Jason Robert Brown

Sitting in the Mark Taper Forum, watching the 3rd preview of Parade, 26 September 2009. [Most of what I’m paying attention to on this particular night is music and sound stuff, so the majority of the notes are marked “T” (for Tom Murray, my stalwart musical director) or “JW” (for Jon Weston, the sound designer). “R” is for Rob Ashford, the director. I realize that much of this will be inscrutable to anyone other than me, but I’ve decided just to post it as is without any further explication.] JW Opening again – much faster pull down of volume JWRead More »

Mark Shenton’s full blog entry can be found here. Something extra for the weekend… by MARK SHENTON The Stage UK, 27 September 2010 On Friday, [I went] to the Garrick for the West End concert debut of Broadway composer Jason Robert Brown, who I’ve previously seen do shows at the New Players and Purcell Room; and on Sunday, to see an all-star concert to celebrate the work of another younger American composer Scott Alan at the New Players. It was ironic, Brown noted, that he was appearing at a West End theatre when he is yet to have a fullRead More »

I have never felt so lucky or had so much fun in my entire career as I did with this awesome band and the unbelievable Anika Noni Rose in London this week. Two sold-out shows at the Garrick Theatre (which is where I saw my first show in the West End ever, 15 years ago!) with a magnificently enthusiastic audience, all singing along and getting on their feet. When I was a kid and dreamed about being a rock star, I imagined it would feel exactly like this. I can’t thank Neil Eckersley and Paul Spicer enough for bringing usRead More »

An extraordinary night at the gorgeous TUI Operettenhaus in Hamburg, with a cast of phenomenally gifted musical theater performers from Germany and a truly astonishing display of artistry from the wonderful Dutch singer Pia Douwes. This concert was my first performance in Germany (in fact, this trip is the first time I’ve even been here), and I couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome. Special thanks to the presenters of the evening, Ralf Schädler and Simone Linhof from Re:Present, who took exquisite care of me, my heavily jetlagged Caucasian Rhythm Kings, and six magnificent soloists (not to mention four unbelievablyRead More »

I had the delightful privilege of being interviewed for John Jacobson’s Music Express Magazine, a Hal Leonard publication for elementary school kids. You can pick up the May/June 2010 issue here, which includes simplified sheet music for “What It Means To Be A Friend” and “Thirteen”, as well as a fun article about me and my work; and you can listen to my interview with Lauren Frost by clicking this little link right here. Thanks to Andy Waterman for setting up the interview, and thanks to Music Express for having me on board!