If I Could Go is a sweeping, contemporary reimagining of the Irish myth of Tír na nÓg — a tragic story in which Oisín, an Irish warrior, finds the love of his life in Princess Niamh, a goddess from a timeless "otherworld". In the original myth, Oisín traverses the crossing between their worlds to live with Niamh in this mythical Land of Youth. But a few years later when he misses home and returns to the mortal world, he finds that centuries have passed, and he ages instantly and crumbles to dust the moment his feet touch the ground.
If I Could Go modernizes the story with new settings, characters, and twists, all while honoring its mythical origins. In our story, when Oisín (now a timid Dublin bookshop clerk) and Niamh find themselves bound by magic and misinformation, they are drawn into a dangerous space between their worlds, leading them to a confrontation with a villainess of sorts, Líadan, whose love has twisted into a prison of grief, and must face difficult choices as lovers and as individuals.
This is a musical about bravery that lives outside of battles: the courage to tell the truth, to let go, to hope again, and to choose love without guarantees.
If I Could Go will leave you smiling through tears as you reflect on your relationship with loss, and the power in all of us to reframe grief as an expression of love. Featuring a modern pop-Celtic score and a story that blends fantasy with humor and heartfelt humanity, our show aims to deliver a deeply meaningful and unforgettable theatrical experience.
Book, Music & Lyrics
Steve Engelbrecht is a composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and technology entrepreneur with a lifelong love of storytelling through musical theatre.
If I Could Go represents a deeply personal story for Steve - one of healing and hope, inspired by back-to-back tragedies in 2024, when he lost a dear friend to cancer, and just 6 months later, when a heartbreaking fire claimed the home of his mother and stepfather.
This musical is part of Steve's journey of processing grief and finding light in the darkness. It has brought him joy to bring this story to life, and he hopes it will make you smile, think, and celebrate the love that endures beyond loss, all while tapping your feet and singing along.
Male, 20s, tenor. A timid Dublin bookshop clerk who escapes into stories, soon to find himself living one.
Female, 20s, soprano. A princess from Tír na nÓg, bound by duty and desperate for freedom.
Female, 20s, mezzo-soprano. Oisín's gay, brutally honest best friend. Always ready with advice, a joke, and a push toward adventure.
Male, 35 to 50, baritone. A mysterious shape-shifter who appears at pivotal moments with cryptic guidance, and serves as the narrator.
Female, 30s or 40s, mezzo-soprano. A powerful figure whose grief has twisted into something dangerous.
Male, 50s or 60s, non-singing role. The sea god, father of Niamh, with his own stake in the worlds colliding.
The story also features a singing, acting, dancing ensemble of 5-10 performers which brings the worlds to life.
Please visit the Music page to listen to demo tracks and learn more about orchestration.
If I Could Go is currently in active development. We are crafting the book, music, and lyrics to bring this magical story to the stage, and working through the process of applying to festivals and securing initial production opportunities. Stay connected to follow our journey from page to stage!