Musicals in the Making Unveils Selections from New Musicals

Nov. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Fresh new songs.  Innovative collaborations of lyricists and composers.  Professional performers from New York City and Boston.  All this under the musical direction of Dr. Judith Lynn Stillman, Artist-in-Residence at Rhode Island College, and with commentary and discussion on the creative process led by Trinity Repertory Company's Artistic Director, Curt Columbus.

These are some of the things you'll be experiencing in concert format at Musicals in the Making: entertainment, excitement, education, and fun -- all rolled into one!
Stillman and Columbus, two artistic powerhouses, have joined forces to present excerpts from new musical theatre works and to explore their development, and what they’ve produced is nothing short of phenomenal. “Collaborating with Curt and working closely with the artists has been an extraordinary artistic journey; this production represents a culmination of the many aspects of the creative process,” remarked Stillman.  She continued, “Musicals in the Making provides an opportunity for the audience to decide which of these shows might be on a trajectory to Broadway.”
The event will include Columbus moderating discussions with the composers and lyricists, and the audience will have the chance to actively engage in the dialogue as well.
This program will reach out extensively to performing arts organizations and educational institutions throughout the state, as it is a remarkable opportunity for theatre and musical directors, performing arts teachers, young actors and singers, and aspiring songwriters to glean first-hand knowledge from some of our nation’s best. This project is funded by the Rhode Island College Performing and Fine Arts Commission.

Who:  Judith Lynn Stillman, Curt Columbus and Company
When: Wednesday, 12-7-11, 1:00pm and 7:30pm; Admission Free – Donations Encouraged
Where: Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, Rhode Island College


About Judith Lynn Stillman
Dr. Judith Lynn Stillman is a world-renowned pianist, musical director, choral conductor, & composer/arranger.  Hailed for her "sweeping, energy-packed temperament and never-failing vivaciousness," Stillman has established an impressive international reputation, performing for audiences on four continents, including as soloist at Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. A first Pell Award Winner for Excellence in the Arts, and featured artist at the Grammy’s celebration in honor of Rostropovich, Stillman’s extensive recording career includes a SONY Classical duo recording with double Grammy winner     Wynton Marsalis that skyrocketed to the Top Ten on the Billboard charts and received rave reviews, and recordings with Mark O’Connor, Richard Stoltzman, the Borromeo String Quartet, the Muir String Quartet, and members of the NY Philharmonic, the LA Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  Stillman has served as musical director for productions at Operafestival di Roma in Rome and Verona, Italy, Bridgewater State College, Academy Players, The Sands Theatre, Torrey Pines Theatre, Small Opera Company of San Diego, Brown University and Trinity Rep, and has received commissions from the Cactus Pear Music Festival and the Sandpoint Music Festival.  Having received Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees from The Juilliard School, Stillman was visiting Artist-in-Residence at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China, and at the Prague Conservatory of Music in the Czech Republic. A performer at Marlboro, Tanglewood and Grand Teton Music Festivals and winner of 18 piano competitions, she is currently the Artist-in-Residence and a Professor of Music at Rhode Island College.  

About Curt Columbus
Curt Columbus joined Providence’s Trinity Repertory Company as Artistic Director in January 2006. His directing credits for Trinity include Camelot, Cabaret, The Odd Couple, The Secret Rapture, The Receptionist, A Christmas Carol, Memory House, Blithe Spirit, Cherry Orchard and the world premiere of Stephen Thorne's ...Poe. His plays Paris by Night, The Dreams of Antigone, and Sparrow Grass premiered at Trinity.  His adaptation of Crime and Punishment (with Marilyn Campbell) is published by Dramatists’ Play Service. Columbus’ translations of Chekhov’s plays are published by Ivan R. Dee, Chekhov: The Four Major Plays. The Dreams of Antigone is published by Broadway Play Publishing. Columbus was the associate artistic director of Chicago's famed Steppenwolf Theater Company from 2000-2005, where the world premieres of his translations of Cherry Orchard and Uncle Vanya were presented. He lives in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, with his partner, Nathan Watson.

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