In one room, Peter Amidon was at the piano, putting singers through their paces, while in the room next door, Stephen Stearns coached actors on their lines.
Across the hall, two actors practiced juggling, while a dozen others hung out or tried on costumes. In the hallway, one cast member was working by herself at the piano; another paced the hallway, quietly going over his lines.
Those are scenes of intense focus and impressive professionalism. But this is what it means to be on a quest for "Truth."
On Saturday, the New England Youth Theatre's Senior Company opens a brand new musical called "Truth," conceived and written by NEYT founder Stearns, with music composed by Amidon. Performances run through April 12.
The story itself is a wild, fanciful journey, with elements borrowed from, well, only the finest sources.
"I was really getting into 'Sense and Sensibility,' 'Pride and Prejudice,' Jane Eyre,' Dickens," said Stearns, who also sprinkled in references to Shakespeare and even a splash of Monty Python.
What emerges is a wild tale, a riotous comedy, layered with romance, deception, intrigue and mistaken identities, which also deals seriously with the faults and foibles of the human condition.
It's pure fiction, but in the absence of fact, elemental truths emerge.
"Truth" pulls no punches as it examines human weaknesses, revenge and retribution, love and love lost, the machinations of powerful people and what it means, ultimately, to be true.
"I didn't want to write something that was entirely fluff," said Stearns. "We're walking that tightrope between a spoof and emotionally charged material."
In "Truth," a Prince with a secret rejects his princess "bride to be" on the altar where a peace treaty has been signed between the two kingdoms. The busted marriage unleashes a storm of anger from the jilted Princess' father, King Bosvick, a disturbance that threatens to ignite a new war of revenge and retribution. The escaping Prince finds a warm welcome at a prosperous farm with two eccentric parents and four passionate children. As the children try to restore equilibrium to the world, power hungry adults, blind to reason, plot the death of honesty and justice. A mix of rebel patriots join the fight and ... well, we won't say any more.
Audiences will also, no doubt, see similarities between "Truth" and recent national and world events, where a basic lack of fundamental honesty has caused a peck of trouble.
"It's about the manipulation of the powerful. I've modeled the kingdoms on Athens and Sparta or North and South Korea," said Stearns. "Arle, which is healthy in arts and song is Brattleboro, because of the generosity of spirit."
Those that wish to defeat her ... well, Stearns didn't use the names Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld, but several actors in the cast did. Still, they insist that's not what "Truth" is about.
It's just a ripping good yarn that manages to shed some light on what is really important.
"I think the point of the story is that the main character isn't true to himself," said cast member Jacob Knapp.
"I don't think it's so much 'truth vs. lies' as 'truth vs. settling for what's given to you,'" added Emily Seymour.
"Truth" marks the fourth collaboration between Stearns and Amidon, and the young cast members, many of whom have worked on other such collaborations, are enjoying the challenge of being the first to bring "Truth" to life.
"I think it's really great, because we can make it our own," said Shannon Ward, an NEYT veteran who plays Katherine, the princess who gets left at the altar.
"People know most movies and musicals. When I say 'I'm at NEYT, and I'm in an original musical,' they say, 'Whoa, that's cool,'" explained Alec Silver, who plays one of the evil henchmen.
One of the cool things is Amidon's music -- catchy, tuneful, memorable -- and, like Stearns' script, isn't dummed down just because it's written for young actors.
Watching Amidon teach a song to the cast is reminiscent of a cooking show. You start with a bouncy rhythm, add an infectious piano riff, an ear-catching melody and clever lyrics, then toss in a heavy dose of youthful energy with liberal pinches of spontaneous creativity and Bam!, you've got a song -- in this case, one titled "Lovely Dream."
The opening song starts with Latin chants and unfolds into a double chorus of four-part harmony. This is not easy stuff, but you will leave the theater humming it.
"Peter Amidon, he writes music which is not easy to sing but is easy to enjoy singing," said cast member Justin Kenney. "He's a lot like Andrew Lloyd Webber."
Joining Stearns and Amidon on the dream directorial team, is Broadway veteran and nationally known composer, pianist and performer Alki Steriopoulos, who is the music director.
Performances of "Truth" are Saturday and Sunday and Thursday, April 9, through Sunday, April 12. The Thursday show is at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday evening shows are at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $11.50 for adults, $9.50 for seniors and $7.50 for students. Call the box office at 802-246-6398 or buy tickets online at www.neyt.org. NEYT is located at 100 Flat St.
"Truth" is sponsored by Brattleboro Orthodontic Specialists and First Homeland Mortgage.