tiktaalik was written as Alex and Andrea’s first year project, as part of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. It was later featured in the 2024 SOUND BITES Festival of 10-minute musicals, sponsored by Theatre Now.

Retold

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Alex Ngo

What happens when the narrator doesn’t want to tell the story anymore? Well, she enters the story herself! In this fairy tale musical, “The Narrator” goes on a series of adventures, working in tandem with the heroic Prince Anthony, until she finally becomes a hero herself. Along for the ride are the sheltered but well-intentioned Princess Josephine, her exacting mother Queen Millicent, and their servant Lawrence, who (much to his dismay) is somehow always tasked with being the bearer of bad news!

Alex’s first full-length musical, Retold deconstructs the fairy tale genre, examining topics such as free will, political responsibility, and dragons. Featuring everything from rock songs and showtunes to Irish jigs and Sousa marches, the score has been described as “the perfect blend of original and pastiche.”

Wiz Kid

Music and Book by Alex Ngo
Lyrics and Book by Patrick Swailes Caldwell

When a local magician named Vincent takes in his newest student, the precocious ten-year-old Esther, he’s shocked to discover her natural aptitude for magic tricks. As it turns out, it’s because she possesses actual magic powers… and a strong desire to show them off at school. Sensing the dangers of this, Vincent takes her under his wing, teaching her to disguise her supernatural talents as sleight of hand.

Wiz Kid was written as part of the Musical Creators’ Institute at The Dramatists Guild. Featuring catchy songs and stunning magic tricks, this one-act musical explores issues of truth, deception, and the very nature of reality — topics fundamental to both life and sleight of hand itself.