New Armenian American Musical Sells Out First Staged Production Before Opening in Florida
PENSACOLA, Fla. — The upcoming PenArts Theatre presentation of the original musical “When Two of Us Meet” has officially sold out all performances nearly two weeks before opening night, marking a major milestone in the development of a new work that brings an Armenian story to the musical theater stage.
Created by Armenian-American composer, lyricist, and librettist Emily Simonian, “When Two of Us Meet” follows an Armenian family’s journey from Armenia to America in the early twentieth century. Through a contemporary musical theater score and emotionally driven storytelling, the musical explores themes of resilience, identity, family, and hope while celebrating the enduring strength of the immigrant experience.
The sold-out engagement represents the musical’s first fully staged production after several years of development through readings, workshops, and concert presentations. Along the way, “When Two of Us Meet” has earned recognition as a 2026 Semifinalist for the National Musical Theater Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and was selected as a finalist by both the Colorado New Musical Project and the Florida Festival of New Musicals.
The project has also received support from the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian International Women’s Association, organizations that have championed its mission to expand Armenian representation in the performing arts.
The PenArts production is co-directed by Tim Casto and Christine Kellogg, with music direction by Jeremy Mann, and features a cast of ten performers. Among them are Armenian-American actors Chris Graham and Adam Meshejian, who have been part of the musical’s journey since its inaugural concert reading in New York City in 2025.
“To see the first staged production sell out nearly two weeks before opening is incredibly meaningful,” said Simonian. “This musical has grown through years of rewrites, workshops, and audience feedback. As an Armenian-American artist, one of my greatest hopes has always been to create a musical that honors our community while speaking to audiences of every background. Knowing there is such enthusiasm for this story at this stage of its journey is deeply encouraging.”
While rooted in the Armenian experience, “When Two of Us Meet” tells a story that resonates far beyond one community. By exploring universal themes of sacrifice, belonging, and perseverance, the musical invites audiences to connect with a chapter of history that has rarely been represented on the musical theater stage.
The sold-out PenArts engagement marks the latest milestone in the musical’s development as it continues its path toward future productions and broader audiences.
Visit the “When Two of Us Meet” and the PenArts Theatre websites for more information. The musical runs from July 23 to 26.
