Recordings
In 1998 Lynn Pinto organized a CD of holiday music as a fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS which featured her castmates of the Broadway revival of The Sound of Music. Due to its instant success, the following year she organized another this time featuring a track by any show wishing to participate and a tradition was born. Since then it has blossomed into seventeen editions; these evergreens are eagerly anticipated by theatre and Christmas lovers alike and have raised over $5 million for BC/EFA. I have been fortunate enough to contribute to these albums as an arranger, orchestrator, and musical director. Working with Lynn and engineer Andros Rodriguez is a yearly thrill; how could it not by working with the best singers and musicians in the world on a dazzling compilation for a fantastic cause?
"Incredible Phat (The Coldest Night of the Year)"
Billy Elliot featuring Liz Pearce, Eric Gunhus, Donna Lynne Champlin, David Larsen, Rick Hilsabeck & Greg Jbara
Click to download "Incredible Phat (The Coldest Night of the Year)"
"You Don't Have to Be Alone on Christmas"
Chaplin featuring Ethan Khusidman, Zachary Unger, Justin Bowen, Wayne Alan Wilcox, Renee Marino, Emily Tyra, Jim Borstelmann, Edward J. Wilson & Michael McCormick
"Good Queen Wenceslas"
The Mystery of Edwin Drood featuring Jim Norton, Chita Rivera & Stephanie J. Block and the Revival Broadway Cast
"Happy Christmas, Little Friend"
Cinderella featuring Rebecca Luker, Ann Harada, Andy Jones, Peter Nelson, Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana & the Broadway cast
"Jolly Old St. Nicholas"
Chicago featuring Paul C. Vogt, Anne Horak, Brian O’Brien, Chris Newcomer & Nathan Madden
"Happy All The Time"
Celebrity blogger and Broadway proponent Perez Hilton pairs up with star of Cry-Baby and If/Then, James Snyder, in this addicting holiday tuner featuring music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Though it debuted in Elf's 2012 Broadway return, I penned this new arrangement and orchestration for 2015 Broadway's Carols for a Cure CD.
Behind the scenes of "Happy All The Time"
All recordings have multiple steps but"Happy All The Time" features a few additional pieces of magic. Of particular note is the Tap-Off between Santa Claus and Buddy, the Elf, and an entire chorus of happy singing elves. Broadway hoofers Tyler Hanes and Cory Lingner lend their feet to former to terrific effect. For the later there is technology that allows the voice to be altered but it doesn't always retain clear pitch and audible lyrics so for the elf choir each singing actor was given a balloon filled with helium to effectively lift the sound without diminishing the quality. Theatre Magic!
(l to r) Jason Whitfield, Trevor McQueen, Zach Miller, Cory Lingner, Stephanie Maloney, Val Williams, Christina Jackson, Liz Schmitz, Julia Johanos, & Andrea Prestinario
Tyler Hanes & Cory Linger
The Postman and the Poet
In 2012 I contributed additional orchestrations to the fully-produced concept album of The Postman and the Poet based on the Italian film Il Postino. Set in the novel's original location of Chile it was intriguing to explore Latin rhythms and dances. Recorded by the National Symphony Orchestra, it is available from Jay Masterworks.
excerpts of Richard Rockage's additional orchestrations for "The Postman and the Poet"