A HAUNTING TRUE STORY ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, FAMILY, AND THE BATTLE FOUGHT UNSEEN
Boy on Billboard the Musical
Book and Lyrics by Meg Parker Wilson & Lisa Apple
Music by Lisa Apple
Stream the concept album now!
Featuring original cast, including Jack Austin as James and Mikaela Phillips as Ellie.
THE JOURNEY
2019
Our First Table Read
2020
Boy on Billboard began its dream in a cramped living room in Plano, TX with a collection of passionate actors and performers breathing life into a new musical work.
A SOLDOUT Showcase
Boy on Billboard the Musical gets its feet on the ground with a copyright, a partnership, and the first public showcase in the form of a staged reading. The debut performance of the book and music sold out somehow!
Boy on Billboard goes on a Media CRAZE!
The new original musical based on the true story of a young musician’s struggle with untreated schizophrenia attracts the attention of online magazines, local day shows, podcasts, and more.
The story had to get out, and people were starting to listen!
Full Staged Production in Texas
Boy on Billboard takes the full production to the stage. In Richardson, TX, a venue is secured, tickets are sold, and the show comes to life under the lights. During the production, actors and singers were asked for one word to describe their experience with the new material. Words like human, family, bravery, and “seen,” came to mind.
A New York City Revue at historic 54 Below
2021
2022
2023
2024
A viral video of the 2023 production, with 8 MILLION views (and counting), grabs the attention of a venue in New York City. The historic and world famous stage, 54 Below, opens its doors to Boy on the Billboard the Musical for a one-night-only staged revue. The new music sold out the venue and left the stage to a standing ovation.
Concept Album RELEASED
2024
Five years of hard work see’s the fruition of a MASSIVE milestone in the release of Boy on Billboard’s concept album. Currently streaming on all major online music outlets including Spotify, Apple Play, and wherever you find your music and podcasts.
Boy on Billboard left an impression in New York City and is currently planning its future performances. Follow us on our socials @boyonbillboard for updates on the next exciting steps! Contact our creative team if you’d like to see Boy on Billboard bring its powerful and inspiring show to your theatre, season, stage, or venue.
Your Venue Here!
2025 and BEYOND
The Story…
On October 1st, 2010 James Apple, died of accidental suicide due to an undiagnosed mental illness, the day after his 24th birthday. Six months prior he had climbed to the top of a billboard in downtown Fort Worth. For seven hours he paced back and forth, sat and stood, threatened to jump and conducted an orchestra he saw in his mind. The family stood in a trailer watching while the police and rescue team tried to coax him down.
Written by Composer Lisa Apple and Director Meg Parker Wilson, Boy on Billboard aims to provide hope, healing, and a call to action. Lisa and Meg have more than 35 years of combined performance and creative writing experience and bring to the stage a gripping, true story about James Apple and troubles that went unseen.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
LISA APPLE
CO-CREATOR
Lisa Apple is a teacher, songwriter and creator with a passion for musical theatre. She has performed in multiple Dallas cover bands, led the Dallas chapter of Chick Singer Night, performed at SXSW in Austin and written and recorded two full-length albums. Lisa holds a BA in Music Business & Management from Belmont University and is a member of BMI. She’s studied voice both classically and commercially and has been composing for 20 years. She currently teaches music at Prestonwood Christian Academy and lives in Plano, Texas.
MEG PARKER
CO-CREATOR
Meg Parker Wilson was raised in Brazil, South America and graduated from Southwest Baptist University with her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications and Theatre. She also studied at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center and interned for 20th Century Fox in their Features Casting department. She has been on stage and in film both as an actor and director. After moving to Dallas she began her work writing and directing for Genesis Children’s Theatre and producing film content as a Board member for Light in Action. She loves costume design and infusing technology in stage storytelling. Film credits: Seasons of Grey, A Modern Day Joseph Story (Kate Welling) (Echolight Films) and Aliens in the Attic (Brook) (20th Century Fox). Meg has been writing, acting and directing for fifteen years.