FROM stage MUSICAL TO FEATURE FILM
TACKLING BULLYING WITH A COMING OF AGE MUSICAL COMEDY
Out of My Comfort Zone debuted off-Broadway as a stage musical to sold-out audiences in New York and in London. The highly anticipated feature film had its world premiere in November 2023 at the 20th Annual Big Apple Film Festival to a sold-out audience in New York City at the historic Cinema Village theater.
The screenplay alone garnered over 80 festival and competition awards before anyone heard the music of this contemporary musical. The feature film is currently winning numerous festival awards for Best Feature and Best Original Score.
Josh and Rachel's close friendship is tested when a high school cyberbully with a hidden past threatens to expose secrets in this feature film musical comedy about having the courage to be who you are.
Written by husband-and-wife team Ivy Vale (book, lyrics, music) and Rick Reil (music), Out of My Comfort Zone was created as a direct response to the bullying epidemic and alarming rise in youth suicide. Out of My Comfort Zone engages kids with an insanely catchy original score, humor and a cast of diverse, relatable, teenage characters. Out of My Comfort Zone is for 'tweens, teens and families to watch together, to open up dialogues about gender and sexuality, and provide a safe way for kids to talk to their parents about how they are treated at school.
"A singing, dancing powerhouse with dialogue that rings true and real." - The Huffington Post
CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE THROUGH REPRESENTATION
Now more than ever, young people need to see themselves represented in the media and in the world around them. Megan Townsend, lead entertainment media strategist for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, states, “These portrayals in films aimed at young people are incredibly important. They both help real LGBTQ youth to recognize they are not alone and accelerate acceptance within their peer groups. This ultimately creates a safer environment for LGBTQ young people to be authentically themselves.” (Source: The Importance of LGBTQ Characters in Children’s Films and Television, March 24, 2017, www.sheknows.com).
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“Teenagers and pre-teens are stepping out of the box for Out of My Comfort Zone.” - Playbill.com
"A singing, dancing powerhouse punctuated by dialogue that rings true and real." - Huffington Post
"A singing, dancing powerhouse punctuated by dialogue that rings true and real." - Huffington Post
"A singing, dancing powerhouse punctuated by dialogue that rings true and real." - Huffington Post
"A singing, dancing powerhouse punctuated by dialogue that rings true and real." - Huffington Post
"A singing, dancing powerhouse punctuated by dialogue that rings true and real." - Huffington Post