On Viareggio Beach, Italy, doing...ahem...research for Stepchild(set in Italy).
Re:BLOGGING
Okay, I have been a terrible Blogger. I just felt that with all that’s happening in the world, it seems silly talking about myself in a blog…. but look, it’s show business, and that’s what I gotta do. Also, I have exciting experiences to share about projects I have been working on for many years! Thank you for checking it out…
STEPCHILD: A NEW MUSICAL
Actress Amelia Hensley as "Orella" in "Stepchild: A New Musical". With singer/actress Nicole Vande Zande, and ASL interpreter Samantha Kupferberg.
Wow. What an incredible whirlwind this show has been. I can’t believe how much I have learned. Along with my beloved collaborators, co-librettist Chad Kessler and co-conceiver Kori Rushton, I was able to showcase what I believe to be the best of my work as a composer/lyricist. More importantly, I am privileged enough to get to SEE my songs and story interpreted by incredible Deaf talent through ASL.!! I am so lucky! I love it so much.
However, it's important that us hearing people don't get so caught up in the notion of just watching a pretty little "hand dance". I've learned, and I am still learning, the vital necessity ASL is for so many people around this world! More than just beautiful, it is essential for communication, and not to be taken for granted as something just visually stimulating for an audience. As I struggle in my ASL classes, I realize.... it ain't that easy! Ha! I am always riding the wave of a huge learning curve, and consistantly humbled by what I am learning in this "work in progress" I call "me". .
Artist rendering (by Olga Whitmoyer) of "Orella" from "Stepchild:A New Musical" Book By Chad Kessler and David James Boyd, music and lyrics by David James Boyd. Based on a concept by Kori Rushton, David James Boyd and Chad Kessler.
And at the same time, this year remains one of my most exciting and creatively fulfilling yet. First, we were accepted into the Rough Draft Festival at La Guardia Performing Arts Center. I loved the Rough Draft Festival because the title of it suggests that you can kind of succeed and fail at the same time, unlike with other festivals, which (I believe unfairly) actually have critics come and give reviews that you can’t erase from a Google search on your show. At times this is detrimental to the development of a young show, as it becomes harder to sell. I highly recommend this experience to any writer who just wants a chance to get their show up on it’s feet. The team there is lovely and supportive, much gratitude to Handan Ozbilgin Bromley, Scott F. Davis and also to Steven Hitt for your constant inspiration!
In Monticchiello, Tuscany, Italy, doing...um...more research for Stepchild{set in Italy). Yeah. Hm hm.
Our presentation was received with an overwhelmingly positive response, with much constructive criticism being considered in our current re-writes. We really had the best of the best at the helm. Our incredibly talented Drama Desk nominated director, Kim Weild (Fetes De La Nuit, Soot And Spit, First Love, American Moor) really helped us shape and mold our “Deaf Cinderella” story in just a short few weeks, before a five day rehearsal period that scared the hell out of me, but proved beneficial in terms of focus and concentration. Bless you Kim!
Alexandria Wailes, Chad Kessler, Kim Weild, David James Boyd and Kori Rushton. Photo: Nina Wurtzel
A show featuring drama, song and American Sign Language is no easy feat. We accomplished this with the tremendous help and vision of our brilliant Director Of Artistic Sign Language(D.A.S.L.),Alexandria Wailes, most recently of Children Of A Lesser God on Broadway. She also has appeared on Broadway in the recent revivals of Big River and Spring Awakening and can be seen in the upcoming I Was Most Alive With You by Craig Lucas at Playwrights Horizons. I can’t even believe she ran from signing for Pink at the Super Bowl to our meetings for Stepchild, haha!! OMG! Thank you so much Alexandria for everything!
Alexandria Wailes
Music Direction for the show was done by the fierce Dan Pardo.(Goodspeed musicals, Come From Away). It’s a miracle when you get to work with someone who makes your music sound like gold. He found the best possible musicians, (Joseph Brent and Kevin Garcia) not to mention Dan's own Ivory-tickling prowess, ha! Thanks so much, Dan! Oooh, also catch Dan's web show, "Pardo's Turn". Great and fun analysis of the American Songbook!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI95nfhBEvaq3LqLUG7zf_w
The glorious cast, crew and creatives of Stepchild.
The Cast! Amelia Hensley (Broadway’s Spring Awakening, I Was Most Alive With You), Melissa van der Schiff (Broadway’s Big River, Bonnie And Clyde), Dickie Hearts(TV’s Grace And Frankie), and our own D.A.S.L., Alexandria Wailes, made star turns in the presentation, as did the fabulously talented Miss Nicole Vande Zande, Jacob Hoffman, Alexandra Mazzuccelli, April Lavalle, Johnny Link and 13 year-old Catalene Sachietti Manganelli. I fell for each and every one of them and couldn’t be more proud of the work they did!
With Catalene Sacchetti Manganelli
Moreover, and then enough about Stepchild, we were featured on DPAN, the nation's largest Sign Language Network, and that was perhaps one of the biggest thrills of all! Thank you. Josh Castille, for giving us a platform, and for spreading the word.
Oh wait! Finally, songs from Stepchild made their West Coast Premiere in Beverley Hills this summer, at the Wallis Annenberg Center. I was reunited with Catalene Sacchetti Manganelli and Amelia Hensley and it was magic all over again! So nice to work with singer Kristina Meyering as well. Thank you Jo-Ann Dean and Mona Jean Cedar for throwing this amazing ASL cabaret full of dancing, music, poetry and comedy. They are coming to NYC so watch out, it is truly an unforgettable evening.Terrylene Sacchetti (brilliant actress, ASL Poet, activist, and also Cat's mom) re-assured and encouraged me when I attempted my limited ASL. She also is the soul and spirit behind so much of this show…Thank you, Love!
David James Boyd and Amelia Hensley
More workshops, readings and presentations of Stepchild to come…:)
Aaaahhhh, Florence, Italy. Ciao, "Research For Stepchild (set in Italy) Trip"! But wait...just a little more below...
PROJECT X
My next project is a new musical, a rock/soul/pop opera that is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. The thrill of theatre is collaborating with such immense talent. Of course, I re-team with my frequent collaborator and all-around inspiration, Chad Kessler. However this time, we work with new and exciting collaborators!
Queen of development is acclaimed director Rachel Klien, whose direction for the recent Off-Broadway Grateful Dead musical (Red Roses Green Gold) was incredible. I sat in the audience with all of the 70-year old potheads(never has the Minetta Lane Theatre smelled this way to my knowledge. I was shocked and amused simultaneously. And maybe a little high…) and smiled from ear to ear, watching as everyone sang along with the actors. Rachel did a fantastic job of navigating through this strange, kooky and delightful world!
Myself, Chad Kessler, Rachel Klein and Erik Ransom
It's so great to be able to work with our dear talented friend, Erik Ransom(Coming, More than All The World)! His show Grindr:The Opera is a sold out hit in Chicago and London, in addition to being nominated for numerous awards. I can't wait to set more of my music to his visceral, poetic lyrics as we plow forward with "Project X".
Creations Music
Oh, how do I love singing in one of the best wedding bands in NYC! ? I am totally ham enough to make drunk people dance, and not for nothin', I sometimes get to have lobster and fillet mignon for dinner while I'm working,. There, I said it!
Stephanie Ver Eecke, Kim Sozzi and David James Boyd
I have the best possible time singing with my gorgeous besties Kim Sozzi (Billboard # 1 recording artist) and Stephanie Ver Eecke (Lifetime TV's Love at First Flight, ). I love everyone in the band and it’s an honor to play with such accomplished musicians! Book us now, you won’t regret it.
REMEMBERING OUR FRIENDS
Robbyne Kaamil
NYC night life will never be the same without our dear friends Robbyne Kaamil and Poppi Kramer. Both fixtures in the NYC nightlife scene, both hilarious female comedians/performers. We lost them both in roughly the same week, and that was rough. However, these moments remind us of how lucky we are, and these two beautiful spirits live in the hearts and minds of so many gays. No really. Those bitches knew ALL the gays, tho. We still hear their laughs, and that gives us comfort, and helps us find "Grateful"! Rest In Peace, beautiful souls.
Poppi Kramer
SO MUCH AHEAD!
...As always, working on, developing, discussing and pitching many projects for theatre, film and television! Stay tuned, more to come, and thank you for reading! Xx djb
