Helsinki
A down-on-her-luck waitress and down-on-his-luck factory worker spark a shy love affair that’s put to the ultimate test by the economically (and emotionally!) depressed landscape of 1990s Finland. Helsinki is an absurdly deadpan, achingly romantic dark comedy that asks if life’s losers can find (and keep!) the love they deserve.
The Writers
Barrett Riggins (Music & Lyrics) is a Brooklyn-based actor and songwriter. The New York Times once called him “very funny.” He composed and orchestrated original music for The Panic of ’29 (59E59). His studio albums Smoke Machine and Good Ol’ are available on all streaming platforms. His song “More Than an Apology” was released by Audible as part of You Are Here: An Evening with Solea Pfeiffer, recorded live at the Minetta Lane Theatre. Barrett is a proud member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. BFA: University of Michigan. www.barrettriggins.com.
Graham Techler (Book & Lyrics) and Barrett Riggins won the 2025 Richard Rodgers Award for HELSINKI (Upcoming; The New Group, Selection; NAMT, Semifinalist; O’Neill, American Music Theatre Project). Their other work together includes THE PANIC OF ’29 (59E59) with Julia Knitel, OBITUARY (Writers Grove @ Goodspeed Musicals), …PORTIS COLFAX… (Ensemble Studio Theatre), and the burlesque variety show STAGE TIME WITH PJ ADZIMA (Jazz @ Lincoln Center, The Slipper Room, The Bell House). Graham’s plays include THE TYCOONS! (Less Than Rent), LANE GAULLSON’S REVENGE (The Brick), and TRUST FUND (Finalist; O’Neill). He is a member of EST/Youngblood and the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, has received residencies from the Edward Albee Foundation, Colt Coeur, and the Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project, and is currently under commission from Clubbed Thumb. He contributes Shouts & Murmurs to the New Yorker and performs character monologues at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. He is represented by UTA.
Development History
Helsinki was developed in part at the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project before receiving a workshop at Brooklyn’s Brick Aux in 2023. Semifinalist; 2023 and 2024 O’Neill National Music Theater Conference, 2023 American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University, Finalist; 2024 Normal Ave NAP Series.
Connect
graham.techler@gmail.com