Drew Fornarola News

What happens when a composer and a lyricist have to write a song from a new musical (invented on the spot), in a style determined by the spin of the dreaded Genre Wheel . . . in 20 minutes? Brainfrying fun! Brave musical theater composers and lyricists David Ingber, Erin Hill, Jack Lechner, James Harvey, Kristin Bair and Rosemary Loar will step up to the songwriting plate on April 14 at 7pm at Stage 72 (The Triad).

What happens when a composer and a lyricist have to write a song from a new musical (invented on the spot), in a style determined by the spin of the dreaded Genre Wheel . . . in 20 minutes? Brain-frying fun! Brave musical theater composers and lyricists Kevin Ray, Arianna Rose, Dan Wolpow, Adam Spiegel, Andy Roninson, and Drew Fornarola will step up to the creative plate in the April 7 premiere of the exciting new songwriting competition TUNE IN TIME at Stage 72 (formerly The Triad) at 7pm. The finals will be on April 14 at 7pm.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Telly Leung, Ruthie Ann Miles, & more in Tiananmen: A New Musical In Concert on March 27. Tiananmen is an original rock musical that follows the story of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing.

Pace University's Pace New Musicals (PNM) program (est. 2007 by Program Head Amy Rogers), dedicated to the discovery of new theater works, and Ryan Scott Oliver, composer- lyricist and producer, will present a staged reading of Little Miss Fix-It (book and lyrics by Kirsten A. Guenther and music by Joy Son) today, January 23-27, 2014.

Contestants in LA's Next Great Stage Star competition had an exciting second week on Sunday, January 12th. The theme for this round was Breaking New Ground - A Little New Music, and featured songs from some of today's most up and coming musical theatre writers.

Pace University's Pace New Musicals (PNM) program (est. 2007 by Program Head Amy Rogers), dedicated to the discovery of new theater works, and Ryan Scott Oliver, composer- lyricist and producer, will present a staged reading of Little Miss Fix-It (book and lyrics by Kirsten A. Guenther and music by Joy Son) on January 23-27, 2014.

Broadway's Future Songbook Series - presented by Arts and Artists at St. Paul - will continue Dec. 14 at 2:30 PM and Dec. 16 at 6 PM with two holiday concerts featuring new holiday songs.

INSPIRED: A Benefit Concert for the ASPCA of NYC and The Last Resort Rescue of NJ took place on September 22, 2013. The concert invited the audience into the hearts and minds of some of today's exciting musical theatre writers in a casual and intimate setting as they sit behind the piano and, unlike traditional concerts of their material, perform songs by other writers that have inspired their work. Scroll down for photos from the show!

On Wednesday, September 25th at 11:30 pm, WRITER'S BLOCK is back at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street). Hosted by Joe Iconis (The Black Suits at Center Theatre Group, Joe Iconis and Family at 54 Below), WRITERS BLOCK features fresh, new work by some of the New York's most talented up-and-coming songwriters of contemporary musical theatre and beyond. The September 25th event features new work by Broadway veteran Annie Golden (Hair, Assassins, Orange is the New Black), Mighty Kate (Kate Pfaffl from War Horse - Broadway), Eli Bolin (Volleygirls, Sesame Street, Found), and more. Want to perform your own original work at 54 Below? Join us on Wednesday for the chance to sign up for one of the open-mic slots!

Brad Alexander, David Are, Carner & Gregor, Bobby Cronin, Drew Fornarola, Michael Holland, Rob Rokicki, Georgia Stitt, Katie Thompson, & Michael Patrick Walker star in INSPIRED: A Benefit Concert for the ASPCA of NYC and The Last Resort Rescue of NJ, tonight, September 22nd, 7pm at Stage 72/Triad.

ATLANTIC FOR KIDS presents the World Premiere of Molly Shannon's Tilly the Trickster, with Music and Lyrics by Drew Fornarola and Book by Jeremy Dobrish, Based on the book Tilly the Trickster by Molly Shannon. Tilly the Trickster by Molly Shannon was originally published by Abrams Books for Young Readers on September 1, 2011 and is available from major bookstores as well as online retailers.

When Molly Shannon's 'Tilly the Trickster' makes its world premiere at Atlantic Theater September 21 - October 13, at least one cast member will be fulfilling an important personal goal.

Brad Alexander, David Are, Carner & Gregor, Bobby Cronin, Drew Fornarola, Michael Holland, Rob Rokicki, Georgia Stitt, Katie Thompson, & Michael Patrick Walker star in INSPIRED: A Benefit Concert for the ASPCA of NYC and The Last Resort Rescue of NJ, on Sunday September 22nd, 7pm at Stage 72/Triad. Check out the trailer for the event below!

Brad Alexander, David Are, Carner & Gregor, Bobby Cronin, Drew Fornarola, Michael Holland, Rob Rokicki, Georgia Stitt, Katie Thompson, & Michael Patrick Walker star in INSPIRED: A Benefit Concert for the ASPCA of NYC and The Last Resort Rescue of NJ, on Sunday September 22nd, 7pm at Stage 72/Triad.

ATLANTIC FOR KIDS presents the World Premiere of Molly Shannon's Tilly the Trickster, with Music and Lyrics by Drew Fornarola and Book by Jeremy Dobrish, Based on the book Tilly the Trickster by Molly Shannon. Tilly the Trickster by Molly Shannon was originally published by Abrams Books for Young Readers on September 1, 2011 and is available from major bookstores as well as online retailers.

Nikki Bohne (Bring It On, Legally Blonde), Brett Theile (Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark), Max Chernin (RATED RSO: MT-17, NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation), Cait Doyle (Hot Mess in Manhattan), and Cathryn Salamone (All of My Friends are Whores: Pace University Does Drew Fornarola) are the cast of Broadway and Off-Broadway actors who will take part in a one-night-only concert of songs by new musical theatre writer Addison O'Donnell August 17th in New York City.

We're celebrating the summer with one of our favorite songs by Drew Fornarola! This week's video features AJ Shively singing 'Eight and Five' at our CEC concert at NYMF last summer.

Nikki Bohne (Bring It On, Legally Blonde), Brett Theile (Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark), Max Chernin (RATED RSO: MT-17, NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation), Cait Doyle (Hot Mess in Manhattan), and Cathryn Salamone (All of My Friends are Whores: Pace University Does Drew Fornarola) are the cast of Broadway and Off-Broadway actors who will take part in a one-night-only concert of songs by new musical theatre writer Addison O'Donnell August 17th in New York City.