THE MERBOY NEXT DOOR
A queer, campy musical comedy about foster care, chosen family, supernatural sea powers -- and the terrifying possibility of actually letting people love you.
Book, Music & Lyrics by Joel B. New
🌊 CURRENTLY MAKING WAVES
WORLD PREMIERE CONCERT PRESENTATION
Monday, November 16, 2026
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
Queens, New York
The Merboy Next Door comes to Queens for its world premiere concert presentation, supported by the 2026 Queens Arts Fund.
ABOUT THE SHOW
The Merboy Next Door is a queer, campy musical comedy that lovingly parodies Disney Channel Original Movies with splashy drama, pop bangers, supernatural chaos, and way too many water metaphors.
Finn Marino is a funny, guarded foster teen nearing the age when he’ll have to make it on his own. When he moves back to California with a pair of relentlessly eager new foster dads, Finn has one goal: don’t get attached.
Then a disastrous audition for his new school’s bizarre production of Moby Dick reveals something even Finn didn’t know about himself -- his voice may have the power to control people.
Soon Finn is tangled up with competitive swimmers, eccentric theatre kids, supernatural sea mythology, and one terrifyingly glamorous principal. As he experiments with his newfound powers, he has to decide whether belonging is something he can command -- or something he’s willing to risk believing in.
Beneath the glittery chaos, The Merboy Next Door explores queer identity, foster care, chosen family, attention versus connection, and the messy magic of becoming who you really are.
Comedy · Book Musical · Pop/Rock · 10 Performers Minimum
RECOGNITION & DEVELOPMENT
NOV 2026
World Premiere Concert Presentation
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning · Queens, NY
JUL 2026
Private Reading
Arts Society of Kingston · Kingston, NY
APR 2026
Private Reading
Arts Society of Kingston · Kingston, NY
APR 2026
2026 Queens Arts Fund Recipient
SEP 2025
Official Selection
International Human Rights Art Festival: Queens 2025
AUG 2025
Sneak Peek
Joel B. New: Celebrating 20 Years of Original Musicals
The Green Room 42 · New York, NY
JUL 2025
Private Reading
New York, NY
DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
The Merboy Next Door is a recipient of a 2026 Queens Arts Fund New Work Grant, supporting the development and public presentation of new work in Queens.
WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The Merboy Next Door is an original musical by Joel B. New and is currently in development.
For producing, licensing, developmental, or other professional inquiries:
And if you’re in Queens this November...
COME GET YOUR FEET WET.
NOVEMBER 16, 2026 · JCAL