Hi Everyone,
Again, it’s been several months since I updated this ‘blog’.
The past few months have been quite busy and gratifying. In late September, I began rehearsals for the world premiere and pre-Broadway run of Kinky Boots, with music by Cyndi Lauper, book by Harvey Fierstein and directed by Jerry Mitchell. It ran from October 2 – November 4, 2012. Stephen Oremus did the arrangements and is the musical supervisor (He also is the Tony award winning arranger for Wicked and The Book of Mormon). Kinky Boots will be previewing on Broadway in NY beginning in March and opening on April 4th. I predict that it will be a major hit!
In the beginning of December, I began rehearsals for The Book of Mormon, which is written by the South Park guys (Trey Parker and Matt Stone and also Robert Lopez). It was sold out for the first three months before we even opened. We opened on December 19th, 2012 and it’s running at least until September 8th. I have to say that it’s absolutely one of the best musicals I’ve ever been fortunate to play. Our Chicago band is fierce. I am very proud of it. The way I describe the show is: It’s the South Park guys on steroids … totally irreverent, sometimes obscene and possibly one of the best shows you’ll ever see.
Lately, I’ve also been fortunate to be playing on some cool recordings and also some live gigs with Gunnelpumpers.
My son, Ashley came in town from Berlin for the Christmas holidays (what an amazing gift) and is currently in NY rehearsing for some live gigs with Ben Kenney next month. Should be awesome.
I’ve also been quite busy working in my second term as the President of the Theatre Musicians Association (for U.S. and Canada). Lot’s of great stuff that we’re working on. Plus the AFM (American Federation of Musicians) Convention is this upcoming July. It’ll be my second time to attend one (last one three years ago as TMA Vice President), but first time as President. It’s quite an honor.
That’s it for now. I hope that you’re doing well and having a great Winter!