The Pony Express
A Trailblazing Adventure Across the Wild West!
Revolutionary Origins: In the tumultuous 1860s, America thirsted for faster communication across its sprawling frontier. Enter William H. Russell, William B. Waddell, and Alexander Majors, the daring trio behind the Pony Express. Their audacious dream? To slash mail delivery times from months to a mere 10 days!
From Orphans to Heroes: On April 3, 1860, the inaugural rider, Johnny Fry, flew out of the stable delivering the Pony Express from a dream into reality. There were between 80-90 Pony Express riders, mostly teenage orphans, drawn to the adventure and purpose offered by the open trail (not to mention the $25 a week they were handsomely paid). With resilience and courage, they galloped across the country and ascended from nobodies to legendary status.
Moving the Mail: The brave teenage riders raced across 1,900 miles of dangerous and rugged terrain, 24/7, 365 days a year. Each rider was responsible for an 80 mile portion of the trail changing horses every 10 miles (at strategically placed relay stations) to maintain top speed. After about 12 hours of continuous riding, they arrived at their home station, overseen by a skilled station keeper, where a fresh rider eagerly awaited the mail and where they could rest for a couple of days before the mail came back the other way.
​
Delivering History: As the Pony Express thundered across the West, it carried more than just mail—it delivered the heartbeat of a nation. From news of Abraham Lincoln's election to dispatches from the Civil War frontlines, the mail service united the country with information that helped to keep California in the union.
The Rise of Technology: Despite its remarkable speed and efficiency, the Pony Express was ultimately eclipsed by the relentless march of progress. In October 1861, the completion of the transcontinental telegraph dealt a crushing blow to the Pony Express. This groundbreaking technological marvel could transmit messages almost instantaneously across vast distances, rendering the Pony Express obsolete virtually overnight. While the telegraph may have signaled the end of an era for the daring riders, it ushered in a new age of communication that would forever change the face of the American West.
The Legacy Lives On: Though the Pony Express was short-lived, its legacy endures. It symbolizes the indomitable spirit of the American frontier, and forever left its mark on America. Today, the Pony Express stands as a testament to the daring young riders who defied the odds and carved their names into the annals of history.
Creators: Shayan Sobhian, Sally Meehan Sobhian, and Leo Meehan
Pony Express Founders: William H. Russell,
Alexander Majors, and William B. Waddell
A Homegrown Labor of Love.
Pony Express Riders: Johnny Fry (top right), Charles Cliff, Gus Cliff (seated)
The Musical Adventure!
A Homegrown Labor of Love
In the midst of the tumultuous year 2020, an unexpected harmony was struck between actor Shayan Sobhian ("The Chosen" and "DC’s Legends of Tomorrow") and entrepreneur Leo Meehan (President and CEO of W.B. Mason).
Their story began in 2017 when Shayan, or Shy for short, embarked on the journey to meet his girlfriend Sally's parents for the first time. Little did he realize that not only was he meeting his future in-laws, but this encounter would lay the foundation for a unique bond and a creative partnership that would shape all of their futures.
United by their shared passion for music, Shy and Leo found immediate camaraderie sharing their original tunes. At the time, Leo had been working on a series of songs about seventeen-year-olds throughout history with the hope that young people today would hear them and realize that teenagers have been struggling with identity, purpose and a sense of belonging for hundreds if not thousands of years. One of these tunes, “The Pony Express” stuck out to Shy, and the two of them played it together. This serendipitous connection sparked a musical dialogue that would reverberate for years to come.
​
As fate would have it, the global pandemic of 2020 provided the backdrop for their collaboration to flourish. While living under the same roof, they delved into crafting more songs that explored the reality of life on the Pony Express and the untamed spirit of the 1860s Wild West. Eventually, they began meeting “officially” on Tuesday evenings with a rotating ensemble dubbed "The Expressmen" to refine their melodies and lyrics. (The early crew consisted of Josh Amara, Chris Meehan, Barbara Baumgarten, and Bob Palmer.)
By 2023, their creative synergy had birthed fourteen captivating songs, igniting a desire to showcase the music in the form of a musical. Shy sat down with his now wife, Sally, and together they meticulously wove a narrative around the songs, giving rise to The Pony Express: A Musical Adventure!
In July, they premiered four of the songs under the stars at the South Shore Conservatory in Hingham, MA alongside the Plymouth Philharmonic conducted by Maestro Nick Palmer (Sally's uncle). Soon after, they assembled a creative team and auditions were held for their production at Inly School in Scituate, MA. In October 2023, the musical took center stage to rave reviews and sold-out performances, ultimately earning the Broadway World Boston Award for "Best New Play or Musical (non-professional)."
Immediately upon closing, Shy joined forces with his brother Kamran Sobhian to produce "The Pony Express: Original Concept Album," featuring their band Mister Child and the Original South Shore Cast which debuted April 3rd, 2024. (On the 164th anniversary of the Pony Express!)
Shy, Leo and Sally are currently working on expanding the 90 minute one act to a full 2 act show with plans to remount locally in 2025. They hope to bring this pony to bigger audiences and to one day publish the material so that people throughout the nation can celebrate this nearly forgotten piece of American history.
Press
Leo & Shayan play guitar. April 2020