Latest LPP production is 40 years in the making

‘To Live or Diet’ began as college project for Gary Simboli and highlights challenges with weight

Photos by Tom Rivers: Sarah Hill portrays Sasha and sings “The Postpartum Blues” in a new musical, “To Live or Diet,” by Gary Simboli. The show has three performances – tonight, Saturday and Sunday in the fellowship hall at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion.

ALBION – It was about 40 years ago when Gary Simboli needed to complete a senior project as a music major at SUNY Geneseo.

Simboli didn’t want to do a senior voice or piano recital, or write a paper on music theory.

His professor gave Simboli a chance to do what he loves in music: create a musical. Simboli wrote the songs, music and dialogue for “To Live or Diet,” which featured his and many of his friends’ weight-loss journeys.

Simboli would go on to direct Albion school musicals for 35 years, and led the choir in the high school. In his retirement he has been active with the Lake Plains Players, a community theater group. He fulfilled a dream performing the lead role of Max Bialystock in The Producers in November 2023 and has been a part of other productions.

Simboli has kept “To Live or Diet” on the back burner for years. He wanted to expand on it.

“During this almost 40-year journey I have learned that struggles with weight and body image, from both sides of the spectrum, are similar to almost all of us,” he writes in the show’s program. “It is a universal concern sometimes bordering on obsession.”

Simboli said the Lake Plains Players’ mission statement fits with the message of the show with inclusivity, community and support.

“Some of it is hilarious,” Simboli said about the show. “Some of it is very raw and personal. It is all based on truth.”

The musical is set in a fitness class, “Look Good! Feel Great!!” Mollie Radzinski portrays the fitness instructor, Monica. The group sings “I Like Myself Again” as they have success dropping some pounds.

Simboli has teamed with the LPP to do that with a 90-minute show. He has added seven more songs to the original production and now there are 22 original songs altogether. Simboli wrote most of the lyrics but others also contributed including his wife Laura Simboli, and Hannah Dean, Shirley Goodman and Stephanie Stern Protz.

A cast of 10 is performing the musical revue today and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion, where Simboli is the church organist on Sundays.

The show will be performed in the fellowship hall with about 100 seats. Click here for more information on tickets. (Saturday’s show is already sold out.)

Gabrielle Montgomery, president of Lake Plains Players, said the show has an empowering message for everyone, whether or not they struggle with their weight. It’s about loving yourself and others.

“It’s very relatable,” she said about the message of the show. “Seeing yourself (and your struggles) on stage is validating.”

Erin Moody plays Erik who has success losing weight but takes too many diet pills. He sings, “A Tribute to Dexatrim.” Erik starts feeling neurotic and acts disoriented as he takes too many pills.

Matthew Pettit, in back, also is in the show and makes his debut with the Lake Plains Players.

Michael Flanagan plays Mr. Binge who is always lurking in the show near the characters, especially as they have success losing weight. He teases them with an abundance of snacks and urges them to indulge. “Don’t try to fight it, just bite it,” he sings.

Evan Steier plays Eddie and Morgan “Mo” Mill is Melanie. They sing, “I Never Thought I’d Fall in Love.”

Steier also sings a “Skinny Guy’s Lament” about feeling overlooked for not being too muscular and bulky.

Matthew Pettit as Mark is swayed by Mr. Binge to give into his food cravings after a successful workout. Pettit sings, “I’ll Start Again Tomorrow.”

“As my hunger grows, my willpower goes,” Pettit sings.

Susan Thaine plays Sophie and sings “My Mirror.”