Hello Beautiful People,
DUETS with The Write Teacher(s) is on Friday.
Cue feelings of pure joy + glee, mixed with just an element of stress, which, as any director/producer will tell you, is natural, especially when you’re dealing with a cast over twenty.
This is my fourth concert that I’m producing in New York City. Now, I KNOW it’s not a large number, by any stretch of the imagination. But, it’s an evening that has a whole big chunk of my heart in it.
And that chunk of my heart, well, it’s because of the cast and the composers, each of whom I have a special relationship with, and over the next 72 hours, I’ll try to recount as many of those stories as possible.
So naturally, I decided to make a mini three-part series of blog posts.
Today I bring you to Part 1.
Today lets chat about Joe Iconis. And Loni Ackerman. And, the host of Broadway herself, Ms. Jennifer Ashley Tepper.
It’s been a year since I’ve known Jen. ONLY A YEAR. And quite frankly, I’m not sure how that’s possible, for it feels as though I’ve known her my entire life, she’s a kindred spirit, my theater soul sister, as we were both bitten by “the bug” at an early age .
But alas, I digress – it’s been a little over a year since meeting the Broadway Guru.
I met Jen when I was invited to see Once Upon a Time in NYC 2 at Joe’s Pub. I had absolutely no idea what I was in for, I just knew that this really cool chick had managed to invite me to this concert at Joe’s Pub where a cast of performers were going to sing original songs inspired by New York City, AND I was going to write a Spotlight Piece for it for The Write Teacher(s).
AND, of course, it was Superbowl, and instead of hanging with my non theatre friends and pretending like I have a clue as to what goes on in football, I was going to go hang out at Joe’s Pub. With actors. And singers. And drink and eat.
Amazing.
And so I went. And then I met Jen a couple of days later for dinner, and had one of those conversations that just…stays with you. And as the great Mana Allen would say, I had found a member of my tribe.
A couple of weeks later, I had submitted my resume to do some extra work on SMASH for a little extra cash. I figured, hey, it couldn’t hurt.
And then the music of Joe Iconis came on my radar.
And then perhaps one could say my world knocked off its axis a bit.
And then I asked Jen if maybe, just maybe, Joe would consider doing an interview for The Write Teacher(s).
And I emailed…
…and to my delight…he said…SURE.
And so I met Mr. Joe Iconis one February afternoon, at Amy’s Bread on 9th ave. And we talked, and talked, and talked. And even though some time has passed, it’ll never cease to amaze me how someone with such talent conducts himself with such humility, grace, and talent. For this man, well, he’s been a supporter of everything I do, a teacher of sorts, and someone I’m grateful to call a friend.
So now let’s fast forward a bit, to April. To today. To the fact that DUETS with The Write Teacher(s) is happening at 54 Below on May 2nd. A show that highlights the music of Ryan Scott Oliver, Rob Rokicki, Zoe Sarnak, and yes, Joe Iconis. The concept behind the show is to take duets from new musical theatre writers, and have a Broadway professional/seasoned working actor sing with a “Broadway Hopeful”/student/unknown. I wanted to have a night that celebrated these outstanding writers, while bridging the gap between those performers who are known and those who are still trying to pave their way. And I am quite grateful that Ryan, Rob, Joe, and Zoe saw my vision, and allowed me to use their music.
One of the songs in the show is the ever so popular, Broadway, Here I Come. This song has never been done as a duet with two females. Never. But, I wanted to have a duet that had an older, seasoned, more experienced vet, paired with a young sprite. I wanted to have a song that exemplified what should be happening more on Broadway today, the bridging of the generations.
And so, I bring you to Loni Ackerman.
I met Loni a long time ago, at the great, historic, and transcendent Gateway Playhouse. And then I met Loni AGAIN at If It Only Runs A Minute, (created by the MT Guru, Jennifer Ashley Tepper.)
And Loni, well, she’s a gift. A joy. An inspiration. Loni was in the original cast of CATS. When you hear the tune Memory, it’s Loni’s voice that you hear. Loni was in Evita. Loni was in George M! Loni was in Dames at Sea. Loni was in The Magic Show. Loni was in So Long, 147th Street. Loni has seen and met and experienced a world that theater geeks like myself can only dream about. Loni, well, she has paved the way. She’s a woman with immense knowledge, talent, and class – everyone can learn something from Loni.
And, well, I couldn’t think of a better person to fulfill my vision of this version of Broadway, Here I Come.
And so, she’ll sing this duet, arranged by Will Buck, alongside Stephanie Turci, a freshman at Rutgers University, this Friday at 54 Below. And just thinking about that moment, well, it makes my heart explode with happiness. For if it’s one thing that these three have taught me, it’s the beauty + importance of community. Creativity. Collaboration. Support. They stick with those that they love, with the folks that they believe in, with those whose vision they support and understand. They have an unwavering belief in theatre and the greatness that it can inspire, a belief that just radiates from their cores.
And so, we hope to see you all on Friday.
Loni will bere there.
Jen will be there.
Joe will be there.
And hopefully, all you Write Teacher(s) reader will, too!
Live, Love, Learn,