About the Artists
Cast
(in order of appearance)
DWYER ILLICK | The Little Boy
Dwyer is 11 years old, and most recently performed the role of Theo in Foote Summer Theater’s production of Pippin. For the last three summers, he attended Elm City Shakespeare Players’ Camp and acted in Pyramus and Thisbe, Romeo and Juliet, and Love’s Labour’s Lost. He loves Shakespeare, and recently performed as Zeus in his 5th Grade production of Pandora’s Box.
JOHN WAHL* | Father
John Wahl is honored and excited to be joining Brief Cameo Productions. Favorite Credits: The Tempest (New Place Players), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (New Place Players), Some Are More Human (FringeNYC). John also developed and starred in the podcast Old Timey Shakespeare Radio (FOU Studios) and the improvised solo show Trilogy. He is an Eagle Scout and a graduate of the University of Maryland, Upright Citizens Brigade, and the Shakespeare Theatre Company Intensive.
*Appears courtesy of Actor's Equity Association
*Appears courtesy of Actor's Equity Association
SARAH EVANS KRONENBERG | Mother
Sarah is very excited to be joining Brief Cameo Productions! FILM: Jeannie and Mo (webseries - Team Awesome Robot); The Prophet of Truth (Brooklyn College). STAGE: Dear Brutus (AlphaNYC); The Tragedies (Secret Theatre / New Voices); The Real Inspector Hound (AlphaNYC); Cranky Cabaret. Proud graduate, Circle in the Square Theatre School, Professional Musical Theatre Program: Into the Woods (Rapunzel) and Female Transport (Madge). Much love and thanks to her friends and family. www.sarahkronenberg.com
MIKE WALSH* | Mother's Younger Brother
Mike Walsh is so excited to be joining the cast of RAGTIME: IN CONCERT as Mother's Younger Brother, a dream role. Favorite credits include Into The Woods (Rapunzel's Prince/Stepmother), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Vice Principal Panch), The Comedy Of Errors (Luce, Dr. Pinch u/s), Othello (Rodrigo u/s), Romeo & Juliet (Romeo), and Bones At The Gate: An Antigone (Creon). Mike is a graduate of the MFA Acting program at Columbia University in New York City, where makes his home. In addition to acting, Mike moonlights as a speech and dialect coach. Thanks to Jim for helping this dream come true, and thanks to the company of RAGTIME: IN CONCERT for helping this important story make it to the stage. Instagram handle: @Mikerowavables
*Appears courtesy of Actor's Equity Association
*Appears courtesy of Actor's Equity Association
ERIC LARIVEE | Grandfather
Eric Larivee ia an award winning cabaret and musical theater artist, producer, director and music director. He has appeared off-Broadway, and in cabaret rooms across NYC, England, France, and Germany. Off-Broadway credits include El Greco at INTAR and How Green Was My Valley at New Dramatist. Eric has produced, directed and music directed well over 200 musical theater and cabaret/jazz productions including the history making productions of “New Ways to Dream- A Tribute to Musical Theater” starring Eric’s mentor and Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Betty Buckley and the "40th Anniversary Celebration of The Music Man" Guest Starring Academy Award winning movie musical legend Shirley Jones. He has performed/worked with Betty Buckley, Julie Wilson, Elaine Stritch, Margaret Whiting, Craig Carnelia, Michael Rupert, Judy Kuhn, Shirley Jones, Hildegard, Julie Halston, Celeste Holm, Maureen McGovern, Ann Hampton Callaway and more. Mr. Larivee is a much sought after vocal technician and musical theater/cabaret coach and director. He maintains studios in NYC, West Hartford, CT and Boston, MA. He is the former musical theater department chair at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts where he developed an award winning musical theater college prep curriculum. He is the past president of the Boston Association of Cabaret Artists (BACA). Past assistant director of the Eugene O’Neill Cabaret Symposium. He studied at the Boston Conservatory, the Hartt School, Manhattan School of Music Professional Musical Theater Program and Yale University.
NIGEL SMITH | Coalhouse Walker, Jr.
Born in Montreal, Nigel has spent most of his professional life in France. After graduating from the Curtis Institute of Music, Nigel spent three years as an apprentice artist with the Centre de Formation Lyrique, at the Paris National Opera, where he performed on both the stages of the Bastille, and Palais Garnier. After completing his apprenticeship, Nigel represented Canada at the 2001 Cardiff Singer of the World, and continued working in many theatres in France, and in Europe. Performing principally on the operatic stage, Nigel has a wide repertoire, having performed extensively from the baroque, to contemporary music. He has been heard with Jean-Claude Malgoire, and the Atelier Lyrique de Tourcoing, in works such as Rameau’s Les Indes galantes, Händel’s Agrippina, and Rinaldo, as well as in Salieri’s Falstaff. On the contemporary side of things, Nigel has created the roles of Lead, for James Rolfe’s Beatrice Chancy; which was produced both live, and for television; the role of Der auskunftgeber, for Philippe Manoury’s setting of Franz Kafka’s “Der Prozess”, entitled K…, at the Opéra National de Paris (Bastille), an encounter which inspired Manoury to write the role of un jeune fugitive, in his chamber opera La frontière for Nigel, which he created with Manoury, and famed actor and director Yoshi Oida, at Paris’ Les bouffes du nord. Nigel also premiered the oratorio Athanor, of Guillaume Connesson, at France Musique’s Festival Présences, as baritone soloist, and, most recently, was the baritone soloist for the world premiere of Joseph Barandashvili’s The Passion of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, with the Israel Camerata Jerusalem, under the baton of Avner Biron.
LISA WILLIAMSON | Sarah
Lisa Williamson has forged a diverse career in opera, musical theater, and concert throughout the world. Her roles include Amalia Balash (She Loves Me), Eliza Doolittle (My Fair Lady), Eileen Sherwood (Wonderful Town), Maud Dunlop (The Music Man), Laurie (The Tender Land), Bessie Coleman (Bessie and Ma) *world premiere, The Flamingo (The Lion, the Unicorn and Me) *world premiere, The Rose (The Little Prince), Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica), Cendrillon (Cendrillon), the soprano (The Little Match Girl Passion), Virginia Creeper (The Difficulty of Crossing a Field), Musetta (La Boheme), and Adele (Die Fledermaus) with Washington National Opera, The Glimmerglass Festival, Portland Opera, Opera Theater of Connecticut, Hartford Opera Theater, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi. She was the soloist with United States Coast Guard Band from 2005-2010. She holds degrees from The Peabody Conservatory, Yale School of Music, and UConn.
AKITUNDE SOGUNRO | Booker T. Washington
Akintunde Sogunro is the director and producer of the award-winning inspirational documentary film Victory (www.victoryfilm.net) as well as the author and creator of the hit children's series Mama Stitches (www.Mamastitches.com). Sogunro graduated from Western Connecticut State University in 2019 with a Master's of Fine Arts in Creative and Professional Writing and earned his bachelors's degree in Theater from Southern Connecticut State University in 2011. His Professional Theater Credits include: Regional: Elm Shakespeare Company, Connecticut Free Shakespeare Company, Collective Consciousness Theater Company, New Haven Theater Company. NYC: The Flea Theater- Woodie King Jr.
BRYAN SONGY | Tateh
Bryan is overwhelmed by the talent and community that constitutes Brief Cameo Productions, and considers his participation in Ragtime in Concert an act of timely citizenship. Off-Bway: Camp Morning Wood; Then Sean Met Khalid. Off-Off: Rent (The Secret Theatre); Empty Frames (IndieWorks); The Tempest, Midsummer..., A Fifth Dimension, Countess Dracula (Sour Grapes Prods); Bastard Blood (world premiere, dir. Sybil Lines); Boeing-Boeing (Brookes Stage Co). Other NYC: The Gay-No-More Telethon (MITF); As He Likes It (UnFringed, Frigid Fest); as well as various readings for Three Act Theatre, Write Act Rep, and The BMI Workshop. Proud graduate, Circle in the Square: Into the Woods; Female Transport; The Seagull. Other favorites include The Crucible (twice) and The Fantasticks. His work as a director and teaching artist has been represented regionally and in NYC. Twitter/Insta: @MisterSongy
SERENA WONG | The Little Girl
Serena recently appeared in Foote Summer Theater’s production of Pippin, appearing as a member of the ensemble. The parts she has played before include a member of the mission band in Guys and Dolls and Madge in George Washington Slept Here. She has also been a member of the technical crew for several plays including Servant of Two Masters and The Outsiders. Her hobbies aside from theater are writing, reading, drawing, and swimming. She hopes you enjoy the show!
CHANDLER SMITH | Harry Houdini
Chandler is thrilled to be joining the Brief Cameo team for their inaugural production of RAGTIME. He has worked all across the country as a performer. Select regional credits include Tuna Christmas (Broadway Palm), Biloxi Blues (Ivoryton Playhouse), Life Could Be A Dream (Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre), As You Like It (Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre). He also spent several seasons playing the title role in Scrooge No More at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. In New York City, Chandler spent a year and a half in the original Off-Broadway cast of Piggy Nation which ran at The Snapple Theatre Center in Times Square. He also spent 6 months as a replacement in the cult hit immersive experience Speakeasy Dollhouse. Chandler’s voice can be heard on over 100 regional and national Voice Over Spots including Disney Interactive, L.L. Bean, Frito-Lay, Comcast High Speed Internet, and The PGA Tour.
MARK GILCHRIST | J.P. Morgan
Mark is excited to be joining the talented cast of Ragtime: In Concert with Brief Cameo Productions. Recent credits include: Bye Bye Birdie (Mayor), Once upon a Mattress (Minstrel), Harvey (Elwood P. Dowd), Coney Island Christmas (Mr. Abramowitz), The Music Man (Harold Hill), Barefoot in the Park (Victor Velasco), Noises Off (Frederick Fellowes), The Producers (Max Bialystock), Mary Poppins (George Banks), The Sound of Music (Captain Von Trapp), 25th Annual…Spelling Bee (Vice Principal Panch), and Annie (Daddy Warbucks). Regional credits include: West Side Story, Shenandoah, Play It Again, Sam, Godspell, The Fantasticks and On Shiloh Hill at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.
CORY CANDELET | Henry Ford
Cory Candelet is so excited to be back on the stage at the playhouse to be part of this incredible production with some great friends! Cory is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC and grew up in Mystic, CT. Some of his favorite credits include Peter and The Starcatcher (Peter), Grease (Eugene), A Chorus Line (Don), and The Fantasticks (The Mute) for which he was awarded a CT Critics Circle Award - “Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical!” A big shoutout to his family and friends for their continuous support and to Jim and Mike for having him in their inaugural production! @ccandelet
CARLY CALLAHAN | Emma Goldman
Recent credits include: Mamma Mia! (Tonya), The Fantasticks (Bellomy), An Ivoryton Playhouse Christmas Hour with David Pittsinger and Friends, Downtown Cabaret Theatre’s Phantom (Carlotta), Ivoryton Playhouse’s Playhouse on the Shore (Director/Performer), Opera Theater of Connecticut’s Madama Butterfly (Kate Pinkerton), Romeo & Juliet, In Verse & Music (Lady Capulet) and Die Fledermaus (Sally). Other favorites: Evita (Eva), A Little Night Music (Desiree). National tour: Victor Victoria. Regional: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Sally) and Mikado (Pitti-Sing). Edinburgh Fringe: Merrily We Roll Along (Gussie).
ANDEE BUCCHERI | Evelyn Nesbit
Andee Buccheri is so excited to be in the inaugural Brief Cameo production! Favorite Credits include Ivoryton Playhouse: Grease (Ensemble), A Chorus Line (Tricia/ Swing) and Biloxi Blues (Daisy). National Tour: Legally Blonde the Musical (Margot). As a standup comedian, Andee has performed at iconic New York venues such as the Stand, Broadway Comedy Club, and Caroline’s on Broadway. BFA NYU Tisch (New Studio on Broadway/ Stonestreet Studios). “Wee!” Let’s do this!
DANA ELIZABETH FRIPP | Sarah's Friend
Praised as “a mahogany-voiced [spinto] that made time stand still...” (Brian Kellow, OPERA NEWS), blessed with natural acting ability and a compelling stage presence, Ms. Fripp found singing to be a very personal pastime of the heart at a very early age. She was introduced to the world of Gospel music at age twelve, and owes much of the nurturing of her natural sense of musicality, harmony, storytelling, and love for collaboration to her years singing in great choirs. While earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Speech from Messiah College, Ms. Fripp continued to develop in her music ministry life, serving on the college’s chapel worship team. After graduation, private vocal studies introduced Ms. Fripp to operatic literature. She took her studies further at the The Hartt School, University of Hartford, and garnered attention for stage appearances with Opera Theatre Of Connecticut, The Connecticut Opera, and the International School of Performing Arts, as well as in concert with Orchestra Of New England, and New Haven Symphony Orchestra. For her performance in the Connecticut District Metropolitan Opera Auditions, she received Honorable Mention, an interview with the internationally recognized OPERA NEWS magazine, leading to her invitation to The Institute of Vocal Artsin Chiari, Italy.
JD SCALZO | Willie Conklin
JD Scalzo is a Connecticut native with a resume built from coast to coast as an actor, writer and producer with roots in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. He is a two time San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics’ Circle (SFBATCC) award nominee for warplay (NCTC ‘17) and Maggie’s Riff (Faultline Theater ‘16), respectively. He is the recipient of the FilmOut San Diego 2018 Best Supporting Actor award for “Devil’s Path” (Breaking Glass Pictures, available VOD). A graduate of Wagner College NYC , he works locally throughout Branford with Tabor Arts, Shoreline Theater Company and Vocal Productions. @jdscalzo
JACK WILLIAMSON | Coalhouse Walker, III
Jack Williamson makes his stage debut as Little Colehouse in Ragtime: In Concert with Brief Cameo Productions. He is three and a half, loves cars, trucks, and trains, and his favorite color is just red.
Ensemble Members
(listed alphabetically by last name)
AMY BUCKLEY | Kathleen, Town Hall Bureaucrat, and others
AMY BUCKLEY is thrilled to join the company of “Ragtime: In Concert” with Brief Cameo Productions! On the musical theater stage credit highlights include: The Music Man (Marian Paroo), Mary Poppins (Mrs. Banks), Grease (Miss Lynch) and Man of La Mancha (Antonia). Notable operatic roles include: Die Fledermaus (Adele/Lincoln Center), Così fan Tutte (Despina /Pocket Opera of NY), Cendrillon (La Fée /Aspen Opera Theater) and Orfeo (Euridice /Wintergreen Performing Arts Festival). Ms. Buckley received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut, where her study afforded her the opportunity to train at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. She then went on to receive a Master’s of Music from The Juilliard School. Ms. Buckley resides in Westbrook, Connecticut where she has a private voice studio and plays her favorite role of Mom to daughter Viviana.
STEVEN MCCLARY-SMITH | Matthew Henson, Black Lawyer, Coalhouse Follower, and others
Steven R. McClary-Smith was born and raised in New Haven, CT. He began his theatrical career his Freshman year of high school at ACES Educational Center for the Arts (ECA), Graduated in class of ‘15 and went on to study Classical Voice at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York. He has recently appeared in “A Center Stage Christmas” at Center Stage in Shelton and is excited to be a part of this production with Brief Cameo Productions.
MARISA MIRANDA | Houdini's Mother, Mrs. Whitstein, and others
Marisa is thrilled to be joining Brief Cameo’s production of Ragtime; not only because it’s a beautiful show and she will be playing distinctly different multiple parts, but she will be reuniting with some of her favorite cast mates! Favorite past credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfee), HAIR (Dion), and Urinetown (Ensemble). Marisa is also a trained Theatrical Clown, and teacher, under the tutelage of Aitor Basauri, Chris Bayes, The Idiot Workshop, and the man himself, Philippe Gaulier. When Marisa isn’t on stage making people laugh, she works as a Dresser for Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway!
MORGAN MORSE | Admiral Peary, Reporter, Policeman, and others
Morgan Morse is an actor, musician, and writer originally hailing from Ansonia, CT. He's very happy to be back at Ivoryton, having previously been in Godspell (Morgan), Once (Andrej), South Pacific (Professor), and Stand By Your Man (Euple Byrd) here at this historic Playhouse (and very happy to be working with Jim Clark who was the brilliant stage manager on most of those shows!). Other credits include: Once at the Cape Playhouse (Andrej), Ring of Fire everywhere from Texas to Germany and Austria (Jack Cash), and Southern Comfort at the Public Theater in NYC (Storyteller). He'd like to thank Jim for bringing him in to this project, his parents for making him exist, and his roommates' dog, Trudy, who has done nothing for him but boy is she cute. He’s also a singer-songwriter and you can check out his original music online at https://soundcloud.com/morgan-morse! (If you want. No pressure.)
NATHAN RUSSO | Charles S. Whitman, Fireman, and others
Nathan Russo is excited to step onto the Playhouse stage once again. Nathan’s past credits include Mamma Mia! (dir. J. R. Bruno), Grease (dir. Todd Underwood), and Oliver! (dir. T. Rick Jones). Nathan is a Senior at Columbia College Chicago and will be graduating this Spring. He’d like to thank his parents, friend, and professors for their tireless support and guidance.
JARON WILBUR | Newsboy 1, Coalhouse Follower, Harlem Man, and others
KIMBERLY WILSON | Harlem Woman and others
Originally from Minneapolis, Kimberly first pursued theater while in high school, studying and performing at The Minneapolis Children’s Theatre. Kimberly was also a founding acting company member of Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis. After studying theater at Howard University, Kimberly returned home and continued her acting career performing in plays and television commercials. She has performed with many theater companies including, the Shoestring Playhouse, At the Foot of the Mountain, Brass Tacks Theater, Park Square, Theatre in the Round, Illusion Theater, Minnesota Festival Theater, Penumbra Theater, Collective Consciousness Theater, New Haven Theater Company and The Theatre Artists Workshop in Norwalk. For the past seven years, Kimberly Wilson has been touring her original musical one-woman show A Journey locally and nationally in theaters, schools, libraries, historical societies, places of worship and other community organizations. She continues to schedule bookings throughout the year. This highly acclaimed performance brings to life seven historical African-American women, including an African Queen, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, and more. Through soulful singing, character transformations, joyous celebrations and painful reflections, Ms. Wilson takes the audience on a powerful Journey of courage, persistence, hope, faith, and love. Kimberly Wilson was last seen in the Greenwich Theatre Company production of 7 Easy Pieces by Jack Rushton, November 2019.
Production
JIM CLARK | Director & Producer
Jim is so thrilled and humbled that the amazing team of artists whose work you will be seeing in Ragtime: In Concert have signed on to what is truly a bucket list project, and is beyond grateful to the Ivoryton Playhouse staff and crew for welcoming us with open arms. Other credits include serving as a teaching artist, director, actor, or stage manager for Ivoryton Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Foote Summer Theater, Synapse Theatre Ensemble, Columbia University, Roebling and Driggs Productions, Yale Opera, The New York Financial Writers’ Association’s annual Financial Follies, New Haven Theater Company (including the first community production of Paula Vogel's A Civil War Christmas), The Hugo Kauder Society, Act II Theatre, Grassroots Theater Company, Sacred Heart Academy, New Haven Ballet, Fairfield University and the Chancel Opera Company.
JILL BRUNELLE | Musical Director
Jill Brunelle is a repertoire pianist at Yale University, working with Yale Opera, Yale School of Drama, the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and Yale College. Her recent music directing credits include The Fantasticks at Ivoryton Playhouse, and The Addams Family and Violet at Southern Connecticut State University. At Yale School of Drama Ms. Brunelle directed Steven Sondheim’s Passion, The Apple Tree, Trouble in Tahiti, and The Medium. As Yale Opera Chorus Master she has prepared ensembles for Eugene Onegin, Hänsel und Gretel, Die Zauberflöte, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Le Nozze Di Figaro and La Bohème. Ms. Brunelle recently celebrated five years as Music Director at the renowned Foote School Summer Theater. Her 2019-2020 season includes Fun Home at the Yale School of Drama, Ragtime with Brief Cameo Productions at the Ivoryton Playhouse, and the world premiere of the new opera Salt. Ms. Brunelle has served as faculty/staff at Boston University, New England Conservatory, Tufts University, Hartt School of Music, Connecticut Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and Opera Boston. As a collaborative pianist Ms. Brunelle is highly sought after as a recital partner, performing internationally as well as at Carnegie Hall and Jordan Hall, and has performed world premieres at numerous festivals, including the celebrated Bang on a Can festival in New York City. Ms. Brunelle also collaborates frequently with area companies and ensembles, including Orchestra New England and Long Wharf Theater.
LLOYD HALL | Costume Coordinator
Lloyd is thrilled to be joining the creative team for Brief Cameo Productions’ inaugural production of Ragtime! He works as both a costume designer and fashion designer in the northeast, creating fun garments (and hats) for every occasion. Recent costume design credits include The Comedy of Errors (Shakesperience Productions), The Normal Heart (Little Theatre of Manchester), The Dixie Swim Club (Little Theatre of Manchester), and Kiss Me, Kate! (Simsbury High School). www.lloyd-parker-hall.com
ALAN PIOTROWICZ | Projection Design
lan is thrilled to be visiting Connecticut for the first time to design for a show that's been near and dear to his heart since he saw the national tour almost twenty years ago. He makes his home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where has designed for several companies including All In Productions, Cooperative Performance, Danceworks, Falls Patio Players, First Stage Children’s Theatre, In Tandem Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Theatre Gigante, Theater RED, Umbrella Group Milwaukee, and Windfall Theatre. Recent work also includes TITAN Theatre Company in New York City and Hope Summer Repertory Theatre in Holland, Michigan. He received his training at UW-Madison and The Santa Fe Opera. Proud board member of Cooperative Performance. www.alanpiotrowicz.com
NAT DIMARIO | Stage Manager
Nat DiMario is thrilled to be coming back to their Connecticut theatre roots, joining the team on Ragtime! They are currently a senior stage management student at Fordham University. NYC: The Cradle Will Rock, Old Turtle and the Broken Truth, The Fantastical Dangerous Journey of Q, Worse Than Tigers, Phantom of the Paradise: in Concert, Bird of Pray, Crucifixion Sun. Select Educational: Airline Highway (upcoming), Twelfth Night, The Dybbuk, Antigonick. Thanks to Jim and Mr. Schlusberg, mom and dad, and everyone who’s been saying Revive Ragtime. @natdimario
Musicians
Conductor/Keyboard
JILL BRUNELLE
Reed 1
PATRICK LOMBARDO
Reed 2
PHILIP PLOT
Trumpet
SETH BAILEY
Violin
VICTORIA WEPLER
Cello
CELESTE CUMMING
Bass
DAVE DADDARIO
Banjo
DAN HARTINGTON
Drums
MIKE BLANCANFLOR
Authors
STEPHEN FLAHERTY | Music
Stephen Flaherty is the composer of the Broadway musicals Ragtime (Tony Award, Drama Desk, OCC Awards, two Grammy nominations), Once on This Island (Tony Award Best Revival, Tony nomination for Score, Grammy nomination, Olivier Award, Best Musical), Anastasia (Drama Desk nomination), Seussical (Grammy, Drama Desk nominations), and Rocky. Additional Broadway includes Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life and Neil Simon's Proposals (incidental music). Four musicals at Lincoln Center Theatre: The Glorious Ones (Drama Desk, OCC nominations), Dessa Rose (Drama Desk, OCC nominations), A Man of No Importance (OCC Award Best Musical, Drama Desk nomination) and My Favorite Year. Other theater includes In Your Arms (Old Globe), Little Dancer (Kennedy Center), Lucky Stiff (Playwrights Horizons), Loving Repeating (Chicago’s Jefferson Award, Best New Musical) and the upcoming Marie. Film includes Anastasia (two Academy Award and two Golden Globe nominations), After The Storm and Lucky Stiff. Mr. Flaherty's concert music has premiered at the Hollywood Bowl, Boston's Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Guggenheim. In 2014, he and longtime collaborator Lynn Ahrens received the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement, and in 2015 they were inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. Council, Dramatists Guild of America; co- founder, Dramatists Guild Fellows Program. AhrensAndFlaherty.com
LYNN AHRENS | Lyrics
Lynn Ahrens won Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Awards and received two Grammy nominations for the score of Broadway’s Ragtime. For Twentieth Century Fox’s animated feature film Anastasia, she was nominated for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globes. In 2014, she and longtime collaborator Stephen Flaherty received the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement, and in 2015 they were inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. She is currently represented on Broadway by the long-running hit Anastasia. The 2018 revival of Once On This Island, for which she wrote both book and lyrics, won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and received a 2019 Grammy nomination. Other Broadway and off-Broadway credits include Seussical (Grammy nomination, one of the most performed shows in America); My Favorite Year; Chita Rivera-The Dancer's Life; Rocky; Lincoln Center Theater’s Dessa Rose, The Glorious Ones (both Drama Desk-nominated) and A Man of No Importance (Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Musical); Lucky Stiff; Marie (Kennedy Center and Seattle Fifth Avenue); and Madison Square Garden’s A Christmas Carol, with composer Alan Menken. Film and television credits include A Christmas Carol (teleplay, NBC- TV); Camp (IFC films); Lucky Stiff;Schoolhouse Rock (ABC-TV). Emmy Award and four Emmy nominations, Lilly Award for Lyrics. 2019 nomination to the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Council, Dramatists Guild of America; co-founder, Dramatists Guild Fellows Program. www.ahrensandflaherty.com
TERRENCE MCNALLY | Book
Playwright Terrence McNally was born in 1939 and grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, listening to radio broadcasts of The Green Hornet and the Metropolitan Opera. McNally's love of the opera and especially of the famous diva Maria Callas would surface in his work, most notably in his Tony award-winning Master Class (1996). His love of music also inspired him to collaborate on several musicals, including The Rink (1984), Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993), and Ragtime (1996). From the macabre to the farcical, the range of McNally's satire and drama borrows from his personal life and his personal understanding of the world. McNally's plays about homophobia, love, fear, and AIDS, among other things, illuminate the dominant theme of how people connect and fail to connect. McNally has no fear of offending as he explores new territories with his pen. Despite the controversy surrounding some of his plays, Terrence McNally is one of the most beloved and prolific modern-day playwrights. Besides the afore-mentioned, some of his other notable credits include: The Ritz (1975), Frankie and Johnny at the Claire de Lune (1987), The Lisbon Traviata (1989), Andre's Mother (1990), Lips Together, Teeth Apart (1991), and Love! Valour! Compassion! (1994). In addition to four Tony Awards, McNally has received two Guggenheim Fellowships, a Rockefeller Grant, the Lucille Lortel Award, the Hull-Warriner Award, and a citation from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
E.L. DOCTOROW | Original Novel
Award-winning author E.L. Doctorow explored the American experience in his best-selling novels, often incorporating historical settings and characters based on historical figures. Doctorow’s novel, The Book of Daniel (1971), was inspired by the Julius and Ethel Rosenberg spy case, and one of his best-known works Ragtime (1975), which includes Harry Houdini, Emma Goldman and Theodore Dreiser as characters, was made into both a film (1981) and a musical (1998). Other novels include Billy Bathgate (1989) about a teenager pulled under the wing of mobster Dutch Shultz, and The March (2005), which centers on General William Tecumseh Sherman’s march through the south at the end of the Civil War. E.L. Doctorow died on July 21, 2015 in New York City. He was 84 years old.