Larry Grossman to Develop New Workshop of Snoopy! The Musical at Texas State; Hopkins to Direct, Cates Choreographs

Tony nominated, Peabody and 6 time Emmy award winner Larry Grossman will take part in a developmental workshop of Snoopy! The Musical in collaboration with the Texas State University Musical Theatre program this coming March, sponsored by the Bowman Guest Artist series. He will also serve as this year's Composer-in-Residence for the Department of Theatre and Dance at Texas State. Grossman wrote the music for Snoopy, which premiered in San Francisco in 1975. The workshop will be directed by Broadway veteran Kaitlin Hopkins, currently the head of the musical theatre program at Texas State, and choreographed by Adam Cates, whose directing and choreographing credits span Broadway musicals, opera, television, as well as commercial and concert dance. Cates will also serve as the 2015 Choreographer- in- Residence at Texas State. Students in the Texas State musical theatre program will comprise the cast. Past Artists in Residence have included Andrew Lippa, Christopher Durang and Tony Walton.

Grossman is an award-winning composer, having written for Broadway, television, film, concerts and cabaret. His Broadway credits include: Minnie's Boys, Goodtime Charley, A Doll's Life (Tony and Drama Desk nominations, written with Betty Comden and Adolph Green and directed by Harold Prince), Grind (Tony and Drama Desk nominations, also directed by Harold Prince) and Snoopy! The Musical, which is performed in six languages and received an Olivier Award nomination for its London production. Most recently his musical adaptation of Truman Capote's beloved Christmas story A Christmas Memory, with lyrics by Carol Hall, premiered at The Irish Repertory Company in New York City, which critics' and audiences agree is on its way to becoming a Christmas classic. For his work in television, he has received 6 Emmys, with a total of 17 nominations. In addition, he received a Peabody Award for his contributions to The Muppet Show. He has written special Musical material for over 100 network specials, including multiple Oscar, Emmy and the Tony telecasts.

"This is such an incredible opportunity for our program and the whole Texas State community," said Hopkins recently. "Adam and I have history with this show and a deep affection for the material. We are so excited to collaborate with Larry on a fresh look at the show. To be able to work with Larry and Adam, as well as sharing the process with my students, is a dream come true."

Adam Cates worked on the Tony Award-winning Broadway productions of A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder ("Best Musical" 2014) and Anything Goes ("Best Revival" & "Best Choreography" 2011). He worked alongside nine- time Tony winner Tommy Tune on the U.S. National Tour of Doctor Dolittle.

Adam received rave reviews for his choreography of Eugene Onegin (Juilliard Opera), as well as The Brain From Planet X (New York Musical Festival). Cates is also the author of the new book The Business of Show: a Guide to the Entertainment Industry for the Performing Artist.

Hopkins has worked in theater, film, television and radio for over 30 years. In the fall of 2009 she became head of the BFA Musical Theatre program at Texas State University. Her father, the late theatre producer Gene Persson, produced many notable plays including Tennessee William's The Red Devil Battery Sign and The Glass Menagerie (London) and Dutchman, the controversial 1964 play and 1967 film written by Amiri Baraka (aka LeRoi Jones), starring her mother actress Shirley Knight. He was, perhaps, best known for his work as the co- producer and co-creator, along with Arthur Whitelaw, of the original 1967 production of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown as well as the show's 1999 Broadway Revival, which won two Tony Awards. The producing team also produced the New York production of Snoopy. Snoopy! The Musical has music by Grossman and lyrics by Hal Hackady, with a book by Warren Lockhart, Arthur Whitelaw, and Michael Grace. The characters are from the Charles M. Schulz comic strip Peanuts. This sequel to the musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown focuses more on the life of Snoopy. Since its premiere, the musical has been a popular choice for regional, international, and amateur theatre performances.

The Bowman Guest Artist Series at Texas State is made possible by a generous gift from Mike and Dianne Bowman.