SHOOTING STAR, the semi-autobiographical tale of international porn star Hans Berlin, is a musical love story set in the world of the gay adult film industry. It tells the story of Taylor, a young, struggling Hollywood actor, who finds himself rocketed to stardom as porn performer Taylor “TNT” Trent. Through Taylor’s eyes, we are introduced to a family of lovable misfits whose profession is making our wildest fantasies come alive.
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As Taylor achieves the fame he long sought, he discovers that the life you dream of may not always be the one you truly want.
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SHOOTING STAR gives you a sincere look at the human side of porn, focusing on the performers in the adult film world - their desires, dreams, and dramas.
SHOOTING STAR is also a story about finding love and a family in a world where many people think this wouldn't be possible. We're finding love in all the lovers we have.
"A CREATIVE, INVENTIVE
THOUGHT-PROVOKING WORK!" DNA
Meet The Team
Florian Klein (he/him) - Book and Concept
Florian was born in the Southern part of Germany, where the hills are alive with the sound of music. In the mid-90s, he started working in the entertainment industry as an actor, singer, dancer, public speaker, and TV host. Florian came to New York in 2002 to further his acting education. After finishing a four-year program at New York’s renowned HB Studio, he moved to Hollywood in 2006 to become a movie star. In 2012, he became a star in a different universe – a decision he never regretted, because it sparked the idea to write SHOOTING STAR. Becoming an award-winning adult film performer, Hans Berlin also gave Florian a voice to educate about Safer-Sex options and break HIV Stigma #UequalsU (Something that is very close to Florian’s heart, as he contracted the virus in 2001, long before he started working in the industry).
Florian currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. SHOOTING STAR is his first musical.
Thomas Zaufke (he/him) - Music and Orchestrations
Thomas is one of today’s most successful German composers and has been writing music for stage, film, as well as television. His work can be heard in theaters all across Europe, including Berlin’s most contemporary opera house, the Neuköllner Oper (Babytalk, Letterland, Grimm and many more).
Thomas also writes songs and chansons for European artists and German TV galas, like Die Goldene Kamera, Germany’s Oscars. Thomas Zaufke resides in Berlin, Germany.
Erik Ransom (he/him) - Lyrics
Erik Ransom is an award-winning, internationally-produced writer, composer and performer. His magnum opus, GRINDR The Opera, won London’s 2019 Off West End Award for Best New Musical, and has been produced across the U.S.
Other works include: Coming, Shooting Star (L.A. Ovation Award nominee) and More Than All the World, a musical retelling of Marlowe’s “Edward II”. He wrote the text of the acclaimed musical audio saga, "The World to Come", which is available on all major podcasting platforms and he starred in and wrote songs for the feature film, “Happy Yummy Chicken” featuring Taryn Manning. He also served as lead comedy writer for The Celebrity Roast of Michael Musto, presented by Rosie O’Donnell and hosted by Bruce Vilanch.​​​​​​​​
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Scott Le Crass (he/him) - Director
Scott is a queer working-class director from Birmingham.
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Credits include- Rose (West End), Elmer (No 1 UK/International tour), Jab (Finborough Theatre), Toxic (HOME, Manchester), Buff (Plymouth Theatre Royal/Edinburgh Fringe), The Mad Gay King (King’s Head Theatre), Country Music (Omnibus Theatre), Sid (Arts Theatre/UK tour).
Joshua Hubbard (he/she/they) - Choreographer
Choreographer/Dance artist, director and producer.
Credits - Elton John, Charli XCX, Raising Murphy, Olly Alexander, Brooke Candy, Drag Becomes Her - Jinx Monsoon and Peaches Christ.
Aaron Clingham (he/him) - Musical Director
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Aaron has received twelve Off-West End Award Nominations, a Standing Ovation Award Nomination and a Broadway World Award Nomination for his work as a Musical Director.
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Favourite credits as Musical Director include: Into the Woods (The Cockpit); Marry Me a Little and The Story Of My Life (Stage Door Theatre); Betty Blue Eyes (Union Theatre); Romance Romance, [title of show] and Grindr The Opera (Above The Stag Theatre); Metropolis, The Kissing Dance, Wonderful Town and A Little Night Music (Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre); Faking Bad and Closer To Heaven (Turbine Theatre); Sleeping Beauty (Charing Cross Theatre); My Land’s Shore (Theatr Soar); It’s a Bird...It’s A Plane...It’s Superman (Leicester Square Theatre); The Ripper’s Five (Theatro Technis); Naked Boys Singing (King’s Head Theatre and Garden Theatre); Sondheim by Sondheim (Roundhouse); Next Thing You Know (Garden Theatre); Dorian the Musical (Southwark Playhouse and The Other Palace); Soho Boy, (Drayton Arms Theatre) and Cinderella (White Rock Theatre).
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Credits as Orchestrator: include: Romance Romance, Grindr The Opera, Metropolis, Into The Woods, A LittleNight Music, 110 In The Shade, and My Land’s Shore.
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Cabaret credits include: Mountains – A Musical Journey (St. James Studio and Jermyn Street Theatre); Don’t Ask the Lady! and Dorothy and Friends (Crazy Coqs); The Stephen Sondheim Society Presents (Phoenix Artists Club); and Tim McArthur and Friends (Hippodrome Casino).
Recording credits include: Grindr The Opera and The Pleasure Garden (Jay Records).
Brendan Matthews (he/him) - Assistant Director
Brendan is an award-winning actor, theatre director and choreographer based in London. He trained at the Royal Academy of Music, Bird College of Dance and Theatre Performance and the BRIT School of Performing Arts.
His recent performance credits include Dromio in The Boys from Syracuse (Upstairs at the Gatehouse); Bernard Woolley in Yes, Prime Minister; David in Party Piece; Cosme McMoon in Glorious (Sidmouth Rep Theatre) and Guy in Guy the Musical (UK Tour) to name a few. He recently returned from doing a US Tour with Gregorian, with whom he made his Broadway Debut.
Some of his directing credits include the Off-West End Award-winning Godspell (Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre); My Land’s Shore (Theatr Soar, Wales); The Kissing Dance; Babes in Arms; Face the Music (All Star Productions); The Hired Man; Around the World in Eighty Days (The Union Theatre) and Gangbang (The Vaults). His associate/ assistant director credits include Singin’ in the Rain (West End); Now we Are Sixty (The King’s Head Theatre) and The Grand Duke (Finborough Theatre).
Instagram: @brenmatthew
Ryan Lenney (they/them) - Associate Producer
Ryan is a writer, reviewer and producer based in London. Born in East Anglia, Ryan grew up in theatre, having performed as a child and then moved to teaching performing arts until 2024.
Upon moving to London, Ryan has been writing for Curtain Call Reviews and worked alongside Off West End.
They are excited to be making their producing debut with Shooting Star.