THE STORY
I'm Not Dead Yet! is a heartwarming new musical comedy about finding purpose, friendship and the courage to embrace life's unexpected chapters.
When fiercely independent Mary reluctantly moves into Hamilton Home, she fears she's saying goodbye to everything that has ever defined her. As her memory begins to falter and the future feels increasingly uncertain, she's convinced she's been left behind by the world she once knew.
What she doesn't expect is to discover an extraordinary community of residents, each carrying their own fears, regrets and hopes. Together they rediscover laughter, romance, mischief and the quiet strength that comes from people who truly understand one another. As friendships deepen and unlikely adventures unfold, Mary begins to realise that growing older doesn't mean becoming invisible - it means finding new reasons to live, love and belong.
Filled with humour, heart and eighteen original songs, I'm Not Dead Yet! is a joyful celebration of dignity, resilience and the family we find along the way. It's a reminder that life doesn't end when one chapter closes. Sometimes the most meaningful stories are only just beginning.
WHY THIS MUSICAL?
Heartwarming, humorous and uplifting
Eighteen original songs
Original, relevant and emotionally engaging
Only seven on-stage performers
Rich leading roles for older performers
A story that resonates with today's audiences
MEET THE CHARACTERS
MARY
(Late-70s.) Fiercely independent, witty and determined, Mary refuses to let age or a fading memory define who she is. Reluctantly moving into Hamilton Home, she discovers unexpected friendships, new purpose and the courage to embrace life's next chapter.
BETTY
(70s.) Warm-hearted, slightly naïve and quietly lonely, Betty rediscovers her confidence through Mary's friendship and discovers that romance can blossom when it's least expected.
PEGGY
(Early-80s.) Endearingly eccentric and gloriously unpredictable, Peggy is happiest quietly knitting a mysterious creation that nobody can identify—not even her. Her wonderfully bizarre observations and razor-sharp one-liners often steal the scene, proving that while her memory may drift, her unique view of the world is as entertaining as it is unexpectedly insightful.
ANNE
(Late-40s.) Mary's devoted daughter. Loving, compassionate and quietly
heartbroken, Anne struggles with the impossible decision to place her mother in Hamilton Home. Torn between guilt and responsibility, she wants nothing more than to keep Mary safe while hoping she'll one day understand why.
JIMMY
(70s.) A mischievous optimist with boundless enthusiasm, Jimmy throws himself into every outrageous adventure with childlike delight. To him, rules have always been little more than friendly suggestions.
CHARLOTTE
OFF-STAGE VOICE
(20s): Activities Director at Hamilton Home. Her relentlessly cheerful prerecorded announcements provide the upbeat soundtrack to daily life—whether the residents like it or not.
MR. MICHAEL
(40s.) The polished and charismatic director of Hamilton Home. Beneath the professional smile lies a narcissistic opportunist whose hunger for wealth, status and control steadily reveals a far darker side.
DAN
(70s.) Thoughtful, intelligent and quietly perceptive, Dan is the steady moral compass of the group. Beneath his calm exterior lies a dry wit and a determination to stand up
for what's right, even when it means breaking a few rules along the way.
CALLERS
OFF-STAGE VOICES
ELDERLY MAN 1
(70s): A lonely but charming regular caller who finds unexpected companionship on the other end of the line.
ELDERLY MAN 2
(70s): Cheerful, practical and delightfully tight-fisted, he can't resist asking for a senior discount—no matter the circumstances.
FRONT DESK ATTENDANT
(50): An innocent call from reception provides the perfect punchline to Mary's increasingly chaotic premium phone service.
THE MUSIC
ABOUT THE WRITERS
Although separated by more than 3,500 miles, Laura and Mark discovered a shared passion for creating stories that celebrate life, laughter and human connection. Working together across the United States and the UK, they combined their different creative backgrounds to develop I'm Not Dead Yet!—an original musical that proves growing older doesn't mean the adventure is over.
LAURA CUNNINGHAM
An accomplished playwright and theatre maker whose work has been entertaining audiences for decades. Based in Binghamton, New York, she has written and produced numerous stage productions, including the acclaimed Frack You. I'm Not Dead Yet! marks her first musical, combining her gift for creating memorable characters with a heartfelt, uplifting story. Her warmth, wit and years of theatrical experience are woven into every scene.
MARK
BAKER
British songwriter, composer and guitar educator from Surrey, UK. With a lifelong passion for music, he has written songs spanning rock, musical theatre and film-inspired orchestral styles. I'm Not Dead Yet! marks the fulfilment of a long-held ambition to create an original stage musical—combining heartfelt storytelling, humour and memorable songs that celebrate the resilience, dignity and joy that can be found at every stage of life.
