George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn on September 26, 1898, and began his musical training when he was 13. At 16 he quit high school to work as a "song plugger" for a music publisher, and soon he was writing songs himself. "Swanee," as introduced by Al Jolson, brought George his first real fame and led to his writing a succession of 22 musical comedies, most with his older brother, Ira. The Gershwins' shows include Lady Be Good, Oh, Kay!, Strike Up the Band, Girl Crazy, and the Pulitzer Prize winning Of Thee I Sing. From his early career George ... read more
Ira Gershwin, the first songwriter to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize, was born in New York City on December 6, 1896. In 1917 The Evening Sun published his first song ("You May Throw All The Rice You Desire But Please Friends, Throw No Shoes"). Four years later Ira enjoyed his first major stage success, Two Little Girls in Blue, written with another Broadway newcomer, Vincent Youmans. In 1924 Ira and his brother, George, created the smash hit Lady Be Good and went on to continue their remarkable collaboration through a dozen major stage scores, producing such standards as "Fascinating Rhythm," ... read more
Ken Ludwig is a prolific playwright known for his witty and fast-paced comedies. Born in York, Pennsylvania in 1950, Ludwig studied music and theater at Haverford College and later attended Harvard Law School. However, he ultimately decided to pursue a career in writing and began his playwriting career in the 1980s.
Ludwig's breakthrough came in 1986 with the premiere of his play "Lend Me a Tenor," which opened on London's West End before transferring to Broadway. The play, a farce set in 1930s Cleveland, Ohio, tells the story of a world-famous tenor who is mistakenly given a double dose of tranquilizers ... read more
Denis is a two-time Tony Award nominated choreographer and director whose work has been seen on Broadway, across the country and around the world. From live theater to film and television, the variety of Denis’ work spans both media and genres.
On Broadway, Denis received Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critic’s Circle and Chita Rivera nominations for both Tootsie and Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (which was also captured by Broadway HD and has been enjoyed both in the US and globally on television and in movie theaters), and choreographed the Broadway production on Honeymoon in Vegas.
Denis’ range of recent work ... read more
Jon Kalbfleisch enjoys a multi-faceted musical life as a conductor, pianist, award-winning music director, freelance musician and organist. Having conducted ballet, opera, symphonic music, choral works, contemporary music and Broadway musicals, he has an interest in a wide range of musical styles. In Oklahoma, after five years as its music director and conductor, he has guided the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra to newfound heights both in terms of artistic success and community outreach. Symphony magazine recently highlighted the LPO’s Art Inspired by Music project; local students inspired by the music of Beethoven created some 4,000 original artworks. Previously, Jon was ... read more
Broadway: Rock of Ages, The Threepenny Opera, Barefoot in the Park, Good Vibrations. Recent: Uncle Vanya (CSC), Rock of Ages, Clay (LCT3), Scarcity (Atlantic), The Piano Teacher (South Coast Rep), Vigils (Goodman), Evil Dead the Musical (NYC and Toronto), Shout! The Mod Musical, Sive, The Field (Irish Rep), Once Around the Sun, Kiki & Herb: Coup de Theatre. The New Group: Mourning Becomes Electra, Rafta Rafta, Two Thousand Years, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Abigail’s Party, Hurlyburly, Aunt Dan and Lemon, Comedians. Faculty: Purchase College. ... read more
