In a bold fusion of humor, orchestral drama, and celebrity talent, singer-songwriter Philip Labes and his collaborators have released Good Guy with a Gun!, a theatrical concept album that skewers the entrenched positions in America’s gun debate. Billed as “Book of Mormon for the NRA,” the album uses satire to explore the possibility of repealing the Second Amendment, offering a fresh lens on a polarizing issue.
A Story of Division and Magic
The album, released on August 14, centers on Ron, a father voiced by Chris Sullivan (known for This Is Us), who becomes an NRA lobbyist after his wife dies in a mall shooting. His daughter Jenna, voiced by Kimiko Glenn (Orange Is the New Black, Broadway’s Waitress), is a liberal student. Their ideological clash takes a fantastical turn when God, voiced by Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), grants Ron a magic gun that turns people conservative and Jenna a magic megaphone that turns people liberal.
The narrative crescendos with the song “On the Day (The Second Amendment Is Wiped Away),” a Les Misérables-inspired number where right-wingers lament the feared liberal takeover, and a Cockney woman’s manic monologue describes the imagined confiscation of firearms. Yet the album concludes on a unifying note: people hold different opinions not because they are “doo-doo and stinky,” but because they are “trying their hardest.”
Satire as a Mirror
Labes and his collaborators—Micah O’Konis and Hal Rosenfeld—aim to challenge the “good guy with a gun” myth and liberal stereotypes, from Trader Joe’s devotion to the pronoun “us.” The album’s humor is sharp, but its purpose is serious: to question the terms of the gun debate and imagine new possibilities. As Labes put it, “Laws are meant to be statements of values,” and he hopes to remind listeners that constitutions can be rewritten.
Both Labes and Rosenfeld have personal connections to gun violence. Labes was held at gunpoint on a Los Angeles train a decade ago, and Rosenfeld experienced a similar ordeal. These encounters fueled their commitment to the project, which they self-funded and crafted over years.
A Genre-Bending Soundtrack
The album spans musical styles, from the Beach Boys-esque “Liberal Guilt Trip” to the gospel-infused “N-R-AMEN!,” the jazz number “Do The Lobby,” the Western title track, and the R&B-driven “I Like To…”. Rosenfeld, who served as executive music producer and orchestrator, drew on his extensive experience in film and TV scoring to give each song a distinct flavor. He even wove in subtle nods to Hamilton, quoting its opening in “On the Day” and using a banjo in a style reminiscent of his former collaborator Alex Lacamoire.
Star Power with a Purpose
The cast, including Yvette Nicole Brown and Richard Kind, joined the project out of belief in its message, often working for far below their usual rates. Rosenfeld noted, “Every single one of them believed in the project, and were very vocal about that.”
Why Satire?
In interviews, Labes and Rosenfeld explained that satire allows them to address a serious issue without alienating audiences. The magic gun and megaphone serve as metaphors for the perception of brainwashing on both sides of the political spectrum. “We wanted to play with that world,” Labes said, “and give our lead characters—and by default, the audience—the experience of: here’s exactly what you want, everyone agrees with you. Is that better?”
The creators hope the album will encourage listeners to laugh together, humanize opponents, and consider new perspectives. While they acknowledge that art alone won’t solve gun violence, they believe it can foster dialogue. As Labes said, “When you laugh together, it’s harder to think of someone as your enemy.”
Looking Ahead
Good Guy with a Gun! is currently available as a self-released album, but Labes and Rosenfeld are open to staging it on Broadway, Off Broadway, or even adapting it for film. For now, they hope the music reaches beyond the choir, including gun owners and conservatives, to spark conversations that transcend the usual echo chambers.