Only a Mask
A new musical by music composition graduate student Blake Cordell, written to fulfill master's thesis requirements
Directed by theatre arts graduate student Michael C. Flores
Show Synopsis: Psychic superpowers. Max has had them ever since he was a child, ever since a once-a-decade comet passed Earth and blessed - or perhaps cursed - him. His best friend Sam has always helped him keep his secret, but after years hiding away, she's ready to fight back against the constant demonization they've faced together. When she hears whispers that a superpowered organization called The Reigning Storm is researching and running experiments based on the comet, she convinces Max to join alongside her and use his powers to help her uncover the organization's secrets. With Sam's hunger for strength at odds against Max's fear of being discovered, the duo run the risk of pushing each other towards villainy. Will they be able to stay true to thsemselves behind the masks they wear?
Tickets are pay-what-you-can starting at $0. Suggested ticket price is $8, and all ticket sales will help to cover production costs.
Blake Cordell is a masters student in music composition at The University of Iowa. Prior to his time in Iowa City, he worked as a theatrical lighting and sound designer in Chicago. Only a Mask is his third musical and is being written in part to fulfill his thesis requirements. His first musical, Inn-Dependent, won the Kennedy Center ACTF Region V New Play Award in 2015. His music has also received recognition, winning 3rd place in the 2025 International Joseph Dorfmann Composition Competition.
The James Theater
213 N Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA
Thursday, October 30th thru Saturday, November 1st, 2025
Doors 7pm | Show 7:30pm
Tickets Pay-What-You-Can