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Love Is Afoot!BOOK by - Michael LaFata and Perry Sachs; MUSIC by - Kevin Guillaume and Perry Sachs; LYRICS by - Perry SachsWebsite: https://www.loveisafoot.com Contact Email: mlafata1010@gmail.com |
A Fresh Take on a Classic StyleLove Is Afoot!, an outlandish romantic comedy, is a fresh, bold, and wildly entertaining new musical that uses foot and shoe fetishism as clever metaphors for feeling different and facing discrimination—all through a lighthearted, witty, and unexpected lens. Think Singin’ in the Rain done by John Waters. At its core, the musical follows one man’s offbeat quest to find his “sole-mate”— a mission filled with surprising twists, outrageous encounters, and deeply human truths. Set in the 1940s, the show heightens the tension of forbidden love while paying homage to the Golden Age of musicals with an exhilarating, award-winning Big Band, Swing, and Jazz-infused score. Each song is distinct, vibrant, and filled with clever, fun and poignant lyrics. From romantic ballads to gospel revivals and roaring ensemble numbers, the music is as thrilling as it is unforgettable. At a time when society is grappling with questions of censorship, exclusion, and identity, Love Is Afoot! delivers a timely, thought-provoking message about self-acceptance and tolerance—reminding us that true freedom lies in embracing who we are and loving without limits.
The Evolution of Love Is Afoot!: A Journey from Screen to StageOriginally conceived as a musical feature film based on an award-winning film noir short, Love Is Afoot! took an unexpected turn when the pandemic hit. Just as we completed a 15-song soundtrack, the world shut down—forcing us to rethink our path forward. With theaters dark and little interest in streaming, we pivoted to the stage and never looked back. Adapting the screenplay into a full-scale theatrical musical, we expanded the story, refined the music, and elevated the show’s theatricality. Recognizing the need for a standout sound, we brought in renowned Big Band arranger Tim Davis to enhance the score—ensuring the music would shine as brightly as the story itself. The result? A bold, dynamic soundtrack that sweeps audiences from laughter to love with unforgettable melodies. In late 2021, we staged a live table read with 10 actors and the recorded demos, earning an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. Building on that momentum, we mounted a successful workshop production in 2023 at the Miller Center for the Arts in Pennsylvania with 4 shows over first 2 weekends of August. With a cast of 17, an 8-piece orchestra, and a dedicated creative team of 23, the shows received standing ovations and left audiences wanting more. Armed with insights from the workshop, we refined the script, added two new songs—including a high-energy Act II opener—and sharpened the production. The results have been extraordinary. To date, Love Is Afoot! has earned 9 awards, including 4 Best Song awards for its torch ballad Special Someone, 4 Best Screenplay awards (from its film days), and most recently, secured Semi-Finalist status at the prestigious 47th annual Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference for 2025. Love is Afoot! is arriving at a moment when the cultural conversation about inclusion, acceptance, and challenging outdated norms couldn’t be more relevant. We’re at a crucial juncture—where timing truly is everything. As we move forward, we’re actively seeking the right theater partners, sponsorship collaborations, and a seasoned theatrical producer to help bring Love Is Afoot! to its next evolution—on a bigger stage and in front of a broader audience. With perfect timing and strong momentum, we can’t wait to take audiences on this toe-tapping journey through the wonderful and unexpected mess that is love.
The Feet Behind the MusicalMichael LaFata is a writer and producer with a background in business, blending creativity with strategy in an improbable yet successful fusion. From making his first short film at 12 to performing improv, sketch, and stand-up in San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles throughout his 20s and 30s, comedy has always been his lodestar, whether writing or performing. At the same time, he thrived in the corporate world, eventually leading the London office of a major U.S. company. He founded his production company, laceyface, in 2005 and in 2006, stared and executive produced his a film noir short, F, a 1940s dark comedy and the inspiration behind his current project. In 2010 be began adapting F into a romantic comedy musical, Love Is Afoot! In 2010, he left the suit, returned to LA and fully committed to storytelling. Since then—and a 15-song soundtrack later—his musical Love Is Afoot! has won multiple Best Screenplay (during its film days) and Best Score awards, recently securing Semi-Finalist status at the prestigious 47th Annual Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference for 2025. He continues to develop the show while working on several other projects, including his first comedic thriller.
Perry Sachs – From inspiration to creation and everything in-between, Perry has a working knowledge of just about every aspect of the entertainment industry. He can do it all but has focused most of his abilities in the world of comedy. After moving to Los Angeles from his hometown Washington DC, Perry honed his skills, writing and performing at such comedic institutions as The Groundlings, ACME Comedy Theater and the world-famous Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd. Perry has seized his opportunities to write, produce and direct for some of the funniest entities on the planet, including Saturday Night Live and The Jim Henson Company. Perry currently works for Adam Sandler at Happy Madison Productions and lives in North Hollywood with his wife Julia, their amazing daughter Marley and their ridiculous pets.
Kevin Guillaume – Kevin Guillaume was born into show business! As the son of two-time Emmy & Grammy winning actor Robert Guillaume, he was introduced to the business at an early age. His first job in the business was at 9 years old in “Porgy & Bess” in Israel. However, Kevin knew that his career path would not be acting, but music instead. After performing with various traditional and fusion jazz bands in the St. Louis area, Kevin furthered his musical education by attending The Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles where he majored in Jazz composition and theory. Over the last 30 + years he has written for, or performed with: Gladys Knight & The Pips; Earth, Wind, & Fire; David Foster; Deniece Williams; Carl Anderson; Johnny Gill and The Whispers, as well as composing for TV: Homeboys in Outer Space (UPN), Between Bros. (FOX), and Happily Ever After (HBO).
Tim Davis – Interested in hearing Tim Davis? Chances are, you already have. Tim Davis has worked on over 100 feature films and television shows, including The Lion King, Beauty and The Beast, Indiana Jones, the entire 6 seasons on Fox’s hit series Glee, The Goldbergs, American Horror Story, American Idol, The Oscars, and more. Tim’s collaborations as studio singer, vocal contractor, and arranger/producer span the music industry in seemingly every direction. In fact, it’s hard to escape Davis’s musical mark. If you’ve been to a Disney theme park, played a video game, bought a pop album, seen a TV show, commercial, or film in the last 20 years, it’s likely your interest has been piqued by Tim’s personal vocal stylings, or his innovative vocal arrangements, delivered by the army of LA’s best and brightest vocalists filling his roster. Additionally, having sung recently with Barbra Streisand on her World Tour and performing comedic stage shows with Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery, Tim has become one of the most trusted top level producers and performers in his field. Further driven to mentor and develop the next generation of vocalists, Tim founded the Studio Singer Intensive (SSI) in 2014 to cultivate and train aspiring talent from around the nation. “At some point in all of our careers we need to “pass the baton” to the younger generation. I have made it my intention to mentor and promote the next generation of studio singers and industry leaders. This is a passion of mine which I plan to continue to the end of my life.” |
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Love Is Afoot!
BOOK by - Michael LaFata and Perry Sachs; MUSIC by - Kevin Guillaume and Perry Sachs; LYRICS by - Perry Sachs
Website: https://www.loveisafoot.com
Contact Email: mlafata1010@gmail.com
A Fresh Take on a Classic Style
Love Is Afoot!, an outlandish romantic comedy, is a fresh, bold, and wildly entertaining new musical that uses foot and shoe fetishism as clever metaphors for feeling different and facing discrimination—all through a lighthearted, witty, and unexpected lens. Think Singin’ in the Rain done by John Waters. At its core, the musical follows one man’s offbeat quest to find his “sole-mate”— a mission filled with surprising twists, outrageous encounters, and deeply human truths.
Set in the 1940s, the show heightens the tension of forbidden love while paying homage to the Golden Age of musicals with an exhilarating, award-winning Big Band, Swing, and Jazz-infused score. Each song is distinct, vibrant, and filled with clever, fun and poignant lyrics. From romantic ballads to gospel revivals and roaring ensemble numbers, the music is as thrilling as it is unforgettable.
At a time when society is grappling with questions of censorship, exclusion, and identity, Love Is Afoot! delivers a timely, thought-provoking message about self-acceptance and tolerance—reminding us that true freedom lies in embracing who we are and loving without limits.
The Evolution of Love Is Afoot!: A Journey from Screen to Stage
Originally conceived as a musical feature film based on an award-winning film noir short, Love Is Afoot! took an unexpected turn when the pandemic hit. Just as we completed a 15-song soundtrack, the world shut down—forcing us to rethink our path forward. With theaters dark and little interest in streaming, we pivoted to the stage and never looked back.
Adapting the screenplay into a full-scale theatrical musical, we expanded the story, refined the music, and elevated the show’s theatricality. Recognizing the need for a standout sound, we brought in renowned Big Band arranger Tim Davis to enhance the score—ensuring the music would shine as brightly as the story itself. The result? A bold, dynamic soundtrack that sweeps audiences from laughter to love with unforgettable melodies.
In late 2021, we staged a live table read with 10 actors and the recorded demos, earning an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. Building on that momentum, we mounted a successful workshop production in 2023 at the Miller Center for the Arts in Pennsylvania with 4 shows over first 2 weekends of August. With a cast of 17, an 8-piece orchestra, and a dedicated creative team of 23, the shows received standing ovations and left audiences wanting more.
Armed with insights from the workshop, we refined the script, added two new songs—including a high-energy Act II opener—and sharpened the production. The results have been extraordinary. To date, Love Is Afoot! has earned 9 awards, including 4 Best Song awards for its torch ballad Special Someone, 4 Best Screenplay awards (from its film days), and most recently, secured Semi-Finalist status at the prestigious 47th annual Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference for 2025.
Love is Afoot! is arriving at a moment when the cultural conversation about inclusion, acceptance, and challenging outdated norms couldn’t be more relevant. We’re at a crucial juncture—where timing truly is everything. As we move forward, we’re actively seeking the right theater partners, sponsorship collaborations, and a seasoned theatrical producer to help bring Love Is Afoot! to its next evolution—on a bigger stage and in front of a broader audience.
With perfect timing and strong momentum, we can’t wait to take audiences on this toe-tapping journey through the wonderful and unexpected mess that is love.
The Feet Behind the Musical
Michael LaFata is a writer and producer with a background in business, blending creativity with strategy in an improbable yet successful fusion. From making his first short film at 12 to performing improv, sketch, and stand-up in San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles throughout his 20s and 30s, comedy has always been his lodestar, whether writing or performing. At the same time, he thrived in the corporate world, eventually leading the London office of a major U.S. company.
He founded his production company, laceyface, in 2005 and in 2006, stared and executive produced his a film noir short, F, a 1940s dark comedy and the inspiration behind his current project. In 2010 be began adapting F into a romantic comedy musical, Love Is Afoot! In 2010, he left the suit, returned to LA and fully committed to storytelling.
Since then—and a 15-song soundtrack later—his musical Love Is Afoot! has won multiple Best Screenplay (during its film days) and Best Score awards, recently securing Semi-Finalist status at the prestigious 47th Annual Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference for 2025. He continues to develop the show while working on several other projects, including his first comedic thriller.
Perry Sachs – From inspiration to creation and everything in-between, Perry has a working knowledge of just about every aspect of the entertainment industry. He can do it all but has focused most of his abilities in the world of comedy.
After moving to Los Angeles from his hometown Washington DC, Perry honed his skills, writing and performing at such comedic institutions as The Groundlings, ACME Comedy Theater and the world-famous Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd.
Perry has seized his opportunities to write, produce and direct for some of the funniest entities on the planet, including Saturday Night Live and The Jim Henson Company. Perry currently works for Adam Sandler at Happy Madison Productions and lives in North Hollywood with his wife Julia, their amazing daughter Marley and their ridiculous pets.
Kevin Guillaume – Kevin Guillaume was born into show business! As the son of two-time Emmy & Grammy winning actor Robert Guillaume, he was introduced to the business at an early age. His first job in the business was at 9 years old in “Porgy & Bess” in Israel. However, Kevin knew that his career path would not be acting, but music instead.
After performing with various traditional and fusion jazz bands in the St. Louis area, Kevin furthered his musical education by attending The Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles where he majored in Jazz composition and theory.
Over the last 30 + years he has written for, or performed with: Gladys Knight & The Pips; Earth, Wind, & Fire; David Foster; Deniece Williams; Carl Anderson; Johnny Gill and The Whispers, as well as composing for TV: Homeboys in Outer Space (UPN), Between Bros. (FOX), and Happily Ever After (HBO).
Tim Davis – Interested in hearing Tim Davis? Chances are, you already have. Tim Davis has worked on over 100 feature films and television shows, including The Lion King, Beauty and The Beast, Indiana Jones, the entire 6 seasons on Fox’s hit series Glee, The Goldbergs, American Horror Story, American Idol, The Oscars, and more.
Tim’s collaborations as studio singer, vocal contractor, and arranger/producer span the music industry in seemingly every direction. In fact, it’s hard to escape Davis’s musical mark. If you’ve been to a Disney theme park, played a video game, bought a pop album, seen a TV show, commercial, or film in the last 20 years, it’s likely your interest has been piqued by Tim’s personal vocal stylings, or his innovative vocal arrangements, delivered by the army of LA’s best and brightest vocalists filling his roster.
Additionally, having sung recently with Barbra Streisand on her World Tour and performing comedic stage shows with Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery, Tim has become one of the most trusted top level producers and performers in his field. Further driven to mentor and develop the next generation of vocalists, Tim founded the Studio Singer Intensive (SSI) in 2014 to cultivate and train aspiring talent from around the nation. “At some point in all of our careers we need to “pass the baton” to the younger generation. I have made it my intention to mentor and promote the next generation of studio singers and industry leaders. This is a passion of mine which I plan to continue to the end of my life.”