The first-ever ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop was held at the Chicago Cultural Center in April. Co-sponsored by the city's Department of Cultural Affairs, the program featured excerpts from three new musicals: Breathe, Becoming George, and River's End, which were selected from over 150 submissions. ASCAP composer/lyricist Craig Carnelia directed the program over four evenings.
The ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in Chicago is part of an ongoing series of workshops sponsored by The ASCAP Foundation to nurture new American musicals.� This new program was funded in part through the generosity of Peter Schneider, former Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios and the Producer of the Broadway musical, The Lion King.
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Pictured (back row, l-r) are Larry Wilker (producer, Urinetown); Dan Martin and Michael Biello (writers of the musical Breathe); Patti McKenny (co-writer of the musical Becoming George); Carnelia; Stephen Schwartz (artistic director of the workshop); Doug Frew and Linda Eisenstein (co-writers of the musical Becoming George); and (front, l-r) ASCAP's Michael A. Kerker, and Cheri Coons and Chuck Larkin (co-writers of the musical River's End). |
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About the musicals:
BREATHE
By Michael Biello and Dan Martin (book, music, lyrics) from Philadelphia, PA.
A collection of seven short musicals celebrating Gay and Lesbian life.
BECOMING GEORGE
By Linda Eisenstein (music) from Cleveland, OH; and Doug Frew (book, lyrics) and Patti McKenny (book, lyrics) from Chicago, IL.
In the summer of 1870, three artists - George Sand, Alexandre Dumas the Younger, and Sarah Bernhardt - consider the relevance of a piece of theatre.
RIVER'S END
By Cheryl Coons (book, lyrics) and Chuck Larkin (music) from Chicago, IL
Based on the true story of newlyweds Glen and Bessie Hyde, who vanished on their honeymoon in the Grand Canyon in 1928.
Listen to Chicago National Public Radio's interview with Craig Carnelia and Michael Kerker.
Look under April 29 for ASCAP's Musical Theatre Workshop Comes to Chicago.
