For the Lack of Laura

Kurt Rosenberg's original musical, For the Lack of Laura, finds its genesis in two different times and places. Kurt’s first inspiration came from a talk he had with his mother when he was a mere lad of 12 years old. He asked her why she chose his father over her previous suitors. His mom said without hesitation, “Your father had the gifts and talents I was looking for.” His mom’s answer stuck with Kurt, as he continued to wonder why we choose our life-mates over others. 

Kurt Rosenberg's original musical, For the Lack of Laura, finds its genesis in two different times and places. Kurt’s first inspiration came from a talk he had with his mother when he was a mere lad of 12 years old. He asked her why she chose his father over her previous suitors. His mom said without hesitation, “Your father had the gifts and talents I was looking for.” His mom’s answer stuck with Kurt, as he continued to wonder why we gravitate towards certain individuals over others.

The second source originated during Kurt’s teen years, when he transferred into a new high school. Finding himself alone, and unsure, one gal treated Kurt with kindness and friendship. Her name was Laura. Laura was, and is, stunningly beautiful, loads of fun, and a wonderfully talented singer. Kurt never forgot Laura and named his musical’s heroine after her. 

The second source originated during Kurt’s teen years, when he transferred into a new high school. Finding himself alone, in a new environment, one gal treated Kurt with kindness and friendship. Her name was Laura. Laura is stunningly beautiful, loads of fun, and a wonderfully talented singer. Kurt never forgot Laura and named his musical’s heroine after her.

Kurt wrote For the Lack of Laura some 25 years ago. In fact, he even had it copyrighted! But, life and family businesses got in the way and the musical went into a long hibernation. When Kurt retired, he decided he would revive the musical, with the hopes of bringing it to the stage. 

Kurt conceived For the Lack of Laura some 26 years ago. In fact, he even had it copyrighted! But, life and family businesses got in the way and the musical went into a long hibernation. When Kurt retired, he decided he would try to revive the musical.

Because the heroine is Irish, he set out to find an Irish orchestrator to arrange his songs. Great fortune struck when Kurt connected with Jake Morgan, from Galway, Ireland. Jake is Ireland’s leading composer for film and theatre. And as luck would have it, Jake’s brother, Luke, is Ireland’s premiere poet and writer. Jake and Luke also own Morgan Brothers, one of the world’s top production companies. After successfully working on a film project together, Kurt invited Jake and Luke to join him, and his USA-based team, to work on the musical. Morgan Brothers agreed to come on-board, with Jake working on the song orchestrations and composing incidental music and Luke co-writing the book (script and lyrics). 

Kurt set the wheels in motion to bring the musical to the stage, by enlisting Morgan Brothers to produce “Laura”. The play had a week-long run in Galway, Ireland in 2024, followed by the UK Summer Tour 2025. While audiences said they loved the musical, London reviews were mixed. Based on those illuminating critiques, Kurt’s team decided to “roll-up their sleeves” to redevelop, and restructure, the musical.

And … as they say . . . “The Rest is History!” With Luke Morgan as Director, and Jake Morgan as Musical Director, Morgan Brothers is now in full production mode. For the Lack of Laura will premiere in Galway’s Town Hall Theatre on September 4, 2024 for a four night run, including a Saturday Matinee. Stay tuned for updates as we sail towards Opening Night!!!

We are pleased to introduce “Laura’s” new bookwriter and Lyricist! Lezlie Wade is an award-winning Canadian director, playwright, librettist, lyricist, and actor whose dynamic career bridges classical theatre, bold musicals, and original storytelling. With Eight seasons at the Stratford Festival-including acclaimed productions like Spamalot (one of the longest-running in festival history), An Ideal Husband, and H.M.S. Pinafore—she has directed, assisted, and associated under luminaries like Des McAnuff.


A key milestone was serving as assistant director on the 2012 Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by McAnuff. Originating at Stratford, refined at La Jolla Playhouse, and opening at the Neil Simon Theatre, Lezlie supported rehearsals and helped sustain the production's vision across venues.


Her writing shines in musicals like the world-premiere The Tale of the Gifted Prince (Theatre Calgary, February–March 2026), with book and lyrics by Lezlie and music by Daniel Green. This dazzling, larger-than-life family musical—based on Lloyd Alexander's novel—earned rave reviews delighting audiences and critics alike. A finalist for the Tom Hendry Award for Best New Canadian Musical, it has been developed and presented at AMTP, NAMT, Summerworks, The Olney Theatre's Vanguard Musicals, and The PiTCH. Other works include Sticky Fingers and the award winning screenplay Red Letter Day. A two-time Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize finalist and BMI/ASCAP alum mentored by Stephen Schwartz and others, Lezlie crafts provocative, entertaining narratives that illuminate identity, transformation, and the human spirit. You can learn more about Lezlie here.

 


Because the heroine is Irish, he set out to find an Irish orchestrator to arrange his songs. Great fortune struck when Kurt connected with Jake Morgan, from Galway, Ireland. Jake is Ireland’s leading composer for film and theatre. And as luck would have it, Jake’s brother, Luke, is Ireland’s premiere poet and writer. Jake and Luke also own Morgan Brothers, one of the world’s top production companies. After successfully working on a film project together, Kurt invited Jake and Luke to join him, and his USA-based team, to work on the musical. Morgan Brothers agreed to come on-board, with Jake working on the song orchestrations and composing incidental music and Luke co-writing the book (script and lyrics). 

Meet John Trent Wallace – the new member of “Laura’s” MUSIC-TEAM! John is a versatile composer, arranger, orchestrator and musical director with a passion for creating emotive music that blends a wide range of styles. Known for his distinctive musical voice and collaborative spirit, his musicals include The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Samuel French Ltd), All 4 One (MTI), The Great Sleigh Robbery, and Peter Pan (commissioned for a professional Italian tour).

His choral arrangements of contemporary and original songs are performed by choirs around the world.

 

As a musical director he has brought energy and depth to diverse productions from Bugsy Malone, Into the Woods, Les Misérables and We Will Rock You. John created the music for Brentwood Theatre’s numerous Christmas productions including The Meg and Mog Show, The Gingerbread Man, Fantastic Mr Fox and James and the Giant Peach.

 

John’s diverse stage experiences include soloist at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and lead vocalist and keyboard player in a progressive rock band. As a sound engineer for concerts, musicals, choirs, soloists, orchestras, bands and cabaret artists he received the award for Best Sound for We Will Rock You at The Waterford International Festival of Light Opera. You can learn more about John here.