ANDREW LIPPA (Music & Lyrics) Andrew Lippa’s new epic choral work “Unbreakable” had its world premiere with The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus on June 22nd and 23rd, 2018 in San Francisco with 300 artists onstage including Mr. Lippa. Ten more choruses across the country will present this new work in the next year and the original cast recording, produced by legendary producer Leslie Ann Jones, will be released by Ghostlight Records in November, 2018. He conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a new production of his “A Little Princess” in concert in London at the Royal Festival Hall in May, 2018 to a sold-out crowd of nearly 3,000 people. His hit song “Evil Like Me” appears in Disney’s “Descendants”. Written for Kristin Chenoweth that soundtrack hit #1 on the “Billboard 200” album chart, #1 on the iTunes and Billboard soundtrack charts, has been viewed over 70 million times on YouTube and “Evil Like Me” was certified gold in 2017. On Feb. 1st, 2017, Lippa opened the new season of The American Songbook Series at Lincoln Center with his sold out concert of “Andrew Lippa and Friends.” In 2016, he composed and conducted a world premiere piece for the international piano virtuoso Lang Lang and the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra in Guangzhou, China. This new work, a 32-minute, 5-movement piece called “Rising Tide”, was reprised later in 2016 and recorded in China. Lippa’s epic Concept Opera “I am Anne Hutchinson/I Am Harvey Milk” had its world premiere at The Music Center at Strathmore in April of 2016 starring Kristin Chenoweth as Anne Hutchinson and Mr. Lippa as Harvey Milk. Summer 2016 saw the US premiere of “Life of the Party” – a musical compendium of Mr. Lippa’s career – produced by Theatreworks in Mountain View, CA and starring Mr. Lippa. Summer of 2017, Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, NY, presented the world premiere of The Man in the Ceiling. Based on Jules Feiffer’s award-winning novel, this musical features a book by Mr. Feiffer and music and lyrics by Mr. Lippa. Directed by Jeffrey Seller (Tony-winning producer of “Hamilton”) Mr. Lippa played the role of Uncle Lester in this production. Broadway credits include: Music and lyrics for Big Fish directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman; the Tony-nominated music and lyrics for the Broadway musical The Addams Family (directed by Jerry Zaks) as well as the music for Aaron Sorkin’s Broadway play The Farnsworth Invention (directed by Des McAnuff). Other musicals include the Drama Desk award winning musical The Wild Party (book/music/lyrics); A Little Princess (music); john & jen (music/book); Asphalt Beach (music and lyrics); and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (additional music/lyrics and arrangements). His epic oratorio for men’s chorus, orchestra and soloists, I Am Harvey Milk has seen over 30 productions including Disney Hall and Lincoln Center. Awards: Tony and Grammy nominations; shared Emmy for Nickelodeon’s “The Wonder Pets”; SFGMC Vanguard Award; The Gilman/Gonzalez-Falla Theater Foundation Award; ASCAP’s Richard Rodgers/New Horizons Award; The Drama Desk Award; The Outer Critics Circle Award. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Mr. Lippa serves as president of the board of The Dramatists Guild Foundation (dgf.org). He was born in Leeds, England, grew up in suburban Detroit and is an ordained Interfaith minister. Explore all things Andrew Lippa at andrewlippa.com!
MARSHALL BRICKMAN (Book) Marshall Brickman, born in Brazil of American parents, attended New York public schools and the University of Wisconsin, where he received a double baccalaureate in both science and music. He entered show business first as a member of the folk group The Tarriers and then, along with John and Michelle Phillips, as one of The New Journeymen, a precursor of The Mamas and the Papas, whose flamboyant life-style and eccentric harmonies defined the post-folk era of tuning up, turning on and cashing in. Trading in his Gibson Mastertone 5-string banjo for an IBM Selectric, he secured a position as writer/director on Candid Camera, America’s original reality show, a wildly successful early experiment in monetizing public humiliation, for which he hereby apologizes. Fleeing Candid Camera, Brickman found solace as head writer for Johnny Carson, whose late-night show on NBC emanated from ironically named Radio City in midtown Manhattan, a stroke of luck that allowed him to stay as far from Los Angles as possible while still retaining U.S. citizenship. In 1970 he left NBC to become producer/head writer of Dick Cavett’s late-night show on ABC. Among the many ground-breaking events that Cavett introduced into the late-night formula was the night presidential hopeful George McGovern was interviewed by last-minute guest host Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics. The result was fascinating, not unlike watching a python ingesting a small cow. In the meantime he had started a collaboration with Woody Allen, a young comic who opened for the Tarriers at Fred Weintraub’s Bitter End, the legendary Bleeker Street coffee house that provided exposure to upcoming talent in music and comedy. They worked at odd hours on screenplays and material for Allen’s early TV appearances, an experience like no other. Brickman watched Mr. Allen negotiate both the creative and practical issues confronting an artist working in a commercial environment; he learned things that can’t be taught and never laughed as hard as the time spent roaming the city with a certified genius discussing art, politics, women, the state of the business, and why Durwood Kirby was considered funny, even by people with college degrees. Mr. Brickman’s film work as author (or co-author with Woody Allen) includes Sleeper, Annie Hall (Academy Award), Manhattan, (AA nomination) and Manhattan Murder Mystery. As film writer/director): Simon, Lovesick, The Manhattan Project, Sister Mary Explains it All. In television: The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (head writer, 1967-’70); The Dick Cavett Show (head writer/co-producer, 1970-’72). Brickman’s recording (with ex-Tarrier Eric Weissberg) of the soundtrack of Deliverance, released in 1970, contained the surprise hit “Dueling Banjos,” achieved platinum status, and remains a healthy seller over 40 years later. His first foray into musical theater resulted in Jersey Boys, which won the Tony, Olivier, Helpmann, Grammy and many other awards worldwide, is in its twelfth year on Broadway, has been seen by twenty million people worldwide and is currently the 10th-longest running show in the history of Broadway. The film version of the show was directed by Clint Eastwood. Mr. Brickman’s other theatrical efforts include “Turn of the Century,” which played to capacity houses in Chicago, and “The Addams Family,” starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth, which ran for two years on Broadway and to date has had over four thousand first and second tier productions internationally. In addition to his work in film and theater, Mr. Brickman has published in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Playboy and other periodicals. He is the 2006 recipient of the Writers’ Guild of America Ian McClellan Hunter Award for Lifetime Achievement. His current project is a stage musical celebrating the life of western star Roy Rogers, scheduled to premiere late in 2017. After over 40 years in the business, trying to balance talent with opportunity and watching the careers of colleagues, both successful and less so, he can reduce what he’s learned into one succinct bit of wisdom: above all, it’s important to be lucky.
RICK ELICE (Book) co-wrote Jersey Boys (winner 2006 Tony Award, 2007 Grammy Award and 2009 Olivier Award for Best Musical) with the great Marshall Brickman; The Addams Family; Peter and the Starcatcher (winner of five 2012 Tony Awards); and The Cher Show (currently on tour in the UK). In the pipeline: The Princess Bride for Disney; Smash for Robert Greenblatt, Neil Meron and Steven Spielberg, music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, directed by Susan Stroman. Rick is also adapting Sara Gruen’s novel Water for Elephants; the popular film, Silver Linings Playbook; and writing an original musical, Treasure, with 2021 Ed Kleban Award-winner Benjamin Scheuer. Rick’s book, Finding Roger, An Improbably Theatrical Love Story, is published by Kingswell. Heartfelt thanks to those whose theatre work makes him grateful for the day he was born: Sondheim, Stoppard, Bennett, Prince, Fosse, Robbins, Nichols, Nunn, Laurents, Stone, Taymor, Papp, Schumacher, Schneider, David, Strong, Gaudio, Valli, McAnuff, Trujillo, Timbers, Coyne, Brickman, and, eternally, Roger Rees. Rick thinks about them a lot. He never thought about Jersey much. He does now.
ANTOINETTE DIPIETROPOLO (Director & Choreographer) Director and Choreographer for Musical Theater, Concerts, Immersive Experiences, Movies, TV and Private events for Global brands and Stars around the world. National Tours, International Events and Regional work include; The Cher Show, Annie, Fame, Jersey Boys, The Music Man, Mamma Mia, MasterChef Live, America’s Got Talent Live, Cirque Musica Wonderland, Big Apple Circus (2014,2015,2017), Querida Official tribute to Juan Gabriel, Nunsense, Saturday Night Fever, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Ragtime (Winner Best Choreographer, Triangle Theatre Award), Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Grease, The Full Monty, Miracle on 34th Street, The Producers, A Christmas Story, Evita, South Pacific, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Scooby Doo Live, Veggie Tales Live, Powerhouse, With Glee, THE RIDE in New York City, Pepsi/Grubhub/Seamless Super Bowl promotion, Disney Plus Wizard of Paws, American Girl Live in Concert, New Years Eve Time Square USO, First choreographer in the country of Saudi Arabia. www.AntoinetteDiPietropolo.com follow me for updates @antoinettedip
RANDEL WRIGHT (Set Designer) With The Addams Family, Randel continues his design of scenery for Big League Productions, preceded by Hello Dolly, Guys And Dolls, Legally Blonde, American In Paris, South Pacific and Little Women. Prior, he designed Singin’ In The Rain (national), Unsinkable Molly Brown (national / Debbie Reynolds), Pal Joey (Joel Grey), Pal Joey (Dixie Carter), The Wiz (Stephanie Mills), I Do, I Do (Sandy Duncan), Batteries Not Included (Jamie Hammerstein co-author & dir.). Beyond theater, he also designed The Coca Cola Centennial, The Dr. Pepper Centennial and The Yale University Tercentennial.
TRISTAN RAINES (Costume Designer) Tristan has designed Off Broadway, regionally, and internationally for 16 years. Selected credits: The Old Globe, Virgin Voyages, Syfy Channel, La Jolla Playhouse, Barrow Street Theatre, Menier Chocolate Factory, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Big League Tours, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Troika Tours, Kaleidoscope Immersive, Center Theatre Group, Bucks County Playhouse, The Muny, Celebrity Cruise Line, Signature Theatre DC, New York Theatre Ballet, Norwegian Cruise Line, Cirque Musica, New World Stages, and Maltz Jupiter Theater. Tristan is a member of United Scenic Artists and is tenure-track faculty at Emerson College. tristanraines.com, @tsbs17 on Instagram.
CHARLES FORD (Lighting Designer) is the visionary force behind Vue Show Design Group, where he redefines the boundaries of production design with innovative lighting and staging solutions. With a flair for creating immersive experiences, Charles has transformed stages into dynamic canvases, crafting masterpieces that elevate performances into unforgettable visual spectacles. His work with renowned artists such as Prince, H.E.R., Carly Rae Jepsen, and Young the Giant has cemented his reputation as a luminary in the lighting industry. Whether it’s a high-energy concert or an elegant corporate event, Charles consistently delivers bespoke, cutting-edge designs that captivate and inspire. In addition to his work with world-class musicians, Charles’s designs have breathed life into everything from industrial shows to theatrical productions. At Vue Show Design Group, he continues to push the limits of creativity, using his deep knowledge of visual technology to create lighting experiences that are as thought-provoking as they are visually stunning. For The Addams Family musical tour, Charles brings his passion for avant-garde stylization and theatricality, ensuring that each moment on stage is as delightfully eerie and enchanting as the beloved characters themselves. Instagram @cfordlites09 Website www.Vueshowdesign.com
THOMAS FOSNOCHT (Music Supervisor) Thrilled to be back with Big League for The Addams Family!! Recently Music Supervisor/Conductor for the 2024 National tour of LITTLE WOMEN. He co-created a new musical with David Smith, LITTLE THINGS, recently featured in a 2024 NYC workshop at Playhouse 46. He continues to work in and around the New York/Philadelphia area as a Music Director and Pianist for regional productions. His favorite shows include COMPANY (Justin Guarini), MAME (Andrea McCardle), and CLUE (Sally Struthers) at Bucks County Playhouse, Annie (Wanda Sykes) at Media Theatre, and The Story of My Life (Rob McClure) at Delaware Theatre Company. Tom maintains a private studio, specializing in contemporary piano and voice techniques. He also served as Vocal Director for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, highlights include The Effectors.
ALISON FRANCK, C.S.A. (Casting Director) has been a casting director in NYC for over 25 years. She started as an assistant for many Broadway Productions, then she worked in film/TV for several years, then from 2000- 2010, she was the Resident Casting Director at Paper Mill Playhouse. In 2011 she joined the team at Liz Lewis Casting Partners, where she cast commercials, voiceovers, film/TV, and theatre. Alison now runs her own company, Franck Casting, where she has cast several tours of well-known musicals including Legally Blonde, Dreamgirls, An American in Paris, A Christmas Story: The Musical, A Chorus Line, The Simon and Garfunkel Story Live and Little Women, the Musical & The Cher Show. www.franckcasting.com
BIG LEAGUE PRODUCTIONS/DANIEL SHER (Producer) is celebrating its 31st season of producing and general managing Broadway tours of shows and attractions throughout the world. Early highlights were collaborations with Disney on Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida (US Tours, Taiwan, and China) and with Cameron Mackintosh on a new production of Miss Saigon. Also, the Tony®-Award winning Broadway revival of 42nd Street and Susan Stroman’s Broadway production of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. Others: Footloose (Las Vegas, US Tour), Titanic, 1776, Peter Pan, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum starring Rip Taylor, Blast!, The Who’s Tommy (US Tour, South America, Europe, and Japan), Ain’t Misbehavin’ with Ruben Studdard, and the First National Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – flying car and all. More recent: The Producers (Susan Stroman’s original work), Hello, Dolly! with Sally Struthers, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady (US Tour and China premiere), original hip-hop dance show Groovaloo (Off-Broadway), Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (10 US Tours, Grand Ole Opry, and Madison Square Garden), Dreamgirls (US Tour, China premiere, Japan), Hair (US Tour and Japan), Bring it On (US Tour and Japan), and Legally Blonde (US Tours, China premiere, Singapore). More recently, A Chorus Line toured the US and Japan, and was seen in China for the first time. Post-pandemic, Big League remounted its acclaimed tour of An American in Paris, a new production of South Pacific, Legally Blonde, and continued touring its flagship production of A Christmas Story The Musical. Current work includes The Cher Show national tour and a new touring production of The Addams Family. Future work includes a new touring production of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man.