The upcoming PenArts Theatre presentation of the new musical When Two of Us Meet has officially sold out all performances nearly two weeks before opening night, marking a major milestone in the musical’s development.
Created by composer, lyricist, and librettist Emily Simonian, When Two of Us Meet follows an Armenian family’s journey from Armenia to America in the early 20th century. Blending a contemporary musical theatre score with a story of resilience, identity and community, the musical explores the immigrant experience through the lens of one family’s pursuit of a new beginning.
The sold-out engagement, at PenArts Theatre in Pensacola, Florida from 23-26 July 2026, marks the musical’s first fully staged presentation following several years of development through concert readings, workshops and festival recognition. When Two of Us Meet was named a 2026 Semifinalist for the National Musical Theater Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and was also recognised by the Colorado New Musical Project and the Florida Festival of New Musicals.
The project has additionally received support from the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA). Co-directed by Tim Casto and Christine Kellogg, with music direction by Jeremy Mann, the PenArts production features a cast of ten performers, including Chris Graham and Adam Meshejian, two Armenian-American actors who first joined the project during its inaugural New York concert reading in 2025 and have remained part of the musical’s artistic journey.
Fans of Les Misérables, Hamilton and Fiddler on the Roof will enjoy When Two of Us Meet, which brings a historical immigrant story to life through a timeless and powerful musical score. While rooted in the Armenian experience, the story reaches far beyond one community, speaking to anyone who understands sacrifice, belonging, and the search for home.
“To see the first staged production sell out nearly two weeks before opening is incredibly meaningful,” said Simonian. “This musical has grown through years of collaboration, rewrites, workshops and audience feedback. Knowing there is enthusiasm for this story at this stage of its journey is deeply encouraging, and I’m grateful to everyone who has helped bring it to life.”
Simonian has steadily emerged as one of the promising new works on the musical theatre development circuit. When Two of Us Meet has continued to evolve through audience feedback, dramaturgical collaboration and extensive rewrites, earning recognition not simply for its cultural significance but for its emotionally resonant storytelling and compelling score.
While rooted in the Armenian experience, When Two of Us Meet explores universal themes of family, sacrifice, belonging and hope. The sold-out PenArts engagement represents the musical’s latest developmental milestone as it continues its path toward future productions.
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