Help Bring Black Magic to Spooky Action Theater

Dear friends, family, theater lovers, and supporters of the arts,

Michael Pemberton here, and I’m reaching out with some exciting news—and a call for your support.

After over 30 years in the entertainment industry as a professional Actor and Singer/Songwriter, I can confidently say that I have never been more excited about a project than I am about Professor Woland's Black Magic Rock Show. I wrote this music inspired by Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, and it has been years in the making, with much of the lyrics co-written with my talented wife, Andrea. Following a highly successful workshop production at Quinnipiac University in October 2024, we’re finally ready to bring this show to the professional stage.

Andrea and I are thrilled that Spooky Action Theater in Washington, D.C., one of the region’s most respected indie theater companies, has agreed to produce the premiere of Professor Woland's Black Magic Rock Show as the first musical in their 20 year history. Under the visionary direction of Artistic Director Elizabeth Dinkova, with a book co-written by Dinkova and Jesse Rassmussen, we know this will be a groundbreaking, unforgettable theatrical experience. We presented selections from the show at The Kennedy Center in August and DC Theater Arts wrote: "Audiences lucky enough to land at Professor Woland’s Black Magic Rock Show were treated to excerpts from a rock opera so breathtaking that it’s bound to reap rhapsodies of praise when it opens at Spooky Action Theater in March of 2025."

Why do we need your help?

Due to unexpected and unprecedented funding cuts to the DC Public Arts Budget (Read the article here) Spooky Action Theater is facing a $10,000 budget shortfall. We have until January 2025 to raise the necessary funds. Without your support, this production could be at risk. However, we are determined to bring this show to life, and we’re counting on you—our friends, fans, and family—to help us reach our goal.

The good news is that Spooky Action Theater is a 501(c)(3) organization, which means your donation is tax-deductible. It’s the perfect opportunity for #GivingTuesday!

Why This Show Matters

Professor Woland's Black Magic Rock Show is more than just a musical—it’s a journey into the mystical, the surreal, and the profound. This rock-infused retelling of one of Russia’s greatest literary works combines high-energy music with darkly comedic storytelling to explore themes of love, artistic freedom, power, corruption, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. With a unique fusion of modern rock and classical literary inspiration, we believe our show will captivate audiences from all walks of life.

What Makes This Production Special:

We truly believe that this show has the potential to be a revelation in the world of indie rock theater, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

But to make this vision a reality, we need your help. Please consider donating today to ensure the world premiere of Professor Woland's Black Magic Rock Show goes off without a hitch. Every contribution counts, no matter the size.

Thank you for your support and for helping us bring this exciting new musical to life!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Michael & Andrea Pemberton

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