16 Days is a new musical, loosely based on the tabloid rumors surrounding the origins of “sudden celebrity couple” Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.  Allegedly, in April 2005, Ms. Holmes went missing for a period of sixteen days — unable to be reached by family, friends, business associates, or paparazzi.  Upon reemergence, she appeared to be completely transformed — firing her long-time agent, disowning her family, subscribing to Scientology, and entering into a committed relationship with Tom Cruise — a man she had never met prior to his “business invitation” sixteen days earlier.  Through fictional representations of these real-life individuals, we attempt to examine this scenario, and determine — if it were indeed true — how a person could go
“so far so fast.” While the musical is certainly inspired by these “supposed” real events, it is important to note that the story is not about specific celebrities, nor is it intended to be a sketch or parody.  Instead, the show’s primary goal is to examine celebrity culture as a whole — from the compromises “stars” make to achieve fame, to the public lens and our society’s obsession with emulating celebrity life.   While highly comedic in nature, the show’s objective is ultimately serious.