The idea for “label•less,” an inspirational musical from Cincinnati natives Drew and Lea Lachey, arose in 2018 after a simple empathy exercise during one of their theater classes.
They asked their students to anonymously write down how they had been discriminated against in their lives.
The result of the exercise, which included stories of sexism, racism, homophobia, mental health struggles and more, brought the couple to tears. It then inspired them to create a show that gives a voice to America’s youth.
“I think what’s cool about the project is … it was created organically. It wasn’t something that we said, ‘You know what? We’re gonna create a show that deals with all these topics.’ It happened naturally,” Lea told The Enquirer.
The 90-minute musical, which brings its tour to the Aronoff Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Saturday, features a diverse cast between the ages of 17-27. They’ll all share “heartfelt true stories” through thought-provoking choreography and a contemporary soundtrack, according to a press release.
The show, which had its tour debut in Wichita, Kansas, on Oct. 21, focuses on the cast’s real-life stories, meant to leave the audience with a “sense of hope and optimism.”
“This cast is a social experiment of what the world could be. How people of different walks of life, different colors, different races, different sizes, different socioeconomic backgrounds, how they can all come together and get along and work in a common space with love and appreciation for each other,” Drew said. “These aren’t hypothetical scenarios. These are true stories.”
“Label•less” first premiered in March 2018. Due to an overwhelming response from the community, an encore performance was held later that year at the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival. Additional performances have also taken place between 2020 and 2023, and a docuseries about the making of “label•less” is currently in production.
The musical combines visuals by Brave Berlin with spoken word, dance choreography and popular music, including songs by Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift and more. Original songs written and produced by Drew, the 98 Degrees star, are also featured.
Although the upcoming show won’t be the first for the Lacheys, they said they’re still excited to bring the production back to their hometown of Cincinnati.
“It means so much, right? To build a project like this from the ground up in the city you were born in. We’re so proud,” Lea said.
Tickets for Saturday’s Cincinnati showing of “label•less” are currently on sale for $38. There is a $7.75 fee per ticket.