Signature Theatre Brings Time-Travel Musical 'Safety Not Guaranteed' to Arlington Stage

Signature Theatre will transport audiences through time and emotion this spring with the regional premiere of "Safety Not Guaranteed," a genre-bending indie-rock musical that asks profound questions about regret, risk, and the roads not taken. The production runs March 3 through April 12, 2026, in the company's MAX Theatre in Arlington. The musical, featuring music and lyrics by Guster frontman Ryan Miller and a book by Nick Blaemire, draws inspiration from the 2012 cult film written by Derek Connolly. At its heart lies an irresistible premise: a cryptic classified ad seeking a companion for time travel, promising payment upon return and demanding that applicants bring their own weapons. The catch? Safety is definitively not guaranteed.

Safety Not Guaranteed at Signature Theatre

When ambitious journalist Darius stumbles across this peculiar advertisement, professional curiosity compels her to track down its author. What begins as a straightforward investigative assignment quickly evolves into something far more complex and emotionally resonant. As Darius agrees to join the mysterious Kenneth on his temporal adventure, she discovers that the journey challenges not only her understanding of what's possible, but also forces her to confront her own relationship with the past and the choices that have shaped her life.

The production brings together a creative team with impressive credentials across theatre and music. Oliver Butler will direct, with choreography by Lisa Fagan. The musical arrangements come from Bill Sherman, known for his Tony Award-winning work, while Jeff Tanski serves as music director. The score itself has earned praise for its distinctive indie sensibility—The New York Times called it "ridiculous fun" with an "appealingly indie sound," noting the music's memorable quality.

Signature Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner has emphasized that "Safety Not Guaranteed" represents the theatre's ongoing dedication to cultivating new musical voices and contemporary storytelling. The piece blends an unconventional narrative structure with intimate character work, wrapped in a sound that feels fresh and current rather than traditionally theatrical.

The cast features Mia Pak as the intrepid journalist Darius and Gunnar Manchester as Kenneth, the enigmatic time-travel enthusiast. They're joined by Preston Truman Boyd as Jeff, Tyler Dobies as Arnau, Joshua Morgan as Tristan and additional roles, and Erin Weaver as Liz and others. Understudies Steven Nicolás Franco, Sydne Lyons, and Scout Santoro round out the ensemble.

Behind the scenes, the design team includes Arnulfo Maldonado creating the scenic environment, Shahrzad Mazaheri designing costumes, Jason Lyons handling lighting, and Eric Norris crafting the soundscape. Charlotte Sandor leads casting efforts, with New York casting by Alldaffer & Donadio Casting.

Signature continues its commitment to accessibility throughout the run. Every performance offers closed captioning through the GalaPro app, while special events include a Pride Night on March 20, post-show discussions on March 25 and April 7, an ASL-interpreted performance on April 8, and a masks-required matinee on March 22 at 2:00 p.m.

Beyond its whimsical premise and catchy score, "Safety Not Guaranteed" grapples with universal themes that resonate deeply: the weight of past decisions, the seductive allure of second chances, and the courage required to embrace uncertainty. In a world where hindsight often breeds regret, the musical poses a tantalizing question—if you truly could rewrite your history, would the risk be worth it?

Tickets for "Safety Not Guaranteed" start at $47 and are available now at SigTheatre.org or by calling 703-820-9771.