"Man is not one, but two
He is evil and good
And he walks a fine line
we'd all cross if we could..."
An evocative tale of two men – one, a doctor, passionate and romantic; the other, a terrifying madman – and two women – one, beautiful and trusting; the other, beautiful and trusting only herself– both women in love with the same man and both unaware of his dark secret.
OLT returns to Fair Lawn this fall with the epic rock musical, Jekyll & Hyde. Based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson and featuring a thrilling score of pop rock hits from multi-Grammy- and Tony-nominated Frank Wildhorn and double-Oscar- and Grammy-winning Leslie Bricusse, Jekyll & Hyde has mesmerized audiences the world over.
Cast
Thomas Barca
Simon Stride
Thomas makes his debut at the Old Library Theater. Jekyll and Hyde has always been a show highly regarded by Thomas. He previously performed as Rueben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Monsieur D’Arque in Beauty and the Beast (Rosen Performing Arts Center), General Genghis Kahn Schmitz in Seussical the Musical (St. Anne Stages), and George Read in 1776 (The Barn Theatre). He also performed in various cabarets with Aspire Performing Arts Company. Thomas works as a cantor at St Alban’s Episcopal Church.
Kaitlyn Barnes
Poole
When she is not keeping house for mad scientists, soprano Kaitlyn Barnes maintains an active vocal studio as well as a children and teens musical theatre program. She is thankful for the opportunity to work with so many OLT friends and to share the stage once again with her partner Gerard Macanas, and her student Abbi Pesner! Favorite roles include Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus) Dido (Dido and Aeneas) Cinderella (Into the Woods) Elaine (Arsenic and Old Lace) and Monica (The Medium). All of Kaitlyn’s work is dedicated in thanks to her father Joseph Barnes for his never-ending love and support and also in memory of her mother Jacalyn Barnes. Kaitlyn is a proud hEDS zebra and would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to get their annual check-ups!
Francesca DiPisa
Ensemble
Francesca has been participating in musical theater for years, since her first role as a salt shaker in her high school freshman production of Beauty and the Beast. Francesca graduated cum laude from Montclair State University in 2021 with a minor in musical theater. When she's not singing a showtune, Francesca loves showcasing her love for singing in cabarets, open-mics, and by writing her own music. You can follow Francesca's musical journey on her YouTube page @francescadipisamusic. She wishes her talented castmates a wonderful run and thanks her family and loved ones for their endless support.
Paul Foster
Lord Savage
Paul returns to OLT as the arrogant and corrupt Lord Savage. He has been enjoying playing parts where men grapple with their fading powers. At OLT as the physician in Cardboard Trees and a Painted Moon, he found how the joy of community theater can save a medical career. In Cinderella, he played Sebastian, the displaced regent. In A New Brain, he played a jaded Dr. Berensteiner. As Edgar in Titanic he struggled to contain his excitable younger wife before going down with the ship. In Clifton’s Jesus Christ Superstar, he explored the corruption inherent in power as Caiphas. Other roles of note include Harry in a Baltimore production of Mamma Mia, and a Leibesleider Singer in BCP’s A Little Night Music. Paul denies that these roles reflect in any way the themes of his own life and career as an academic internist, husband, and father.
Avamichelina Hodgens
Ensemble /
Featured Dancer
Avamichelina is a junior at Seton Hall University and this is her first production with OLT. Recent credits include Virtue in Anything Goes (WCCT), Medium Alison in Fun Home (The Summit Playhouse), and Belle in Beauty and the Beast (CDC Theatre). She would like to thank her parents, family, and best friends for their constant love and support. A huge thank you to Peter, Stefo, Nikki, Ash, Laura, and the entire cast and crew for all of their hard work and kindness throughout this process. Enjoy the show!
T.J. Insana
Bishop of Basingstoke
This is T.J.’s first theatrical appearance since 2000 when ironically, he was cast in the national tour of Jekyll and Hyde. After graduating Berklee College of music in 1993, T.J. was a musical director, played in several bands in the New York area, wrote music for Paramount Pictures and ABC daytime television. He then married his lovely wife Korina, raised two children, and is currently doing this show with his son Mason!
Mason Insana
Ensemble / Young Jekyll
Mason is ecstatic to be part of Jekyll and Hyde at OLT! Some of his favorite credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter), The Prom (Barry Glickman) and Pippin (Pippin). Thanks to my family for supporting me! Let’s have a great show!
Mia Jacobs
Lucy Harris
Mia is honored to join the OLT family and bring their dream role of Lucy to life. Jekyll & Hyde has been Mia’s favorite musical since they were 12, and getting to perform in it is truly a dream come true. Some of Mia’s favorite past roles include Marty (Grease), Fraulein Kost (Cabaret), Tzeitel (Fiddler on the Roof), and Daisy (Bat Boy). They are deeply grateful to the entire cast, crew, and production team for their hard work, talent, and support throughout this incredible journey. Mia also sends endless thanks to their wonderful family for always being their biggest supporters – especially to their mom, who has proudly earned the title of “best drama-mama” anyone could ask for. Being part of this production has been an unforgettable experience, and Mia is beyond excited to share it with audiences. Enjoy the show!
Asuka Kimura
Ensemble /
Featured Dancer
Asuka is thrilled to be in her first production with OLT. She’s a Japanese actor with a background in singing, who moved to New York to pursue acting. Recent/Favorite credits include tick, tick… BOOM! at Nutley Little Theater, Xanadu and Guys and Dolls at The Heights Players and The Valley of the Shadow at WP Theater with Wolfsmouth Players Company. Most of all, she is beyond delighted to be sharing the stage with such an amazing cast and crew. Infinite love to her family, all her friends, and to Erin.
Natalya "Artemys" Kozlovski
Ensemble / Young Emma
Set Designer
Tayla is a recent graduate from Montclair State University, with a degree in Illustration. Some previous roles include Margot in Legally Blonde, Heather Chandler in Heathers, and Cosette in Les Miserables. They are returning to Old Library Theatre after performing in Cardboard Trees and A Painted Moon, as well as returning to set design! They are very honored to have worked with this amazing cast & crew. While their career focus is in the visual arts, they also hope to pursue work in voice acting and theatre. More of their artwork can be found on their Instagram page @artyfae.
Gerard Macanas
General Lord Glossop
Favorite roles include Mr. D’Amico/Benjamin Guggenheim in Titanic (Old Library Theater), Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls (Park Players), and Sasha in Fiddler on the Roof. He would like to thank his castmates and the wonderful production team for an incredible experience, and partner Kaitlyn Barnes for her constant support.
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Kevin Maphis
Dr. Henry Jekyll /
Mr. Edward Hyde
Kevin is an acting teacher at Ridgewood High School who has always been a fan of gothic horror. This is his first show with Old Library Theater but not his first time in the role. After six years he is honored to be returning as Dr. Jekyll and has enjoyed working with everyone at OLT. Past credits include: Once at Stageworks (Bank Manager, NJ Perry Award nominated), Man of La Mancha at Bergen Stages (Sancho), and American Idiot at Roundtable Theater Company (St. Jimmy). He is also a long-time performer at Renaissance Faires, last seen at the Sparta NJ Renaissance Festival with The Merry Mob, an improv and musical group. He would like to thank his partner Cat for their love and support especially during one of the busiest times of the year.
Michelle McGorty
Ensemble /
Featured Dancer
Michelle is a life-long singer, dancer, and lover of musical theatre. From performing in school and community theatre as a kid, to learning about producing in college, to serving on the boards of Prospect Musicals, the Princeton Triangle Club, and the Ridgewood High School New Players Company, she loves being part of the magic of bringing musicals to life. She is also involved with Ridgewood’s Jamboree, an annual musical revue performed by parents of high school students to raise money for scholarships. Michelle has loved Jekyll & Hyde since seeing the touring production in Chicago in 1996 and is having the best time singing this gorgeous music with new friends. A former management consultant and communications professional, Michelle lives in Ridgewood with her husband Glen, kids Meghan, Connor, and Kendall, and their mini Bernedoodle, Nassau, and thanks them for their support in this “third act” endeavor!
Kari Moloney
Emma Carew
Kari returned to the stage this year after a 15-year hiatus, first appearing as Shelley in Bat Boy: The Musical this past May, and now is honored to take on the role of Emma in Jekyll & Hyde. A graduate of SUNY College at Oneonta with a B.S. in Theatre, she has performed a range of roles, including Viola in Twelfth Night, Hope Cladwell in Urinetown, Cinderella in Into the Woods, and Meredith in Bat Boy. Her vocal work has been featured on demos, commercials, and national platforms, including American Idol (Season 13) and The Voice (Season 17). She also performed as lead singer of the cover band The Kicks. Offstage, Kari’s most cherished role is being a mom to her children, Aidan and Connor. She extends heartfelt thanks to her husband, Tom, and to Laura, Stefo, Peter, and the entire cast and crew for this wonderful opportunity.
Melissa Mooney
Lady Angela Proops /
Featured Dancer
Melissa has over 25 years of experience in theatre and dance as a performer, educator, and choreographer. She holds a BA in English and Education from Caldwell College and NJ teaching certificates in Elementary and Middle School Language Arts. Melissa trained at The Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC and studied voice with Ron Shetler. A versatile performer, she has appeared in The Wizard of Oz, Merrily We Roll Along, Gypsy, Grease, and The Heart of It All, to name a few. She has choreographed for schools and theaters across NJ, coached award-winning dance teams, performed at Madison Square Garden, and The Evergreen Dinner Theatre. Melissa is the founder/director of Theatre Next Door, a triple threat studio, that has received numerous awards. She teaches Pre-K in Short Hills, and loves sharing her passion for the arts with her children, Savanna and Braden, and her husband, Brian.
Pamela Pedersen
Lady Beaconsfield
Pam is delighted to be performing in a production of Jekyll and Hyde for the second time. She has loved performing in these dark numbers, as well as getting to dust off her British accent. She has recently performed in Rock of Ages at Old Library Theatre in March. Some of her favorite past roles are Mrs. Pugh in Annie at Rhino Theatre Mainstage, Patty in Beehive at The Barn Theatre, Old Lady in Violet at Stageworks 247, and Justice in Rock of Ages at Old Library Theatre. Pamela is an elementary music teacher, wife, mother of two, and dog mom to four pups when she is not on the stage. She is grateful to her friends and family for their love and support and would like to thank all those involved in Jekyll and Hyde for making this a positive and fun experience.
Abbi Pesner
Gabriel John Utterson
This is Abbi's first production with Old Library Theatre. She has most recently been seen in The Park Players productions of Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson) and Jane Eyre (Edward Fairfax Rochester). She would like to thank her loving partner Melissa for supporting her in more ways than she could ever write in a bio, and her family for being her biggest fans since her first show in the 1st grade. Abbi would like to dedicate this performance, and all future performances, to her late father who she misses every day.
Emily Rhinesmith
Ensemble
Emily’s love for musical theatre knows no limits! As a young girl, Emily saw her first Broadway shows, and shortly after orchestrated her own versions on the front lawn with her neighborhood friends. This was the spark to light what would become a lifelong passion! Emily has performed in productions of Jekyll and Hyde (Star Royale Theatre), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (St. Catherine’s), Bugsy Malone (Smiling Rhino Theatre), Wonderful Town, Bye Bye Birdie, Footloose, and Damn Yankees (Pompton Lakes High School.) Emily attended Montclair State University with a Major in Communications / Public Relations and a minor in Musical Theatre. She sang in the Chorale and MSU Singers groups. Emily is eager to share this incredible production of Jekyll and Hyde at Old Library Theatre with everyone, and is extremely grateful for her loving and supportive husband, friends, and family. Thank you all!
Max Rogers
Spider
Max is making his return to the stage after a fifteen-year absence. He would like to thank his wife, fellow actor Damir Oleros, acting instructor Natasha B. Warner, and his loving family.
Leslie Silverman
Nellie
This is Leslie’s third production with OLT. She was Liliane La Fleur in our 2024 production of Nine, Lou Neuman in Unexpected Joy, and Armanda in Sweet Charity. She has appeared elsewhere as: The Witched Witch in The Wizard of Oz, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense, Nancy in Oliver, Velma Kelly in Chicago, Berthe in Pippin, Rev. Hightower in Bat Boy, Hysteria in Forum, Anita in West Side Story, Lady Thiang in The King and I, Suzannah in Tintypes, Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business, Maggie Jones in 42nd Street, Bloody Mary in South Pacific, Muzzy Van Hossmier in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Mrs. Muller in Doubt, Mrs. McAfee in Bye Bye Birdie. Her directing credits include Last of the Red-Hot Lovers, Pirates of Penzance, Seussical, Bye, Bye Birdie, Motherhood Out Loud, The Music Man, and Beehive.
Dave Toussas
Sir Danvers Carew
A familiar face to OLT audiences, Dave has also performed with several theater companies in the area. Over the past year, he’s had the chance to showcase his talents in a range of roles. He electrified as Priest 2 in Jesus Christ Superstar with Pleasant Valley Productions, dove into the heartfelt world of Bright Star as Daddy Murphy at The Barn Theatre, and let loose as Dennis Dupree in Rock of Ages here at OLT. Next up he'll appear as Jean Sheppard in A Christmas Story at the Rosen Performing Arts Center in Wayne. Dave wants to thank this amazing cast, crew, and production team, and most of all, his family and friends for always supporting him.
CREATIVE & PRODUCTION STAFF
Director
Peter Vaiknoras
wants to welcome everyone to a journey of horrific and supernatural origins! This undertaking has been over a year in the making, and…this is the moment! Peter was last seen at OLT on stage for the original show Cardboard Trees and a Painted Moon and A New Brain. He would like to express his gratitude to the amazing cast and production team for making this a phenomenal show and a damn good time. An extra big thank you to Nikki for her love and support not just at rehearsal, but every single day. Congratulations on a wonderful run, and break legs everyone!
Music Director
Stefanos Hunter
is beyond ecstatic to have this production be his community theatre debut as an MD! As mainly a vocalist but also multi-instrumentalist, he served as Paramus Catholic's Director of Music for the past two years but will begin teaching at Midland Elementary and East Brook Middle School in Paramus later this month, and is very much looking forward to this next step in his career. He would like to thank his partner, Alyssa for giving him the strength and confidence to continue to be a better man than he was the day before, the Production Team for being so warm and wonderful to work alongside, the pit of colleagues that he is always proud to collaborate with and of course this stellar cast for their passion, time and trust in the vision for this production. "When you pay the bill, kindly leave a little tip for the next poor sucker on this one-way trip." - Frank Zappa @itsstefoyo
Producer
Laura Penney Shamir
has more often been found onstage in the last few years—but Jekyll & Hyde marks her return to producing. With PenneySeal Productions, Laura spent several years focused on developing and producing new works in NYC including The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World (NYMF 2005), The Mistress Cycle (NYMF 2005), Mimesophobia (or before and after) (SPF 2005), Anatomy 1968 (SPF 2004), and Slut (FringeNYC 2003), Deirdre (TRU Voices New Musicals Reading Series, “Best of Festival” Producer’s Prize, Daniel Marshall Award) and LAByrinth’s Play Development Center’s 11th Annual Playwrights’ Week. Laura also produced Dreams This Way: The Best of Raw Impressions Music Theatre (NYMF 2004 and TADA! Theatre) and many individual RIMT events. With Raw Impressions’ film division, Laura produced the thriller Friends Like These (by Geoff Kirsch and Jason Reich, dir. Evan Greenberg) and the movie musical Free Fall (by David Simpatico and Jeff Blumenkrantz, dir. Lonny Price). Laura is a graduate of the Commercial Theater Institute’s 14-Week Producing Program. She has worked as a stage manager, lighting designer, and company manager (B’way: Julius Caesar starring Denzel Washington; Off-B’way: Matt & Ben). Many, many thanks to Peter, Nikki, and Stefo—and to our entire production team and cast—for their incredible work and dedication. Laura also extends deep appreciation to her fellow Board Members for everything they’ve done behind the scenes to bring Jekyll & Hyde to life and to ensure that Old Library Theatre continues to thrive.
Choreographer, Producer
Nikki Vaiknoras
is usually found on stage, but this time she’s pulling the strings (and the dance steps) from behind the curtain as choreographer and co-producer. A lifelong lover of theater, Nichole was last seen on stage in Cardboard Trees and a Painted Moon. She has choreographed productions of The Producers, The Little Mermaid, and Seussical the Musical. She is grateful to the cast, crew, and her fellow production team for their creativity and dedication, and to her husband for his endless support.
Production Stage Manager, Props
Ash Torbic
is a recent graduate of UConn with a BSE in Entertainment Engineering. They have always had a love for theater, both on and off the stage. Their most recent roles were Paul in The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals and Ernie Mac in Puffs where they were also the props manager. They were previously the stage manager for OLT’s production of Cinderella and would like to thank the production team for the opportunity to come back and work with such an amazing cast and crew! They would like to thank their friends, family, and amazing partner Syd for the constant support. They hope you enjoy the show!
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Assistant Stage Manager
Madie Jones
is a graduate of Montclair State University with a B.A. in theatre studies and specific interest in stage management. They have previously stage managed shows with Aspire PAC and JCC on the Palisades School of Dance and Drama, and are very excited to be working on their first show with Old Library Theater. They would like to thank the team for bringing them on, and are so thrilled to get to see this cast continuously shine!
Costume Design
Abby Citarella
is a New York-based costume designer. This is her first time working with Old Library Theatre. Her recent productions include Costume Designer, Madagascar JR (Vanguard), Assistant Costume Designer Waiting for Godot (Colonial Theatre), and Assistant Costume Designer Cabaret (Surflight). She would like to thank her family and friends for their support!
Lighting & Sound Designer
Kai Goz
is a sound designer and electrician (and sometimes actor!). This is their first production with OLT. Some favorite productions include Into the Woods and The Addams Family (electrician) as well as Henry IV (sound designer). Thank you to the production team!
Fight Choreographer
Michael Serpe
Michael has been teaching stage combat throughout the tri-state area for over 10 years and has choreographed shows in the 2018 New York and 2023 Winnipeg Fringe Festivals. When not acting or working on his debut album, Michael is the co-host of the improv show You Are Not Alone: An Uplifting Show About Depression that runs monthly at the Magnet Theater in New York City.
Composer
Frank Wildhorn
Frank Wildhorn (Composer) Multi-Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award nominated composer/producer Frank Wildhorn's works span the worlds of popular, theatrical, and classical music. In 1999, Frank became the first American composer in 22 years to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway with Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Civil War. Also for Broadway: Bonnie & Clyde, Dracula, Victor/Victoria, Wonderland, and the revival of Jekyll & Hyde. West End: Bonnie & Clyde, Your Lie In April, Death Note the Musical in Concert, and Your Lie In April the Musical in Concert. International: Carmen, Camille Claudel, Casanova, Cyrano, Death Note, Fist of the North Star, Kane and Abel, Mata Hari, Mitsuko, Never Say Goodbye, No Longer Human, Rudolf, Tears of Heaven, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Man Who Laughs, Your Lie in April and Xcalibur. Upcoming: Einstein: A Matter of Time, Mac & Beth, Reunion, Song of Bernadette, Mac & Beth and Van Gogh In Love. He Produced Harlem Song at the famed Apollo Theatre. The Korea Times recently proclaimed Wildhorn as “Korea’s most popular musical composer”. In November 2022, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra World Premiered Wildhorn’s full length “Donau Symphonie” at the famed Musikverein. Europe’s MusicalZentrale noted, “With his "Donau Symphonie," he (Wildhorn) manages to completely reinvent himself and to overcome the separation between light and serious music.” Conducted by Koen Schoots, the performance also featured suites from the Wildhorn musicals Jekyll & Hyde and Dracula. The “Donau Symphonie'' was released on CD and streaming services in December 2021. His second symphony, titled “Odessa” after the Ukrainian city where his mother was born, is scheduled to be recorded by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra in January of 2025 and will be premiered live later in the year. Frank wrote the Cartier Symphonic Suite for the famed Jewelers’ 2024 gala celebration in Seoul to which the Korea Dance Company performed. Also: Bonnie & Clyde Live - a live streamed version of the West End concert featuring Jeremy Jordan and Frances Mayli McCann and announcements of additional original works to be world premiered. Frank served as music director for the Goodwill Games in New York City (1998). He wrote the song "Gold", the opening number for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Among the artists who have recorded and performed Frank's works: Whitney Houston (#1 international hit "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?"), Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers, Sammy Davis, Jr., Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Hootie & the Blowfish, The Moody Blues, Johnny Mathis, Linda Eder, Freddie Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Stacy Lattisaw, Molly Hatchet, Blues Traveler, Trace Adkins, Patti LaBelle, Jeffrey Osborne, BeBe Winans, Amy Grant, Anthony Warlow, to name a few. He received the prestigious Charles Dickens Award from USC, where there is a scholarship under his name. Frank is the proud father of Justin and Jake. For more information on Frank Wildhorn, please visit FrankWildhorn.com @Frank.Wildhorn on Instagram @FrankWildhorn on Facebook and X
Lyricist/Librettist
Leslie Briscusse
Double Oscar and Grammy winner Leslie Bricusse was a writer-composer-lyricist who has contributed to many musical films and plays during his career. He was born in London, and educated at University College School and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. At Cambridge, he was President of the Footlights Revue Club and founded the Musical Comedy Club. There, he co-authored, directed and performed in his first two musical shows, OUT OF THE BLUE and LADY AT THE WHEEL, both of which made their way to London's West End. He also found time in the gaps to acquire a Master of Arts Degree. The late, great Beatrice Lillie plucked him out of the Footlights Revue at the Phoenix Theatre, and made him her leading man in AN EVENING WITH BEATRICE LILLIE at the Globe Theatre, where he spent the first year of his professional life writing another musical, BOY ON THE CORNER, and the screenplay and score of his first motion picture, CHARLEY MOON, which won his first Ivor Novello Award. That year he decided to drop the possibilities of directing and performing, and concentrate his career on becoming a full-time writer-composer-lyricist. His subsequent stage musicals include STOP THE WORLD - I WANT TO GET OFF; THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT - THE SMELL OF THE CROWD; PICKWICK; HARVEY; THE GOOD OLD BAD OLD DAYS; GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS; HENRY'S WIVES; SCROOGE; ONE SHINING MOMENT; SHERLOCK HOLMES; JEKYLL AND HYDE and VICTOR/VICTORIA. He has written songs and/or screenplays for such films as DOCTOR DOLITTLE; SCROOGE; WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY; GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS; SUPERMAN; VICTOR/VICTORIA; SANTA CLAUS - THE MOVIE; HOME ALONE I & II; HOOK; TOM & JERRY - THE MOVIE and various PINK PANTHERS. Bricusse wrote more than forty musical shows and films, and over the years had the good fortune to enjoy fruitful collaborations with a wonderful array of musical talents, including Anthony Newley, Henry Mancini, John Williams, John Barry, Jerry Goldsmith, Jule Styne, Quincy Jones, Andre Previn, Frank Wildhorn and Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky (whose NUTCRACKER SUITE he adapted into a song score). His better-known songs include: What Kind Of A Fool Am I?; Once In A Lifetime; Gonna build A Mountain; Who Can I Turn To?; The Joker; If I Ruled The World; My Kind Of Girl; Talk To The Animals; You And I; Felling Good; When I Look In Your Eyes; Goldfinger; Can You Read My Mind? (The love theme from Superman); You Only Live Twice; Le Jazz Hot; On A Wonderful Day Like Today; Two For The Road; The Candy Man; This Is The Moment; Crazy World; Pure Imagination and Ompa-Loompa-Doompa-Dee-Doo. He was nominated for ten Academy Awards, nine Grammys and four Tonys, and won two Oscars, a Grammy and eight Ivor Novello Awards, the premiere British Music Award. Hundreds of Bricusse's songs have been recorded by major artists, including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Sammy Davis, Jr. (who recorded 60 Bricusse songs), Tony Bennett, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Andy Williams, Rex Harrison, Kate Smith, Elaine Paige, Anthony Newley, Michael Feinstein, Bette Midler, The Moody Blues, Nancy Sinatra, Lena Horne, Sergio Mendes, Nina Simone, Dionne Warwick, Robert Goulet, Matt Monro, Ray Charles, Ethel Merman, Placido Domingo, Jennifer Holliday, Danny Kaye, Robbie Williams, Mariah Carey, Linda Eder, Maroon 5, Michael Bublé and The Black-Eyes Peas. In 1989 he received the Kennedy Award for consistent excellence in British songwriting, bestowed by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, and was inducted into the American Songwriters' Hall of Fame - only the fourth Englishman to be so honoured - after Noel Coward, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Bricusse is currently represented internationally and across the United States by JEKYLL & HYDE, written with Frank Wildhorn, which ran for four years at the Plymouth Theatre in New York, with a dozen international productions around the world, and VICTOR/VICTORIA, written with Blake Edwards and Henry Mancini, which successively starred Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli and Raquel Welch on Broadway, and is now to be seen across America and in other international productions. Bricusse's children's stage musical version of Raold Dahl's WILLY WONKA opened at the Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts in Washington DC in November, 2004, before embarking on a three-year national tour. Another Bricusse perennial, his musical version of SCROOGE, in which Anthony Newley starred at the Dominion Theatre in London's West End, is also seen annually in many productions in the U. K., Europe, the U. S. and Japan. For DOCTOR DOLITTLE, another current stage musical, which played four years in the U. K. starring Phillip Schofield and almost one hundred assorted animatronic animals created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, Bricusse served as librettist, composer, lyricist and co-producer. Further productions are planned in Europe, Australia, South Korea and Japan. A major U. S. production opened in the summer of 2005. Recent projects included a remarkable musical biography of the world's greatest entertainer, the late Sammy Davis, Jr., entitled SAMMY, directed and choreographed by Debbie Allen. Bricusse also completed the book and lyrics of his musical adaptation of CYRANO DE BERGERAC, his new collaboration with Frank Wildhorn, and a compilation songbook show, BRICK BY BRICK BY BRICUSSE.
Rights Holder
Music Theater International
Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world's leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form.
MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide.
MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.