THE LADIES MAN
Written by Justin Mortelliti with Music & Lyrics by Justin Mortelliti and Shannon Hunt
The Ladies Man is a pop musical that begins in the late 1980s, moving through the 90s, 2000s and into the teens. Julian, an Italian-American boy from New Jersey deals with the struggles of coming out and coming-of-age under the watch and shaming guilt of strict Roman Catholicism; searching for love, faith, God and himself while healing the wounds of childhood that continue to run deep. With the help of his coterie of colorful, hilarious and fiercely loyal friends plus a generous helping of Jersey attitude, Julian navigates his way into adulthood. While learning to face and accept the truth of himself at all costs, Julian discovers that the shame, it follows.
The Ladies Man is a story of love, faith vs. religion, family and friendship. Ultimately, this is a story about the devastating effect that a shame brought on by religion and judgement can have on a person and a family. And how the love of friendship and a return to faith can heal and save. Theatricality in The Ladies Man is found in the juxtaposition between the stark realism in the scenes that take place and the electric blue fantasy world that exists in the music in-between. A dark comedy that off and on transforms into a haunting neon music video as things shift between theater and reality, light and dark.
Full of nostalgia from the 1980's, 90's, 2000's and the teens, The Ladies Man ushers in the next generation of the American Musical with 22 radio-ready original pop hits.
