What's itAbout
“Love Is Afoot!” is a taboo-smashing, toe-tapping, Big Band musical romantic comedy set in the 1940s, that takes audiences on a hilarious yet poignant journey through the unpredictable world of love. We tell this story through the eyes of Joe Smoot-Nibley, a decent man struggling to find acceptance and his “sole-mate.”
The absurd story is married to an award-winning original 16-song jazz-infused score that revives the rhythm, romance, and razzle-dazzle of classic Broadway. Ultimately proving that when the air stinks of romance, love is afoot!
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December 2025
Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Waterford, CT
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November 2025
New Musicals, Inc. (NMI), Los Angeles, CA
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December 2024
Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Waterford, CT
Set primarily in the 1940s, “Love Is Afoot!” is an outlandish, romantic musical comedy about love, acceptance, and staying true to oneself. Joe Smoot-Nibley is a hopeless romantic searching for his “sole-mate”—the girl of his dreams, Rose Marie Pedals.
She loves and understands Joe’s desires because she has a “thing” for feet herself. But because it’s labeled a forbidden love by society, they’re pulled apart again and again.
With guidance from a wise, magical Italian shoe cobbler, Joe and Rose Marie embark on a journey of self-discovery, learning that love—no matter how unconventional—is always worth fighting for.
“Love Is Afoot!” delivers a fresh, bold, and uniquely entertaining experience. Using foot and shoe fetishism as metaphors, the musical explores themes of feeling different and facing discrimination—all through a clever, silly, unexpected, and lighthearted hilarious lens, setting its own algorithm.
Set against the backdrop of the squeaky-clean 1940s, the story heightens the tension of forbidden love while embracing the charm and wit of the era. The time period also provides the perfect stage for the musical’s dynamic score—featuring the exhilarating sounds of Big Band, Swing, and hot Jazz.
Paying homage to the Golden Age of musicals, “Love Is Afoot!” boasts an original, high-energy score that captures the pulse of the 1940s/50s. The music spans a variety of styles-romantic and syrupy love ballads to big ensemble numbers. The roaring Big Band orchestrations make the score both thrilling and unforgettable.
Rather than following an operatic, pop, or “dialog over an underscore” style, each song in the “Love Is Afoot!” soundtrack is distinct, vibrant, and filled with clever, fun and poignant lyrics. The result is an engaging musical experience driven by the raw power of blaring horns, pounding drums, and unrelenting Big Band energy!
Right now, society is debating censorship, exclusion, and the definition of “normal,” the show delivers a timely, thought-provoking message. The musical explores themes of self-doubt, prejudice, and the subjectivity of morality, inviting audiences to question societal norms in an entertaining and heartfelt way.
The musical champions self-acceptance and tolerance—ideas that resonate deeply with today’s cultural conversations. With its uplifting message of “love is love,” the show reminds us that true freedom lies in embracing who we are and accepting others for who they are.
Kevin Guillaume and Perry Sachs working on “Up My Alley”
“While our irreverent comedy may be the yoke that steers “Love Is Afoot!,” music is the engine that makes it fly!”
-Perry Sachs
Missy Hale (“Special Someone”), Tim Davis, Perry Sachs, Kevin Guillaume, Princess
(In order of appearance)
“As comedy writers who embrace the obscure and absurd, we wanted to explore bigotry and discrimination from a fresh and unconventional perspective.”
-Michael LaFata
Michael LaFata is a writer/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 comedy in San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles. READ MORE
Perry came to Los Angeles from Washington D.C. in 1994. With his razor-sharp wit, gregarious personality and penchant for off-color subjects, he found his home away from home at the Groundling Theater and Acme Comedy Theater. While in the midst of his comedic training, Perry, and three of his closest friends, founded the sketch group The Joke Pimps. READ MORE
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. In fact, it’s hard to escape Davis’s musical mark. READ MORE
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. It was one of those old State Dept. Tours. They visited Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Jafa… and it was MAGICAL!!!!! READ MORE
Dear foot lovers, please enjoy the latest entry into the foot fetish arena… Mine has Rex Ryan’s signature on it…. You have got to see this… http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/22/vajankle_n_6519622.html
Listen to it HERE
Hey we’re demo recording UP MY ALLEY with Ryan Sprits, Sue Cunningham and Lisa Greenfield LOVE the tootsies….. just yum.
Its finally here and we are so excited to unveil our latest song!!! We will be officially releasing the song Up My Alley in it entirety next week. The bouncy rhythm and funny lyrics will make you want to dance, or bowl! The song comes complete with down-home Jug Band!!
Dear Friends and Neighbors – Wait till you hear our next song, Up My Alley This song will totally knock your socks off! Complete with Jug Band!!!
Check this out: Kev hones in on the melody of the song…. The Opening… By george they got it!
Check it out… We’re working on the big opening of Up My Alley. Perry (and Dutch) pitch the Pennsylvania 6500 opening to Kevin as a path to inspiration!! Some may say that Dutch steals the show and I’d tend to agree!!! See it here – UMA Opening Part 1 UMA Opening Part 2 Stay […]
We honor the artistry of bowling in our souped up bowling alley ditty, UP MY ALLEY. Get out there and bowl damn it!
The opening note is born! Z First Note !!
Hi gang – Perry and Kevin finally get the opening sequence of Up My Alley down! Watch my Dad, who was visiting from Pennsylvania in the vid. I think he loved it. What do you think? The Opening Sequence
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