American Classic tells the story of Broadway
star Richard Bean who suffers a spectacular public meltdown and returns home to the family theater where he first became aware of his own brilliance. Once there, his extreme behavior sets off a series of crises among those closest to him: his ex-girlfriend (now the town’s mayor) married to his brother, his brother himself, and his beloved niece who dreams of a life in the theater. As old loves resurface and buried secrets emerge, Richard must confront the consequences of his past actions and the family and town he left behind for fame and glamour. Each season follows a different Richard Bean production that will reflect the stories unfolding in the lovable but flawed Bean family and the transformative power of making art.
ABOUT BLUEJAY FRIESE
Bluejay Friese’s songs arrive like postcards—creased at the corners, salt-stained, and sent straight from the soul. With more than two million streams and a voice that can hush a noisy room, his music leans into vulnerability, humour, and stories that feel instantly familiar and enveloped in folk, country, and indie textures.
His debut full-length album was released on March 13, 2026.
His performances have taken him from Victoria’s Rifflandia and Seattle’s Northwest Folklife to stages across the west coast, but his reach has grown worldwide through SiriusXM’s The Coffee House and Spotify Editorial playlists like Renegades. His folk-lullaby version of recorded for Netflix’s Lost in Space, turned into a sleeper hit—earning 80K Shazams and holding a place on soundtrack charts for four years.
As actor Ajay Friese, he’s also known for roles in Lost In Space, Riverdale, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, and The Order. Currently, he stars alongside Kevin Kline and Laura Linney in MGM+’s American Classic.
ABOUT NELL VERLAQUE
Nell Verlaque is an American actress and singer. Verlaque made her screen debut as a guest on the CBS legal drama Bull in 2017 before landing her first main role as Louise Gruzinsky (Fake Jordan signature move girl) on the Disney+ series Big Shot for two seasons. She then landed the lead role in the Eli Roth film Thanksgiving which she received positive reviews for and is expected to return for the sequel. Verlaque appeared on the new A24 Amazon Prime Video comedy drama Overcompensating in a recurring role. The show, which has a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes has garnered Verlaque more attention and solidified her as a rising star and one to watch. She will next star opposite Kevin Kline and Laura Linney in the new Amazon MGM series American Classic.
ABOUT FIFTH SEASON
FIFTH SEASON is an entertainment industry leader specializing in the development, production, financing, and distribution of premium films, television series, and documentaries. Known for its artist-first approach, the company has produced critically acclaimed films such as Book Club, The Lost Daughter, Nonnas, and Friendship, as well as award-winning series like Severance, His & Hers, Nine Perfect Strangers, Omnivore, and Tokyo Vice. FIFTH SEASON operates with a full-service worldwide distribution infrastructure and boasts a vast network of production hubs across North America, Europe, and Asia. In addition to its successful slate of original productions, FIFTH SEASON’s global distribution arm handles a robust third-party library of hundreds of titles, including hit series such as Killing Eve, Normal People, The Morning Show, and The Night Manager. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, New York, and London, with offices worldwide. Shareholders include CJ ENM, Toho, and Endeavor.
ABOUT LAKESHORE RECORDS
Lakeshore Records is a GRAMMY-winning record label, and the soundtrack arm of the Cutting Edge Group. Lakeshore Records is the global independent leader in top line soundtrack album releases, including such popular, critically acclaimed and classic soundtracks as Bridgerton, Stranger Things, Wednesday, Fallout, John Wick, Whiplash, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Drive, Cyberpunk 2077 / Edgerunners, Star Trek: Picard, Bojack Horseman, The Walking Dead, Napoleon Dynamite, Red Dead Redemption 2, the Grammy-winning Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok, the Academy Award nominated Lady Bird and Academy Award winners Moonlight, Little Miss Sunshine, American Factory, If Beale Street Could Talk, The Hurt Locker and many, many more.
For more information, contact: www.lakeshorerecords.com
Read Lakeshore’s blog Soundtracks, Scores And More here: https://soundtracksscoresandmore.com
