Notes from New York - Interview with Paul Spicer - Director & Musical Stager

By: Sep. 05, 2004
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Notes from New York, the West End show that showcases contemporary US musical theatre returns on Sunday, September 19th at the Trafalgar Studios in London. The show's latest incarnation features the work of the multi-award winning grandson of musical theatre legend Richard Rodgers, Adam Guettel (Floyd Collins, Myths & Hymns), Tony Award nominee Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Marie Christine, Hello Again) and New York's best kept musical theatre secret, John Bucchino (The Lavender Girl, Myths & Hymns).

Staged in an intimate cabaret setting, the September edition of Notes from New York will feature a number of UK and European premières, including songs from Adam Guettel's new musical The Light in the Piazza, none of which have previously been performed outside of the US, selections from Michael John LaChiusa's much-loved but rarely performed repertoire and an introduction to the work of John Bucchino, whose songs have been recorded by Barbara Cook, Patti LuPone and Liza Minelli to name a few. The work of these three composers will be presented in a show celebrating adventure, exploration and living the dream.

 BroadwayWorld.com spoke briefly with Paul Spicer, Director and Musical Stager for the show. Paul trained at Arts Ed in London, where he was the recipient of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship. On completion of his course, he made his West End debut at the Prince of Wales Theatre in the role of Michael Spofford in Cameron Mackintosh's The Witches of Eastwick. He then played the lead role of Nick Piazza in the UK tour of Fame and subsequently played Billy on many occasions in Taboo at The Venue in the West End.

Other professional credits include Prince Charming in Cinderella (QDOS), Kevin in the UK workshop of the Broadway musical Debbie Does Dallas, an international production of Evita in Beirut and the UK and European première of Little by Little.

Paul headlined and musically staged the first three Notes from New York shows in the West End and is currently Associate Director and Musical Stager of the successful series. He recently toured the UK in the hit 70s musical Saturday Night Fever and reprised the role of Billy in the premier UK tour of Taboo.

Tell us about the Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship that you've won?
 
A certain amount of money is given to Arts Education every year to distribute as they see fit. At the time I was studying in school, the fees were very high and it was impossible for me to pay, so they issued me a sum and helped me out. I owe everything that I'm doing now to that scholarship and to Sir Andrew.

 
You're musically staging and directing the upcoming Notes from New York, a revue that you've also previously starred in. Why the switch?
 
We wanted the piece to grow further this time, by bringing in new talent and fresh ideas. I felt I'd given enough on stage for now and that it was time to take a step back and challenge myself in another way. I also wanted a greater creative input into September's installment.

 
Is this a sign of things to come for you? Where do your future interest sit with regards to performing vs. directing?
 
They will always lie first and foremost in performing on stage. I'm 23 and by no means am I ready to retire from that. I have so much more to learn both as a performer and a musical stager / director. I just want to broaden my scope and see where it takes me.

 
Who's music have past Notes from New York featured?
 
So far about nine composers from the States, including Jason Robert Brown, Andrew Lippa, Jonathan Larson and Jimmy Roberts to name a few. It's been an absolute pleasure for me to be able to bring them and their music to the UK for the first time.

 
What's been the reaction of London audiences thus far?
 
Just utter support for the work. We noticed a hole in the market and thought, let's get these songs out there and increase appreciation for little known work. In the States these composers are frequently presenting their music, but over here it is a rare occasion indeed which makes Notes from New York so special.

 
This Notes from New York showcases the music of 3 NY-based composers - Adam Guettel, Michael John LaChiusa, and John Bucchino - why these 3?
 
They individually stand on their own feet, but together they marry exceptionally well. Guettel's work, which has a following in the UK, is starkly contrasted with the adult realism of LaChiusa and woven into the melodic beauty of Bucchino in a show which will provide an evening of surprises and hopefully revelations.

 
Have you seen productions of any of their shows?
 
I saw the European premiere of Flloyd Collins at the Bridewell Theatre here in London and LaChiusa's The Wild Party on Broadway a few years back.

 
Will the songs be staged in concert format or with minimal sets?
 
To a certain extent the show is presented in a concert format, but it's always slightly more intelligent than that with the staging, lighting and musical direction. We try to not make the obvious choices, but to play around with the material and suit it to the performers in question. It's a case of adding humour, light and shade and seeing what happens - it's a journey.

 
What's the involvement of the 3 composers, if any?
 
So far every composer has been very forthcoming with their material, but they aren't specifically involved with putting together the show. We are often lucky enough to have a few world premieres of songs, or at the very least UK and European premières, which is always exiting. I think they all appreciate that to have your work produced anywhere in the world is a positive move and they're all extremley supportive.

 
What other projects are on your plate at the moment?
 
I'm currently involved in devisng the first year anniversary of the series, which is taking some preparation. It will be on a slightly larger scale, billed as a gala and will re-unite past casts and composers at a West End venue in November 2004. Notes from New York has come a long way in the past 12 months and the gala will be a celebration of everything it stands for. After that, who knows?

Photos Copyright: Steven Emberton


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