Cutting-Edge Composers is in the studio with Eli Bolin exclusively on Broadwayworld.com. We caught up with Eli to find out about his upcoming productions of Found at NY Stage and Film, and Volleygirls, starring Susan Blackwell, at NYMF. Check out the video below for insight into Eli's writing process, and a sneak peek at two songs from two of his latest musicals! You might even see a surprise guest performance from Volleygirls cast member Jennifer Johnson.
Welcome to our first edition of "Cutting-Edge Composers In the Studio" exclusively on Broadwayworld.com! Today, we are in the studio with Joe Iconis, and his collaborators Jason Sweettooth Williams and Lance Rubin. You can hear Joe discuss his inspiration for writing, his experience with SMASH, what it's like to work with the Joe Iconis Family, and his upcoming projects. These talented gentlemen also shared a live performance of the song "Outlaw" from their show Bloodsong of Love and a song from their new musical in progress entitled Annie Golden: Bounty Hunter, Yo! Joe sent us this synopsis for his latest creative endeavor: What if musical theater legend Annie Golden starred in a show as a bad-ass action hero?' That was the idea that led to this musical, Annie Golden: Bounty Hunter, Yo, which uses the conventions---both theatrical and musical---of 70's blaxploitation films to tell the story of a widowed down-on-her-luck theatre actress who becomes a bounty hunter and goes on a journey of self-discovery and serious ass-kicking.
This week's featured composer is Benjamin Velez. Benjamin Velez is a composer/lyricist and recent Columbia University graduate where he studied film and wrote the 114th Annual Varsity Show. He is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater workshop where he was named the Jerry Harrington award winner for the 2nd year workshop. His work has been featured as part of AWOL's 8 Minute Musicals at NYMF, The Platform concert series, and in last year's NEO concert. He is currently workshopping his original musical Afterland with collaborator Kathryn Hathaway, and recently premiered the title song at Joe's Pub as part of the latest CEC concert. While originally from Miami, he is now happy to call New York home sweet home.
The Song 'Ordinary Day' is by extraordinary writers Paul Loesel (Music) and Scott Burkell (book and lyrics). We are thrilled to share their Cutting-Edge Composers video starring Donna Vivino (Wicked), Eric Michael Krop (Godspell), Blake Daniel (Spring Awakening), and Maddy Trumble (Mary Poppins)!
Here's 'Brooklyn's Union Hall' by Joel Waggoner and Eric Price. 'The inspiration for the song was to write about the moment it was announced that Barack Obama had won the 2008 Presidential Election,' said Price. Zachary Prince (the Last Five Years) stars in this video from our most recent concert at Joe's Pub.
Our featured composer of the week is Jonathan Reid Gealt. Here is an exclusive video of powerhouse performer Katie Thompson, who recently starred in the musical Giant at the Public Theater, singing Jonathan's song 'No Reason at All' at our Cutting-Edge Composers concert at the Canal Room.
This week's feature is 'Seeing You There' by Adam Gwon. Tony-nominee Josh Young (Jesus Christ Superstar), who happens to be a co-founder of Cutting-Edge Composers, sang this at our first concert at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.
Our featured composer this week is Ryan Scott Oliver. Here is his song "Halfway" sung by Morgan Karr (Spring Awakening) and Jay Armstrong Johnson (Hands on a Hardbody) at our Cutting-Edge Composers concert at the Canal Room. We asked Ryan where he got the inspiration for the song and this was his reply:
BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre web site on the net, is thrilled to announce the latest addition to its unmatched line-up of exclusive, engaging TV programs. Launching today, CUTTING-EDGE COMPOSERS CORNER is a newly minted weekly series showcasing the up and coming 'next generation' of Broadway songwriters. Each episode will delight audiences with great songs from upcoming musicals performed by distinguished stars, enlightening interviews, and fresh perspectives from tomorrow's marquee talent.
This week at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, February 4-10, 2013, features Cutting Edge Composers, Richard Thompson, Diane Cluck, Losers Lounge, Lady Rizo, Nora York and Joey Arias.
After sold out shows at the Canal Room, the Laurie Beechman, and NYMF, Cutting-Edge Composers will be presented at Joe's Pub on Monday, February 4th at 7:00pm. $25 tickets can be purchased at www.joespub.com.
Each week Joe's Pub at The Public presents some of New York City's most eclectic programming ranging from world to classical, pop, singer-songwriter, jazz and more. At the center of Joe's Pub's genre-blind booking is The Public Theater's mission to bring world-class performance to New York City's diverse cultural community.
After sold out shows at the Canal Room, the Laurie Beechman, and NYMF, Cutting-Edge Composers will be at Joe's Pub on Monday, February 4th at 7:00pm at Joe's Pub in New York City. $25 tickets can be purchased at www.joespub.com. Up-and-coming musical theater writers are teamed with Broadway's hottest performers in this concert series directed and produced by Laura Pietropinto (Next to Normal) and co-produced by Jillian Robbins with Musical Direction by Julie McBride.
Cutting-Edge Composers presented the next generation of musical theatre songwriters last night, July 23 at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 w. 46th Street). The event was directed and produced by Laura Pietropinto (Next to Normal), co-produced by Jillian Robbins and Musically Directed by Virginia Hart Pike.
BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities and we bring you photos from the star-studded concert below!
After sold-out shows at the Canal Room and the Laurie Beechman, Cutting-Edge Composers brings its latest concert to NYMF tonight, July 23rd at 7 and 9:30 pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 w. 46th Street). Up-and-coming musical theatre writers are teamed with Broadway's hottest performers at the concert directed and produced by Laura Pietropinto (Next to Normal), co-produced by Jillian Robbins, and musically directed by Virginia Hart Pike.
After sold-out shows at the Canal Room and the Laurie Beechman, Cutting-Edge Composers brings its latest concert to NYMF on Monday, July 23rd at 7 and 9:30 pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 w. 46th Street). Up-and-coming musical theatre writers are teamed with Broadway's hottest performers at the concert directed and produced by Laura Pietropinto (Next to Normal), co-produced by Jillian Robbins, and musically directed by Virginia Hart Pike.
The graduation for the Commercial Theater Institute's Extensive 16-week Seminar was held recently at The Broadway League. Every year, a small group of theatre professionals are selected for this program which covers a wide range of topics lead by the most distinguished industry professionals as lecturers and panelists.
After sold-out shows at the Canal Room and the Laurie Beechman, Cutting-Edge Composers brings its latest concert to NYMF on Monday, July 23rd at 7 and 9:30 pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 w. 46th Street). Up-and-coming musical theatre writers are teamed with Broadway's hottest performers at the concert directed and produced by Laura Pietropinto (Next to Normal) and co-produced by Jillian Robbins.
