The Landing Closes November 24 with special benefit performance

The Vineyard Theatre world-premiere production of the musical THE LANDING – with book and lyrics by Greg Pierce, music by John Kander and directed by Walter Bobbie – has been in the recording studio to record a two-CD set for Jay Records. A release date has not been announced. THE LANDING will conclude its acclaimed […]

TheLanding0948The Vineyard Theatre world-premiere production of the musical THE LANDING – with book and lyrics by Greg Pierce, music by John Kander and directed by Walter Bobbie – has been in the recording studio to record a two-CD set for Jay Records. A release date has not been announced.

THE LANDING will conclude its acclaimed run with a special VIP benefit reception for patrons following the final performance on Sunday, November 24 at 3 p.m. at The Vineyard. (108 E. 15 St.) A $200 VIP ticket includes premium seating for the show as well as a champagne toast with the musical’s cast and creative team onstage after the performance. For reservations and information contact Julie Erhart at 212-353-3366 ext 227 or jerhart@vineyardtheatre.org.

Also, as a ‘thank you’ to its fans on Facebook and Twitter, The Vineyard has created a special offer for social media followers to THE LANDING: with November 21 designated as “Twitter Thursday” and November 22 as “Facebook Friday,” Vineyard followers can purchase tickets for $35 each and join the theatre’s staff for complimentary beer and wine in the lobby before the show. The Vineyard has created this offer to provide a face-to-face opportunity to get to know its social media fans and to give broader audience access to THE LANDING, which has been largely sold-out during its run. To access codes, visit The Vineyard’s respective social network pages – www.facebook.com/vineyardtheatrenyc; www.twitter.com/vineyardtheatre.

THE LANDING is the first collaboration between legendary theatre composer John Kander (CHICAGO, CABARET, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS) and Greg Pierce (SLOW GIRL, THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE), and kicks off The Vineyard’s 2013-14 season. THE LANDING is a beautiful and haunting new musical comprised of three thematically-connected tales of desire, love and loss.

THE LANDING also marks John Kander’s first full new theatre collaboration with another writer since the passing of his long-time collaborator Fred Ebb in 2004. Kander and Ebb’s latest collaboration THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS – which had its world-premiere at The Vineyard in 2010 prior to its transfer to Broadway – had its London debut this fall, simultaneous with the world-premiere of THE LANDING at The Vineyard.

One of the nation’s leading non-profit theatre companies dedicated to new plays and musicals and bold new programming, The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works. Its 31st season will continue in February 2014 with the New York premiere of the musical ARLINGTON by Victor Lodato and Polly Pen, followed by the world premiere of TOO MUCH SUN, the newest play by Nicky Silver, directed by Mark Brokaw in May 2014.

Scheduled through November 24 only, THE LANDING will perform Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 pm, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets are $80 and can be purchased by calling the Vineyard box office at 212 353 0303 or online.

Photo by Carol Rosegg

Artists

Ken Billington

(Lighting Design) 97 Broadway shows including CHAPLIN, HUGH JACKMAN BACK ON BROADWAY, CHICAGO, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, WHITE CHRISTMAS, [title of show], THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Lily Tomlin in THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS
, FOOTLOOSE, SWEENEY TODD, the Broadway revivals of BYE BYE BIRDIE, FINIAN’S RAINBOW, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, ANNIE, HELLO DOLLY, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, MY FAIR LADY and hundreds of touring productions from HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL to FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Other: SHAMU ONE OCEAN and SHAMU ROCKS for the 3 SeaWorld Parks, JUBILEE!, Bally’s Las Vegas, FANTASMIC! at Disneyland. Awards: Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Lumen (Architecture), Ace (Television).

Colyn Fiendel

(Assistant Stage Manager) Broadway: BIG FISH, LUCKY GUY, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, CHAPLIN, THE ROAD TO MECCA. Off-Broadway: THE LANDING, THE LYONS (Vineyard Theatre); WATER BY THE SPOONFUL, THE LAST FIVE YEARS (Second Stage); THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE GALA (The Public Theatre); NAKED BOYS SINGING! (Original Company). Tours/Tryouts: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, WEST SIDE STORY (Troika ); BIG FISH. Graduate of Purchase College with a BFA in stage management. Proud AEA member. Love to my parents, sister, and Johnny.

Roy Harris

(Production Stage Manager) Broadway: Orphans; In the Next Room, or the vibrator play; Dividing the Estate; and thirteen directed by Daniel Sullivan, including Good People, Morning’s at Seven, The Sisters Rosensweig, and The Heidi Chronicles; The Road to Mecca and Twelve Angry Men, (Roundabout Theatre Company). Off-Broadway: The Landing and The Lyons (Vineyard); Water by the Spoonful, Wings and The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Second Stage); Dying City, The Clean House, Third, and Ten Unknowns (Lincoln Center Theater). Author of five books, most recently More Recipes & Reminiscence and Brunch over Broadway. Proud grandfather of Addi, Amelia, Annie, and Win.

John Monaco

Vineyard Theatre: KID VICTORY, THE LANDING, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS. Musical coordinator for close to 75 Broadway musicals, guitarist/banjoist for almost 40 Broadway shows. He has had the priviledge of working with Richard Rodgers, John Kander, Jule Styne, Elmer Bernstein, Harvey Schmidt, Philip Springer, George Forrest, Robert Wright, and Stephen Flaherty.

Larry Hochman

(Orchestrations) Broadway: BOOK OF MORMON (Tony, Drama Desk), PIPPIN, BIG FISH, CHAPLIN, SCOTTSBORO BOYS (first produced at the Vineyard), SPAMALOT, ADDAMS FAMILY. 5 Tony Nominations. Television: Composer of Nickelodeon’s “The Wonder Pets!” (5 Emmys). 25 Regional and Off-Broadway shows incl. DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY (Maury Yeston), THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (Marvin Hamlisch). 17 films incl. The Informant! (Marvin Hamlisch) and Disney (Annie, Lady and the Tramp II, Little Mermaid II). Recordings, concerts: Paul McCartney, Eric Idle, Barbra Streisand, Hugh Jackman, Audra McDonald, Barry Manilow, Mandy Patinkin, Boston Pops, San Francisco Symphony, New York Philharmonic. In Memoriam (symphonic poem, publ. E.B. Marks). www.LarryHochman.net

Paul Masse

(Conductor, Piano) Broadway: The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, AVENUE Q, 42ND STREET (Revival), WICKED, CHICAGO, THE PAJAMA GAME (Revival), GYPSY (2003 and 2008 Revivals), THE PRODUCERS, WHITE CHRISTMAS.  Off-Broadway:  INNER VOICES (“Borrowed Dust”), THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, JACQUES BREL…, THE FANTASTICKS.  Regional:  SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (Denver Center), FIRST YOU DREAM (Kennedy Center/Signature Theatre), THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Guthrie).  1st National/LA:  WICKED.  TV:  “The Colbert Report”, “The View”, “The Rosie Show”, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”. Various Film soundtracks. Original cast albums:  The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, The Scottsboro Boys, Noel and Cole.  Concert performances at: Avery Fisher Hall, Merkin Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Joe’s Pub, 54 Below. BFA from New York University.

David Loud

Vineyard Theatre: KID VICTORY, THE LANDING, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (also Broadway). Broadway credits include THE VISIT, SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, CURTAINS, RAGTIME, A CLASS ACT, STEEL PIER, and revivals of PORGY AND BESS, SHE LOVES ME, COMPANY, and SWEENEY TODD. Off-Broadway: THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND. PBS: “First You Dream.” He originated the role of Manny in Terrence McNally’s MASTER CLASS (starring Zoe Caldwell) and made his Broadway debut in Harold Prince’s original 1981 production of Stephen Sondheim’s MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. He is a graduate of Yale University and is currently teaching at the Manhattan School of Music.

Nevin Steinberg

(Sound Design) Recent Broadway: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA (Tony nomination), THE PERFORMERS, MAGIC/BIRD. Recent Off Broadway: FAR FROM HEAVEN. Audio Consultant for Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium. Over thirty Broadway productions as a former founding principal of Acme Sound Partners and five additional Tony nominations for The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS, BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO, FENCES, HAIR and IN THE HEIGHTS.

John Lee Beatty

(Set Designer) Since 1976 Mr. Beatty has designed sets for over 100 Broadway productions, including the long-running revival of CHICAGO; the Pulitzer Prize winners DOUBT, PROOF, RABBIT HOLE, TALLEY’S FOLLY and CRIMES OF THE HEART; and noted revivals of A DELICATE BALANCE, THE HEIRESS, and DINNER AT EIGHT. Other productions include: THE BIG KNIFE, THE NANCE, GOOD PEOPLE, VENUS IN FUR, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, THE ROYAL FAMILY, TIME STANDS STILL, MAURITIUS, LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, BURN THIS, PENN & TELLER, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, THE COLOR PURPLE, THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG, and FIFTH OF JULY, among others. His long relationships with Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center Theater, Circle Repertory and City Center Encores! have led to Tony, Obie, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk Awards and the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Josh Rhodes

(Choreographer) Josh’s Broadway credits include FIRST DATE and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA (Outer Critic Circle, Astaire Award, and Drama Desk nominations).  On stage and screen he choreographed COMPANY starring Neil Patrick Harris, and  SONDHEIM’S 80th BIRTHDAY CONCERT for The New York Philharmonic and PBS. Other stage credits include: BROADWAY: THREE GENERATIONS at the Kennedy Center, ON THE TOWN for the LA Philharmonic, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN starring Patti LuPone at Ravinia, WORKING at the Old Globe, the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago, and the Drama Desk Award winning production at the Prospect Theater in New York, BARNUM at the Asolo Rep (Sarasota Theatre Award), THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG starring Jason Alexander at LA’s Reprise, STARS OF DAVID at the Philadelphia Theater Company, ACADEMY at the Maltz Jupiter, 1776 at the Papermill Playhouse, BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO at the Ogunquit Playhouse, CHESS, and DREAMGIRLS at the North Carolina Theatre, CLYDE & BONNIE at the Aurora Theater, BEAUTIFUL GIRLS at the Manhattan School of Music, ALL SINGING ALL DANCING, LEGENDS!, and BROADWAY BY THE YEAR-1954 at Town Hall.  As a director, Josh created and directed BROADWAY BARES 20 and 21 in New York,  THE FULL MCNALLY at the Westport Playhouse, and PAUL NEWMAN’S DREAM at Avery Fisher, and many 2XIST Fashion shows. His performance credits on Broadway include: FOSSE, BELLS ARE RINGING, SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, URBAN COWBOY, MAN OF LA MANCHA, THE BOY FROM OZ, and CHICAGO.

Walter Bobbie

(Director) Walter Bobbie has directed on and off-Broadway.  His credits include GOLDEN AGE, VENUS IN FUR, SCHOOL FOR LIES, WHITE CHRISTMAS, THE SUBMISSION, SAVANNAH DISPUTATION, NEW JERUSALEM, HIGH FIDELITY, THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO, SWEET CHARITY, THE OTHER WOMAN, TWENTIETH CENTURY, FOOTLOOSE, DURANG DURANG, FOR WHOM THE SOUTHERN BELLE TOLLS, CHICAGO, A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, as well as Encores! FIORELLO, TENDERLOIN, GOLDEN BOY, NO NO NANAETTE, and the Carnegie Hall concerts of SOUTH PACIFIC and CAROUSEL.   He served as Artistic Director of City Center’s Encores! and sits on the Executive Board of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Mr. Bobbie is also an actor whose theatre credits range from the original GREASE through HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FILM, I LOVE MY WIFE, CAFÉ CROWN, ANYTHING GOES, GETTING MARRIED , DRIVING MISS DAISY,  ASSASSINS, GUYS & DOLLS, POLISH JOKE, and last season’s ON YOUR TOES  at Encores!  Mr. Bobbie is the recipient of the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony Awards.

Paul Anthony Stewart

Broadway: THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE (Roundabout Theatre Company), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, CYRANO THE MUSICAL. Off-Broadway: HARBOR (Primary Stages), DREYFUS IN REHEARSAL. Regional: RIDE THE TIGER (Long Wharf Theatre), TWELFTH NIGHT (Westport Country Playhouse), THE LAST FIVE YEARS (Berkshire Theatre Festival), FUNNY GIRL (Drury Lane), MARRY ME A LITTLE (Dorset Theatre), CRIME & PUNISHMENT (Cleveland Playhouse), CHANGES OF HEART (Mark Taper Forum), QUILLS (Geffen Playhouse), HELLO AGAIN (LA Premiere), PERA PALAS (Long Wharf Theatre), THE GAME OF LOVE AND CHANCE (Huntington Theatre), CHILDREN OF EDEN (American Premiere). TV: “Guiding Light” (Emmy nomination), “Blue Bloods”, “Damages”, “Law & Order”, “Dream On”, “The Hunger”, “The Inheritance” (Hallmark Movie), “First Time Out”, “Loving”. FILM: “Somewhere in the City”, “Shadows and Fog”. Princeton Graduate.

Frankie Seratch

Frankie’s most recent projects include the lab performance of the new musical BULL DURHAM, and the readings of MILLIONS and SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE. Favorite roles include playing Kerry Butler’s son in the NYMF production of PANDORA’S BOX, and Jem in The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. In addition to theatre, Frankie is a very accomplished voiceover artist, working steady recording TV/Radio commercials, theme songs, audio books, and video games. Thanks to my family and friends who support all my adventures, John Shea at Frontier Booking, and especially Steve Irlen at Inspired Artist Management.

David Hyde Pierce

Broadway: Kander & Ebb’s CURTAINS (Tony Award), VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE (Tony nomination), LA BETE, ACCENT ON YOUTH, SPAMALOT, THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, BEYOND THERAPY. Off-Broadway: CLOSE UP SPACE, ELLIOT LOVES, ZERO POSITIVE, THAT’S IT FOLKS!, THE MADERATI, THE AUTHOR’S VOICE, HAMLET, MUCH ADO, THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Film: The Perfect Host, Down with Love, Full Frontal, Wet Hot American Summer, A Bug’s Life, Treasure Planet, Wolf, Nixon, Sleepless in Seattle, Little Man Tate, Crossing Delancey. TV: “The Powers That Be”, “The Outer Limits”, “Titus”, “Frasier” (Emmy, SAG Award). As director: Anselmi & Hargove’s musical IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU, George Street Playhouse; THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Julia Murney

Julia Murney last appeared on Broadway as Elphaba in WICKED after playing the role on the national tour for which she received an Acclaim Award. Other New York credits include LENNON, Andrew Lippa’s THE WILD PARTY (Drama Desk nomination), FALLING (Drama Desk nomination), THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, A CLASS ACT, SAVED, CRIMES OF THE HEART, QUEEN OF THE MIST, CLOSER THAN EVER, and TIME AND AGAIN (Lucille Lortel nomination). She’s been seen regionally all over the U.S. and has performed in concerts at Carnegie Hall, Joe’s Pub, 54 Below, Feinstein’s, The Kennedy Center, Caramoor, Town Hall and Birdland. Among her TV credits are “30 Rock”, “Sex and the City”, “Brothers and Sisters”, “Ed”, “NYPD Blue”, all three Law and Orders and about a gazillion voiceovers. juliamurney.com.

John Kander

Vineyard Theatre: KID VICTORY and THE LANDING with Greg Pierce, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and FLORA THE RED MENACE with Fred Ebb. Theatre: A FAMILY AFFAIR with James and William Goldman. With Fred Ebb: CABARET (Tony Award), ZORBA, THE HAPPY TIME, 70 GIRLS 70, CHICAGO, THE ACT, WOMAN OF THE YEAR (Tony Award), THE RINK, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (Tony Award), STEEL PIER, CURTAINS, and THE VISIT. Movies and television material with Fred Ebb: “Liza with a Z” (Emmy Award) and HBO’s “Liza Minnelli’s Steppin Out” (Emmy Award); Cabaret; Funny Lady (Academy Award nomination, Best Song); Lucky Lady; New York, New York; and Chicago The Movie (Academy Award nomination, Best Song). Film scores: “An Early Frost,” “Breathing Lessons,” “The Boys Next Door,” Kramer vs. Kramer, Blue Skies Again, Places of the Heart.

Greg Pierce

Greg Pierce’s first collaboration with John Kander, THE LANDING, premiered at the Vineyard Theatre. His play SLOWGIRL was the inaugural play of Lincoln Center’s Claire Tow Theater (LCT3). It was subsequently produced by Steppenwolf Theatre and the Geffen Playhouse. His play HER REQUIEM was also produced by LCT3. He wrote the libretto for the opera FELLOW TRAVELERS, based on the novel by Thomas Mallon, (composed by Gregory Spears) which premiered at Cincinnati Opera. Other plays include THE QUARRY (with composer Randal Pierce, Vermont Stage Company), and THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE, based on the novel by Haruki Murakami, (Edinburgh International Festival, Singapore Arts Festival, The Public Theater’s Under the Radar Festival). He has been commissioned by Lincoln Center Theater, Second Stage Theatre, Vermont Stage Company, and Manhattan Theatre Club. He is currently working on two new projects with John Kander.

Michael Krass

(Costume Design) Vineyard Theatre: THE LANDING, THE LYONS, MARY ROSE, BEAUTIFUL CHILD, EIGHT DAYS (BACKWARD), ANTIGONE IN NY, AMERICA DREAMING, HIT THE LIGHTS. Broadway: MACHINAL (Tony nomination); THE LYONS, AFTER MISS JULIE; THE CONSTANT WIFE (Tony nomination); TWELVE ANGRY MEN; YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN; RECKLESS, THE REHEARSAL (Drama Desk nomination), HEDDA GABLER, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE; many more. Off-Broadway: world premieres by Edward Albee, John Guare, Nicky Silver, Kenny Lonergan, David Rabe, Christopher Durang, Alfred Uhry, Theresa Rebeck, Elaine May, Keith Bunin. Downtown NY: built for collapse, THE SERPENT (Daniel Kramer), HADESTOWN (Rachel Chavkin), etc. Dance: BalletTech. Regional: The Guthrie, Arena Stage, The McCarter, Old Globe, La Jolla, ten summers at The Hangar, twelve summers at Williamstown. Film: Campbell Scott’s HAMLET. Opera: PELLEAS AND MELISANDE in St. Petersburg, Russia. Teaching: eighteen years at NYU undergrad, now the grad school at Brown.