Michael John LaChiusa Stops by The After Party, 6/8

The Laurie Beechman Theatre continues The After Party, which runs every Friday from 10:30PM till 2AM, tonight.  After Party is hosted by Mac and Bistro Award winner Brandon Cutrell ("Broadway By The Year" at Town Hall, Pippin) and XL Star winner Alysha Umphress (Boston Pops). The evening also features Bistro Award winner Ray Fellman (Musical Director, Captain Louie) on piano and MAC Award winner Lisa Asher (Stranded in the Moonlight).  The June 8th edition welcomes special guest Michael John LaChiusa, joined by actor, comedian and writer Jeffrey Essman.

LaChiusa recently premiered Send (who are you? I love you), written for Audra McDonald and commissioned by the Houston Grand Opera.  Last season saw the premieres of two new works: Bernarda Alba, at Lincoln Center Theatre; and See What I Wanna See, which premiered at the Joseph Papp Public Theatre.  The Highest Yellow, commissioned by the Signature Theatre, premiered in 2004, and received two Helen Hayes Awards.  Mr. LaChiusa was represented on Broadway during the 1999-2000 season by The Wild Party and Marie Christine (written for Ms. McDonald,) receiving Tony nominations for Best Score and Best Book (with George C. Wolfe on The Wild Party) for each show.  He was the 1998-1999 Brena and Lee Freeman Composer-in-Residence at the Lyric Opera of Chicago where his Lovers & Friends: (Chautauqua Variations) had its World Premiere in June 2001.  Other works include Little Fish, Hello Again, First Lady Suite, Break/Agnes/Eulogy for Mister Hamm, and Chronicle for a Death Foretold, for which he received a Tony nomination for Best Book (with Graciela Daniele and Jim Lewis) in 1996.  

LaChiusa is an Obie-award winner (Hello Again and First Lady Suite) and the recipient of the Gilman-Gonzalez-Falla Musical Theatre Award. His songs have been recorded by artists ranging from Lea Delaria to Audra McDonald, and have appeared on McDonald's best-selling debut album "Way Back To Paradise" (Nonesuch) as well as on "Happy Songs" (Nonesuch).  He has also provided scores for the new children's television show on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr., "The Wonder Pets." LaChiusa has been a contributing writer to The New York Times, Opera News, American Theatre and other periodicals.  He is currently on the faculty of New York University and has been a guest lecturer on musical theatre at several other universities in theUS.

Guests can sing at the open mic or sit back and enjoy a cocktail. There is no cover charge and no minimum, and a full bar and bar menu available. Reservations are not necessary, although audience members are recommended to arrive early. Seating is first come, first serve, and priority seating may be given to those who wish to order from the menu and/or the bar.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located downstairs, within The West Bank Café, 407 West 42nd St. at 9th Avenue. For more information, visit www.westbankcafe.com, www.BrandonCutrell.com, www.LisaAsher.com.

Photo of Michael John LaChiusa by Linda Lenzi