Charming: A New Original Musical
Charming is an original new musical in development, featuring music and lyrics by PARKWILD (Austin Zudeck and Justin Thunstrom) and AJ Smith, a book by Addison Pia and Sandy Comstock, and direction by Kenneth Ferrone. Featuring a soaring contemporary pop score, sharp comedic storytelling, and a fresh perspective on the world of classic fairytales, Charming is a bold, romantic, and wickedly funny new musical that pulls back the curtain on the world's most famous prince and the princess who made him legend.
Following its debut New York City industry reading in February 2026, Charming continues its theatrical development, bringing together an accomplished creative and producing team to reimagine one of the most recognizable characters in fairytale history.
The Untold Story of Prince Charming
A prince. A princess. And a happily ever after... Or so you've been told.
What if the fairytale everyone knows isn't the whole story? Charming invites audiences to discover the untold truth behind the fairytale that started them all. Before there was Prince Charming, there was Felix of Thornbrook, a reluctant heir to a crumbling kingdom. When he crosses paths with Estella, the fiercely independent Princess of Luminore, an unlikely partnership sets in motion a story that could change everything audiences thought they knew about happily ever after.
Unlike traditional princess-centered fairytale musicals, Charming places the prince at the center of its storytelling, offering a fresh and unexpected perspective on the origins of a legendary character. With a contemporary pop musical theater score, comedy, romance, fantasy, and surprising twists, Charming reimagines the familiar conventions of classic fairytales while introducing audiences to an entirely original theatrical world.
Music, Lyrics, and the Creative Team Behind Charming
The music and lyrics of Charming are written by PARKWILD and AJ Smith. PARKWILD is the songwriting and music production duo composed of Austin Zudeck and Justin Thunstrom. Together with singer-songwriter AJ Smith, they bring a contemporary pop sensibility to the world of musical theater, creating an original score designed to blend modern songwriting with the emotion, scale, and theatricality of a full-length stage musical.
The book of Charming is written by Addison Pia and Sandy Comstock, whose storytelling introduces original characters and an imaginative new mythology inspired by the timeless traditions of classic fairytales. The musical is directed by Kenneth Ferrone.
The broader creative and production team includes Brianna Abruzzo, Creative Advisor; Julianne Merrill, Music Director; LDK, General Management; and Executive Producers Flody Suarez and Vic Cairl.
Together, the team brings a range of creative, theatrical, musical, and producing experience to the development of Charming, combining contemporary pop music with original storytelling for the stage.
The Development of Charming: A New Musical
Charming made its debut with a New York City industry reading in February 2026, introducing the original musical, its characters, story, and contemporary pop score to invited theater industry professionals. The project continues to evolve through theatrical development, creative collaboration, and presentations designed to further shape the musical for future audiences.
As a new work of American musical theater, Charming is being developed for audiences who enjoy original stage musicals, contemporary Broadway-style pop scores, comedic storytelling, romantic fantasy, and imaginative reinterpretations of classic stories. While drawing inspiration from the tradition of beloved fairytales, Charming is an original musical with its own characters, world, music, and theatrical identity.
The musical's creative approach offers a fresh perspective on the Prince Charming legend, exploring the story behind the story and questioning how legends are born, remembered, and retold.
Follow the Journey of Charming
Stay connected with Charming: A New Musical for news and announcements regarding the show's development, creative team, upcoming theatrical presentations, and future productions. Discover the music, meet the artists behind the show, and follow the journey of an original new musical bringing a fresh voice to the world of contemporary musical theater.
Because the story you know isn't the whole story.