Julie McBride Videos

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.

Whazzup,folks? It's Lourds Lane here again- the book/music/lyrics writer of the rock musical, CHIX 6. This month, we will begin our limited 5 week run at the Queens Theatre in the Park from September 27 to October 30 before we head to Broadway in 2012!

Hey there! Lourds Lane again! As you know, the cast of CHIX 6 is in rehearsal now for our developmental run at the Queens Theatre in the Park. Next year, it's Broadway... and I've never been busier in my life.