Everyone seems to agree this is the most charming (and commercially viable!) musical yet to come from these collaborators.

For those who need a reminder: “It Takes A Rainbow” is a simple show for a younger group. The cur­tain rises on a vil­lage of brown lizards who are safe and warm at home, “Where All is Brown.” Sev­eral lizards decide to explore the out­side world, where they find red frogs (“When You’re Seein’ Red”), orange and yel­low frogs (“Cit­rine Samba”) and so on. One by one the lizards change color. They learn that dif­fer­ence is noth­ing to fear. They return home to teach the king and queen that “It Takes A Rainbow.”

It’s a great lit­tle show, about 45 min­utes long, and was a big hit with stu­dents, teach­ers, and par­ents. The stag­ing, while sim­ple, was exceed­ingly effec­tive, espe­cially the cos­tumes!

Here are sev­eral pic­tures from the new production. Click the image (within your browser) to enlarge.

Always a big crowd for the Thompson/Russell productions!

Queen Wamvua explains the world beyond the bonny brown bog.

…turning…RED!

The little brown lizards cast off in seek of new colors!

Searching high! Searching low!

King Upinde and Queen Wamvua are transformed: It takes a rainbow!

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This was not a standard concert concert of music; the music was presented as part of a three-day academic conference, “Collecting Byron: A Conference in Celebration of the Byron Society Collection.” The collection is housed at Drew University.

My piece was performed in the setting of a lecture, “Musical Byron.” The lecturer was my colleague Robert Butts, who spoke on aspects of Romanticism that are shared in the disciplines of music and poetry. Examples were cited from from Romantic giants such as Beethoven and Verdi, along with, of course, Lord Byron. Musical examples were performed live, employing pieces from the age of Byron on through to a slightly later age (Verdi). My piece represented a modern take on “Musical Byron.”

The venue was Mead Hall at Drew University in Madison, NJ. The superb performers were Emily Clare Thompson, soprano; Stanichka Dimitrova, violin; Nancy Connell, cello; Andy Cap, piano. I should single out the singer, Emily, a specialist in English literature. It was her encouragement that led me to write this song cycle in the first place!

Here are a few pictures. Click for a larger view.

Mead Hall, Drew University

“Musical Byron” program

Emily Clare Thompson with the ensemble

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There was an afternoon performance for the school and its teachers, and an evening performance for parents. You should be able to click the pictures below for a closer view.

Afternoon rehearsal led by Emily Clare Thompson

“Winner Takes All!” in the afternoon

“Winner Takes All!” in the evening

The camp leaders of Team France, Team Italy, and Team Switzerland

Ms. Boyet teaches that “All is Fair in Love and War”

Ms. Holloway talks with the Swiss Misses

members of Team France

A broken leg inspires Team France and Team Italy to come together: “Just Be My Friend.”

The Swiss Misses teach that “We Are One.”

“We Are One” reprise with everyone joining in

Another big crowd!

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This time around, I discussed active listening and used examples of music from different movies. After practicing on a few famous themes (from Star Wars and Jaws) we then listened to some music to decide what “pictures” we heard. I used the “Moonlight Sonata” and “Flight of the Bumble Bee,” for instance.

I was amazed how sharp these kids were!

Richard Russell lecturing about a movie score

After the school day, I stuck around to help with a rehearsal of “Winner Takes All!”, the new musical I’ve written with my collaborator, Emily Clare Thompson. Here’s a picture of her rehearsing with one of our young leads.

Emily Clare Thomson rehearses a student for “Winner Takes All!”

The post New Lecture presented at New Jersey School appeared first on Richard D. Russell.

Emily and I are very proud of this show, feeling it may be our strongest work yet. In the show, Cupid has frustrated the gods of Mount Olympus with his misbehavior. Zeus sends Cupid to a middle school –without his bow and arrow–to mix with the mortals. Cupid is joined by the messengers Hermes and Iris. Along the way Cupid meets Iris, battles Flint, and starts to learn the true meaning of love.

Here are sev­eral pics from the evening — click the pic­ture for a larger view.

The gods of Mount Olympus

Zeus

Athena & Hera

Cupid and Enid

Flint and the Fluries

Flint eggs on Rumer & Raven

Iris, Cupis, Hermes, & Flint

The post Premiere of “Cupid’s Bow” — a children’s musical appeared first on Richard D. Russell.

Emily Thompson leads the students in rehearsal

“Cupid’s Bow” is a new, original musical with book and lyrics by Emily Thompson and music by Richard D. Russell. On January 30, a special rehearsal was held by the cast members, who are all students at Central School in East Hanover New Jersey.

What made the rehearsal special was that a few dozen students visiting from China were in attendance. After they listened to “Cupid’s Bow”, they in turn performed songs and other skits for the American students.

“Cupid’s Bow” has its premiere February 12 at 6pm at the Central School in East Hanover, NJ.

American and Chinese teachers line up with students

The Chinese and American students assemble for a group photo

(Click the images for a larger size)

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The concert was presented by the New York Composers Circle. A video was recorded and I include it here.

The New York Composers Circle always asks composers to introduce their piece by speaking a few words about their composition; this provides the audience with some context and details to listen for in the music.

The post Video of PUBLIQuartet’s “Adagio” performance at Bargemusic appeared first on Richard D. Russell.

The show is an updated setting of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, set jn a modern-day grade school. Here are several pics from the evening — click the picture for a closer view.

Benedick & Beatrice

War of the Words

The Principal, Coach, and Head Teacher

“That’s Not the Life for Me” — Boys

“That’s Not the Life for Me” — Girls

The Costume Ball

a group at the Costume Ball

The Costume Ball

The Student Security Watch

The Company

Accusations!

The truth is revealed

Richard D. Russell & Emily Clare Thompson

The post Children’s Musical “War of the Words” premieres appeared first on Richard D. Russell.

In the show, a school class visits the museum to follow up on some lessons taught in school. The teacher announces that final projects are due soon. Theodore wishes for some inspiration and accidentally invokes the nine Muses to his side, each of whom want to inspire him. Theodore is annoyed and wishes them away, but in fact they are not allowed to leave until Theodore IS inspired. Only Theodore can see the Muses, but in due time his sister Thea and his friend Hector also accidentally invoke the Muses. The show is all about finding inspiration in spite of traditional education, while at the same time respecting tradition and finding inspiration in it. (Indeed, respecting tradition is an insight into Theodore’s ultimate creative solution!) And along the way, some really good laughs occur.

Here are several pictures from the show. A DVD has been made and can be ordered by anyone wishing to receive a copy.

Before show rehearsal

Theodore sees the Muses for the first time

Thea sings while the boys study the painting

Theodore and Hector

The Muses explain themselves to Theodore

Calliope: “Use Imagination”

Emily Thompson directing a scene

“It’s All Greek to Me!”

“Life Is Better With A Song”

The final confrontation!

The Company takes bows

The post “To A Muse” premieres appeared first on Richard D. Russell.

I’m always concerned bout video, because while it’s nice to have some imagery to go along with the music, to say nothing of a nice record of a live performance, typically the audio is not quite what I hoped it would be–the microphone tends to be far away from the performers, and is not always the appropriate kind of microphone for dynamic classical music, etc. Still, I have an initial run of videos I’d like to share, and hope to be adding many more over time.

Please feel free to subscribe to the video channel (and forward to your colleagues and friends). Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/RDRussell2

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