The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop announces its biannual Showcase of new songs from Workshop writers. The event will be held at the Marjorie S . Deane Little Theater, 10 West 64th Street (between Broadway and Central Park West) at 5:30PM and is open to members of the entertainment industry and Workshop members Reservations are a must: Ssantana@bmi.com or 212 220-3177. Running time is 75 minutes.
"Christmas Without You" is written by bookwriter/lyricist Joe Kinosian & composer Kellen Blair. Their Murder for Two currently completes a seven month run at the Chicago Shakespeare Festival. Jeff Blumenkrantz, Tony® nominated for his contributions to Urban Cowboy, is represented with "Just Because," sung by Gillian Goldberg, who performed in the premiere production of Calvin Berger. Michael Ogborn's The Three Maries a new musical comedy about Queen Marie of Romania's visit to Philadelphia in the late 1920's tells how two local residents become part of the historic event. Tracie Higgins performs "The Diction Lesson" with composer-lyricist-bookwriter Ogborn.
Lyricist Raymond Bokhour ("Mr. Cellophane" in Chicago) and writing partner composer Simon Grey, both BMI Foundation Harrington Award Winners are represented with two songs from The Suicide, an original musical comedy set in Stalin's brutal Soviet Union adapted from the play by Nikolai Erdman. Ashley Fox Linton (Wicked, Les Misèrables) sings Matthew Hardy & Emmy Winner Randy Klein's "Everything You Long For" from their original musical Flambé Dreams. Composer/lyricist Adam Overett is represented by "A Singer Prepares" performed by Sara Wordsworth, performer and co-writer of In Transit recently seen at 59E59.
Carey Anderson (Sophie in Mamma Mia) performs "Exciting to Me" from the new musical Touched by Matt Van Brink & Charlie Sohne. Raissa Katona Bennett (Broadway's Christine in Phantom of the Opera) and Jeannine Frumess (The Kid) sing "Prom Night" by Outer Circle Critics Award winning composer Andy Monroe from his new musical Drive. Leo Ash Evens, recently in Wanda's World, reteams with "Wanda" Composer-Lyricist Beth Falcone performing "We Must Save the Planet" from her new musical Love in the age of Therapy." Jeff Ward sings "Step Right Up" by composer David Gaines and Lyricist Michele Foor whose work was performed at Lincoln Center's Bruno Walter Auditorium last December. Ward will also perform his own song "You Brought Me Corn."
Igor Goldin, who directs the event is a Drama Desk nominee (Yank) and Winner of NYMF's 2011 Best Director Award for Pride and Prejudice. Stage Manager is Karen Evanouskas.
Previous Showcase participants include Best Musical Tony® Award winners Robert Lopez (Book of Mormon, Ave Q), Jeff Marx (Avenue Q), Pulitzer, Olivier and Tony Award winner Edward Kleban (A Chorus Line, A Class Act), Tony Award winner Maury Yeston (Nine, Titanic, Grand Hotel, Death Takes a Holiday), Pulitzer and Tony Winners Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal), Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Steven Flaherty (Ragtime) and multiple Golden Globe and Oscar Winner Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast.)
