Hilarious New Musical Hatching at Goodspeed's Terris Theatre
By Kiersten Bjork (October 22, 2025)
The latest new musical making a splash at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre through October 26 is a hilarious comedy titled The Great Emu War–a new emusical comedy. It’s about–you guessed it–the Great Emu War, an “unbelievable but true event from Australian history where the Australian Federal Government sent the army with machine guns to go to war with emus,” according to the Writers’ Notes included in the playbill. Advertised as “Cats, but with emus,” I would argue that it is infinitely more amusing (emusing?) than the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic, as it is 90 minutes (no intermission) of puns, dancing emus, and hilarious hijinks. It’s a delightful new addition to the musical comedy genre that will have you laughing–and singing the titular song–long after the finale.
The Great Emu War has a book by Cal Silberstein and Paul Hodge, with music and lyrics by Hodge and orchestrations by Isaac Hayward. The Terris production features direction and choreography by Amy Anders Corcoran and music direction by Angie Benson, with Gideon Temple as music assistant and Jennifer Scapetis-Tycer as dialect coach. The team has delivered a wonderful piece, and I hope that the show continues on to other venues. It plays well in the smaller space of the Terris, and it definitely will be a strong contender for other small houses and cabaret spaces. The fusion of writing and direction has achieved a lively, well-paced production that uses the 90 minutes to the fullest extent. The choreography is sharp and fun, and the emu movements are clever.
The latest new musical making a splash at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre through October 26 is a hilarious comedy titled The Great Emu War–a new emusical comedy. It’s about–you guessed it–the Great Emu War, an “unbelievable but true event from Australian history where the Australian Federal Government sent the army with machine guns to go to war with emus,” according to the Writers’ Notes included in the playbill. Advertised as “Cats, but with emus,” I would argue that it is infinitely more amusing (emusing?) than the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic, as it is 90 minutes (no intermission) of puns, dancing emus, and hilarious hijinks. It’s a delightful new addition to the musical comedy genre that will have you laughing–and singing the titular song–long after the finale.
The Great Emu War has a book by Cal Silberstein and Paul Hodge, with music and lyrics by Hodge and orchestrations by Isaac Hayward. The Terris production features direction and choreography by Amy Anders Corcoran and music direction by Angie Benson, with Gideon Temple as music assistant and Jennifer Scapetis-Tycer as dialect coach. The team has delivered a wonderful piece, and I hope that the show continues on to other venues. It plays well in the smaller space of the Terris, and it definitely will be a strong contender for other small houses and cabaret spaces. The fusion of writing and direction has achieved a lively, well-paced production that uses the 90 minutes to the fullest extent. The choreography is sharp and fun, and the emu movements are clever.
Claire Saunders and Ethan Peterson in The Great Emu War at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre, 2025 (Diane Sobolewski)
|
Claire Saunders, Jeremy Davis, and Ethan Peterson in The Great Emu War at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre, 2025 (Diane Sobolewski)
|
I was impressed with the company of The Great Emu War across the board. It’s a talented group of performers who look like they are having an absolute blast up there on stage. It’s a fun show, and it’s clear the cast are leaning into that humor and joy to the fullest extent.
The narrator of the story, the Bush Bard, is played by LaRaisha DiEvelyn Dionne. Dionne has fantastic presence, drawing the audience in from her very first lines. She treats many of her snippets of history as inside jokes with the audience, leaning in and delivering moments directly to individuals in their seats. It makes the show incredibly accessible and is a great choice. She also handles a number of the emu puns built into the script, and does a great job keeping the humor light and landing it just right.
Leading the emus is Edith, portrayed by Claire Saunders. Saunders is a dynamic performer, taking the role of emu and running with it for all that she’s got–forward only, of course, as emus can’t go backwards. Early on in the show, she showcases powerful vocals with the song “Backwards” and cements her impressive performance with “Stand Still” toward the close of the show. Saunders lives fully within the humor and movement of the story, inviting the audience into the absurdity of the tale and handling that material with the same level of dedication and grounding that one would a more serious piece.
Playing opposite Saunders in many touching scenes are Edith’s father, Enoch, played by Jeremy Davis, and Edith’s love interest, Ethan, played by Ethan Peterson. Davis is no stranger to playing an animal in a musical–I had the pleasure of seeing him in the Broadway production of Cats as Skimbleshanks–and he gives an endearing performance as the overprotective and rather anxious father of Edith. Well-intentioned, Enoch just wants Edith to remain at the nest where it’s safe, while she is determined to strike off on her own migration. Davis balances the physicality of the role and the vocal performance well, touching everyone’s hearts with his rendition of “Fly Solo,” as he reminds Edith that she doesn’t have to go it alone. Peterson is adorable as the awkward but charming Ethan. The character begins somewhat unsure of himself, determined to seek love instead of the immediate need to mate as most emus do. He and Saunders play off each other well, and they have the audiences in stitches during “Love Doesn’t Start with a Bang” and “Boom.” Both Davis and Peterson are also quite funny as the Australian officials.
The narrator of the story, the Bush Bard, is played by LaRaisha DiEvelyn Dionne. Dionne has fantastic presence, drawing the audience in from her very first lines. She treats many of her snippets of history as inside jokes with the audience, leaning in and delivering moments directly to individuals in their seats. It makes the show incredibly accessible and is a great choice. She also handles a number of the emu puns built into the script, and does a great job keeping the humor light and landing it just right.
Leading the emus is Edith, portrayed by Claire Saunders. Saunders is a dynamic performer, taking the role of emu and running with it for all that she’s got–forward only, of course, as emus can’t go backwards. Early on in the show, she showcases powerful vocals with the song “Backwards” and cements her impressive performance with “Stand Still” toward the close of the show. Saunders lives fully within the humor and movement of the story, inviting the audience into the absurdity of the tale and handling that material with the same level of dedication and grounding that one would a more serious piece.
Playing opposite Saunders in many touching scenes are Edith’s father, Enoch, played by Jeremy Davis, and Edith’s love interest, Ethan, played by Ethan Peterson. Davis is no stranger to playing an animal in a musical–I had the pleasure of seeing him in the Broadway production of Cats as Skimbleshanks–and he gives an endearing performance as the overprotective and rather anxious father of Edith. Well-intentioned, Enoch just wants Edith to remain at the nest where it’s safe, while she is determined to strike off on her own migration. Davis balances the physicality of the role and the vocal performance well, touching everyone’s hearts with his rendition of “Fly Solo,” as he reminds Edith that she doesn’t have to go it alone. Peterson is adorable as the awkward but charming Ethan. The character begins somewhat unsure of himself, determined to seek love instead of the immediate need to mate as most emus do. He and Saunders play off each other well, and they have the audiences in stitches during “Love Doesn’t Start with a Bang” and “Boom.” Both Davis and Peterson are also quite funny as the Australian officials.
The cast of The Great Emu War at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre, 2025 (Diane Sobolewski)
|
Ethan Peterson, Claire Saunders, and Jeremy Davis in The Great Emu War at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre, 2025 (Diane Sobolewski)
|
One of my favorite performances of the show is that of Taylor Matthew as Major Meredith, the leader of the Australian forces sent to battle the emus, and avid hater of birds. Matthews brings 110% to his role, practically bursting with energy and giving over-the-top facial expressions that absolutely delighted the audience. His song “I Hate Birds” is a masterclass in character work, reminding me of a favorite iconic Starkid performer, Jeff Blim.
At Major Meredith’s side is poor McMurray, played by Morgan Cowling. McMurray is a soldier who can neither read nor write, and realizes that she may, in fact, actually love birds, and Cowling fully understood the assignment as the loveable, but rather dim character. She leans into the humor of the role, in both physical choices and delivery, and gives a great performance across the board. I also enjoyed her work as the magpie who desperately wants to be friends with Edith–who desperately wants the opposite.
At Major Meredith’s side is poor McMurray, played by Morgan Cowling. McMurray is a soldier who can neither read nor write, and realizes that she may, in fact, actually love birds, and Cowling fully understood the assignment as the loveable, but rather dim character. She leans into the humor of the role, in both physical choices and delivery, and gives a great performance across the board. I also enjoyed her work as the magpie who desperately wants to be friends with Edith–who desperately wants the opposite.
The cast of The Great Emu War at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre, 2025 (Diane Sobolewski)
|
Claire Saunders and Morgan Cowling in The Great Emu War at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre, 2025 (Diane Sobolewski)
|
The design for the show is simple, yet works well to evoke the world of the show. The upstage cyc is a burst of color, accenting the scenes with warm or cool colors based on the time of day and setting. Lighting designer Colleen Doherty has done excellent work supporting the scenes in this way, as well as utilizing intentional shadow and spotlights to further accent the piece.
Costumes by designer Herin Kaputkin are well-suited to the nature of the show, with a base look that is modified and added to as actors switch between emus, farmers, soldiers, and more. The sparkly feathers and headpieces for the emus are clever, as are the emu hand puppets that round out the mob (the collective noun for emus).
Sound design by Goodspeed resident designer Jay Hilton is well done, and kudos to the band–Angie Benson, Billy Bovina, and Ed Fast–who bring the catchy score to life.
Costumes by designer Herin Kaputkin are well-suited to the nature of the show, with a base look that is modified and added to as actors switch between emus, farmers, soldiers, and more. The sparkly feathers and headpieces for the emus are clever, as are the emu hand puppets that round out the mob (the collective noun for emus).
Sound design by Goodspeed resident designer Jay Hilton is well done, and kudos to the band–Angie Benson, Billy Bovina, and Ed Fast–who bring the catchy score to life.
Jeremy Davis and Claire Saunders in The Great Emu War at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre, 2025 (Diane Sobolewski)
|
Taylor Matthew in The Great Emu War at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre, 2025 (Diane Sobolewski)
|
The Great Emu War looked like it was going to be a fun time right from the start, and I’m happy to say I was not disappointed. It’s a hilarious, heartwarming new musical with a clever book and score–a score that you will be singing for days after you attend. I still find myself humming “The Ballad of the Great Emu War,” which is a credit to the writing team for crafting such a catchy tune. Though the production is only playing through October 26, I encourage you to keep an eye out for what wheat fields these emus terrorize next, as it’s a show you don’t want to miss.
The Great Emu War plays October 3-26, 2025, at Goodspeed’ Terris Theatre in Chester, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at goodspeed.org or by calling the Box Office at (860) 873-8668.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
The Great Emu War plays October 3-26, 2025, at Goodspeed’ Terris Theatre in Chester, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at goodspeed.org or by calling the Box Office at (860) 873-8668.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.