Seattle Offers 'Songs of David A. Austin,' July 28

Contemporary Classics continues its dedication to presenting new and exciting musical theatre to Seattle with an evening of songs by up-and-coming composer (and former Seattle-ite) David A. Austin. The evening includes music direction by R.J. Tancioco and performances by Nick DeSantis, Brandon Ivie, Kat Ramsburg, Ryah Nixon, Jessica Skerritt and more.

David A. Austin is a composer-lyricist-librettist-performer who recently relocated from Seattle to New York. He is a member of the BMI Workshop in New York, and his upcoming musical Writing Arthur is taking steps towards Broadway in the 2007-2008 season produced by producers of Spring Awakening, Legally Blonde and The Drowsy Chaperone.

"We are very excited to be giving David the showcase he deserves here in Seattle," says producer Brandon Ivie. "He's truly one of the most talented contemporary writers out there and I'm very happy to be giving this night to him, and having his music performed by some of his close Seattle friends. We're all so thrilled for his success." This concert is a peek into his new musical Writing Arthur. 
 
Over the past year, Austin has been working with Jennifer Maloney, a Tony Award winning producer of Spring Awakening, as well as Legally Blonde and Chita Rivera, A Dancer's Life, and Roy Miller, the Tony Award nominated producer of The Drowsy Chaperone. Cast members have ranged from Sutton Foster to Ana Gasteyer to Nancy Opel and Stephen DeRosa as the show has been through two workshops in New York, through TheatreWorks Palo Alto. He is a proud member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Writer's workshop.  Along with Writing Arthur, he is also writing the music and lyrics to: Lila with esteemed playwrights Russ Weatherford and Carolyn Graupner Kennedy.  Albums of his musicals include: Every Little Vow and A Christmas Carol, which were produced by TMCWorks and are available in stores, online and through TMCWorks.org. 

He has been commissioned by some of the countries leading theatres including both the 5th Avenue Theatre and The Village Theatre.  He recently wrote music and lyrics the 5th Avenue Adventure Musical Theatre's touring show Klondike, the Great Alaskan Gold Rush with playwright Bill Berry. As a performer, Austin has toured the US and China and worked at many of the countries leading theatres.  He recently starred as Jeff Bennet in the off-Broadway production of I Love You Because opposite Tony nominee Stephanie D'Abruzzo as well as starring in Rags opposite Eden Espinosa and Carolee Carmello. 

Contemporary Classics is a new production company dedicated to producing Seattle premieres of contemporary musicals. In addition to Seattle premieres, Contemporary Classics also puts a large focus on developing new works, presenting cabarets, and re-conceiving older musicals, all while using the best up-and-coming talent Seattle has to offer. Contemporary Classics produced the lauded Northwest premiere of john & jen, a new staging of The Last Five Years and the hit Seattle premiere of A New Brain.

The concert takes place July 28 at 8pm at the Where Ethnic Cultural Theatre (3940 Brooklyn Ave NE in the U District).  More casting will be announced.

Tickets for "The Songs of David A. Austin" can be purchased for $10 and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com.