Like Father Musical Premiered at Atlanta Alliance Theatre

The new musical, written by Jacob Ryan Smith and Caroline Pernick, debuted at the Alliance Theatre this week.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Children’s Theater

Bold vector editorial illustration of dramatic theater curtains and a spotlight, evoking the anticipation of a stage production. — The new musical Like Father, co-created by Atlanta native Jacob Ryan Smith, premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta this week. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The musical Like Father held its world premiere at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. The production explores the story of a teenager who discovers his father is a serial killer via a podcast.

Why it matters

The show serves as a homecoming for Jacob Ryan Smith, who is an Atlanta native and co-creator of the production. Its arrival at the local stage highlights the city’s growing role in hosting original theatrical work.

The production is held in the 200-seat Hertz Stage, a black box theater at the Alliance Theatre. The show previously won the Open Jar Studios Broadway Shark Tank and was a semi-finalist at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.

The players

Jacob Ryan Smith

He is an Atlanta native who co-wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the production.

Caroline Pernick

She co-wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the musical.

Alliance Theatre

This Atlanta-based cultural institution serves as the venue for the premiere.

Tinashe Kajese-Bolden

She is the director responsible for staging this new production.

The details

Directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, the narrative follows a 17-year-old from Dahlonega, Georgia, whose life is upended by a podcast revealing his father's crimes. The musical features a full book, music, and lyrics penned by Smith and Caroline Pernick.

The world premiere of Like Father took place on October 14, 2026.
Performances are scheduled to run until November 15, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The show follows a development path common for new stage works, utilizing labs like the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center to refine the script before a premiere. This signals a trend where regional theaters serve as critical incubators for original Broadway-bound content.

Tickets are currently available for performances at the Hertz Stage through the middle of November. Given the limited 200-seat capacity, attendees are encouraged to book in advance to secure availability.

The takeaway

Original musicals often rely on regional theater debuts to build momentum and refine their creative vision. Readers interested in theater can monitor local schedules for future workshops of similar developmental projects.