Eric Stephenson News

"We used to have a nice plantation in Mississippi.  And then, just when cotton got high, women stopped wearing cotton underwear," says Isabelle Parry in a Manhattan speakeasy in 1929. 

FIVE POINTS: an American musical, with book by Harrison David Rivers, lyrics by Douglas Lyons and music by Douglas Lyons and Ethan Pakchar, has been in residence at the Musical Theatre Factory August 4th-10th. The residency will culminate in a development sharing on August 10th with a cast that features Mike Backes ('Orange is the New Black'), Seth Eliser, RB Embleton, Alexa Green (Wicked), Katie Lee Hill (Claudio Quest), Amber Iman (Soul Doctor), Frank Manda, T. Oliver Reid (After Midnight), Noah J. Ricketts (Beautiful), Eric Stephenson, Katie Thompson (Giant), Morissa Trunzo and Kevin Worley (On the Town). FIVE POINTS is directed by Mark Schneider (Beautiful, Annie, Billy Elliot) with music direction by Madeline Smith (The Light Princess, An Octoroon).

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company continues its 35th mainstage season in June.  This year's theme is "Unexpected Encounters."

Matthew Martin, who co-wrote the popular, Broadway-aimed musical Ghostlight with Tim Realbuto will duet with his co-writer Tim's upcoming Maury Yeston tribute concert, Realbuto announced this morning. The two best friends will duet on Yeston's Love Can't Happen from 'Grand Hotel.'

Nikki Blonsky, who was originally scheduled to perform in Tim Realbuto's Bookseller in the Rain Maury Yeston tribute concert, had to withdraw from the production due to a severe flu that has left her on bed rest with extremely strict orders from her doctors.

American Idol's Eric Anthony Lopez completes the principal list of special guest stars for Tim Realbuto's Bookseller in the Rain, a tribute to the music of legendary composer Maury Yeston. Mr. Lopez joins previously announced Golden Globe nominee Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray), Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Caroline, or Change),Mara Davi ('Smash'), Jenna Leigh Green ('Sabrina, the Teenage Witch'), Joshua Colley (Les Miserables), Christine Dwyer (Wicked), Ovation Award nominee Erika Amato (Flashdance), Kimberly Faye Greenberg (Danny and Sylvia), Abigail Ludrof (The HVAC Plays), and Emily Esposito (A Christmas Story). Also present will be our guest of honor, Tony Award winning and Oscar nominated composer Maury Yeston.

Aaron Walpole (Les Miserables), Wendi Bergamini (Doctor Zhivago), and Natalie Ballenger (Orange Blossoms) complete the list of special guest stars for Tim Realbuto's Maury Yeston tribute concert Bookseller in the Rain. Bergamini and Walpole join previously announced Golden Globe nominee Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray), Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Caroline, or Change), Mara Davi ('Smash'), Jenna Leigh Green ('Sabrina, the Teenage Witch'), Laurissa Romain ('Top Five'), Joshua Colley (Les Miserables), Christine Dwyer (Wicked), Ovation Award nominee Erika Amato (Flashdance), Kimberly Faye Greenberg (Danny and Sylvia), Abigail Ludrof (The HVAC Plays), and Emily Esposito (A Christmas Story). Also present will be our guest of honor, Tony Award winning and Oscar nominated composer Maury Yeston.

Golden Globe nominee Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray; "Huge"), Mara Davi (A Chorus Line; Death Takes A Holiday), and Christine Dwyer (Wicked; Rent) join previously announced Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Caroline, or Change), Jenna Leigh Green ("Sabrina, the Teenage Witch"), Laurissa Romain ("Top Five"), Joshua Colley (Les Miserables), Ovation Award nominee Erika Amato (Flashdance), Kimberly Faye Greenberg (Danny and Sylvia), Abigail Ludrof (The HVAC Plays), and Emily Esposito (A Christmas Story) as the special guest stars for Tim Realbuto's Maury Yeston tribute concert Bookseller in the Rain.

Musical Theatre Factory (MTF) will host a developmental reading of a new folk opera, VESTIGE, written by Andrew Lynch.

On Monday, November 24 at 8pm, Musical Theatre Factory (MTF) hosted a developmental reading of MILES & ME, a new musical with Book and Lyrics by Kendell Pinkney, and Music by Danny Abosch (Fancy Nancy, Placebo). The reading will feature Ben Fankhauser (Newsies), Michael Mendez (Chaplin), and Jill Abramovitz (Cinderella) along with Jenny Rose Baker, Ally Bonino, Eric Stephenson, Jessica Kahkoska, Michael Fidalgo, and Michael Lapinsky. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the show below!

On Monday, November 24 at 8pm, Musical Theatre Factory (MTF) will host a developmental reading of MILES & ME, a new musical with Book and Lyrics by Kendell Pinkney, and Music by Danny Abosch (Fancy Nancy, Placebo),. The reading will feature Ben Fankhauser (Newsies), Michael Mendez (Chaplin), and Jill Abramovitz (Cinderella) along with Jenny Rose Baker, Ally Bonino, Eric Stephenson, Jessica Kahkoska, Michael Fidalgo, and Michael Lapinsky.

For those who didn't have the opportunity to meet the cast of the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's "Within the Law" at the opening night after-show party at Aleathea's Restaurant on September 17th, another chance is to be had on Friday, September 26 at an after-show Q&A. It's a wonderful opportunity for patrons to ask such questions as "why do they do what they do?" and "how does one find these scripts?"

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents the 1912 Broadway sensation, "Within the Law," from September 17 through October 12, with an 8:00p.m. curtain, and a Wednesday through Saturday schedule, except there is no show on Wednesday, October 8, and an added show on Sunday, October 12 at 7:30p.m.

Combining the virtuosity of world-class artists with the energy of rock stars, PROJECT Trio is breaking down traditional ideas of chamber music. The Trio, with beat-boxing flutist Greg Pattillo, cellist Eric Stephenson, and bassist Peter Seymour will perform tonight, July 16, at Caramoor@KMA in Katonah, New York. The program features the group's original compositions and arrangements that bridge many styles of music.

Combining the virtuosity of world-class artists with the energy of rock stars, PROJECT Trio is breaking down traditional ideas of chamber music. The Trio, with beat-boxing flutist Greg Pattillo, cellist Eric Stephenson, and bassist Peter Seymour will perform at SubCulture today, July 12 at 1:30pm.

Combining the virtuosity of world-class artists with the energy of rock stars, PROJECT Trio is breaking down traditional ideas of chamber music. The Trio, with beat-boxing flutist Greg Pattillo, cellist Eric Stephenson, and bassist Peter Seymour will perform at SubCulture on Saturday, July 12 at 1:30pm. The performance celebrates the final concert of PROJECT: The Camp! In addition to PROJECT Trio, the event includes fifteen students who will perform repertoire consisting of compositions and arrangements written during the week of the camp. On Wednesday, July 16, the Trio will appear at Caramoor@KMA in Katonah, New York. The program features the group's original compositions and arrangements that bridge many styles of music.

PROJECT Trio, with beat-boxing flutist Greg Pattillo, cellist Eric Stephenson and bassist Peter Seymour, will perform An Interactive Concert for individuals with Autism and their families on Saturday, June 14 at 1:00pm at the 92nd Street Y, New York. The program will include the group's original compositions and arrangements that bridge many styles of music and will have everyone in the audience participating. Admission is free for individuals with autism and their family members, however RSVP's are essential. Please RSVP at www.musicforautism.org and select "Concert Calendar" or call 877-863-7473.

PROJECT Trio, with beat-boxing flutist Greg Pattillo, cellist Eric Stephenson and bassist Peter Seymour, is releasing a new recording, Instrumental. A CD release concert/ party will be held at SubCulture in New York City tonight, May 2.

PROJECT Trio, with beat-boxing flutist Greg Pattillo, cellist Eric Stephenson and bassist Peter Seymour, is releasing a new recording, Instrumental. A CD release concert/ party will be held at SubCulture in New York City on Friday, May 2.