McBroom, Lippa, Etc. to Take Part in AMTP's Master Classes

The American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) of Northwestern University is searching for talented young song writers and song writing teams (aged 18 to 30) to participate in the free workshops and master classes that are part of the Aug. 12 to 18 program titled "Power of the American Popular Song." Sponsors plan to hold this celebration of the great American songbook annually.

Hosted for the second consecutive year by AMTP, in association with the Johnny Mercer Foundation, the weeklong summer 2007 program will be held on the University's Evanston campus. Last year's program included emerging songwriters from all over the country representing the worlds of music, theatre, pop, folk and country.

"Power of the American Popular Song" will feature some of America's most prominent songwriters and singers, including Amanda McBroom ("The Rose"); Craig Carnelia (Sweet Smell of Success, Imaginary Friends, Is There Life After High School); Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, Asphalt Beach); and Lari White, Broadway performer (Ring of Fire), record producer (Toby Keith's platinum album "White Trash with Money") and recording artist (her rhythm and blues flavored "Green Eyed Soul") -- all working in the tradition of the legendary Johnny Mercer.

These guest artists will serve as faculty for a weeklong educational program of master classes and workshops for a jury-selected group of young composers.

In addition to working with the student writers, three of the guest artists will give musical performances of their own material and discuss their work as songwriters during public evening presentations throughout the week that will have an admission charge.

The "Power of the American Popular Song" week's activities will culminate in a concert featuring the guest faculty artists, the 2007 class of songwriters and student performers from the Northwestern University Music Theatre Program in a presentation of new songs, and a salute to Johnny Mercer. The new material will explore the function of the popular song in shaping and reflecting American culture, experience and identity.

Johnny Mercer (1909-1976) was one of America's most influential and prolific songwriters. He wrote some of the most enduring standards of the 20th century, including "Accentuate the Positive," "You Must Have Been A Beautify Baby," "I Remember You," "Come Rain Or Come Shine," "One For My Baby," "Hooray For Hollywood" and "Moon River." Mercer wrote songs for 90 motion pictures, won four Academy Awards and wrote six Broadway shows, including "St. Louis Woman" and "Li'l Abner." He discovered and nurtured artists including vocalists Margaret Whiting, Jo Stafford, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

Because of the support of the Johnny Mercer Foundation, there is no fee for this weeklong workshop for the approximately 12-writers/ writing teams selected. Some stipends will be offered to cover travel and boarding expenses.

The Johnny Mercer Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the American popular song and the continuation of the tradition of Johnny Mercer's artistry and generosity. For more information on the foundation visit www.johnnymercerfoundation.com.

The American Music Theatre Project is a new initiative at Northwestern University dedicated to the development of new musicals
and the creation of educational opportunities in the field of musical theatre.

Applicants will be required to submit three songs for adjudication.  All submissions must be postmarked by May 4. All selected participants will be notified by May 25.

For an application, and more information about the program and the guest faculty artists, visit the American Music Theatre Project Web
site at www.amtp.northwestern.edu or call (847) 467-0333.

All of the following "Power of the American Popular Song" events will be open to the public, and will be held at 8 p.m. in the University's
Josephine Louis Theatre, 20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston campus.  Ticket prices will be announced at a later date.

• Three "Conversations and Cabarets," hosted by Michael Kerker, director of musical theatre for the American Society of Composers,
Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), will feature the following guest artists: Aug. 14, Craig Carnelia; Aug. 15, Amanda McBroom; and Aug. 16, Andrew Lippa.

• Aug. 17, "Songwriter Showcase" will feature 12 of America's most promising young songwriters.

• Aug. 18, "Mercer Melodies," a gala concert, will feature guest artist and Northwestern alumnus Brian d'Arcy James, a Tony Award-
nominated actor and singer ("Sweet Smell of Success," "The Wild Party," "Titanic,") who will be playing the title role of Dr. Frankenstein in the workshop of Mel Brooks' upcoming new musical "Young Frankenstein."

Reservations for these summer events will be taken after June 1 by calling the Theatre and Interpretation Center box office at (847)
491-7282.

Visit www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/ for more information.

Photo of Andrew Lippa by Ben Strothmann