2022 Event!

Join us for a reprise screening of Comet Boy, the Musical Movie by Jackie Bradley (approx. 90 minutes)

Musical Performances by cast members to follow the film, featuring:
• Shawndell Marks trio featuring Jenna Joanis and Dan Kennedy
• Dan Kennedy solo
• Lucky Vita
• Jeanne Bindley and Jenna Joanis (of the Medicare Mamas)

Story

“Comet Boy, the Musical," is a show featuring the writing and original music of Jackie Bradley, reflecting her journey with a loved one through depression, ending in suicide. The story is based on “Comet Boy,” Bradley's first album of original songs. It's not presented in a dark way, but rather, a sensitive one. The show ends on an uplifting note inviting the audience to be a light for those who have lost the will to shine.

 

In 2019 the debut of “Comet Boy the Musical” was a huge success, performed before a sellout audience in Madison, WI. Because this project was met with overwhelming love, acceptance, and demand, Bradley planned to reprise it in September of 2020 during Suicide Prevention Week. With the onset of the pandemic, this plan quickly changed and Bradley worked with a team to create a movie version of the musical, which first aired in September 2020 to help spread the word about prevention, destigmatization and awareness of mental health issues and suicide. Also, a new, live recording (CD) including the 14 tunes in the show was recorded and is now available via iTunes and Bandcamp.

 

Cast and Crew

Musicians: Beth Kille, Shawndell Marks, Dan Kennedy, Jenna Joanis, and Jim Smith

Actors: Sarah Whelan, Lucky Vita 

Director: Michael Bruno 

Musical Director: Shawndell Marks 

Stage manager: Gigi Vail

Production Company/Videography and Video Editing: Hinckley Productions/Natalie Hinckley

Additional Videographer: Ben Wydeven
 

Playwright
Jackie Bradley, Madison WI

Always a music lover and writer, life's circumstances set her on a long journey to the place where she found her voice. A mom and grandma with a former medical career, her life changed in 2008 when she met a new friend, lovingly dubbed Comet Boy, who helped her realize her creative dreams. Musically talented and a sound engineer, this man helped her produce eight records of piano music. He took his life in 2012, an event that sent Bradley on a new path. When she was looking for answers to the tragedy, Beth Kille, another life-changer, stepped in and showed her the way through songwriting. Beth produced four more records of Bradley's original tunes, performed by some of Madison's best musicians.

After the release of all of these albums, Bradley's next ambition was to write a musical. She completed that project in 2019 with the assistance of musician Shawndell Marks and Director Michael Bruno. This musical shines a light on suicide, which continues to be more and more prevalent. The show is powerful for all....suicide survivors, those who have lost loved ones to suicide, those who contemplate suicide, and those who know nothing about suicide. Having produced 12 CDs, written a novel, and 100s of free lance articles, this musical was the frosting on the cake of Bradley's accomplishments.

Products

Hit the "subscribe" button above to receive updates on ways to order copies of the DVDs and Soundtrack CDs. 

Sound track is currently available for download on:

Bandcamp

iTunes
 

Testimonials

"Jackie Bradley has a gift to touch hearts and open minds to topics people might otherwise avoid. 'Comet Boy' is a work of art. Its message is priceless"

-Audience member
"'Comet Boy' saved me from quitting life."

-Cast member

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Scenes from the Filming

Images below of the making of Comet Boy, the Musical Movie

This project is funded in part by a grant from the Madison Arts Commission, with additional funds from the Wisconsin Arts Board


More support by Dane Arts with additional funds from the Endres Mfg. Company Foundation, The Evjue Foundation Inc. charitable arm of the Capital Times, the W. Jerome Frautschi Foundation, and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation.

Comet Boy, the Musical