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SCOTT LOGSDON has written the book/lyrics for STICKS & STONES (with composer John McDaniel) which had a premiere concert starred Audra McDonald, Javier Muñoz, and George Salazar for Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation/BC/EFA; 12 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS (with composer Dana P. Rowe, currently in development as a film with Jerry Mitchell attached); JOYCE JACKSON’S GUIDE TO DATING, (with composer Steve Marzullo) which premiered in Orlando and was seen in concert at 54 Below; AN AMERICAN COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CAROL (with various CMA winning and nominated composers) THE CRINOLYNNS and LOVE (r)EVOLUTION, a song cycle covering 120 years of LGBTQIA+ history, both written with Aaron Gandy. Both STICKS & STONES and JOYCE JACKSON won the Florida Theatrical Association’s New Musical Discovery Competition. JOYCE was featured in the NAMT Composer’s Concert Series and was a finalist for Richard Rodgers/ Jonathan Larson Awards. Scott has written Broadway specialty lyrics for Roundabout Theater Company’s Tribute to Alec Baldwin (directed by Scott Ellis) and the GYPSY OF THE YEAR Competition for the LES MISERABLES company, as well as for notable performers including Jason Alexander. Logsdon was vetted by the Cole Porter estate to rewrite lyrics for the documentary, Fabulously Fake: The Real Life of Kenneth Jay Lane. With Dana P. Rowe, he wrote the theme song for the series Stars In the House. His non-musical plays include THE BOIS (an all-male, contemporary take on the classic play THE WOMEN), which received a staged reading at the Abbey in Orlando, and THE MOURNING AFTER (a dark comedy.) As an actor, he was an originating cast member in the LES MISÉRABLES national company. He’s been seen in such roles as Thenardier, Sweeney Todd, Billy Bigelow, Che, El Gallo, and King Herod. He has performed across North America as a soloist with symphonies and as a guest star in the award-winning Sondheim Unplugged at 54 Below in New York City. His many directing credits include CHESS, THE FANTASTICKS, DRIVING MISS DAISY, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, and the southeastern premiere of SECRETS EVERY SMART TRAVELER SHOULD KNOW. He holds a degree in musical theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory and received a Distinguished Alumni Award for work in the field of musical theatre.
Aaron Gandy
A specialist in American musical theater and American popular song, Aaron Gandy's concerts and recordings embrace the best of Broadway from Kern to Lloyd-Webber, while encompassing Swing, Jazz and the golden age of Hollywood. Recent recordings include the all-star Jule Styne In Hollywood (PS Classics) and the upcoming Busker Alley (Jay Records). In 2004 he conducted the premiere recording of Kay Swift's Fine & Dandy on PS Classics featuring Broadway's Carolee Carmello and HBO's Mario Cantone. Upcoming recordings include Alec Wilder's Miss Chicken Little (originally broadcast on CBS television in 1953) and a restoration of Walter Donaldson's jazz-age romp Whoopee! Regarded as a leading authority on composer Vincent Youmans, Mr. Gandy restored and conducted the premiere recording of Youmans' final Broadway score Through the Years starring Metropolitan Opera Soprano Heidi Grant Murphy.
Mr. Gandy restored the original film orchestrations for Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I, and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. His restoration of the original film orchestrations for Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! was performed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in 1997.
Mr. Gandy's Broadway credits include Disney's The Lion King, Urinetown, and Dora the Explorer Live! at Radio City Music Hall. He has concertized with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, The Chicago Humanities Festival, 42nd Street Moon, Cami Hall, San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon, The Museum of Television and Radio, Symphony Space, Tribeca Performing Arts Center and solo appearances with Davis Gaines, Leslie Uggams, Christianne Noll, Jerry Hadley, Jim Dale, Dick Hyman, Lainie Kazan and Glenn Close.
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CATHERINE FILLOUX (BOOK)
is an award-winning playwright who has been writing about human rights and social justice for twenty-five years. Filloux is the librettist for three produced operas, NEW ARRIVALS (Houston Grand Opera, composer John Glover), WHERE ELEPHANTS WEEP (Chenla Theatre, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, composer Him Sophy) and THE FLOATING BOX (Asia Society, New York City, composer Jason Kao Hwang). WHERE ELEPHANTS WEEP was also broadcast on national television in Cambodia, and THE FLOATING BOX was a Critic’s Choice in Opera News and is released by New World Records. Catherine is the co-librettist with composer Olga Neuwirth for the opera ORLANDO, which premiered at Vienna State Opera. In development: Thresh’s L’ORIENT (composer Kamala Sankaram, choreographer Preeti Vasudevan); MARY SHELLEY (composer Gerald Cohen, dramaturg Cori Ellison, Black Tea Music). Her plays have been produced around the U.S. and internationally. She has been honored with the 2019 Barry Lopez Visiting Writer in Ethics and Community Fellowship; the 2017 Otto René Castillo Award for Political Theatre; and the 2015 Planet Activist Award.
JIMMY ROBERTS (MUSIC & LYRICS)
composed the music for I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, second longest running Off Broadway musical in New York theater history. Written with playwright Joe DiPietro, I LOVE YOU received both the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations as Best Musical. It has since played in fifty states, twenty-five countries around the world, and is a major motion picture in Hong Kong. His second Off Broadway musical, THE THING ABOUT MEN, won the 2003 New York Outer Critics Circle award for Best Musical. Jimmy's songs were featured in two other Off Broadway shows: A…MY NAME IS STILL ALICE and PETS! His children's musical, THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, toured the United States for well over a decade. Jimmy is also a sought-after performer. In entertaining programs that combine classical and popular music, he has appeared at Merkin Concert Hall, the Time Warner Center, the 92nd Street Y, Steinway Hall, and the National Arts Club. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with noted pianist, Constance Keene, Jimmy Roberts is also a poet, whose work has appeared often in the New York Times Metropolitan Diary, as well as TROLLEY, the journal of the NYS Writers Institute.
JOHN DAGGETT (BOOK & ADD'L LYRICS)
is a differently-abled actor who has starred Off-Broadway in the critically acclaimed plays LEMKIN’S HOUSE, TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON, and LOVE LEMMINGS. Other New York credits include: ROME, PORTRAIT OF A PRESIDENT, AN ARTIST’S LIFE, THE WITCHES TRIPTYCH, and his one-man show FLYING BY THE SEAT OF MY PANTS (Theatre Row). Regional: Guthrie, Merrimack Rep, Jewish Repertory Theatre, Portland Stage, Roxy Theatre, Odyssey Theater, Kavinoky Theatre and H.T.Y. Numerous roles for Pennsylvania Shakespeare, Orlando Shakespeare, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare and Sherwood Shakespeare. John served as a member of the Government Relations Committee of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Welcome to the Big Dipper
What defines home, family, and identity? Joan Wilkes confronts these questions when she must sell The Big Dipper Inn, near Niagara Falls in upstate New York, known for its music and African American heritage. She's all set to sign the contract when a blizzard lands a group of Amish folks and a busload of men in dresses on her doorstep. For three days and nights, they wait out the storm. Cultures clash, romance crackles, and Joan struggles for answers, as a houseful of strangers becomes an unexpected community.
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Tom McGrath is a composer-lyricist from Tipperary, Ireland. His background is in classical and Irish folk music. He has a master’s degree in contemporary composition from Trinity College, Dublin. His musicals have been performed in the Camden Fringe, London and Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin. Tom works part-time as an NHS doctor. He is a member of the Book, Music & Lyrics workshop and Mercury Musical Developments.
Amy Clair Tasker is a theatre maker and musical theatre writer. She works with her own company Pinecone Performance Lab, and with The Cockpit, where she produces the Voila! Europe Theatre Festival and the Theatre Maker artist development programme. Amy has a BA in Drama from the University of California, Irvine. She is a member of the Book, Music & Lyrics workshop, Mercury Musical Developments, and Musical Theatre Network.
The Queen is Mad is a musical tragedy inspired by the true story of “Joanna la Loca.” The elder sister of Catherine of Aragon, Joanna came to inherit the throne of Castile in 1504 – but her father and husband conspired to usurp her power by claiming she was mad and locking her away. Against the brutality and fanaticism of 16th century Spain, the show charts Joanna’s quest for freedom and control of her own life.
With shades of Passion and Wicked, this chamber musical fuses a contemporary classical score with a tale of power, betrayal and rage.
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Ben West is a musical theatre artist and historian, and creator and author of The Musical Theatre Report. His book, The American Musical: Evolution of an Art Form (Routledge, 2024), chronicles a detailed and comprehensive history of the art form’s artistic evolution. He created twenty “Timeline Wall” exhibits for the Museum of Broadway that trace the history of the Broadway stage from 1732 to 2021 and spotlight more than 500 productions and 100 artists. He has worked in various capacities on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regionally, and created and directed Unsung Carolyn Leigh for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series. West has spoken at several institutions including Yale University, University of Michigan, the Dramatists Guild, and the Shubert Organization. He is a recipient of Lincoln Center’s Martin E. Segal Award.
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D.C. Anderson is a film/tv and theater actor raised in Elyria, Ohio and based in New York. Film/tv roles include Mariama Diallo's MASTER, Judy Sam Roman's RICH BOY RICH GIRL, Joseph Cedar's NORMAN, Nathan Adloff's MILES, Kevin Arbouet and Judy San Roman's FAIR MARKET VALUE and television's BILLIONS, EXTRAPOLATIONS, THE ENEMY WITHIN, THE BLACKLIST, LADY BLUE and THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA. Theatre credits include Broadway's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and Off Broadways QUEEN OF THE MIST and STORYVILLE. National tours of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MARTIN GUERRE, THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY. Regional acting work with the Guthrie, Steppenwolf, Goodspeed, Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, Ogunquit Playhouse, Florida Studio Theatre, Northlight, Skid Road Theater, Conservatory Theater, Apollo Theater and Wellfleet Harbor Actor's Theater companies, Penobscot. Developmental projects at Rep Theater of St Louis and Asolo Rep. Projects include FOUNTAIN, THE DISAPPEARING MAN, THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRATCHIT and DUST AND SHADOW.
His first theatrical performance was as Gideon's young son, Jether, in GIDEON by Paddy Chayefsky at the Black River Playhouse. High school theater followed: 'Sancho' in MAN OF LA MANCHA, 'Tevye' in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Then came college at Baldwin Wallace College (now Baldwin Wallace University) : 'John' in THE LION IN WINTER, 'Tom' in THE GLASS MENAGERIE, 'Curly' in OKLAHOMA, 'El Gallo' in THE FANTASTICKS, 'Pavlo' in THE BASIC TRAINING OF PAVLO HUMMEL. Graduate School: 'Frank Strang' in EQUUS, 'Proteus' in TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA.
D.C. has 13 full length albums of original songs and covers available for listening and purchase on internet music services including FOOL MOON, TIME WAS, YOU WERE THERE, THE BOX UNDER THE BED, ALL IS CALM ALL IS BRIGHT, I AM STILL, BALLAD, OUR STORY, BLUE SUMMER DAY, CLOSE COMPANIONS, COLLECTED, SARASOTA and HOUSE CONCERT (2022). In 2023 he will release I ONCE WAS CLAY. He was also the man behind the very first Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefit Christmas recording - 1993's CABARET NOEL. His next benefit recording project was for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 2010 - it's called 'IN MY ROOM'. Click for CD info, including tracks, artists' bios, etc.
Listen on Spotify, Apple and YouTube
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Catching Fireflies started as a quarantine project in April 2020 and then over time turned into a full-length one act musical. The show features a series of musical theater vignettes that explore the queer experience in relationship to the human mind and body. It focuses on a Philly friend group stuck at a Waffle House pre-pandemic, and each of their journeys through the year, only to arrive back where they started - but with a slightly new outlook on life. The show had its NYC workshop debut at Don’t Tell Mama’s Cabaret on November 12th, 2021, and then was transferred to Feinstein’s/54 Below for its second workshop during May 2022. In December 2022, a full length concept album was released on all streaming platforms to finally share our show with the world
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Marcus Wood: Composer and Co-lyricist
Marcus studied Acting and Stage Combat at East 15. He supported his studies as a professional composer and lyricist – writing over 140 songs, a chart single (Belgium), 15 short films and 30 videogames. Working with Nathan Rees (writer), Marcus produced, edited and starred in The Other Way (2019) an award-winning short film which was part of the 168 Film Festival. Video games include Stellaxy, Randy and Manilla and Ghosts in Meatspace.
Theatre credits include as fight director on Skin In The Game (London, 2019) and as actor/musician in Sanditon: 200 Years Later (The Other Palace, London 2019) where he met and worked with Vicky Clubb. They realised that they shared a passion for musical theatre and Viking culture and the idea for combining the two was the start of the idea for a new musical.
Nathan Rees: Book writer and Co-lyricist
Nathan graduated from East 15’s Acting and Stage Combat course in 2019. While there, Nathan created his first show Vic-Tory-Us. As a writer, he won an award at the 168 Film Festival for The Other Way, a short film (Fire and Iron Productions). He is now resident writer for Fire and Iron Productions working on short films and features.
Theatre credits include Buttons in Cinderella (Gary Starr Creative), Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet (KeepIt100), Kostya Levin in Anna Karenina (East 15), William Shakespeare in Whack-A-Head (East 15).
As fight directors, Nathan and Marcus workshopped the idea of the sound of live sword fighting becoming part of the percussive elements of the score.To facilitate communicating this to directors and performers they have developed ‘Swordography’ a new form of choreographic notation.
Nathan has been passionate about musical theatre since he was very young, and he is continuing to advance his musical theatre skill set; he was accepted on the BML Librettist Workshop programme for this year. With combined passions for musical theatre, Vikings and thrilling stage combat, Nathan, Vicky and Marcus started working together and early workshops confirmed that there was a future in bringing to live theatre a musical rooted in Viking mythology and culture.
Blodlina
It is 900AD and two Viking sisters are fighting for control of their late Father’s kingdom. Set against the gathering storm clouds of imminent invasion, Blodlina tells the story of a tiny community bravely fighting, against all odds, for its very existence. Amidst broken hearts and shattered swords, romance and rebellion, the story unfolds under the watchful eye of two mischievous, interfering teenage Norse gods, Loki and Thor.
Blodlina captivated audiences with its thrilling sword fights and a musical score ranging from haunting folk to heavy metal. It seamlessly blends modern themes into a story inspired by Norse mythology, creating a gripping new family musical experience.
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Scott Alan is an internationally acclaimed songwriter who has worked with some of the brightest stars of theatre, TV, film and recording. Some of those artists include Grammy Award winning Pentatonix, Grammy Award nominated artists Jane Monheit, Marc Broussard, Marc Feehily, Taylor Dayne, Tony Award winning artists Sutton Foster, Adriane Lenox, Randy Graff, Frances Ruffle, Lea Salonga, film and TV stars Tracie Thoms, Patina Miller, Katie Stevens, Danny-Boy Hatchard, Cheyenne Jackson, Megan Hilty, Samantha Barks, Jeremy Jordan and reality stars Sam Bailey, Collabro, Diane DeGarmo, Christina Marie, RJ Helton among others.
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Kjersti Long
In 2023, Kjersti successfully became a music influencer predominately on Instagram and YouTube, producing over 50 videos with a million + views and over 160k new followers in the year. Also, she dropped 2 singles "IDC (Ask Me If I Care),” a collaboration with Ryan Follese, lead singer of RCA’s multi-platinum Hot Chelle Rae; and "Burn It Down", with each single hitting over 1M streams and counting across all platforms.
Little Piece of You An Atypical Musical
Follow Shannon and Britt, a courageous mother and daughter, as they confront their family’s hidden struggles and embark on a transformative journey. Together, they shatter the silence that has long held them back and step into a future of hope and resilience.
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JoAnn M. Hunter – DirectorHunter’s work has had many homes across Broadway, the West End, Australia, and Asia. Herprevious work includes UNMASKED: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Paper Mill Playhouse), aswell as the world premieres of August Rush, Beatsville, A Sign of the Times, and the musical version of the Jerry Lewis classic The Nutty Professor. Most recently Hunter’s directorial work was seen on the West End in November 2023 with a staged concert of the new rock musical SuperYou. Hunter began her remarkable career as a performer. She graced the stage in over a dozen shows on Broadway including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Kiss Me Kate and Chicago. In addition to directingand performing, Hunter is a sought-after choreographer. Most recently, her work was seen inAndrew Lloyd Webber’s Bad Cinderella. Additionally, she choreographed Joseph and the AmazingTechnicolor Dreamcoat (London Palladium), Disaster (Broadway), On A Clear Day (Broadway), and School of Rock (Broadway/West End/International). Apart from her talent, Hunter is the perfect director for a production about female empowerment and honoring one’s family and roots. As Hunter fondly says, she’s made in America, but was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and an American father of Irish/Scottish decent. But no matter where she’s lived or traveled, Hunter’s home is the theater.
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Olivia Daniels is a Canadian performer, director and producer.
She holds a BFA in Drama from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where they studied at Playwrights Horizons Theatre School and The New Studio on Broadway. Olivia also holds a minor in Philosophy.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, they co-founded Artists in Residence, a theatrical platform supporting artists' mental health by providing opportunities for connection and social engagement.
Driven by a love of collaboration and community building, they worked to create spaces where artists feel supported, seen, and respected for their individuality. With every new project, striving to embody a spirit of openness, discovery, and joy!
Ilana Khanin is a director of experimental new plays and musicals. Her work has been developed and presented at Ars Nova ANT Fest, Prelude, HERE Arts Center, New Ohio, Judson, Governors Island, The Tank, The Brick, Primary Stages, Theaterlab, Dixon Place, Samuel French Festival, and the Center at West Park. Artist-in-residence at Montclair State University New Works Initiative (2019-2020), and the Baryshnikov Arts Center (2023). She has worked as an associate director for Lila Neugebauer, Annie-B Parson, and Lee Sunday Evans at venues including Playwrights Horizons, Playmakers Rep, Abrons Arts Centre, and Carolina Performing Arts. Associate Artist with Big Dance Theater (BAM, London’s Old Vic, Berlin’s Deutsches Theater, among other venues). Her work has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Toronto Arts Council, and the Puffin Foundation. BFA and MA: NYU. PhD candidate: University of Toronto. I Was Unbecoming Then
In a high school music room in North Vancouver, twelve teenage girls assemble to practice and perfect their parts, desperate to please Bruce, the choir director.
As with any group of girls -
As with any choir -
They are constantly listening to each other
Tuning and re-tuning
Adjusting to each other’s movements, sounds, and rhythms
Finding dissonance and harmony.
I Was Unbecoming Then is an intimate new musical mixing hormones and harmonies. -
Michelle Plevin Started ROOMS101 LTD with Mark Tunstall in 2022, the production house has grown rapidly. Michelle first became involved in production as an associate producer for the film ‘Five Cars’, and then executive producer of ‘unlicensed’, both feature films, written by mark hampton.
Last year, Rooms101 began filming on ‘death cries alone’, written by sean staab. Currently, Rooms101 is also casting for a triple bill horror anthology, with filming starting next year.
In addition to the feature films, Rooms101 Has also become home to singer-songwriter Ben Hughes, who has produced his first album, available now on spotify. We also have several tv, radio and stage projects in the pipeline, but this year has been all about kidults!
This year has been a huge career change for michelle, having spent the last 30 years working as a nurse, specialising in neurodiversity and mental health.
Michelle plevin is the production manager of kidults! the musical.
Mark Tunstall is a published writer, producer , actor and director. Current films:'Unlicensed' as 'Jon' (a boxing trainer)'Once Upon a Time in Hollyweird as 'Ted' (an engineer), with Cillian Murphy, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen and Red Rock Entertainment.'Death Cries Alone' as 'Damien'.Currently directing/appearing in: a horror movie anthology: My 18th Birthday, Rendlesham and St. Melvin's. Currently playing lead in 'Kidults' - (a new musical in the Westend).And is appearing as 'Mark' in new Alan Partridge series 'And Those Feet...'
KIDULTS! Is a heartwarming comedic and magical reflection on our school days, that we are sure everyone will relate to. Discover the possible stories behind the characters we all remember from school. An insightful and thought provoking look at how our experiences and parenting influenced who we are today.
A show for adults about all of our memories. A nostalgic yet disconcerting reality check, that uses comedy, music, and tall tales to deliver powerful messages.
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Small but Mighty Productions was founded in 2015. After nearly a decade of growing and learning, our mandate is this:
To create new Canadian work which provides opportunities both on and offstage for women and maginalized people, using a queer feminist lense. We started out with nothing, just two gals with a dream of interesting work, an important message, and dynamic roles. Over the years we have produced original work as well as material from emerging playwrights all over the world. Our current focus is original Canadian musicals, with a dream to landscape the queer experience by decade through our storytelling. We also run a cabaret series in Paupers Pub, and have a full season of a webseries ready to be shot when funded.
The future goal for the company is to own our own space. A place where we can not only operate the Small But Mighty season, but also rent space to other artists giving them a place to rehearse and perform their material. We also aim to run workshops, coachings, and classes in the space at an affordable, accessible rate for emerging artists in the GTA. This line of work is exhausting and thankless sometimes, so we hope to be a hub for growth and support for our fellow artists.Melly Magrath (She/Her)
Artist in Residence/Resident Writer
Quinton Naughton (He/Him)
Artist in Residence/Music Director
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Manuele Mizzi is a Jamaican-Italian tenor, Manuele Adrian Mizzi discovered his love for performing at a very young age. Growing up in Markham he attended Unionville High School for the Arts later obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Voice Performance from York University under the tutelage of renowned Canadian operatic soprano Stephanie Bogle and having also studied with renowned European soprano Galina Lumkosky.
With a repertoire ranging from pop to musical theatre to opera and classical, he has performed in a wide variety of venues throughout North America. His musical theatre credits include performing the roles of Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Japheth in Two by Two, Thomas in Emmanuel the Musical (New York City), Barnaby in Hello Dolly, Shrek in Shrek Tateh in Ragtime, The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, and Dickon in The Secret Garden among many others.As a soloist, Manuele Adrian Mizzi has performed with The Neapolitan Connection, Vocal Horizons Chamber Choir, Greater Toronto Philharmonic, All the King’s Voice’s and the Burlington Civic Choir among others.Manuele Adrian Mizzi also has a long career of teaching under his belt. As an avid pianist, accompanist, musical director and director, he has been working with all ages from 3-99 for the last 23 years. His directing and musical directing credits include musicals, plays, pantos and recitals.
Doctor Bird Productions is his next foray into the performing world - a place to bring his love of direction, performing and colaboration together. The doctor bird is Jamaica's national bird and his love of his heritage and love for the beauty of the animal world helped him bring this new company to life to soar like the great hummingbird.
Carlos Bastarrachea is playing Jekyll/Hyde in Doctor Bird Production of Jekyll and Jyde the musical as well as "Phoebus" in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and “Pirelli” in Sweeney Todd. This is his second show after moving to Canada from his hometown in Mexico City. Prior to Doctor Bird, his previous roles include Speing Awakening (Melchior), Once on This Island (Daniel) and Lion King (Timon). Carlos and his darling wife Emilia would like to thank Manuele and Ethan for a second chance at making magic and encouraging representation from people with disabilities.Doctor Bird Productions is looking to bring something fresh and new to Toronto's performance world. We want to put on productions that stretch the imagination, that bring smiles to peoples faces and help to make people walk away with new thoughts and new ideas. We hope to put on new productions in Canada and hope to reimagine shows that have been so important to the makeup of Torontos performance world.
We are committed to the practice of color-conscious casting. We recognize that considerations of race, including how race and ethnicity shape society and the stories we tell, are vital components to the casting process. Also critical to the casting process are audience perceptions of race on stage and in film.
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Joe Iconis is a musical theater writer and performer. He has been nominated for a Tony Award, two Drama Desk Awards and a Lucille Lortel Award, is the recipient of an Ed Kleban Award, Jonathan Larson Award and Richard Rodgers Award. Joe’s musical Be More Chill (with Joe Tracz) opened this season at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre, following a sold-out Off-Broadway run at The Pershing Square Signature Center and a world premiere at Two River Theatre.
He is the author of Broadway Bounty Hunter (with Lance Rubin and Jason SweetTooth Williams; Barrington Stage Company and Greenwich House Theater Off-Broadway), Bloodsong of Love (Ars Nova, NAMT), The Black Suits (Center Theater Group, Barrington Stage Company), ReWrite (Urban Stages, Goodspeed Opera House), Theaterworks USA’s The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks and We The People. Musicals currently in development include The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical (for La Jolla Playhouse), Punk Rock Girl, and Love In Hate Nation.
His music appeared on Season 2 of NBC’s “Smash,” with his song “Broadway, Here I Come!” hailed by The New York Times as a new entry in The Great American Songbook. Albums: Be More Chill (OCR), which has been streamed over 220 million times; Things To Ruin (OCR); Two-Player Game; and The Joe Iconis Rock and Roll Jamboree all available on Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight Records.
His concert act, Joe Iconis and Family, frequently plays Feinstein’s/54 Below, The Laurie Beechman Theater, Weston Playhouse, and other venues around the country.
Joe is deliriously inspired by Robert Altman, Dolly Parton, Martin Scorsese, Sardi’s, The Rolling Stones, whiskey, The Muppets, and The Family of artists he frequently surrounds himself with.
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Dan Redfeld Composer / Conductor / Orchestrator
Award-winning composer, conductor, orchestrator, pianist and producer Dan Redfeld has had his music and arrangements performed internationally from the concert hall to the musical theatre stage to the recording studio.
Redfeld received his training at Boston’s New England Conservatory before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he graduated with a degree in composition with an emphasis in conducting.
In June 2016, A Hopeful Place – A Song Cycle for Soprano & Chamber Orchestra, was released on Navona Records/ PARMA Recordings. With music by Redfeld and text by John Gabriel Koladziej, A Hopeful Place was written for soprano Kristi Holden and premiered in Los Angeles in 2010. The recording features Holden and the Hollywood Studio Symphony under the baton of the composer.
For the stage, Mr. Redfeld orchestrated Beaches – A New Musical, the national tour & CTG production of A Christmas Story (adapted from Larry Blank’s original orchestrations), two songs for the Jerry Herman Memorial (Broadway), the Broadway Medley for the Los Angeles Music Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala in 2014, various orchestrations for the Ahmanson 50th Anniversary (where he also served as associate conductor), arrangements for Center Theatre Group’s 2019 Gala (including a new orchestration of “Broadway Baby” for Lea Michele and Darren Criss) as well as live work with Shirley Jones, Patrick Cassidy, Susan Egan, Seth MacFarlane, Barrett Foa, Clint Holmes, and so on, plus shows in the West End and continental United States. Recent work includes arrangements for the Pasadena and Santa Barbara Symphonies. Christina Harding Co-Lyricist and Book Writer
Christina Harding is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, performer, and choreographer. Ms. Harding is a protégé of the renowned dancer and choreographer Dean Barlow. Shows and credits include Anything Goes, Shrek the Musical, The Who’s Tommy, Chess, and The Billboard Music Awards. Her short film Moustache, a nod to film noir, has screened internationally and won numerous awards. Christina is also working on a new project with cowriter John Koladziej and composer Dan Redfeld.
John Gabriel Koladziej Co-Lyricist and Book Writer
John Gabriel Koladziej is a New York-based writer. A Hopeful Place marks John’s second collaboration with composer Dan Redfeld after co-writing the lyrics for Jo – The Little Women Musical (with lyricist Christina Harding). He is currently writing the libretto for Shoot the Moon. John is also currently working on a new musical piece with Redfeld and Harding, soon to be announced.
John trained at the Stella Adler Conservatory in New York City and holds a BFA in Drama and an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing, both from New York University.
Jo – The Little Women Musical is a love-letter to Louisa May Alcott’s cherished novel, taking the story to new heights in a vibrant new production. With a sweeping cinematic score and fresh narrative, Jo brings the timeless coming of age story of the March sisters into sharp focus for a new generation, asking all of us…”Will you have the courage to write your own story?"
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JOAN ROSS SORKIN is a playwright, musical theatre bookwriter and lyricist, opera librettist, and screenwriter. Her two most current musical projects are Black Swan Blues with Randy Klein, and Bordello with Barbara Bellman and Emiliano Messiez. Black Swan Blues had a staged reading in October, 2022 as part of The York Theatre Company’s Developmental Reading Series, and Bordello is scheduled to have the same in December, 2023.
Joan’s family musicals include Dandelion, with Mary Liz McNamara, with its world premiere at Playhouse on Park, W. Hartford, CT in April, 2023, and the award-winning Isabelle and The Pretty Ugly Spell with Steven Fisher with productions at The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Coral Gables, FL (Winner, National Children’s Theatre Award), NYMF (Outstanding New Family Musical), and Vital Theatre; and Go Green! Prince Charming’s Quest for Love and Ecology in NYC with Mary Feinsinger, presented in the very first New York Children’s Theater Festival.
Randy Klein is a multi-award-winning composer, pianist, record producer, author and music educator.
He is the composer of For My People, a song cycle featuring the poetry of American author, Margaret Walker. For My People was featured at the Furious Flower Poetry Festival at James Madison University and the University of Kansas. The music premiere of the renowned poem by Margaret Walker ‘For My People’ was April 2, 2011 at the Forbes Center for the Arts, James Madison University, VA. His compositions, Facing It and Dear John, Dear Coltrane, based on the poetry of Yusef Komunyakaa and Michael Harper premiered at the 2014 Furious Flower Poetry Conference featuring the combined James Madison University and Morgan State Chorales.
His musical, Black Swan Blues, in collaboration with Joan Ross Sorkin, bookwriter and lyricist, inspired by the ballet “Swan Lake,”. Black Swan Blues explores white privilege and racism in America in the South in the early 1960’s. Set in New Orleans, a rich, idealistic journalist and a poor, vulnerable blues singer’s true love is challenged when secrets from their tangled past involving race, murder and the Ku Klux Klan are revealed. Only through the magic of voodoo do they find eternal love. The score is timeless and contemporary evoking the period.
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Jaime Lozano is a musical theatre composer who has been heralded as the “next big thing” on Broadway by Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda. A native of Monterrey, Mexico, Jaime earned his BFA in Music and Composition from the School of Music at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and was the recipient of a full scholarship to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he has the distinction of being the first Mexican to be accepted to and earn an MFA from the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. Jaime is one of the five artists selected for the 2020-2022 Joe’s Pub Working Group residency and one of the artists selected as part as The Civilians R&D Group 2020-2021.
A prolific composer, Jaime’s works have been produced at venues such as the Minskoff Theatre (Broadway), Lucille Lortel Theatre (Off-Broadway), The Pearl Theatre (Off-Broadway), The Players Theatre (Off-Broadway), Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre (Off Broadway), Goodspeed Opera House, The Juilliard School of Music, The Triad Theatre, Theatre for the New City
Jaime’s works include El Otro Oz, formerly known as The Yellow Brick Road (music and lyrics with Tommy Newman, book by Mando Alvarado), which premiered Off-Broadway premiere in 2011 to critical acclaim highlighting “its accessible melodies and robust harmonies” (New York Times). That production was followed by a successful national tour. Jaime’s musical Children of Salt; A New Latin Musical (book and lyrics by Lauren Epsenhart) made its New York City debut as part of the New York Musical Festival 2016 (NYMF), where it won the “Best of Fest” Production Award. Jaime also co-wrote the one-act musical Lightning Strikes Twice (book and lyrics by Noemi de la Puente), which premiered Off-Broadway at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre in 2010. Lightning Strikes Twice was translated into Spanish in 2015 and continued on to have a very successful run in Venezuela, which led to its return to New York City as part of the inaugural season of Teatro SEA MicroTheater. The Yehuatl (book and lyrics by Sara Cooper) recieved readings at NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program and at the Dramatists Guild before receiving a production at the Lee Strasberg Institute in 2009. The Yehuatl later became the first act of the musical tryptich מיתוסים . Mitos . Kamanalis / Myths (book and lyrics by Sara Cooper, additional lyrics in Spanish by Jorge Castilla), which had its World Premiere in 2012 in Monterrey, Mexico. Jaime is the composer and librettist of the musical Tlatelolco, which premiered in 2001 in Monterrey, Mexico, and was revived in 2002, 2004, and 2013.
Florencia Cuenca is a brown Mexican immigrant singer, actress, and songwriter based in New York City. “A voice that is rich, lush and sensual” (Times Square Chronicles) She made her first album Aquí - Los Nuevos Standards produced by husband Jaime Lozano which BwayTunes.com calls “One of the most unique cover albums of recent memory,” and subsequently toured all around Mexico, Latin America and New York City, performing in some of the most prestigious jazz venues and festivals and being awarded with the Hot House Jazz Award 2016 for Best New Jazz Artist. She has performed Off-Broadway in numerous shows, including Children of Salt (NYMF 2016 Best of Fest) and A Never-Ending Line (album released by Grammy award winner label Broadway Records).
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Dan Remmes is an award-winning, published playwright, screenwriter and actor.
He has appeared on stages across the country, as well as in film and television. His scripts have received productions and workshops across Europe and North America (including The White House). They have featured OSCAR-WINNING, TONY-WINNING, EMMY-WINNING and OBIE-WINNING actors.
Dan is best known as the book writer of GRUMPY OLD MEN: THE MUSICAL which recently received its United States premieres at the historic Ogunquit Playhouse featuring Hal Linden and Sally Struthers and at the The La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts featuring Cathy Rigby and Ken Page. Both productions were greeted with rave reviews.
Among ongoing projects, Dan has three feature films in development. He currently writes, directs and stars in the award-winning online web series, COVID COUPLE.Neil Berg is the composer/co-lyricist, along with Pulitzer Prize/TONY-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan, of the award-winning new musical The 12, which just finished a very successful pre-Broadway tryout to critical and audience acclaim at the Goodspeed Opera House, directed by TONY award-winning director John Doyle, produced for Broadway by Cody Lassen & Joe Grano. The 12 previously ran at The Denver Center to unanimous rave reviews and won the 2015 HENRY Award for best new play or musical. Broadway opening anticipated in 2025/2026 season.
Neil is currently in development as the composer of the new Broadway bound musical version of My Cousin Vinny, based on the iconic movie, with book/lyrics by original screenwriter, Dale Launer.
Neil has two new commissioned musicals opening in 2024: The Sabbath Girl which opens May 3rd at Penguin Repertory Theatre (directed by Joe Brancato), then transfers Off-Broadway in July to the Big Theater @ 59 East 59th, and How My Grandparents Met, opening this winter at The NJ Rep Theater, both written with playwright/book writer/co-lyricist Cary Gitter.
Neil is currently the composer of the new musical Charlie Hustle, about controversial baseball icon Pete Rose and the story of his gambling addiction that led to his downfall, with book/lyrics by Ryan Noggle. Charlie Hustle will have its first developmental production in Detroit, Michigan this fall.
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Becky is a Scottish theatre director, facilitator and writer. She trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was a finalist for the prestigious JMK Award in 2019 and 2021.
Her work spans Musical Theatre, Shakespeare, new writing and reworked classics in various forms and capacities. She also works across a variety of educational institutions and engagement departments across Scotland.
Directing credits include: Woman Walking (Sylvian Productions/Perth Theatre); God Catcher (Petrichor Productions); The Steamie (Dundee Rep); Seven Against Edinburgh (Lyceum Theatre); Bloodbank, He Who Opens the Door, Not Now, Absolute Bowlocks, Celestial Body, The Cameo (Play, Pie, Pint/Lemon Tree/Traverse Theatre); Glory on Earth, Little Women - The Musical, Faustus: That Damned Woman, 9 to 5 The Musical, The Pajama Game, Bad Roads, Much Ado About Nothing, Enron, Blue Stockings (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland); The Comedy of Errors (Petersfield Shakespeare Company); The Fairy that Fell off the Christmas Tree (She Productions); Bombshells, It's Different for Girls (She Productions/East Riding Theatre); Macbeth (Summer on Stage/Lyceum Theatre); It Never Ends (Traverse Theatre/Cumbernauld Theatre); Buffer, Riot Squat (Thrive Theatre); The Hen Night, Like a Moth to a Flame (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland).
Becky worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company for two years as an assistant director on Romeo and Juliet and The Hypocrite. At the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh she has been commissioned as a writer, worked as a director and facilitator and was resident Assistant Director for the 2014/15 season.Robin Hiley is the Artistic Director/CEO @ Charades Theatre Company SCIO, Composer/songwriter, Composer/Lyricist of musical LIFELINE (formerly The Mould that Changed the World), Music producer, Theatre producer (2x sell-out EdFringe runs)Lifeline tells the story of Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming’s world-changing discovery of penicillin in 1928, charting the rise and fall of antibiotics. Fleming’s historic story is interwoven with Jess’, a present day doctor whose childhood sweetheart, Aaron, is recovering from cancer treatment, almost 100 years after antibiotics were discovered. But just as Aaron is desperate to resume normality and rekindle the romance, his life hangs in the balance, as he waits to see if Fleming’s miracle cure will still work well enough to save him. - Visa fler
