SHIDA Receives One Night Only Concert Presentation at Birdland, 8/15

SHIDA, the new one-woman musical I have been developing with the amazing Jeannette Bayardelle (The Color Purple; Hair), will be having a One-Night-Only Concert Presentation at Birdland on Monday, August 15th, at 7:00pm. Tickets are selling fast, so advance reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets are $25, plus a $10 food or drink minimum. For more information about SHIDA or to book your tickets, CLICK HERE, or call 212-581-3080.

In other news, I have written the book for a new musical called BEYOND THE MUSIC, with music and lyrics by 13-time Emmy Award winner Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. I am working with an extraordinary cast and music director Fred Lassen as we prepare this project for an upcoming reading in New York. For more information, check out: Playbill.com

Following our successful run in Ohio this past fall, I have been hard at work with librettist Bill Russell (Side Show) and composer Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao) on THE LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA in anticipation of our New York premiere. Any of you who have spoken with me for more than five minutes in the past few years already knows how excited I am about this show. For more information about this original and irreverent four-character musical comedy, keep an eye on www.LastSmoker.com.

With Alan Brody and ElLen Berman at the reading of Operation Epsilon.

Last month, I directed a workshop of OPERATION EPSILON, a new play by Alan Brody, at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida. It was a great experience and an invaluable step in the development of this provocative and intelligent new work.

I have also been working with authors Scott Elmegreen and Drew Fornarola on the development of a new three-character play called STRAIGHT. I look forward to sharing more news about this one soon.

In May, I directed a reading of the new musical SUMMER SCHLOCK, which I have been developing with author Kevin Carter. We had the privilege to work with an amazing cast and music director Andy Einhorn.

Last but not least, I am pleased to report that A PERFECT FUTURE, the new play by David Hay which I produced at the Cherry Lane Theatre earlier this year under the direction of Wilson Milam, is being published and will soon be available for stock and amateur licensing through Broadway Play Publishing. For further inquiries, please visit www.APerfectFuture.com.

Though this summer has not been a quiet one, I am grateful and excited to be working with so many gifted collaborators on the development of these new plays and musicals. I look forward to hearing what is new in your world!