Broadside the Musical

Broadside the Musical — Performing Arts Case Study

OBJECTIVE: Create, develop, produce, and promote an original American musical connecting the approaching 250th anniversary of the United States with the surprisingly modern story of how information shaped the American Revolution.

BACKGROUND

Broadside the Musical began with a simple idea: before there were social-media feeds, there were broadsides. Set in Boston from 1769 to 1775, the musical explores how printers, politicians, patriots, loyalists, and ordinary citizens used words, songs, rumors, and printed pages to influence public opinion before the first shots of the Revolution were fired.

CHALLENGE

Transform a complex historical subject into an entertaining new musical while balancing historical research, original music, a large ensemble cast, and a contemporary message about media and influence. Then develop an audience for the production in Denver before taking the show to the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

SOLUTION

Viewmark brought together theatrical production, historical research, music composition, visual storytelling, video, photography, web development, and digital promotion under one creative strategy. Working with historians and organizations connected to Boston’s Revolutionary history helped ground the production in real people and events, while a coordinated media campaign introduced audiences to the idea of broadsides as the social media of their day. Following its Denver performances, Broadside traveled to Edinburgh in August 2026, continuing the development of the musical—and proving that the end of a production run can simply be the beginning of the next chapter.

OUTCOME

Following its Denver development and performances at Vintage Theatre, Broadside traveled to the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where critics recognized both the strength of the company and the potential of the new work. Rebecca Mahar of Speak the Speech praised the company’s “excellent performances,” their comic energy, and their ability to maintain “beautifully” performed harmonies while navigating an exceptionally intimate Fringe venue.

She also singled out the refreshing simplicity of the live music and concluded that, with continued development, Broadside has the potential to become “the next fascinating musical about early American history.” Audience responses similarly praised the talented ensemble, memorable songs, harmonies, and historical storytelling. The Edinburgh run completed an important chapter in the musical’s development while creating a foundation for its next production and a life beyond the Fringe.