BEGINNING FEBRUARY 4, 2026
At The Bushwick Starr
Concept, Book & Lyrics by La Daniella
Music, Arrangements & Lyrics by Ben Langhorst
Directed by Sammy Zeisel
Presented by The Bushwick Starr in association with ¡Oye! Group
A new puppet musical about an orphaned sorta mermaid living in Newtown Creek in her search for family. Amidst the backdrop of a near apocalyptic Brooklyn bought by entertainment and tech giant G’wond’rLand Inc., Gooey spends each day escaping her putrid reality into a world of her own creation: a world in which she’s perfect, beautiful and loved. But when her radio sends her on a journey to G’wond’rLand Theme Park, Gooey comes face-to-face with a streetwise rat, a severed arm, anthropomorphised toxic sludge, and a couple’a wiseguys who confront her with the truth about her dreams and how she came to be. Situated somewhere between Sweet Charity, The Sopranos, The Wiz, Pee Wee’s Playhouse, and 80's body horror, GOOEY disgusts and delights in equal measure as it examines the difficulty of finding true belonging in a gentrifying New York City.
Recommended for ages 12+
CREATIVE TEAM:
Scenic Design: Cat Raynor, Costume Design: Hahnji Jang, Lighting Design: Kyle Stamm, Sound Design: Kathy Ruvuna, Puppet Design: Gaby Febland, Props & Assistant Scenic Design: Jonathan Schatzberg, Music Director: Jon Schneidman, Choreographer: Maya Quetzali Gonzalez, Stage Manager: Sarah Jones, Assistant Stage Manager: Anica Acuña.
Line Producer: Leigh Honigman
Associate Line Producer: Leah Plante-Wiener
SUPPORT + DEVELOPMENT:
Gooey’s Toxic Aquatic Adventure was developed through Lincoln Center, Peabody Essex Museum, Hubbard Hall, and Bethany Arts Center.
Gooey’s Toxic Aquatic Adventureis made with support from: the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, The Puffin Foundation, Puppeteers of America, the Edith Lutyens and Norman Bel Geddes Design Enhancement Fund through A.R.T./New York, and Materials for the Arts.
Artwork by Brenna O’Brien