Richard D. Russell
Latest News on Richard D. Russell:
Thompson & Russell's IT TAKES A RAINBOW to Teach Children at MITF (Aug 4, 2017)
Midtown International Theatre Festival to Present 100 Plays in 23 Days Starting This Weekend (Jul 15, 2017)
The Midtown International Theatre Festival Announces Summer 2017 Lineup (Jul 15, 2017)
Thompson & Russell's IT TAKES A RAINBOW to Teach Children at MITF (Aug 4, 2017)
Midtown International Theatre Festival to Present 100 Plays in 23 Days Starting This Weekend (Jul 15, 2017)
The Midtown International Theatre Festival Announces Summer 2017 Lineup (Jul 15, 2017)
Richard D. Russell BIO
Richard D. Russell is the composer half of Thompson & Russell. Emily Clare Thompson writes book and lyrics.
Called “… one of the leading teams of writers of theatre for young audiences” by BroadwayWorld.com, Thompson and Russell is Emily Clare Thompson, book and lyrics, and Richard D. Russell, music. Their biggest success to date is a production of It Takes A Rainbow at the 2017 Midtown International Theater Festival in New York City’s Off-Broadway district.
Richard won “Best Music” for that festival of over 80 shows, while Emily’s original script was nominated for “Best Book.”
Thompson and Russell produced that festival presentation, garnering a further win for “Best Set Decoration,” while picking up additional nominations for “Best Costumes” and “Best Ensemble”. The musical picked up great reviews from BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, and others. (See the Reviews page for more.)
As a team, Emily and Richard participated in musical theater writing courses and workshops at ASCAP, the New School University, and Theater Resources Unlimited. Before they met, Richard had been part of the prestigious BMI Musical Theater Writing Workshop. They are also active clients of Tony Award winning producer Ken Davenport, where Richard is a member of Ken’s Mastermind group. They regularly attend various networking events for theater producers and writers. Both are ASCAPplus award winners for their collaborative efforts.
They met in 1999 at Mannes College of Music. Richard worked in the school’s administration and Emily directed the summer opera workshop program. Emily’s mother, Marian Thompson, a voice teacher at the college, introduced the two. Soon, Emily invited Richard to compose music for some of her original Shakespeare adaptations. (These musicals can be found on this website by clicking here.)
After three Shakespeare adaptations, Emily decided to try her hand at writing an original story, and the musical To A Muse was born. It was a great success, and the pair followed up with Cupid’s Bow. Continuing in the realm of myth and fantasy, the team decided to tackle the legend of King Arthur next, creating A Knight At The Round Table.
To date, Thompson & Russell have written seven original musicals.
Richard D. Russell News
Thompson & Russell's IT TAKES A RAINBOW to Teach Children at MITF
Seven little lizards leave their lodgings... in IT TAKES A RAINBOW, with book & lyrics by Emily Clare Thompson and music by Richard D. Russell, playing as part of MITF: Summer 2017, which runs July 15 - Aug 6, 2017 at WorkShop Theater, 312 W.36th Street, NYC.
Midtown International Theatre Festival to Present 100 Plays in 23 Days Starting This Weekend
The Midtown International Theatre Festival returns for another summer of quality stage works, July 15 - August 6, 2017 at the WorkShop (312 W. 36th Street, NYC). New York's oldest continuing theater festival will present 100 plays in 23 days!
The Midtown International Theatre Festival Announces Summer 2017 Lineup
The Midtown International Theatre Festival returns for another summer of quality stage works.
Midtown International Theatre Festival to Present 100 Plays in 23 Days Starting This Weekend
The Midtown International Theatre Festival returns for another summer of quality stage works, July 15 - August 6, 2017 at the WorkShop (312 W. 36th Street, NYC). New York's oldest continuing theater festival will present 100 plays in 23 days!
MITF 2017: The Oldest Continuing Theatre Festival in NYC Returns This Summer
This is an auspicious year for John Chatterton and the Midtown International Theatre Festival. MITF is now the OLDEST CONTINUING THEATRE FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK! John Chatterton has set the gold standard for presenting new and exciting independent theatrical works in NYC. This year's special festival brings more than 100 productions to Manhattan - as well as an astounding number of international works. The 18th Annual Midtown International Theatre Festival once again proves itself to be one of the best reasons to stay in New York in July!
Thompson & Russell's IT TAKES A RAINBOW to Teach Children at MITF
Seven little lizards leave their lodgings... in IT TAKES A RAINBOW, with book & lyrics by Emily Clare Thompson and music by Richard D. Russell, playing as part of MITF: Summer 2017, which runs July 15 - Aug 6, 2017 at WorkShop Theater, 312 W.36th Street, NYC.
MITF 2017: The Oldest Continuing Theatre Festival in NYC Returns This Summer
This is an auspicious year for John Chatterton and the Midtown International Theatre Festival. MITF is now the OLDEST CONTINUING THEATRE FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK! John Chatterton has set the gold standard for presenting new and exciting independent theatrical works in NYC. This year's special festival brings more than 100 productions to Manhattan - as well as an astounding number of international works. The 18th Annual Midtown International Theatre Festival once again proves itself to be one of the best reasons to stay in New York in July!
The Midtown International Theatre Festival Announces Summer 2017 Lineup
The Midtown International Theatre Festival returns for another summer of quality stage works.
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