Notes from New York - Interview with Paul Spicer - Director & Musical Stager
By: Robert Diamond Sep. 05, 2004
Notes from New York, the West End show that showcases contemporary US musical theatre returns on Sunday, September 19th at the Trafalgar Studios in London. The show's latest incarnation features the work of the multi-award winning grandson of musical
theatre legend Richard Rodgers, Adam Guettel (Floyd Collins, Myths
& Hymns), Tony Award nominee Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party,
Marie Christine, Hello Again) and New York's best kept musical theatre
secret, John Bucchino (The Lavender Girl, Myths & Hymns).
Staged in an intimate cabaret setting,
the September edition of Notes from New York will feature a number of
UK and European premières, including songs from Adam Guettel's new
musical The Light in the Piazza, none of which have previously been
performed outside of the US, selections from Michael John LaChiusa's
much-loved but rarely performed repertoire and an introduction to the
work of John Bucchino, whose songs have been recorded by Barbara Cook,
Patti LuPone and Liza Minelli to name a few. The work of these three composers will be presented in a show celebrating adventure, exploration and living the
dream. BroadwayWorld.com spoke briefly with Paul Spicer, Director and Musical Stager for the show. Paul trained at Arts Ed in London, where he was the recipient
of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship. On completion of his course, he made his
West End debut at the Prince of Wales Theatre in the role of Michael Spofford in
Cameron Mackintosh's The Witches of Eastwick. He then played the lead role of
Nick Piazza in the UK tour of Fame and subsequently played Billy on many
occasions in Taboo at The Venue in the West End.
Other professional credits include Prince Charming in Cinderella (QDOS), Kevin in the UK workshop of the Broadway musical Debbie Does Dallas, an international production of Evita in Beirut and the UK and European première of Little by Little.
Paul
headlined and musically staged the first three Notes from New York shows in the
West End and is currently Associate Director and Musical Stager of the
successful series. He recently toured the UK in the hit 70s musical Saturday
Night Fever and reprised the role of Billy in the premier UK tour of
Taboo.
Tell us about the Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship that you've won?
Other professional credits include Prince Charming in Cinderella (QDOS), Kevin in the UK workshop of the Broadway musical Debbie Does Dallas, an international production of Evita in Beirut and the UK and European première of Little by Little.
Tell us about the Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship that you've won?
A certain amount of money is given to Arts Education every year to
distribute as they see fit. At the time I was studying in school, the fees were very high
and it was impossible for me to pay, so they issued me a sum and helped me out.
I owe everything that I'm doing now to that scholarship and to Sir Andrew.
You're musically staging and directing the upcoming Notes
from New York, a revue that you've also previously starred in. Why the switch?
We wanted the piece to grow further this time, by bringing in new talent
and fresh ideas. I felt I'd given enough on stage for now and that it was time
to take a step back and challenge myself in another way. I also wanted a greater
creative input into September's installment.
Is this a sign of things to come for you? Where do your future interest sit with regards to performing vs. directing?
They will always lie first and foremost in performing on
stage. I'm 23 and by no means am I ready to retire from that. I have so much
more to learn both as a performer and a musical stager / director. I just want
to broaden my scope and see where it takes me.
Who's music have past Notes from New York
featured?
So far about nine composers from the States, including Jason
Robert Brown, Andrew Lippa, Jonathan Larson and Jimmy Roberts to name a few. It's been an
absolute pleasure for me to be able to bring them and their music to the UK for the first time.
What's been the reaction of London audiences thus
far?
Just utter support for the work. We noticed a hole in the
market and thought, let's get these songs out there and increase appreciation
for little known work. In the States these composers are frequently presenting
their music, but over here it is a rare occasion indeed which makes Notes from New York so special.
This Notes from New York showcases the music of 3 NY-based
composers - Adam Guettel, Michael John LaChiusa, and John Bucchino - why these
3?
They individually stand on their own feet, but together they
marry exceptionally well. Guettel's work, which has a following in the UK,
is starkly contrasted with the adult realism of LaChiusa and woven into the
melodic beauty of Bucchino in a show which will provide an evening of surprises
and hopefully revelations.
Have you seen productions of any of their shows?
I saw the European premiere of Flloyd Collins at the Bridewell
Theatre here in London and LaChiusa's The Wild Party on Broadway a few years
back.
Will the songs be staged in concert format or with minimal sets?
To a certain extent the show is presented in a concert format,
but it's always slightly more intelligent than that with the staging, lighting
and musical direction. We try to not make the obvious choices, but to play around
with the material and suit it to the performers in question. It's a case
of adding humour, light and shade and seeing what happens - it's a
journey.
What's the involvement of the 3 composers, if
any?
So far every composer has been very forthcoming with their
material, but they aren't specifically involved with putting together the show. We are often lucky enough to have a few world premieres of songs, or
at the very least UK and European premières, which is always exiting. I
think they all appreciate that to have your work produced anywhere in the world
is a positive move and they're all extremley supportive.
What other projects are on your plate at the moment?
I'm currently involved in devisng the first year anniversary
of the series, which is taking some preparation. It will be on a slightly larger
scale, billed as a gala and will re-unite past casts and composers at a West End
venue in November 2004. Notes from New York has come a long way in the past 12
months and the gala will be a celebration of everything it stands
for. After that, who knows?
Photos Copyright: Steven Emberton
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