Launch Concert Program - The Directory of Contemporary Musical

About The Directory of Contemporary Musical Theatre Writers
The Directory of Contemporary Musical Theatre Writers is a valuable
resource that helps voice teachers, students and musical theatre professionals
find well-written contemporary songs while making sure writers get directly
paid for their work (we don’t take a cent of their earnings). The Directory
features over 150 writers and 370+ songs, searchable by voice and song
type. In addition, each song record has detailed information, including: key,
range, tessitura, accompaniment difficulty, transposition availability and
more.
David Sisco founded The Directory project in January, 2012 with a blog
(www.contemporarmusicaltheatre.wordpress.com) and presented the project
at the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Voice) National
Conference in Orlando, Florida in July, 2012. David and Contributing
Editor Lorene Phillips worked with website designer Josh Levine to launch
the www.contemporarymusicaltheatre.com in mid-November. In addition to
growing the roster of writers and songs, and upcoming concerts and
cabarets, David will present The Directory at the International Congress of
Voice Teachers this summer in Brisbane, Australia.
The Directory of Contemporary Musical Theatre Writers Presents
The Concert
A Celebration of Contemporary Musical Theatre
Hosted by
Seth Rudetsky
Featuring Songs by
Brad Alexander & Adam Mathias, Will Aronson &
Bill Nelson, Jeff Blumenkrantz, John Bucchino,
Patrick Cook & Frederick Freyer, Anna Dagmar,
David Gaines & Charlie Sohne, Jenny Giering,
Tom Gualtieri & David Sisco, Michael Kooman &
Christopher Dimond, Daniel Maté, Chris Miller &
Nathan Tysen, Adam Overett, Rachel Peters,
Nadav Wiesel, Sam Willmott, Michael Wartofsky and
Barry Wyner
Director
Laura Josepher
Music Director
Matt Castle
Monday, January 21, 2013 - 8 PM
Second Stage Theatre
The Concert
Seth Rudetksy, Host
It Just Wasn’t Meant to Happen (Calvin Berger)
Barry Wyner
Hold My Hand (Hush)
Jeff Blumenkrantz
Blue Horizon (Homade Fusion)
Michael Kooman & Christopher Dimond
Will You Know Me? (The Rochester Knockings)
Patrick Cook & Frederick Freyer
Elizabeth Stanley
Morgan Billings
I’m Just Glad
Robin De Jesús
David Gaines & Charlie Sohne (orchestrated by: Oran Eldor)
Mediocre Man
Rachel Peters
Without Your Love (Running Back)
Michael Wartofsky
Mary Testa
Darius de Haas
Nick Blaemire
Jeff Blumenkrantz
Please, Belize
Nadav Wiesel (orchestrated by: David Sisco)
I Don’t Think of You (It’s All Good)
(The Untitled Daniel Maté Song Project)
Daniel Maté
Unexpressed
John Bucchino
Harry Bouvy
Kenita R. Miller
Lucas Steele & John Bucchino
Rock City (See Rock City & Other Destinations)
Brad Alexander & Adam Mathias
Bryce Ryness
My Sky
Adam Overett
Kristine Reese
Director
Laura Josepher
So I Chased The Setting Sun
Anna Dagmar
Sheri Sanders
Band
Piano/Conductor: Matt Castle
Reeds: Giuseppe Fusco, Violin: Joe Brent, Cello: Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf,
Bass: John Convertino, Drums: Michael Blancaflor
I’m Sitting Next to Estella (Standardized Testing: The Musical) Sam Tedaldi
Sam Willmott
Han Solo
Will Aronson & Bill Nelson
Jason Gotay
Production Stage Manager
Jana Llynn
I Can’t Walk On
Jenny Giering (orchestrated by: Matt Castle)
Randy Redd
Assistant Stage Manager
Joel Krause
Disappear (The Burnt Part Boys)
Chris Miller & Nathan Tysen
You Don’t Know Love (Falling to Earth)
Tom Gualtieri & David Sisco
Andrew Samonsky
Mamie Parris
Make-Up
Pamela Bob, Rebecca Robles
We are proud to use a Steinway & Sons piano from the
Concert & Artist department at Steinway Hall for this performance.
We would like to thank our media parter:
Roberto Araujo Photography
Many Thanks
This evening would not have been possible without the energy and
enthusiasm of the following people:
Jim Augustine
Debra Chou
Jenny Dubnau
Robert Mahon
Brandon Piper
Greg Turner
Joshua Bouchard
Betty Ciacchi
Anthony Gilroy
Sundar Mudaliar
Rachel Routh
Jason Walters
Vivian Chiu
Toni Dolce
Josh Levine
Bill Nelson
Steinway & Sons
Jonathan Whitton
In addition, are deeply grateful to all those who contributed to make this
concert possible, with particular thanks to the following individuals:
Anonymous
Anonymous
Thomas Gentile
Brian Hurst
John Sicree
Angela Winter
Danita Geltner
Featured Player
Susan McBee
Joan Ross Sorkin
Starring Role
Chris M. Ardizzone
Clay Hale
Maurice Johnson
Lisa Smith
Producer
Carol Phillips
Carl Johengen
Tracy Bidleman
Seung-Hee Han
Karen Lindblom
Harold Theurer
Mary Schroyer
Seth Rudetsky (Host) is the afternoon Broadway host on Sirius/XM radio. His talk
show “Seth Speaks” is also featured on Sirius/XM.
Seth’s new web-based
entertainment network, SETH TV premiered in June, 2012. Since the premiere,
SethTV has featured stars like Patti LuPone, Gavin Creel, Megan Hilty, Patrick
Wilson, Martin Short, Laura Osnes, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ana Gasteyer, and many
others. Seth has appeared on the Emmy-Award-winning Kathy Griffin Show on
Bravo and starred in They’re Playing Our Song opposite Sutton Foster in a benefit
for the Actor’s Fund. Seth's first young adult novel My Awesome/Awful Popularity
Plan was published by Random House in 2012. As a musician, Seth has played piano
for more than a dozen Broadway shows including Ragtime, Les Miz and Phantom
and was the vocal coach for the Legally Blonde reality show on MTV. He was the
Artistic Producer/Music Director for the first five annual Actors Fund Fall Concerts
Lorene Phillips (Producer) Sopranos, an operatic sketch comedy (Fringe NYC),
Operatic Sketch Comedy (Lark Theatre). (Asst. Director) Fred Stroppel's Tales from
Manhattan Woods (adapt. Strauss' Die Fledermaus) (Wings Theatre). (Opera roles
performed) Mohawk Valley Opera, Opera Nova, Brooklyn Repertory Opera, Opera
New York. Chorister: Syracuse Opera. (Conducting) Scarlatti’s Eraclea (world
premiere) with Opera Nova, Facets of Love at St. Bart's, AFRAID with Brooklyn
Repertory Opera, Former Director Marble Collegiate Church’s Children of the World
Choir, Town Hall, Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall.
David Sisco (Producer) - Founder & Curator of The Directory of Contemporary
Musical Theatre Writers (Twitter: @mustheatretoday). David is proud to teach
private voice at Marymount Manhattan College. For more information, please see
his bio with Tom Gualtieri above. www.davidsisco.com
SECOND STAGE PERSONNEL
Jason Walters
Robert G. Mahon III
Amanda Tamny
Stephen Sury
MuTTT Huang
Bridge Chervenka
Josh Maszle
House Manager
Greg Turner
Jonathan Whitton
Building Manager
Technical Director
Stage Manager
Deck Carpenter
Audio Master
Light Programer
Audio
Joshua Schliefer
Ticket Sales Manager
Asst. Box Office Manager
ABOUT THIS EVENING’S BENEFACTOR
The Dramatists Guild Fund is the public charity arm of the Dramatists Guild of
America. Its mission is to aid and nurture writers for the theater; to fund non-profit
theaters producing contemporary American works; and to heighten awareness,
appreciation, and support of theater across the country.
Keep in touch with The Directory
Website: www.contemporarymusicaltheatre.com
Twitter: @mustheatretoday
Facebook: Directory of Contemporary Musical Theatre Writers
PRODUCTION TEAM
Matt Castle (Music Director).
Over 70 new works:
York Theatre, NYU,
Playwrights Horizons, Barrington Stage, Sundance Institute, Weston Playhouse,
O’Neill Center, Signature Theatre, the Triad, NYMF, and CAP21. Also: Romance in
Hard Times starring Lillias White, Cape Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse, many
cabarets. As orchestrator: TheatreworksUSA, George Street, Sacramento Theatre
Company, Kennedy Center, Enter Laughing and LingoLand cast albums, plus
chamber and concert music. As actor: Peter in the 2006 Broadway revival of
Company, Willy/Jitter in The Musical of Musicals. www.MattCastle.com
The Judy Jacksina Company, Inc. (Press Representative) is a publicity, public
relations and marketing company whose expertise is concentrated in the
entertainment field, with specific attention to the promoting, publicizing and
marketing of theatre and films. The company also works in the music industry with
occasional forays into the art and publishing worlds. The subject of stories in The
New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, the firm has also
garnered its share of marketing industry accolades. Whether it be a stadium concert,
a Broadway event or a gallery opening, the Jacksina Entourage believes in the now
highly regarded adage, “If you publicize it, they will come.”
Laura Josepher (Director) – Workshop of Falling to Earth by Gualtieri & Sisco at
Syracuse University, David Sisco's BAIT n’ SWISH at Stage Left Studios. Stages
Repertory Theatre: Dirty Blonde, The Turn of the Screw and I Love You, You’re
Perfect, Now Change. Provincetown Rep: Hughie.
For Rattlestick
Productions: Winning and the award winning Car Pool. Assoc. Dir. for Backwards in
High Heels (dir. by Scott Schwartz). AD for Laurie Anderson's Songs and Stories
from Moby Dick.
Joel M. Krause (Assistant Stage Manager) is a New York based Production Manager
and Stage Manager. He currently serves as Production Manager for the Department
of Drama at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Joel also spent five seasons at the
Williamstown Theatre Festival as Production Manager and Associate Production
Manager. New York projects have included Suicide Incorporated, Tigers Be Still,
Ordinary Days, and The Language of Trees for Roundabout Theatre Company;
Oorah! and Farragut North for Atlantic Theater Company; and Good Ol’ Girls for
Aruba Productions. Joel holds an M.F.A. in Production Technology & Management
from the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University.
Jana Llynn (Production Stage Manager) Broadway: The Drowsy Chaperone (1st
Nat'l Tour), Bridge & Tunnel, Company, The Moliere Comedies. Off-Broadway: A
Letter to Harvey Milk, SILENCE! The Musical, Freckleface Strawberry, Masked,
Drumstruck, SHOUT! The Mod Musical, Matt & Ben, Beau Jest (3 yrs Off-B’way &
director for Boston production), Public, York, Vineyard, LAByrinth, Rattlestick,
Mint, MCC, CSC. Regional: Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Hartford Stage Company,
Crossroads Theatre Company, La Jolla Playhouse, Cleveland Play House, Arena
Stage (4 seasons).
including Dreamgirls with Audra MacDonald (recorded on Nonesuch Records) and
HAIR with Jennifer Hudson (recorded on Ghostlight Records, Grammy Nomination).
Seth spent two years as a comedy writer on The Rosie O’Donnell Show (three Emmy
nominations). As an actor, he played Arnold in the Gallery Players production of
Torch Song Trilogy, had roles on “All My Children” and “Law and Order: CI” and
made his Broadway acting debut in The Ritz (dir. Joe Mantello) for The Roundabout
Theater playing Sheldon Farenthold and singing “Magic To Do” in a (devastating)
unitard. He’s written the books The Q Guide to Broadway and Broadway Nights,
both in their fourth printing. Broadway Nights was also released as an audio book on
audible.com featuring himself, Jonathan Groff, Andrea Martin and Kristin
Chenoweth. He also recently starred as Jeff in [title of show] at the George Street
Playhouse. Currently, he writes a weekly column at Playbill.com and tours his show,
Deconstructing Broadway. For more info visit www.SethTV.com
PERFORMERS
Morgan Billings: Broadway: The Sound of Music (Revival; U/S Marta and Gretl).
New York: The Secret Theatre's Little Women (Amy), a reading of the children’s
musical The Quiet Clock, and a soloist in several concerts throughout the
city. Regional credits: Grease (Frenchy), Godspell (Joanne) and Frog and Toad
(Bird/Turtle/Young Frog) at the Post Playhouse in Nebraska. Morgan graduated
Magna Cum Laude from Marymount Manhattan College, where she earned her BA
in Theatre Arts.
Nick Blaemire is a performer and songwriter living in New York City. Broadway:
Godspell, Cry-Baby, Glory Days (music/lyrics). Off-Broadway/Tour: Dogfight
(2ndstage), Altar Boyz (1st National Tour). Film/TV: “Zero Hour”, “The Good Wife”,
“The Big C”, “Law and Order: CI”, “Guiding Light”, Gods Behaving Badly, and
Whit Stillman’s Damsels in Distress. Nick’s band, the Hustle, recently released their
debut EP, available on www.nickblaemireandthehustle.com
Harry Bouvy most recently played Hannibal Lecter in Silence! The Musical. He was
Sir Robin in the Vegas company of Spamalot and Carmen Ghia in the national tour
of The Producers (Helen Hayes nom.). Regional: Art (Pittsburgh Public), The
Clockmaker (City Theatre), Angels in America (Syracuse Stage), Fully Committed
(Hartford TheaterWorks), I Am My Own Wife (Hangar Theatre), among others. Film:
The Producers. TV: "The Good Wife," "666 Park Avenue," “Law & Order," “Sex and
the City,” “All My Children." www.harrybouvy.com
Darius de Haas Broadway: Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Carousel, Rent, The
Gershwins’ Fascinating Rhythm, Marie Christine, Hair and Dreamgirls. His Tour,
Off-Broadway and Regional credits include Children of Eden, Twelfth Night and
Once On This Island. He has been a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center
Songbook, London’s Royal Festival Hall, The New York Festival of Song, Disney
Concert Hall, numerous symphonies, and has most recently received great acclaim
for his recent stint at 54 Below here in NYC . His many guest appearances include
w/ Vanessa Williams, Marvin Hamlisch, Marin Alsop, Roberta Flack, and Michael
Feinstein. He is featured on several recordings including his CD of standards Quiet
Please w/ pianist Steven Blier and Day Dream (the music of Billy Strayhorn).
www.dariusdehaas.com
Robin De Jesús - Originated the role of Sonny in In the Heights on and OffBroadway (Tony nom. and Drama Desk Award), La Cage Aux Folles (Tony and
Drama Desk nom.) and Rent on Broadway. Title role in Aladdin at St. Louis Muny,
Godspell at Papermill Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, McCarter,
Shakespeare Theatre Company... Films: Camp, Gun Hill Road, Fat Girls, Pet the
Goat, Bert and Arnie's.. and the soon to be released Hairbrained. TV: “How to
Make it in America”, “Law and Order: SVU.” Recently finished writing his first
book. Hopefully it will inspire and enlighten performers to live up to their best
potential.
Jason Gotay recently made his Broadway debut as Randall in the Original Cast of
Bring It On: The Musical following a national tour. Regional: Rent (Pioneer Theater
Company, Westchester Broadway Theater), Shenandoah, The King and I. NY:
Broadway's Rising Stars (Town Hall). BFA, Marymount Manhattan College: Bright
Lights, Big City, Sweet Charity. Recently made his solo debut at (le) Poisson Rouge.
Love and thanks to David Sisco, family and friends.
Kenita R. Miller: B'way/Off-B'way: Working, Xanadu (Erato/Kira Cover), The Color
Purple (Celie), Dessa Rose (Dessa), Langston In Harlem (Zora Neale Hurston
(Drama Desk Nom./ Audelco Award). National Tours/Regional: Once on This Island
(Mama Euralie/Timoune), The Color Purple, The Civil War, Woody Guthrie
American Songbook, Ragtime (Sarah). Film/TV: Liberty City Is Like Paris To Me
(Sundance), “Sesame Street.” LOVE.
Mamie Parris: Broadway/Tour: Wicked (Elphaba), 9 To 5 The Musical (Judy),
Ragtime (2009 Revival), Legally Blonde, The Drowsy Chaperone, 110 In The Shade.
Off-Broadway: See Rock City & Other Destinations (Dodi/Lily) - cast album coming
soon! Numerous regional and other fun things. Best of luck to all these wonderful
writers! Visit me on Facebook, Twitter, and mamieparris.com
Randy Redd made his Broadway debut in Parade and most recently appeared as
“Jerry Lee Lewis” in Million Dollar Quartet. Credits include Miller and Tysen's The
Burnt Part Boys, Ring of Fire, Terrence McNally's Some Men and Lucky Stiff. Film/
TV: After The Storm, Kinsey (dir. by Bill Condon), “The Backyardigans: and “The
Wright Verdicts”. Recordings include Rachel Bay Jones’ Showfolk, Robin Skye’s
House of Love, Jason Robert Brown’s Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and NEO.
Upcoming: Beautiful Creatures directed by Richard LaGravenese.
Kristine Reese - Broadway/National Tours: First and Second National Tours of
Wicked (Nessarose), National Tour of Mamma Mia (Sophie u/s), Broadway Revival
of Les Miserables; Regional: Brigadoon (Fiona), Footloose (Ariel), Annie (Star to
Be), Grease (Frenchy); Vocal soloist with over a dozen international symphony
orchestras; CCM Grad. Charlie Sohne: Tina Girlstar (book: Anton Dudley, music: Brian Feinstein):
developed at NY Stage and Film; optioned by Olympus Theatricals. The Shadow
Sparrow (book: Anton Dudley, music: Keith Gordon): developed at The O’Neill
Music Theater Conference. The Profit of Creation (music: Tim Rosser): ASCAP’s
Johnny Mercer Workshop and the Yale Institute for Musical Theater. The Boy Who
Danced On Air (music: Tim Rosser): developed in the Lark’s Monthly Meeting with
an upcoming workshop by New York Theater Barn. BMI Workshop (Advanced).
Michael Wartofsky - Music/lyrics: The Man in My Head (NYMF 2006); Running
Back, (w/ Marcus Gardley, 2010 NAMT showcase; New Dramatist Benefit 2011).
Composer: Boston 2012 premieres Curpcake (Reiffel/Seeman) and a 14-week run of
Car Talk: The Musical!!! (Savick). Composer for North Shore Music Theatre’s
Friendship of the Sea and The Navigator (Kathleen Cahill) featuring "All the
Possibilities," listed in the top 25 by contemporarymusicaltheatre.com and arranged/
performed by The Broadway Boys. Professor, Berklee College; Adjunct faculty/
alumnus, NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program.
Nadav Wiesel is an Israeli composer-lyricist and actor. He has written the scores to
several theatrical productions in Israel. His original revue The Femme Fatale Show
was premiered in London in 2010. The House by the Lake - a dark vaudeville for
actresses and dolls was seen in Tel Aviv and recently premiered in Paris. Nadav is a
graduate of Tel Aviv University and a current member of the BMI Lehman Engel
Musical Theater Workshop in New York. www.NadavW.com
Sam Willmott is the author of Standardized Testing - The Musical!!!!, Scarlet Takes a
Tumble and, with Marcus Stevens, Yo, Vikings! He is the recipient of the 2012 Fred
Ebb Award, the 2012 John Wallowitch Award, and the 2009 Kennedy Center ACTF
Musical Theater Award. His works have been performed from Lincoln Center to
Radio City Music Hall to Abu Dhabi, UAE to Seoul, Korea, and he is honored to be
a part of The Directory. www.samwillmott.com
Barry Wyner wrote book, music, and lyrics to Calvin Berger (licensed by TamsWitmark, cast album on Ghostlight Records). Awards: Richard Rodgers Award, Jerry
Bock Award, Kleban Prize, Noel Coward Prize. Productions: Gloucester Stage,
Barrington Stage, George Street Playhouse (dir. By Kathleen Marshall). Readings:
Manhattan Theatre Club, Barry and Fran Weissler. Publications: Hal Leonard's Teen
Pop Broadway Anthology, BMI Workshop Songbook (song recorded by Neil Patrick
Harris). Commissions: George Street Playhouse, York Theatre, upcoming film
adaptation. Education: UNC-Chapel Hill, Queens College, BMI Workshop.
Clark; Barrington Stage's Musical Theatre Lab, dir. William Finn; Disney-ASCAP
Workshop, dir. Stephen Schwartz). Daniel is the recipient of a Jonathan Larson
Foundation Grant and the ASCAP Foundation Cole Porter Award.
Adam Mathias is the bookwriter/lyricist of See Rock City & Other Destinations
(2011 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book, Richard Rogers Award, Jerry Bock
Award, available for licensing from Samuel French and soon to be released on CD)
and The Passion of George W. Bush (2004 NY Int'l Fringe Festival, Joe's Pub). He is
currently crafting the original musical A History of Summer with composer Jonathan
Monro. Adam is a proud member of the BMI Workshop. www.adamup.com
Chris Miller (music) and Nathan Tysen (lyrics): The Burnt Part Boys (2010 Lucille
Lortel nom., Best Musical) and Fugitive Songs (2008 Drama Desk Award nom.,
Outstanding Revue). Cast albums available on Yellow Sound Label. Current projects:
Tuck Everlasting (dir., Casey Nicholaw, book, Claudia Shear); a song for the new
revue Stars of David; Commissions: Lincoln Center Theater, Playwrights Horizons/
Theatreworks Silicon Valley. Other work includes an adaptation of The Mysteries of
Harris Burdick. Television: songs for “Sesame Street” (2012 Daytime Emmy Award)
and “The Electric Company.” Chris and Nathan apply for many awards and grants,
and sometimes even win (Thank you Jonathan Larson, Richard Rodgers, Daryl Roth,
Kitty Carlisle Hart, ASCAP, and the NEA). They began their collaboration together
at NYU where they received their MFA's in musical theatre writing.
www.MILLERandTYSEN.com
Bill Nelson wrote book and lyrics for Harmony, Kansas (4 SCENIE Awards, 3 Craig
Noel nominations) with composer Anna K. Jacobs, and Bill Nelson’s All-Male Revue
—conceived and directed by William Finn. His songs have been presented around
the world, including Finn’s Ridiculously Talented Composers and New York Theatre
Barn’s The Oh, So Sexy Songs of Bill Nelson. He’s a published lyricist, 2010/11
Dramatists Guild Fellow, and member of the BMI Workshop. M.F.A. Musical
Theatre Writing, NYU-Tisch. www.BillNelsonBillNelson.com
Adam Overett - composer/lyricist/bookwriter: Popesical (Lyric Theatre, LA); My
Life is a Musical (TRU reading, upcoming); Call it Courage (Zach Theatre, Austin,
TX). Dramatists Guild Fellow 2010-11. Contributed to scores of We the People:
America Rocks! (2011 Lortel nom., Best Off-B’way Musical) and Snapshots
(Prospect Theatre). BMI Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop (Harrington Award).
As an actor – Broadway/Tour: The Light in the Piazza (Fabrizio, Giuseppe u/s).;
Dirty Dancing (Neil Kellerman). B.A., Yale University. www.adamoverett.com
Rachel Peters - Musicals: Only Children, Tiny Feats of Cowardice, f2m, Public
Domain, Operas: The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, Companionship. Scores for plays:
Stretch (a fantasia), The Bacchae, Veritas. Concert works: Jack's Vocabulary, I Live
Here, Canon I, And Then. Cabaret/art songs at Lincoln Center, D-Lounge, Laurie
Beechman, Don’t Tell Mama, Cornelia Street Café. Awards: Anna Sosenko Assist
Trust, ASCAPlus. Dramatists Guild, ASCAP; Alumna, New Dramatists ComposerLibrettist Studio, American Opera Projects Composers and the Voice. B.A., Brandeis
University; MFA, NYU.
Bryce Ryness: Broadway: Revival of HAIR (Woof, Drama Desk nom), Leap Of
Faith (Zak, Jonas Nightingale u/s), Legally Blonde (Aaron, Emmett u/s); OffBroadway in HAIR (Delacorte, Public), NY premiere of Drama Desk Award
winning See Rock City & Other Destinations (Jess/Cutter), and Crossing Brooklyn
(AJ, Transport Group). Regional: Sleeping Beauty Wakes (McCarter Theatre & La
Jolla Playhouse), Floyd Collins (Floyd, Ovation nom., West Coast Ensemble), Leap
Of Faith (Ahmanson), Cabaret (Emcee, Reprise!). Tour: Rent (Roger). His band,
RYNESS, has released two albums. A Fire In The Night is available on iTunes
(rynessband.com). Bryce is married to Meredith Anderson and together they're proud
parents of Mercy Jane (9/4/09) and Judah George (6/21/11).
Andrew Samonsky will soon be seen in City Center Encores! production of
Fiorello!. Broadway credits include Scandalous as Kenneth Ormisten and South
Pacific as Lt. Cable where he was seen on the Live From Lincoln Center PBS
broadcast. Off-Broadway in Michael John LaChiusa’s Queen of the Mist as Frank
Russell (Drama Desk nomination). Also, Encores! production of Merrily We Roll
Along, and regionally at La Jolla Playhouse, American Conservatory Theater, and
The Ford’s Theater.
Sheri Sanders has played Kitty in The Screams of Kitty Genovese ( NYMF), took a
comic turn as Little Becky in the national tour of Urinetown, and has done
EVERYTHING in between. Sheri took a BIG break from performing to create the
musical theatre movement Rock The Audition. Anna wrote what Sheri would call a
"faerie" song. Sheri is SO grateful to David Sisco for asking her to sing again.
www.rock-the-audition.com
This past year New York audiences saw Elizabeth Stanley in her debut cabaret at 54
Below, and as Gussie, in the New York City Center, Encores! production of Merrily
We Roll Along. Broadway: originated roles of Dyanne in Million Dollar Quartet;
Allison in Cry-Baby, and April in the Tony-award-winning revival of Company.
First National Tour: Kira in Xanadu. Off-Broadway: The Nurse in Hello, Again
(Transport Theatre Group—Drama League Nomination, best ensemble). TV: “Made
in Jersey,” “Fringe,” “The Chappelle Show,” and “PBS Great Performances Company.”
Lucas Steele - Broadway: The ThreePenny Opera (with Cyndi Lauper and Alan
Cumming). Off-Broadway and other New York premieres include The Great Comet
(Ars Nova), Myths & Hymns (Prospect Theatre), The Kid (New Group), Oliver Twist
(TFANA), Corpus Christie (Bouwerie Lane Theater), Dalliance In Vienna (ATA),
Cheri (The Actor's Studio), and All American Boy (NYC Fringe). Regional premieres
at ART, Berkeley Rep., Rubicon Theatre Co., Walnut Street Theater, and the Intiman.
www.LucasSteele.com
Sam Tedaldi has a permanent crush on new musical theatre, and can most frequently
be seen in readings, and Monday night concerts in midtown. She is a graduate of
NYU's Tisch School of the Arts (CAP21, Playwrights, Stonestreet) and has been seen
in Spindermusical!, Mrs. Sharp and The Blonde Streak.
Mary Testa: Broadway: Guys and Dolls, Xanadu (Drama Desk nom.), Chicago, 42nd
Street (Tony nom.), Marie Christine, On the Town (Tony nom.) …Forum, The Rink,
Marilyn, Barnum. Off-Broadway: Queen of the Mist (Drama Desk winner, Lucille
Lortel and Drama League noms.), Tricks the Devil Taught Me, Love, Loss and What I
Wore, Regrets Only, See What I Wanna See (Drama Desk & Drama League noms.),
First Lady Suite (Drama Desk nom.), String of Pearls (Drama Desk nom.), The
Vagina Monologues, From Above (Obie), others. Film: Franny, Tio Papi, Eat, Pray,
Love, The Bounty Hunter, others. Television: “Two Broke Girls,” “Over/Under,”
“White Collar,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Sex and the City,” “Whoopi,” others.
WRITERS
Brad Alexander is the composer of the Drama Desk Award-winning musical See
Rock City & Other Destinations. He wrote the music for Theatreworks USA’s
Martha Speaks, Click Clack Moo (Drama Desk and Lortel Award nom.) and Just So
Stories, as well as songs for Duck For President, If You Give A Pig A Pancake, and
We The People (Lortel Award nom.). Brad is a member of The BMI Workshop,
National Alliance for Musical Theatre and The Dramatists Guild.
www.bradalexander.com.
Will Aronson has composed the scores for the hit Korean musical Bungee Jump
(Best Score, 2012 Korea Musical Awards), Mormons, Mothers, and Monsters
(Barrington Stage; Boston Globe Critics’ Pick), The Trouble With
Doug (Theatreworks; NAMT 2010, dir. Victoria Clark), and My Scary Girl (Best
Musical, NYMF 2009). Other work includes the arrangements and incidental music
for the William Finn/James Lapine musical, Little Miss Sunshine (La Jolla
Playhouse).
Jeff Blumenkrantz Broadway: Into the Woods (1987), Threepenny Opera (with
Sting), Damn Yankees, How to Succeed…, and A Class Act. Film and TV: “Joseph …
Dreamcoat,” “Will and Grace,” “Ugly Betty,” all three “Law and Order” series, and
the Great Performances (PBS) telecast of Candide in Concert. As a composer, Jeff
has received the Fred Ebb Award and a Tony nomination (Urban Cowboy). His songs
have been recorded by Sutton Foster, Rebecca Luker, Victoria Clark, Lauren
Kennedy, Megan Mullally, and Audra McDonald. www.jeffblumenkrantz.com.
John Bucchino's songs have been performed and recorded by renowned artists in
every genre of music. He has written the songs for the Broadway musical A Catered
Affair as well as a revue of his material, It's Only Life. His two songbooks, CDs,
children's book and information on his master classes are available through his
website www.johnbucchino.com.
Patrick Cook (lyrics) & Frederick Freyer (music) are moderators of the 1st and 2nd
years of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop in New York. Their
musical Captains Courageous was produced by Manhattan Theatre Club in 1999
(dir. Lynne Meadow; Outer Critics Circle Award nom., Best Musical). They are
currently working on The Night Before, a Christmas musical, and The Rochester
Knockings, a musical about the birth of spiritualism. Pat is Director of Musical
Theatre and Jazz at BMI and was the 2001 recipient of the Ed Kleban Award for
Outstanding Lyrics. Rick is Administrator of the BMI Workshop.
British-born/NYC-based pianist, vocalist and composer Anna Dagmar is a secondyear member of the BMI Workshop. Her fourth CD, Satellite charted #5 on the
National Cashbox Magazine Radio Chart. Dagmar was selected as an official
showcase artist at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance and as a finalist for the
Kerrville and Rocky Mountain Folk Festivals. She received a Gold Prize in the MidAtlantic Songwriting Contest. Her music has also been featured on the Cutting Edge
Composers Series. www.AnnaDagmar.com
David Gaines: as music director/accompanist has worked with Penny Fuller, Tony
Roberts, Karen Mason, Andrea Marcovicci, et al. Faculty member/musical director:
O'Neill Cabaret Conference. Recently scored the short film “The Poets’, directed by
Sean Gannet. Current: Faculty Drama Division, Juilliard School. BMI Workshop
(Advanced).
Jenny Giering’s currrent projects include Alice Bliss (book by Laura Harrington,
lyrics by Adam Gwon) commissioned by Playwrights Horizons, and Summerland
(book by Laura Eason, lyrics by Sean Barry) commissioned by Chicago Shakespeare
Theater. She wrote the score for Saint-Ex (book and lyrics by Sean Barry), which
premiered at the Weston Playhouse in August, 2011. Her solo album, Look for Me, is
available at www.jennygiering.com
Tom Gualtieri & David Sisco met at the BMI Musical Theater Workshop in 2003.
Their first musical Falling to Earth, has been developed through the Syracuse
University New Play Workshop and The York Theatre Developmental Reading
Series. Currently, they're working on a new musical entitled I'm Afraid, You're
Afraid: 448 Reasons to Fear And Why. Tom and David are the recipients of a grant
from the Anna Sosenko Assist Trust and their songs have been featured in various
cabarets and concerts. They also appear on stage together in David’s multi-awardwinning comedies BAIT n’ SWISH. www.gualtieriandsisco.com
Michael Kooman & Christopher Dimond received the 2010 Jonathan Larson Grant
and were the inaugural recipients of the Lorenz Hart Award. Their musicals have
been workshopped or performed at the Kennedy Center, American Conservatory
Theatre, the ASCAP/Disney Musical Theater Workshop, NAMT, and the
Williamstown Theatre Festival. They are currently working on several commissions
(including one from the Kennedy Center), as well as the original musical The
Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes. Their debut album is available on iTunes. Learn
more at www.koomandimond.com
Daniel Maté’s musicals include Middle School Mysteries (Two River Theater
Company), The Story of Jo-Beth (upcoming reading at JCC Manhattan in May), and,
with Will Aronson, The Trouble With Doug (Goodspeed New Works Festival '08;
CAP 21, '09; NAMT Festival '10; Royal & Derngate, UK, '11; TheatreWorks Silicon
Valley, '12). He is also developing a theatrical song cycle currently entitled The
Untitled Daniel Maté Song Project; (Workshop: Playwrights Horizons, dir. Victoria