Richard D. Russell » East Hanover School District

“To A Muse” premieres

Richard D. Russell — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 01:39:22 +0000

On February 16, 2012, my musical collaborator Emily Thompson and I premiered “To A Muse” at the school where she teaches in East Hanover, NJ. We are both very proud of this work and both feel it represents some of our strongest material. But it must also be said that this group of youngsters from Central School in he East Hanover School District are so extremely talented. It’s not easy to get up and sing a comic song, a dance song, or a love song in front of one’s parents, teachers, and friends. This is a very special, talented group of kids.

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

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Acclaim for Katrina the Shrew

Richard D. Russell — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:24:05 +0000

The Daily Record of New Jersey posted 25 pictures from last week’s production of Katrina the Shrew. Click here for the pictures (the link will open in a new window).

As I mentioned in a previous post, I wrote most of the music for Katrina the Shrew, with book and lyrics written by Emily Thompson Schweer. Emily teaches fourth grade G & T in the East Hanover School District, and one of her projects is SALAD — the Student Actors’ League of Arts and Drama.

I’m pleased to share word that SALAD is an award winner this year of the “Promising Practices” program of the Character Education Partnership. The CEP is concerned with developing good character in schools, and SALAD was cited for its mission of creating a school community and integrating the curriculum. There is more information at the CEP website by clicking here.

Congratulations to Emily!

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“Katrina the Shrew” to premiere June 2

Richard D. Russell — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:44:03 +0000

In something of a departure, I’ve recently written several songs for Katrina the Shrew, a musical modernization of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew.¬†While I’ve always been quite interested in musical theater, in this case the musical is written to be performed by the Fourth Grade class of the Central School in the East Hanover School District of New Jersey. The premiere performances are June 2.

The script is by “Willa Shakeschweer,” the nom de plume of Emily Thompson Schweer, who teaches at the school. Emily also wrote the lyrics to the show, while I contributed the music. I’ve collaborated with Emily before in several performances at In Mid Air Productions.

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