Pleasure Never Lies

Poster photograph by Tim Laman

Book & Lyrics by Marshall Hagins
Music by Brad Moranz
Story Conceived by
Noah Brody & Marshall Hagins

Apr 10 – May 3, 2025

Cannon Street Arts Center
WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Sharon Graci*

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When brilliant ornithology student Sam challenges the established theory that female birds choose mates based solely on survival traits, she’s publicly humiliated and flees to a remote research lab in Papua New Guinea. There, among unexpected new allies—struggling post-docs and a once-celebrated nature documentarian battling cocaine addiction—she develops a revolutionary theory about the role of female pleasure in evolution. When her former mentor and lover Charles arrives to film a last-chance documentary that could save the lab from closure Sam must decide whether to risk everything by standing up for her radical ideas or retreat into scientific conformity.

Developmental History

Pleasure Never Lies is based on the best-selling science book and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evolution of Beauty. The show is an entirely original narrative exploring a primary theme of the book—freedom of choice for females allows diversity and beauty to be created in the world.

August 2020: Show was commissioned by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, NYC.
April 2022: First concert presentation by the Ensemble Studio Theatre in NYC.
April 2022–July 2023: Ongoing presentation of scenes with feedback in the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop Librettist Group, NYC.
January 2024: Began 12-month Developmental Workshop at PURE Theatre
April 7, 2024: (2nd) Concert Presentation by PURE Theatre; Charleston, S.C.
July 23, 2024: Table Read by PURE Theatre: Charleston, S.C.
January 6, 2025: Table Read by PURE Theatre, Charleston, S.C.
April 10–May 3, 2025: Full Production; 16-show run, PURE Theatre, Charleston, South Carolina

Join us after the show on April 12 for an exclusive PURE Conversation! Sharon Graci will be joined by the show’s creators, Marshall Hagins & Brad Moranz, and Dr. Richard Prum, Professor of Ornithology of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale University whose book THE EVOLUTION OF BEAUTY inspired the show’s creation.

Marshall Hagins danced on Broadway (MAME) and in several national tours (A CHORUS LINE, OKLAHOMA, GREASE) before earning a BS in physical therapy and PhD in biomechanics from New York University. Dr. Hagins is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Long Island University and a Senior Research Associate at Harkness Center for Dance Injuries in Manhattan. Dr. Hagins has worked as a physical therapist for New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and the Mark Morris Dance Group. He has published over 40 papers in peer reviewed journals and has received research funding from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Hagins is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop.

Brad Moranz performed on Broadway in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (Cosmo), A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD (Groucho), Off Broadway in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Seymour), and in the National tours of ME AND MY GIRL (U/S Gerald), SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (suitor) and A CHORUS LINE (Zach). He has directed numerous regional productions of musicals (ANNIE, GUYS AND DOLLS, I DO I DO, NUNSENSE, UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, KISS ME KATE, SECRET GARDEN, to name a few. Along with his wife Jennifer, he has choreographed for Film and TV including: THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES, RADIOLAND MURDERS (Academy Award nomination), THE ROAD TO WELLVILLE, YOUNG INDIANA JONES CHRONICLES (George Lucas), and more. Currently (again with his wife!), he writes, directs, choreographs and produces musical variety shows in Charleston, SC.

Noah Brody is an actor, director, teacher, writer, and co-artistic director of Fiasco Theater. For Fiasco he has directed MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG and co-directed THE IMAGINARY INVALID, INTO THE WOODS, MEASURE FOR MEASURE, TWELFTH NIGHT, and CYMBELINE. His work has been seen at the Roundabout Theatre, Theatre for a New Audience, Classic Stage Company, New Victory Theatre, McCarter Theatre, The Folger Theatre, the Old Globe, the Long Wharf, and London’s Menier Chocolate Factory among others. With collaborators Jessie Austrian and the Kilbanes, Noah is the recipient of Theatre Latte Da’s NEXT GENERATION Commission for the creation of an original musical, and, of course, an EST/Sloan commission with Marshall Hagins.