Cohen's One-Man Musical Piece Edison Invents Might Be Expanded
By: BWW News Desk Dec. 30, 2005
Ron Bohmer (The Woman in White) starred in the piece at the County Arts Center in New Jersey in 2005. Led by David Wroe, the Westfield Symphony Orchestra played the work, which clocked in at 35 minutes. Cohen and librettist Herschel Garfein are planning on expanding the piece to 90 minutes, and are also considering the addition of more actors. In its premiere, Bohmer played not only the inventor of the lightbulb as a reminiscing old man, but as a young man; he also played Edison's wife and other characters.
While Edison Invents was written as a "baritone and orchestra" piece, Cohen has stated that it can be performed with just a piano, as well. Larry Hochman provided orchestrations for the piece.
In other news for Cohen, Suburb will be released on CD in early 2006 on the Original Cast label; Alix Korey (All Shook Up, The Wild Party) and Jacquelyn Piro (Under the Bridge) will be among those featured on the disc. Written with lyricist and co-librettist David Javerbaum, the musical received a 2001 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Best Musical after being presented by the York Theatre Company. It also was the recipient of the Richard Rodgers Award and an Artie Award as Best Musical after its 2000 premiere at the Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo, NY.
The show, which concerns a young couple who decide to leave the city for the safer, greener environs of the title, also recently nabbed a U.S. licensing deal with Dramatic Publishing.
In addition to Edison Invents and Suburb, Cohen has written ballets such as String Quartet #2 (A Day in the Life), choral works (Sprig of Lilac), and other musicals such as God in Concert: (One Night Only). He is also a published author; The Half-Life of Pizza and Other Slices is a collection of short stories.
For more information, visit www.robertscohen.com. For more on Suburb, visit www.suburbthemusical.com.
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