Madame X -The Musical (2011)

Gerard Alessandrini (Book Writer / Lyricist / Composer / Director)

is best known for writing and directing all the editions of Forbidden Broadway and Forbidden Hollywood, in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, London, and around the world.  Gerard is originally from Needham, Mass.  He graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music. In 1982, he created and wrote Forbidden Broadway, which has spawned 20 editions, ten cast albums and a 27-year run in New York.  Gerard’s next musical The Nutcracker and I will premiere this Christmas season at The George ST. Playhouse in New Jersey. Co-written with Emmy Award winner Peter Brash.

As a performer, he can be heard on five of the ten Forbidden Broadway cast albums, and on the soundtracks of Disney’s animated classics Aladdin and Pocahontas.  He recently wrote and designed the book Forbidden Broadway: Behind The Mylar Curtain with Michael Portantiere. His second forthcoming book Gigi: Music On Film is due for release through Applause Publishing fall 2012.  Gerard is the recipient of an Obie Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, two Lucille Lortel Awards, and seven Drama Desk Awards (Two for Best Lyrics, two for lifetime achievement and three for Forbidden Broadway-Best Musical Revue.) In 1998 he was the recipient of the Drama League Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theater. He recently received a Tony Award Honor for Excellence In The theatr

Robert Hetzel (Book Writer / Lyricist / Composer)

was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.  He is now a fitness trainer in Los Angeles, where he writes and does voice-over acting on the side.  Robert wants to thank his mother for all of her love and support.

John Freedson (Producer)

has been associated with Mr. Alessandrini and Forbidden Broadway for most of its 29-year history and has produced the Special-Tony®-Awarded New York company and touring company since 1994. John is also producer of the national tour of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. With his producing partner Harriet Yellin, he presented Forbidden Broadway at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, in Los Angeles, San Diego, Detroit, Denver and on tour, as well as Forbidden Hollywood in Los Angeles, Japan and Off-Broadway, as well as Mr. Alessandrini's revisal of Irving Berlin's Mr. President.  He has directed Forbidden Broadway  and  Forbidden Hollywood to acclaim around the world, winning Jefferson Award for Best Direction for the Chicago production of FH.  Mr. Freedson has co-produced 8 Forbidden Broadway CD’s for DRG records and, long-ago, starred in the Off-Broadway and Boston productions. As a composer/ lyricist, he wrote three hit children's musicals:  A Swan is Born, Aesop's Follies and Country Mouse/City Mouse, which toured with the New England Theatre Guild.  His voice was heard on numerous radio and television spots and jingles, two Forbidden Broadway CD's and Disney's Aladdin.  Originally from Reading PA, Mr. Freedson attended the Boston Conservatory and is a graduate of Brandeis University

John David West (Producer)

has acted, directed and produced in New York since 1997. He received an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School and BS in Business Administration/Theater from Indiana State University. David spent two years in Germany, performing in Tony ‘n' Tina's Wedding and teaching theater at the Frankfurt International School. David later moved to New York City where he became owner and director of Center Stage, NY. David served as the Administration Program Coordinator at the Actors Studio Drama School. 

Myrna Duarte (Producer)

Myrna E. Duarte is a designer, producer, and writer for theater, special events and tradeshows. Design credits include the Obie Award-winning Summer Street Theater at Theater for the New City, Nuyorican Poets’ Café, and member of the design team for the Broadway production of Rent. She produced the original New York and Los Angeles productions of the award-winning one-man show, Behind the Counter With Mussolini. Teaching credits include set design at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and set design and mask making for bilingual at-risk teens at the Diego de Clement Youth Center. As Director of Events and Tradeshows for Chuck Klein Productions, Myrna conceptualized, designed and coordinated production of nationwide campaigns for several entertainment industry clients. Myrna is a member of the Board of Directors for Theater for the New City and is currently the Director of Diversity Initiatives for The American Cancer Society. 

David Caldwell (Musical Director)

 has been the music director of Forbidden Broadway since 2004. He composed music and lyrics for All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten and Uh-Oh Here Comes Christmas, both based on the writing of Robert Fulghum. He also composed music for Fulghum's novel Third Wish. He conducted the American premiere of Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden. He just arranged and orchestrated Marvin Hamlisch's new song “I'm Really Dancing” for Career Transitions for Dancers' 25th Anniversary Gala, featuring Angela Lansbury, Chita Rivera and Bebe Neuwirth. In January, he music-directed The Road to Qatar at the York Theater. His new show, Gotta Getta Girl, will premiere this summer at the New York Music Theater Festival. He is interviewed at length in Oliver Sacks' book about music and the brain, Musicophilia.

James Horvath (Choreographer)

 EMMY Award, June 2008 - THE PROM MUSICAL (ABC/Disney OLTL aired June, 2007). Opening number performed live on THE VIEW. Off-Broadway, Readings and Workshops in NYC; MARRIAGE IS Maltby/Shire Revue - Roundabout Theatre Co; WALKING DOWN BROADWAY - The Mint Theatre; THE BODY SHOP - Westbeth Studio Theatre; NOT WAVING - Primary Stages 45th St. with Kyra Sedgwick;  VAUDEVILLE JIVE - Ensemble Studio Theatre.  Regional productions; SHOWBOAT with Mickey Rooney; LA CAGE AUX FOLLES with Peter Marshall; THE MUSIC MAN with John Davidson; as well as FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SINGING IN THE RAIN, 42nd STREET, NUNSENSE  II, GUYS AND DOLLS, MAME and 7 BRIDES FOR 7 BROTHERS to name a few. As well as several NY Cabaret Shows, Industrials and Commercials. James filled the Associate Choreographer shoes with Gwen Verdon, reconstructing DAMN YANKEES, and was the “rehearsal Bob” partnering Ms. Verdon, dancing “Mambo-Whose Got the Pain”.

Susan Hemley (Costume Designer)

is a talented Designer whose work has been well reviewed. A prolific creator she moves easily between periods, genres, eras and moods in her work.  She is pleased to be working with this production and to be involved in the NYMF Festival.

Donna English (Bunny Bixby Henderson, Francis Froget, Madame X)

 

began her long and happy association with Gerard Alessandrini with Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back!(original cast recording), and went on to do the 20th Anniversary and SVU versions. Other New York credits include Stanley Tucci’s production of Lend Me a Tenor, Ruthless!(Drama Desk Award nomination), Taking a Chance on Love (original cast recording),George Abbott’s play Broadway (directed by Mr. Abbott), andThe Gig (Manhattan Theatre Club). Her extensive regional credits include Velma in Hairspay, Ms Darbus in High School Musical, Mrs. Chasen inHarold and Maude, Elsa in The Sound of Music, Lily Garland in On the Twentieth Century, Victoria in Victor/Victoria, Charlotte in A Little Night Music, and Anna in The King and I. Donna is a graduate of Northwestern University.

 

Janet Dickinsons (Evelyn Henderson))

 

Broadway and National: "How The Grinch Stole Christmas", "9 to 5 The Musical", Lincoln Center Theatre: "Happiness"; "Forbidden Broadway's Rude Awakening" cast recording and 2008 Drama Desk Award; Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know; Bush Is Bad. "Citizen Ruth", 2009 best Musical at the NY Fringe Festival. Theatres: The Huntington, Florida Studio Theatre, The Human Race, Cape Fear Regional, Mountain Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse. Janet is originally from Bemidji, MN.

 

Michael West (Cliff, Patrick, Torvald)

is currently appearing in the Drama Desk – nominated NEWSical at the Kirk Theatre at Theatre Row.  West is well-known for his many years in the long-running Forbidden Broadway, and most recently appeared in Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab, at the 47th Street Theatre (original cast recording on DRG). Off-Broadway: Forbidden Broadway (five editions plus national & international tours and symphonic concerts - 2,500-plus performances); When Pigs Fly (directed by Mark Waldrop; original cast recording on RCA); Mr. President; Whoop-Dee-Doo; much regional, including Forbidden Vegas, in Sin City.  Named by his native Atlanta's press "The Funniest Man in Atlanta" and by the Vegas press as a "Las Vegas At Its Best Entertainer". Michael's acclaimed one-man show, Almost Live from the Betty Ford Clinic, is being updated and rewritten as we speak.  www.michaelwest.net.  Michael is also a personal trainer - www.michaelwestfitness.com

Jordan Goldberg (Little Cliff Henderson, Jr., Little Torvald, Little Cliff, Henderson III)

Jordan, 13 years old, is thrilled to be making his NYMF debut with Madame X, after having originated the role of ‘Little Cliff, Jr.’ at Bound for Broadway VII at the Kaufman Center’s Merkin Hall in 2006.  Jordan has appeared in over 50 local theater productions in and around his hometown of Franklin Lakes, NJ, including recently starring as ‘Prince Dauntless’ in his middle school production of Once Upon a Mattress and as ‘Dennis’ in the King Centre production of All Shook Up.  In addition, he had leading performances as the ‘Major General’ in Pirates of Penzance and ‘Sonny’ in the amateur premier of Xanadu, both of which were performed at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts camp in the Catskills this past summer.  Jordan also played the lead in an NYU short film, Escape from the Fire, which was released in 2007.  When he is not acting, Jordan dances competitively with the American Youth Dance Company based in Wanaque, NJ, and played the ‘Prince’ last year in the King Centre’s production of The Nutcracker balle.  Jordan hopes to study theatre arts at the Bergen Academies high school starting next year.  Jordan wishes to thank Gerard Alessandrini for his tremendous support and guidance through the years, as well as the entire cast and crew of Madame X for making this such a wonderful and memorable experience.  Break a leg, guys

Edward Staudenmayer (Roberto Romanelli, Laroque)

 

Edward Staudenmayer recently starred on Broadway in Wonderland as the White Rabbit, and appeared (At certain performances) in Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.  He’s had 17 year association with Forbidden Broadway, taking him Off-Broadway, around the world, onto three cast recordings, and recently, a stint as director for the Tampa production.  He starred across the country in Spamalot, Beauty and the Beast, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Joseph…, Cats, and Noises Off. A soloist with the Baltimore, Syracuse, Bartlesville, and Adelaide, Australia Symphonies, he also received nominations for the Barrymore Award, National Theater Award, and received the Carol Burnett Award while attending UCLA. Currently he is the Associate Director of Off-Broadway’s Sista’s.

 

Bill Coyne  (Cliff Henderson, Jr., Reporter, Pool Boy, The 3 Man-cinis #1)

s thrilled to be continuing on with Madame X at NYMF. Bill recently did Marc Acito and Jeffrey Stock's new musical A ROOM WITH A VIEW, which will be heading to the Old Globe this spring. Recent credits include Valere in THE MISER, Don Juan, and originating the role of Supernova in the new musical SUPERHERO CELEBRITY REHAB at the Access Theater. Love to my incredible family, friends and my agent, Michael Rodriguez. Thank you Gerard and Bobby for this incredible show. Proud NYU-Steinhardt grad.  www.billcoyneonline.com

Mike Longo (Ensign, Reporter, Chef, Judge, The 3 Man-cinis #2)

 

a fresh face on the New York theatre scene, is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College and is very grateful to be a part of Madame X in this year's  NYMF. After several college mainstage productions, credits include Noel Coward's Bitter Sweet (Bard SummerScape) as well as many new musical workshops and readings. Many thanks to Gerard, John Z, and the Madame X team for the opportunity  and love to his teachers, family and friends.

 

Sean Bell (Pageant Host, Club Car Manager, Bailiff, Prosecutor, The 3 Man-cinis #3)

 

has been having a blast with this hilarious and talented group of people, and is thrilled to be a part of Madame X. Recent credits include: The Music Man (Harbor Lights Theatre Co.), Camelot: In Concert w/Jeremy Irons, Les Enfants de Paris (reading), Deathtrap (The Fulton Opera House), The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (National Tour). Thanks to Bill(y) Coyne and Gerard for this wonderful opportunity, and to family and friends for their continued support.