Friday – Fabric 4
73 Seconds
On a cold January morning in 1986, millions watched as the NASA Shuttle Challenger soared skyward—only to explode 73 seconds after liftoff. Among the stunned was Barbara Morgan, backup to Christa McAuliffe, the “teacher-in-space” aboard that fateful flight. It could have been her.
Years later, as Barbara receives an offer from NASA to become a full-time astronaut, memories of Christa and the post-accident investigation resurface. She’s forced to confront her deepest trauma as she decides whether to take the risk and fly.
73 Seconds is a gripping musical about resilience, loss, and the courage to step forward after tragedy, based on true events.
Historical triple-timeline memory play
Early Development – a full treatment and two songs completed
I am seeking a theatre and/or producer interested in early stage works to nurture and develop
Death, Survivor’s guilt, National Tragedy.
Cast of 10
Band of 4-8
Meet the Writers
Jordan Li-Smith
Hailing from Wrexham, North Wales, Jordan Li-Smith is a multi-award-winning composer, lyricist, writer, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, performer and pianist. Training:… Read more
Jordan Li-Smith
Hailing from Wrexham, North Wales, Jordan Li-Smith is a multi-award-winning composer, lyricist, writer, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, performer and pianist. Training: Royal Academy of Music (PGDipRAM, Sir Elton John Scholarship and Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Award). Named an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2025. As writer/composer: music and lyrics for Theo In Between (commissioned by British Youth Music Theatre for 2025); The Boy Who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair (Leicester Curve), based on the novel by Lara Williamson - Winner of the National Youth Music Theatre Best New Writing Award, nominated for 12 BroadwayWorld UK Awards; 73 Seconds (a musical about the 1986 NASA Challenger Shuttle disaster, currently in development). Finalist for the Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize 2023 with “Height Lines”. Winner of the Drama League’s Anthems for the Future of Theater with “Better Day.” Jordan is a proud member of MMD and their Advanced Lab II.
Team
Jordan Li-Smith – Musical Director
Declan Corr and Livi van Warmelo – Orchestrations
Performers:
Jordan Li-Smith, Jade Oswald
Orchestra:
Glesni Roberts, Jordan Earnshaw, Verity Simmons, Will Henderson, Joe Atkin-Reeves, Steve Payne
Get in Touch
Agent: JBR Management (info@jbragent.com)
Website: www.jordanli-smith.com
Instagram: @jordanli_smith