NYC's composer-lyricist fashioning Gothic thrillers, queer poperettas, and high-octane rock into exhilarating new musicals
Now open on the Norwegian Jade
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Now showing world-wide
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Now showing world-wide
Tatiana Lofton perf. “On Monday” from 35MM.
“MY LASS, SHE TIED HER LACE TO ME” from ROPE
From Rope in Concert at 54 Below (4 of 8)
Performed by CORY JEACOMA, IAN FAIRLEE, DAVID PARK and DANIEL YEARWOOD
The pivotal moment when Clay chooses to tie to Shy, giving his friend sight. The onstage band of storytellers, The Daybreak Boys, blesses their union with a song.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
Michel Mendez perf. “City of Angels” from We Foxes.
“I HAVE SEEN THE AFTER” from ROPE
From Rope in Concert at 54 Below (2 of 8)
Performed by ETHAN CARLSON, CORY JEACOMA with IAN FAIRLEE, MARY CLAIRE MISKELL, DAVID PARK and DANIEL YEARWOOD
America, during the Civil War, 1864. They are an unlikely pair: Clay, a gang-thief determined to find life’s fortune alone; and Szajda (“Shy”), a ghostly Jew with an Irish accent, blind but possessing a remarkable power. Yet they become tied at the waist with a length of rope, stuck together on a desperate quest through a Civil war-torn America. As their journey begins, each boy struggles to understand the stranger beside him.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
Alex Brightman perf. “I Have Seen The After” from Rope.
Emily Rogers perf. “Map of Scars” from We Foxes
“I GO ON WITH YOU” from ROPE
From Rope in Concert at 54 Below (5 of 8)
Performed by CHARLIE FRANKLIN and MATTHEW MCFARLAND
Clay vows to get Shy home to Virginia, escaping the vicious gangs of New York and pushing a path into the heart of the Civil War. Yet with all the danger ahead of them, Clay and Shy vow to journey together come what may.
Keala Settle perf. “The Party Goes With You” from 35mm
Emma Williams perf. “Ruination” from We Foxes
Katie Thompson perf. “Ruination” from We Foxes
“CITY OF ANGELS” from WE FOXES
From We Foxes in Concert at 54 Below (Video 6 of 8)
Performed by NIC ROULEAU
Sheriff Quimby and his beloved wife Vesta are dead. The town learns that their adopted daughter, Willa, is responsible. One tramp, Mr. Sallow, is asked to tell what he knows about the orphan girl Willa. Four years earlier, Willa, a young teenager, lives the tramp life on the road with her brother, George. But George is hauled away to war, leaving Willa without a soul in this world to guide her. Vesta Quimby adopts Willa, indoctrinating her into a glamorous world of privilege and class. Yet that isn’t Willa; Willa comes from road people, and once her brother returns from the war, she’ll have her real family again.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
“THE MAD DOG” from WE FOXES
From We Foxes in Concert at 54 Below (Video 7 of 8)
Performed by KERSTIN ANDERSON
Sheriff Quimby and his beloved wife Vesta are dead. The town learns that their adopted daughter, Willa, is responsible. One tramp, Mr. Sallow, is asked to tell what he knows about the orphan girl Willa. Four years earlier, Willa, a young teenager, lives the tramp life on the road with her brother, George. But George is hauled away to war, leaving Willa without a soul in this world to guide her. Vesta Quimby adopts Willa, indoctrinating her into a glamorous world of privilege and class. Yet that isn’t Willa; Willa comes from road people, and once her brother returns from the war, she’ll have her real family again.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
“MAP OF SCARS” from WE FOXES
From We Foxes in Concert at 54 Below (Video 4 of 8)
Performed by KERSTIN ANDERSON
Sheriff Quimby and his beloved wife Vesta are dead. The town learns that their adopted daughter, Willa, is responsible. One tramp, Mr. Sallow, is asked to tell what he knows about the orphan girl Willa. Four years earlier, Willa, a young teenager, lives the tramp life on the road with her brother, George. But George is hauled away to war, leaving Willa without a soul in this world to guide her. Vesta Quimby adopts Willa, indoctrinating her into a glamorous world of privilege and class. Yet that isn’t Willa; Willa comes from road people, and once her brother returns from the war, she’ll have her real family again.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
“WE FOXES” from WE FOXES
From We Foxes in Concert at 54 Below (Video 8 of 8)
Performed by KERSTIN ANDERSON and NIC ROULEAU
Sheriff Quimby and his beloved wife Vesta are dead. The town learns that their adopted daughter, Willa, is responsible. One tramp, Mr. Sallow, is asked to tell what he knows about the orphan girl Willa. Four years earlier, Willa, a young teenager, lives the tramp life on the road with her brother, George. But George is hauled away to war, leaving Willa without a soul in this world to guide her. Vesta Quimby adopts Willa, indoctrinating her into a glamorous world of privilege and class. Yet that isn’t Willa; Willa comes from road people, and once her brother returns from the war, she’ll have her real family again.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
“ALL MEN ARE TIED TOGETHER” from ROPE
From Rope in Concert at 54 Below (3 of 8)
Performed by MAURICE MURPHY with IAN FAIRLEE, MARY CLAIRE MISKELL, DAVID PARK and DANIEL YEARWOOD
Along the journey, Daniel, the man who practically raised Shy, offers Shy and Clay a final sermon that despite their differences, in this life all men must bond together, for only then, may true brotherhood be found.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
“THERE’S A TRAIN A-COMIN” from WE FOXES
From We Foxes in Concert at 54 Below (Video 5 of 8)
Performed by F. MICHAEL HAYNIE, KERSTIN ANDERSON, KATIE THOMPSON
And WILL ERAT, CORY JEACOMA, JOHN-MICHAL LYLES, ANDI ALHADEFF, VICTORIA HUSTON-ELM
Sheriff Quimby and his beloved wife Vesta are dead. The town learns that their adopted daughter, Willa, is responsible. One tramp, Mr. Sallow, is asked to tell what he knows about the orphan girl Willa. Four years earlier, Willa, a young teenager, lives the tramp life on the road with her brother, George. But George is hauled away to war, leaving Willa without a soul in this world to guide her. Vesta Quimby adopts Willa, indoctrinating her into a glamorous world of privilege and class. Yet that isn’t Willa; Willa comes from road people, and once her brother returns from the war, she’ll have her real family again.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
Emma Williams perf. “Crayon Girl” from Out of My Head
Ethan Carlson performs “Lost Boy” from Darling.
(M)orons perf. “Welcome Ye You’re in Five Points” from Rope
Darling feat. on NBC’s The Apprentice
“ALWAYS LOVE” from ROPE
From Rope in Concert at 54 Below (7 of 8)
Performed by ALEX WYSE & ALEX BONIELLO
At the climax of their journey, loyalties are tested and sacrifices must be made. In a cold world where brother must fight brother, Clay and Shy dream of a future together, lifelong companions and brothers forever.
“WHAT YA CALL FREEDOM” from ROPE
From Rope in Concert at 54 Below (6 of 8)
Performed by MARY CLAIRE MISKELL
Later in the story, Shy meets his long lost sister, Stefa, who has an affinity for dressing up in boys clothes. Stefa’s best friend is the slave Reggie, and she dreams of a world where her mother will free Reggie and all the slaves, and maybe even Stefa can find her own sort of freedom.
“THE STRANGER” from ROPE
From Rope in Concert at 54 Below (1 of 8)
Performed by ETHAN CARLSON, CORY JEACOMA with IAN FAIRLEE, MARY CLAIRE MISKELL, DAVID PARK and DANIEL YEARWOOD
America, during the Civil War, 1864. They are an unlikely pair: Clay, a gang-thief determined to find life’s fortune alone; and Szajda (“Shy”), a ghostly Jew with an Irish accent, blind but possessing a remarkable power. Yet they become tied at the waist with a length of rope, stuck together on a desperate quest through a Civil war-torn America. As their journey begins, each boy struggles to understand the stranger beside him.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
Melissa Rose Hirsch perf. “Out of My Mind” from Mrs. Sharp.
“THE ROAD EVERLASTING” from WE FOXES
From We Foxes in Concert at 54 Below (Video 1 of 8)
Performed by F. MICHAEL HAYNIE, KERSTIN ANDERSON, KATIE THOMPSON
And WILL ERAT, CORY JEACOMA, JOHN-MICHAL LYLES, ANDI ALHADEFF, VICTORIA HUSTON-ELM
Sheriff Quimby and his beloved wife Vesta are dead. The town learns that their adopted daughter, Willa, is responsible. One tramp, Mr. Sallow, is asked to tell what he knows about the orphan girl Willa. Four years earlier, Willa, a young teenager, lives the tramp life on the road with her brother, George. But George is hauled away to war, leaving Willa without a soul in this world to guide her. Vesta Quimby adopts Willa, indoctrinating her into a glamorous world of privilege and class. Yet that isn’t Willa; Willa comes from road people, and once her brother returns from the war, she’ll have her real family again.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
Anton Zetterhom perf. “To London” from Darling
Anton Zetterhom perf. “Stroke by Stroke” from Jasper in Deadland
“DARKNESS” from ROPE
From Rope in Concert at 54 Below (8 of 8)
Performed by CLAYBOURNE ELDER
The conclusion of the story sees one of the boys sacrificing his own life for the other. The surviving boy must take the broken, frayed rope, and understand how to move on, alone. He takes the rope in hand and ties it around himself, the two souls becoming one in an eternal embrace.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez perf. “Make Me Happy” from 35mm: A Musical Exhibition
“SORROW DONE” from WE FOXES
From We Foxes in Concert at 54 Below (Video 2 of 8)
Performed by KERSTIN ANDERSON
Sheriff Quimby and his beloved wife Vesta are dead. The town learns that their adopted daughter, Willa, is responsible. One tramp, Mr. Sallow, is asked to tell what he knows about the orphan girl Willa. Four years earlier, Willa, a young teenager, lives the tramp life on the road with her brother, George. But George is hauled away to war, leaving Willa without a soul in this world to guide her. Vesta Quimby adopts Willa, indoctrinating her into a glamorous world of privilege and class. Yet that isn’t Willa; Willa comes from road people, and once her brother returns from the war, she’ll have her real family again.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
Jay Armstrong Johnson perf. “Stroke by Stroke” from Jasper in Deadland
Megan Hilty perf. “Out of My Mind” from Mrs. Sharp
Lindsay Mendez perf. “Map of Scars” from We Foxes
Alex Brightman perf. “To London” from Darling
Jay Armstrong Johnson and Morgan Karr perf. “Halfway”
Thomas Knapp, Cory Jeacoma, Travis Kent and John-Michael Lyles perf. “My Lass She Tied Her Lace to Me” from Rope
Ethan Carlson perf. “I Have Seen The After” from Rope.
Mary Claire Miskell perf. “Sorrow Done” from We Foxes.
Filmed by Nessie Nankivell at SubCulture, NYC on August 29, 2016.
Full Concert Playlist:
“THEM BEASTS” from WE FOXES
From We Foxes in Concert at 54 Below (Video 3 of 8)
Performed by KATIE THOMPSON
Sheriff Quimby and his beloved wife Vesta are dead. The town learns that their adopted daughter, Willa, is responsible. One tramp, Mr. Sallow, is asked to tell what he knows about the orphan girl Willa. Four years earlier, Willa, a young teenager, lives the tramp life on the road with her brother, George. But George is hauled away to war, leaving Willa without a soul in this world to guide her. Vesta Quimby adopts Willa, indoctrinating her into a glamorous world of privilege and class. Yet that isn’t Willa; Willa comes from road people, and once her brother returns from the war, she’ll have her real family again.
Video/Graphics by Nessie Nankivell
Lindsay Mendez, Natalie Weiss, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Alex Brightman perf. “The Ballad of Sara Berry” from 35mm: A Musical Exhibition
Lindsay Mendez perf. “Crayon Girl” from Out of My Head
Derek Klena perf. “Lost Boy” from Darling
Jill Rensing perf. “On Monday” from 35mm
On Tuesday, October 27th 2015, RSO performed the premiere of a new song at Lincoln Center Originals: Songwriters. Check out the full video over on Broadway World and read the lyrics below:
“NEW PICTURES”
Matthew always dreamed of dancing with ABT…
That is, of course, American Ballet Theatre.
(Which I thought it was a college because I’m dumb.)
He’d studied since a kid, and worked his ass off,
And then it happened. It ALL happened.
He had this picture in his head
Of dancing at the Met.
And by seventeen he’d joined that scene
In tights and T-shirt stained with sweat.
Building stacks of broken shoes,
Every day a brand new bruise,
A life’s goal attained so fast!
But what’s a dream to do
When it’s finished coming true?
The picture of his life didn’t — couldn’t last.
Cuz the picture in your head
Never ends like you expect.
And four years in, room starts to spin,
He stayed home sick, his body wrecked.
Sure, he thought, a minor bug,
But after weeks, and still a slug,
The docs called it Epstein-Barre.
Goodbye the dreams of ballet star…
Goodbye … goodbye …
He was lost. Everything he worked for,
Gone!
All the pieces smashed asunder,
Left eighteen months to wonder
What would he do now?
What would he do now?
With his picture just a shred,
He was jobless, with no hope.
But that wasn’t him, and so on a whim
He bought a camera, just to cope.
Slow at first, but then some speed —
He knew the passion it took to feed
A skill, whether dance or art —
He knew how much time, how much heart —
He was found. Suddenly the work came
Fast!
Putting pieces in position,
Reigniting old ambition,
He was an artist once again and how!
And now —
We have a picture by our bed
Of him dancing at the Met.
Now he shoots the shows, and Broadway knows
He’s the go-to-guy, good as they get.
He taught me life may change your art,
But it can never change your heart.
The real test, he came to see:
The picture of a dream can fade…
But the point is, new pictures get made.
He made new art
With his new life with me.
January 25, 2015
The RSO in London concert will take place at the St. James Studio on March 23rd, 2015 directed by Katie Pesskin with musical direction by Michael Riley. Casting is still to be announced. Buy tickets here.
RSO bring’s his Actor Therapy master class (co-founded with Lindsay Mendez) to the Greenwich Theater on March 22, 2015. Buy tickets here.
August 25, 2014
RSO and Lindsay Mendez’s wildly popular Actor Therapy starts up again this September with a completely sold out Session 13. But don’t worry, you can register online for Sessions 14 and 15 now!
When you enroll in a session of Actor Therapy, you get:
Session 14: Monday, Oct. 13th, Monday, Oct. 20th, Monday, Oct. 27th, Monday, Nov. 3rd, Thursday, Nov. 6th
Session 15: Monday, Nov. 10th, Monday, Nov. 17th, Monday, Nov. 24, Monday, Dec. 1st, Thursday, Dec. 4th
Classes are held at either 6:00pm or 8:30pm, schedule to be announced.