You’ve probably heard it from everyone and their mother: “I’m so sick of all these remakes.” They’re everywhere. The live action Disney adaptations. The movie-to-musical pipeline. New movie sequels debuting years after initial success. It feels almost as if every “new” piece of media around us is ripped, copied or directly adapted from something else. Which is why, to Tyler Bugg (12) and friends, a new story is in the works.
“I’ve always wanted to write,” Bugg said. “To create new stories. When I was acting in the show ‘Sweeney Todd,’ that was when I realized I wanted to write a show, so I took one project I already had and began to expand on it.” Thus beginning the creative process for the original play (and soon-to-be musical), Remedy.
“’Remedy’ is a story of overcoming. It’s about a young doctor who comes to a small town in the 1840’s,” Bugg said. “At the time period, doctors and medical practices weren’t yet widely accepted. It’s a story of new tech versus tradition, with religious allegories, and I really want it to be open to the audience’s interpretations, too.”
Bugg states that he took inspiration from many people, such as legendary theatrical composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, and also the friends around him.
“I had lots of help. My co-writer, Noelle Wise, was really helpful. I always go to her when I face writer’s block. I also am currently in the process of working on a musical adaptation of ‘Remedy’ with my friend Kiera Hoisington,” Bugg reveals.
For co-writer Noelle Wise (12), being roped into the creative team wasn’t her initial plan, but says it was a super enjoyable experience since the beginning.
“Well, I got involved first to fix typos and grammar, and then I was working with Tyler to change how scenes should go or where they should be. It’s been really fun and I’ve loved seeing how the story got to where it is right now.” Wise said.
The story has been in the works since April 2024, and since then online auditioners have been cast for a table read-through, which took place in August 2025 before the school year. Friends of Bugg and Wise gathered at Bugg’s house to read through the script for a small audience, to test the flow of the story. Since then, Bugg declares that the next step for the work is to apply the story for senior-directed One Acts night here at Liberty. During One-Acts, the first half of the play will be produced for its first live audience, among other short One-Act shows directed (and sometimes written) by Liberty seniors.
For both Bugg and Wise, they express the importance of the story being a new, fresh work.
“For me, one of the biggest things is original ideas coming through the woodwork. There are lots of adaptations, remakes, and sequels. It’s important for new stories to continue to be produced.” Bugg states.
Wise agrees with this idea. “In this world of AI and sequels, it’s so important to keep creating stories that come from true imagination. Without practice, we will fail to keep that creativity and the spirit of originality in our world, especially in the world of the arts.” Wise said.
