{"id":167525,"date":"2026-08-04T11:35:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:35:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=167525"},"modified":"2026-08-04T13:19:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T17:19:03","slug":"only-in-new-york-born-at-wright-state-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2026\/08\/04\/only-in-new-york-born-at-wright-state-2\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Only in New York,\u2019 born at Wright State"},"content":{"rendered":"

In February 2026, history was made in Wright State University\u2019s School of Fine and Performing Arts<\/a> when a new musical, \u201cOnly in New York,\u201d premiered in the Creative Arts Center\u2019s Herbst Theatre.<\/p>\n

The significance went beyond a world premiere: the musical was created for Wright State students by a Wright State alumnus.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly in New York\u201d is the brainchild of Ronv\u00e9 O\u2019Daniel \u201906, who wrote the book, lyrics and music.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is very different than how shows are typically created,\u201d he said. \u201cGenerally, you have a script before you have the actors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Built around the cast<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Instead, O\u2019Daniel handpicked his cast through virtual auditions in 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was looking for the best storytellers and the most engaging actors who could hold my attention,\u201d he recalled. \u201cIt was a really tough decision, because the talent pool is tremendous here.\u201d<\/p>\n

In December 2024, O\u2019Daniel traveled from New York City to Wright State to conduct a workshop with the cast, getting a better feel for the students\u2019 personalities, acting abilities and vocal ranges.<\/p>\n

As soon as O\u2019Daniel left the workshop, he hit the ground running. \u201cI had to take all of that information back to my little creative cave and come up with a show,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

Ronv\u00e9 O\u2019Daniel \u201906 wrote the book, lyrics and music for \u201cOnly in New York,\u201d a musical created for Wright State students. (Photos by Erin Pence \/ Video by Kris Sproles)<\/p><\/div>\n

He spent three months creating an outline for the musical.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s probably the hardest part of the process, just knowing what you want each moment to be \u2014 and how that aligns with the whole story you\u2019re trying to tell thematically,\u201d he said. \u201cOnce that was done, it was just putting words to the page.\u201d<\/p>\n

O\u2019Daniel collaborated with award-winning playwright Cris Eli Blak, who co-wrote the book, and Will Stone, who helped with orchestrations and vocal arrangements. He spent a year writing the script, going through five drafts before landing on the final version \u2014 a dramatically accelerated timeline for a musical.<\/p>\n

\u201cGenerally, musicals take at least three to four years. This was different, but in a great way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For Marya Spring Cordes, artistic director of theatre and dance and associate chair of the School of Fine and Performing Arts, directing \u201cOnly in New York\u201d is part of her vision to bring new works to Wright State audiences.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope to make this a prominent part of the buffet we give audiences,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Spring Cordes credits her husband, Jamie Cordes, a senior lecturer in theatre, for suggesting that Wright State feature a graduate\u2019s work and commission a piece performed by Wright State students.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is very special, because you usually get handed something and then have to make it your own,\u201d said Spring Cordes.<\/p>\n

With \u201cOnly in New York,\u201d the playwright, director, cast and crew collaborated in the same room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t come in with any preconceived notions. Our students didn\u2019t have any preconceived notions about their characters. We all figured it out together,\u201d Spring Cordes said. \u201cIt\u2019s the greatest jigsaw puzzle that a director could ever want with material that is truly satisfying. It\u2019s quite magical how it all ended up working together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

After holding virtual auditions, O\u2019Daniel hand-selected the cast and developed the production\u2019s roles around the students\u2019 strengths.<\/p><\/div>\n

Bringing the script to life<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cOnly in New York\u201d tells the story of Kenya and Andre, a young couple who are new parents juggling jobs, financial strain and whether to remain in New York City.<\/p>\n

Kenya is a writer on the cusp of a burgeoning career whose attention is divided by being a new mother. Andre is a piano player who wants to leave New York. The audience witnesses their struggles as they raise their newborn.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had bounced around a lot of ideas,\u201d said O\u2019Daniel, \u201cbut I kept coming back to wanting to see parenthood on stage. This cast was perfect to tell that story.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Elisa Pacheco, who portrayed Kenya, the script hit close to home. As the mother of a young son, Pacheco understands sleepless nights and the constant pressure of juggling endless responsibilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing a mother in my real life has aided me more than anything in this part,\u201d said Pacheco. \u201cI identify with Kenya a lot. Everything Kenya does is for her son, which is the same mentality I have for my everyday life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

Senior acting major Elisa Pacheco played the lead role of Kenya.<\/p><\/div>\n

From Harlem to the Herbst Theatre<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Along with the cast, sets and costumes brought O\u2019Daniel\u2019s script to life.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe costumes are an important part of the show,\u201d said costume designer Lauren Crane. \u201cThe actors use the costumes to fully get into character.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since Kenya takes a mixology job at the Renaissance Bar in Harlem, Crane researched clothing styles from the Harlem Renaissance to inspire her designs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe characters from the Renaissance Bar have 1920s-inspired makeup, hair and details on their costumes, but they still have this completely modern twist,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Crane, a design\/technology major<\/a>, embraced the challenge of costuming a world premiere.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is very intimidating to think that I\u2019m the only one who has ever done this,\u201d said Crane, \u201cbut it gives me more freedom to decide how I see the characters, rather than looking at what\u2019s been done in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crane\u2019s costumes complement the sets created by scenic design student Maggie Slauenwhite. \u201cOnly in New York\u201d is set in two main locations: Kenya and Andre\u2019s apartment and the Renaissance Bar.<\/p>\n

In the apartment, Slauenwhite used cool tones to reinforce the tension and pain the couple experiences. For the bar, she used browns, reds and golds to convey the warmth and rich culture of the environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely wanted the apartment to have cool tones, but I still wanted to incorporate some warm elements to keep the fire, that is their family love, dimly lit,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Since \u201cOnly in New York\u201d was performed in the black box Herbst Theatre, Slauenwhite wanted her sets to feel encompassing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe beautiful thing about a black box is that it\u2019s an intimate space, and the audience is in the magic of the story because the action, lights, scenery, costumes and sound are all surrounding the audience,\u201d she said. \u201cMy goal was to make as much of the space feel like New York City as possible and not just a black box with some scenery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

Lauren Crane, a design\/technology major, at work in the Costume Shop.<\/p><\/div>\n

Sounds of New York<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The heart of \u201cOnly in New York\u201d is the music. Rooted in hip-hop and R&B, the score also incorporates Afrobeats, contemporary musical theatre and gospel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a little bit of everything, and that\u2019s on purpose,\u201d said O\u2019Daniel. \u201cNew York is a melting pot, and the music should reflect that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Music became the perfect vehicle to another element woven into the show \u2014 mixology. O\u2019Daniel taught the cast how to work behind a bar and create cocktails while performing a song.<\/p>\n

\u201cMixology was important to me, because another theme of the show is how art functions in our society,\u201d he said. \u201cFor me, art is everything. It\u2019s singing, dancing and acting, but it\u2019s also culinary arts and mixology.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

Acting major Anthony Luisi played Street.<\/p><\/div>\n

Coming home<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For O\u2019Daniel, premiering \u201cOnly in New York\u201d at his alma mater was a dream come true.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means everything to me. This was on my bucket list,\u201d he said. \u201cAs a creative, it means the world to give back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Noah Funderburk, who played Andre, was grateful to perform in a role for the first time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are the first bodies creating these characters. These audiences will be the first to see a show like this. That\u2019s so exciting,\u201d said Funderburk. \u201cIt\u2019s cool to see someone like Ronv\u00e9, who went through our program \u2014 who has a life in the arts \u2014 come back and give us the opportunity he wishes he had when he was here to do a new work like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

O\u2019Daniel\u2019s contributions to Wright State continue well beyond \u201cOnly in New York.\u201d In fall 2025, he joined the School of Fine and Performing Arts as an assistant professor of musical theatre.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo come back in that capacity is an honor in itself,\u201d he said. \u201cTo leave a creative footprint in this program that I graduated from \u2014 I can\u2019t ask for anything more.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Go inside \u201cOnly in New York,\u201d the musical a Wright State alum created for Wright State students. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":167531,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[722,733,4309,2037,4859,725,727,747,4827,715,2061,720],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-167525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academics","category-alumni","category-alumni-association","category-arts-scene","category-fine-and-performing-arts","category-home-news-sidebar","category-homepage-photos-and-video","category-liberal-arts","category-magazine","category-news","category-undergraduate","category-video"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=167525"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":167600,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167525\/revisions\/167600"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/167531"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=167525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=167525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}