'Willa' by Billy Simone Band
Donation protected
A train derails in the mountains of Wyoming. A group of passengers wait in a desolate train station, hoping to be rescued so that they can resume their travels. Among them are David and Willa, a young couple on their way to get married in San Francisco . . . but Willa has gone missing in the night. Based on a short story by Stephen King, Willa is a folk rock campfire story about love, loss, and finding joy amongst strangers in the dark.
--
In January 2018, our director-creator-cast member Nathan Skethway began work on the first few songs for a musical adaptation of King’s tale. Through King’s Dollar Baby program, an arrangement wherein adaptation rights are granted to artists for only $1, the project has bloomed into a fully realized folk piece, created and performed by a wickedly talented cast of seven who all share a deep love for storytelling — especially the kind that happens around a campfire. With Stephen King's personal support and permission, we've been lucky enough to land a spot in a premier Off-Broadway festival for new works this summer.
While we can't advertise the details quite yet, we have been given the go-ahead to start raising money! Putting on a show isn't cheap, and we could use all the help we can get. Our largest expenditure will be a custom-made neon sign for our set, designed by our set designer and cast member, Brian Chandler Cook, quoted around $900. Other costs include new instruments (our score features an accordion, a cajon, and a water phone, to name a few!), antique chairs, string lights, and a specially built campfire set-piece. The first 1500 we raise will be used for set, lights, costumes, and other production expenditures. After that 1.5k mark, we will divide the remainder amongst our cast for their time and hard work to bring our show to life.
Donate to two organizations at once! Our cast recognizes the critical environmental issues we face today. As such, we will be donating our ticketing proceeds to the Environmental Defense Fund. EDF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims "to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends" by working in concert with other organizations, businesses, governments, and communities. For more information about the Environmental Defense Fund, visit https://www.edf.org.
Check out full cast and company details below!

WILLA
A Folk Rock Campfire Story
Created and Performed by BILLY SIMONE BAND
Based on a story by STEPHEN KING
Featuring JAMES CANAL, BRIAN CHANDLER COOK, MELANIE GETTLER, ALYSSA LUNDBERG, ABIGAIL ROSE, NATHAN SKETHWAY, and MOLLY WILLIAMS
Music by NATHAN SKETHWAY
Lyrics and Book by ABIGAIL ROSE & NATHAN SKETHWAY
Directed by. NATHAN SKETHWAY
Assistant Director CHASE O’NEILL
Movement Director ALYSSA LUNDBERG
Set Design BRIAN CHANDLER COOK
Lighting Design ABIGAIL ROSE
Costume Stylist ALLISON CHESTER
Makeup EMILY SHUE
--
In January 2018, our director-creator-cast member Nathan Skethway began work on the first few songs for a musical adaptation of King’s tale. Through King’s Dollar Baby program, an arrangement wherein adaptation rights are granted to artists for only $1, the project has bloomed into a fully realized folk piece, created and performed by a wickedly talented cast of seven who all share a deep love for storytelling — especially the kind that happens around a campfire. With Stephen King's personal support and permission, we've been lucky enough to land a spot in a premier Off-Broadway festival for new works this summer.
While we can't advertise the details quite yet, we have been given the go-ahead to start raising money! Putting on a show isn't cheap, and we could use all the help we can get. Our largest expenditure will be a custom-made neon sign for our set, designed by our set designer and cast member, Brian Chandler Cook, quoted around $900. Other costs include new instruments (our score features an accordion, a cajon, and a water phone, to name a few!), antique chairs, string lights, and a specially built campfire set-piece. The first 1500 we raise will be used for set, lights, costumes, and other production expenditures. After that 1.5k mark, we will divide the remainder amongst our cast for their time and hard work to bring our show to life.
Donate to two organizations at once! Our cast recognizes the critical environmental issues we face today. As such, we will be donating our ticketing proceeds to the Environmental Defense Fund. EDF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims "to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends" by working in concert with other organizations, businesses, governments, and communities. For more information about the Environmental Defense Fund, visit https://www.edf.org.
Check out full cast and company details below!
WILLA
A Folk Rock Campfire Story
Created and Performed by BILLY SIMONE BAND
Based on a story by STEPHEN KING
Featuring JAMES CANAL, BRIAN CHANDLER COOK, MELANIE GETTLER, ALYSSA LUNDBERG, ABIGAIL ROSE, NATHAN SKETHWAY, and MOLLY WILLIAMS
Music by NATHAN SKETHWAY
Lyrics and Book by ABIGAIL ROSE & NATHAN SKETHWAY
Directed by. NATHAN SKETHWAY
Assistant Director CHASE O’NEILL
Movement Director ALYSSA LUNDBERG
Set Design BRIAN CHANDLER COOK
Lighting Design ABIGAIL ROSE
Costume Stylist ALLISON CHESTER
Makeup EMILY SHUE
Fundraising team: Billy Simone Band (3)
Brian Chandler
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Nathan Skethway
Team member
Abbey Vermeal
Team member