Composer and military spouse Avril Callicutt premieres her musical “Piper”

Composer and military spouse Avril Callicutt wrote the score, lyrics and script for the musical “Piper.” (Kat Nickola)

“I didn’t think that writing a musical was something that you just did,” says Avril Callicutt, writer and composer of “Piper.”

Deciding to write a musical was a huge step. Callicutt says that it was the encouragement of the musical’s director Amy Smolinski that helped push her to think it was even feasible. “I don’t think I ever thought it was an option, and I think that is one of those things growing up as a female in the music world. There are some things that you don’t even realize are possibilities.”

Even after majoring in music in college, Callicutt didn’t see examples of others stepping out to write music and so didn’t think about songwriting until later in life. Smolinski’s push was the catalyst she needed to start developing her own musical.

Callicutt grew up in a musical environment and participated in musical theater before studying music in college. Since moving to Germany, she has been actively involved with KMC Onstage as the musical director for multiple shows.

Callicutt wrote the musical score, lyrics and script for a new musical entitled “Piper.” (Kat Nickola)

With this project, she wanted to create a musical specifically for the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC), something that brought both the unique American and German communities together.

“I felt like there’s a lot of room for more family musicals not specifically oriented towards kids, but things families can enjoy together and be involved in together.”

— Avril Callicutt

Callicutt follows along during a rehearsal of her musical “Piper.” (Kat Nickola)

After looking at several different themes, she focused on the Pied Piper story because it revolves around both music and children and is set in Germany. Callicutt’s family then took a trip to Hameln. She says it was delightful. They got to visit locations from the legend and took in the town’s weekly open-air Pied Piper play. “Our kids still ask, when can we go back to Hameln,” she states.

The story of the Pied Piper became commonly known as a fairy tale after it was included in publications by the Brother’s Grimm. Historical facts behind the story are vague. In 1284, the children of Hameln left, or so says an entry in the town records written in 1384: “It is 100 years since our children left.” The few subsequent written accounts from the centuries that follow add details; there were 130 kids, they followed a piper wearing colorful patchy (or pied) clothing, maybe he was a magician, also, rats were involved.

Cast members rehearse for the musical “Piper” (Kat Nickola)

The story was conveyed by various English writers in the 1600s, with different spellings for the town name. It was from these that Robert Browing drew inspiration, and the anglicized spelling of Hameln, for his famous comedic poem, “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.”

For Callicutt, researching the real story, the written accounts and the mythology was a big part of writing the musical. Time was spent “trying to figure out if I’m going to tell a story about this place that actually exists and this thing that actually happened. How do I represent it well? How can I be respectful? But also make it fun and magical and tell a good story.” It took her the better part of a year to finalize research and come up with a storyline.

Jacob Kohrs is cast as the Piper in the titular role at KMC Onstage. (Kat Nickola)

After that, it was time to begin writing. Callicutt initially looked for someone to collaborate with but ended up creating the entire production on her own. Being a musician meant that the score was her number one focus in the beginning, and the part she found most enjoyable.

From there, she developed lyrics and then came the most challenging part: writing the script. As part of the process, her material was workshopped with hand-picked cast members and guest audiences, edited, reworked and, eventually, “Piper” was ready for production.

Callicutt credits KMC Onstage veteran and director of “Piper,” Amy Smolinski, for pushing her to write the musical. (Kat Nickola)

Auditions were held on Jan. 13-14, 2026, and the 40-member cast was selected. It includes a mixed group of adult and children in lead and ensemble roles.

Cast members prepare backstage during rehearsals for “Piper.” (Kat Nickola)

Music rehearsals came first, so the cast would know the lyrics before adding choreography and stage blocking, or where and how they stand on the stage.

The band has also been practicing separately. With Callicutt’s compositions being performed for the first time, musicians were essential. She says, “Live music is very important to me, and this is a show that I don’t really know that it could be done any other way.”

Band members from the musical “Piper” rehearse at KMC Onstage. (Kat Nickola)

Current rehearsals include bringing all the music together, running through scenes, polishing choreography and bringing in props or sets as they are completed.

Callicutt says, “It just takes a lot of people. It also takes a lot of different skills, and I think that is one of the most amazing things about theater and musical theater, specifically.”

KMC Onstage relies on volunteers to help with each performance, not only as actors, but also as musicians, set builders, painters, props crafters, costumes designers, lighting specialists and backstage hands during performances.

Callicutt wrote “Piper” as a family musical to include both youth and adult cast members and to appeal to audiences who can enjoy attending as a family together. (Kat Nickola)

Cast members rehearse “Piper” at KMC Onstage. (Kat Nickola)

Tech week is the final step of production. It is an intensive week of rehearsals leading into the opening night performance on Friday. During tech week, the show comes together with fully dressed run-throughs of the entire performance, sometimes in front of test audiences.

The world premiere of Callicutt’s “Piper” is on April 10, 2026 at the KMC Onstage Mainstage theater at Kleber Kaserne. It is directed by Amy Smolinski with musical direction by Callicutt herself.