Above Hell's Kitchen (2010)

Spottiswoode grew up in London and now resides in New York. His songs have been covered by numerous artists and featured in a variety of independent and Hollywood films.

The New Yorker has called him a “genius” and a “downtown ringleader.” S&M, his recent duo collaboration with Riley McMahon, was voted the Best DIY Release of 2007 by Performing Songwriter Magazine and nominated for an Independent Music Award. He has also put out two solo CDs, including the 2010 Old Soul release, PIANO 45.

Spottiswoode’s 7-piece band, Spottiswoode & His Enemies, has released four acclaimed CDs, toured nationally and internationally, played at Lincoln Center, and performed residencies at some of New York’s most prestigious venues. In 2008, in honor of the band’s tenth anniversary, Spottiswoode was profiled on NPR’s “Weekend Edition.”  In 2009, the band and six actors performed a staged reading at Joe’s Pub in the Public Theater of his new opera, ABOVE HELL’S KITCHEN. The project has been selected for the 2010 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Spottiswoode is also a filmmaker. He flew to Los Angeles two years in a row to thank the Academy and receive consecutive Student Emmys for music videos he wrote, produced and directed. THE GENTLEMAN, an anti-romantic comedy he subsequently wrote and directed, screened at the BBC Short Film Festival and played for several years on the Independent Film Channel. He currently has two feature film scripts in development: UPPER PENINSULA, a Midwestern domestic drama to be directed by Brian Dilg, an NYU Film School Graduate; and THE LONG WALK, a dramatic and lyrical portrait of New York City on a Friday night, with the Cesar-nominated French actress, Audrey Dana, attached.

spode@spottiswoode.com  www.spottiswoode.com

 La Vie Productions is dedicated to managing, developing and producing new works, fostering new talents and attracting new audiences. La Vie Productions works as a Producer, General Manager, Production Manager and Manager for Theatre, Music and Film. Some current projects include: Liberty: A Monumental New Musical,  Vinilo (NYC based Latin Rock Band - debut album "ALO!" will be released this fall), Extremities (a new multi-media stage show in development),  The Love Project Journey (a documentary film and CD about the top musicians in the world - now available www.drumaddict.net), and The Sphinx Winx (a new off-Broadway musical opening late 2010). www.lavieproductions.com

Hayley Finn is committed to new writers and new stories. She has directed New York and Regional premieres and serves as the ResidentDirector and Lab Producer at The Playwrights' Center. New York premieres include Katecrackernuts (The Flea Theater), Scab (Greenwich Street Theater), and the operetta Metal (Here Arts Center) by Sheila Callaghan, The Lake (The Flea Theater), Golem and Dead Reckoning (both at Cherry Lane Theatre) by Gary Winter, Bold Girls by Rona Munro (Women's Expressive Theatre), The Shoe Box at Ebbets Field by Ross Berger (Cherry Lane Theatre), Double Sophia by Kendra Levin (Cherry Lane Theatre), and The Apology which she co-adapted with actor Yusef Bulos (The FleaTheater). Additional credits include Caryl Churchill’sNot, Not, Not, Not, Not Enough Oxygen (Drama League), Jigsaw Nation (Relentless Theatre) which has toured across the country (South CoastRepertory, The Curious Theater, Ellis Island), and Hysteria: Silence in Stills (Women Center Stage Festival at the Culture Project). Regional credits include Hiding In The Open by Kira Obolensky (The History Theatre), Permanence Collection by Kira Obolensky and Ed Bok Lee (Walker Art Center), Ady by Rhiana Yazzie (Pangea World Theatre), and Doe by Trista Baldwin (Workhaus Collective). She has assistant directed numerous plays for Michael Mayer including the Tony Award winning productions of A View From The Bridge, Side Man and the musical You're A Good Man Charlie Brown. She also assisted Gerry Gutierrez on Man of La Mancha and Susan Schulman on the premiere of Violet. She has directed workshops and readings for such organizations as The Public Theater, New Dramatists, The New Group, and The Kitchen. Hayley is the recipient of the Ruth Easton Directing Fellowship, the Drama League Directing Fellowship, and the TCG New Generations Future Leader Grant. She holds both a B.A. and M.A. from Brown University.

Janine is a N.Y.C and L.A. based choreographer,actress, and dance educator who has taught and choreographed throughout the U.S.,Canada, and Asia, including the Taipei International Dance Festival.  New York choreography credits include Blessings In Disguise,Fiddler Sub-Terrain,The Fantasy Party,Dancing Backwards, and Tap Rules.  She is also a guest choreographer at the Seven Angels Theatre in CT, where she has co-created and choreographed Flashback, Swing Swing Swing, and this spring's Mad Bomber.  Her company DanceMolinari consists of multi-faceted artists dedicated to preserving original works, creating new works, teaching young Broadway performers, as well as underprivileged youth in all styles of dance.  She is a member of AEA,SAG,AFTRA,the National Dance Assoc. and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

JR Bruno is so excited to be a member of this amazing group of artists. He has worked on the Regional Premieres of Phantom of the Opera and [title of show]. He has recently performed on broadway in the revival of West Side Story. He is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. Other choreography credits include Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical the Musical, and Wizard of Oz. Thanks Janine for bringing me on board. And the usual shout outs to Mom, Dad, Jade, TJ, and J-man.

Scenic elements for Britney Spears Circus Tour as well as Kylie Minogue 2009 tour. The international hit Spiegelworlds’ “Desir”, John Lithgows’ “Sunny Side of the Street” (New Victory), “2 Girls for Five Bucks” (Ars Nova), “Zombie” (theatrerow/fringe), “Shafrika” (Vineyard). Industrial shows and events for Hallmark, Nascar, The History Channel, CNN and HBO. Last Fall, he worked with director/designer John Doyle on scenery for Sondheims’ “Roadshow” at the Public Theatre. Currently: Nickelodeon National Tour – “Storytime Live!”, Grand opening evening shows for Dallas Center for the arts directed by James Lapine and John Doyle.

International: Designer- Continental Divide (London, Birmingham), Associate Designer - Bridge Project 2010 World Tour, Assistant Designer – Tarzan (Holland). Broadway: Superior Donuts, Mary Stuart, Talk Radio (Associate), Tarzan, Woman In White, On Golden Pond, Bombay Dreams (Assistant). Off-Broadway:Dance Dance Revolution (Les Freres), The Thugs (SoHo Rep), Song For New York (Mabou Mines), All The Wrong Reasons (NYTW), Pretty Chin Up (LAByrinth)

 Regional: ACT (San Francisco), Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Signature Theatre (DC), 5th Avenue Theatre, The Sundance Institute

Awards: Bay Area Theatre Critics Award, Austin Critics’ Table Award. Helen Hayes Award Nomination.

This is Jeff’s 5th journey into NYMF, as arranger/music director/composer. His last appearance was as music director of Liberty (due off-broadway in 2011, book/lyrics: D.Goldstein, music: J. Goldstein). Recent Music Direction credits include the world premieres of GLIMMERGLASS (Cohen/Drachman/Bolt), Love, Inc. (Marc Castle). Jeff’s scores include: Young Abe Lincoln (Theatreworks USA, book/lyrics: John Allen-Promenade Theatre and U.S. Tour in (1994 –1995)), Disney's Doug Live! (Walt Disney World, lyrics: William Squier), Top of the Heap (NYMF ’07 “Director’s Choice”, Gallery Players Production, Oct. ‘09, Global Search for New Musicals 06, book/lyrics: W. Squier) About Face (NYMF ‘08, book/lyrics: David Arthur), 100 Years into the Heart (NYMF ’04, 4th Wall Theatre  Production in Feb. ‘10, Village Theater ‘07 Festival of New Musicals, Spirit of Broadway, Winner of 7 “Spirit” Award, including best score, book: Richard Vetere, Lyrics: W. Squier), Rebels 1775 (Starlight Theatre, Spirit of Broadway, book: J. Allen, Mana Allen, W. Squier lyrics: W. Squier, J. Allen), Nice People (book/lyrics: Tony Tanner), Naughty Girl (CAP21, book/lyrics: Scott Hayes, co-music: Christopher Seppe). Currently working on Blindsided By A Diaper (book/lyrics: W. Squier). His songs appear on television:  P.B.&J. Otter; film: Doug's First Movie; the International Children's Festival (lyrics: W. Squier); cd: A Celebration of Life (lyrics: D. Arthur; vocals: Randy Graff & Judy Kuhn).  Jeff has conducted for Chita Rivera and Greg Burge, and played piano for Andy Gibb and Mongo Santamaria, amongst others.  lodinandsquier.com

Past credits include: Off-Broadway: Sweet Storm and Umbrella.  Off-Off Broadway working with theatre companies: BrokenWatch, Thirteenth Night, Stages on The Sound, Flux Theatre Ensemble, GUTWorks, Write Club NYC, and 13th Street Repertory.  Other credits include stage managing several readings for The Public and NYU.  Jessica is also a touring production manager, currently working on A Line in the Sand.  During the university semesters she works at NYU with Suzan-Lori Parks and makes a mean mocha in Brooklyn.  Jessica first met and watched Spottiswoode and His Enemies while stage managing at Joe’s Pub and has been a fan since.

She is a proud graduate of the Purple Rose Theatre Company's apprenticeship program in Chelsea, MI, where she worked on 5 shows and trained with stage management. She then moved on to stage manage Guys & Dolls, Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma and Sweeney Todd at The Encore in Dexter, MI. Kelly has recently moved to New York and has stage managed The BEcompany holiday Cabaret, the workshop of Blood Potato and has recently been named Resident SM with the company. She has toured with Words of Choice, SM for Peking Roulette in the MITF. She has also done production work with the talented “BT” on a music video that aired in Istanbul. She would like to send her love and thanks to her family and friends for always standing beside her and supporting this crazy dream.

For NYMF: Such Good Friends, Going Down Swingin, Sympathy Jones, The Jerusalem Syndrome, The Toymaker, among others. Recent New York productions include Yank!, Enter Laughing, Remembering Mr. Maugham, Septimus and Clarissa, Cloaked, Glimpses of the Moon, Night Sky, The Jazz Age, Blind Lemon Blues, Fire Throws, Platinum, Summer Stock NYC, and the last four seasons of Musicals in Mufti for the York Theatre Company. Tours: Nickelodeon's The Backyardigans Live! and Disney Live! Regionally: Denver Center, North Shore Music Theatre, Kansas City Starlight, among others.  In addition to his independent casting office, Geoff has also cast film and theatre projects with Calleri Casting, Cindy Tolan and MelCap Casting.

Justin Badger is an actor/singer/songwriter based here in New York City. He most recently made his Broadway debut in Hair as part of the tribe and the understudy for Berger.  Other recent credits Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant (A.R.T.) and Welcome Home, Hamlet! (Joe's Pub).  He holds an MFA from Columbia University and a BFA from UCSB. Love to Mom, Dad, Jason and forever Steph. 

Broadway: Marie Christine; Juan Darien (both at Lincoln Center Theatre); Once on This Island (original cast) ; Bring in 'Da Noise/Funk ('Da Singer); The Lion King (Rafiki); A Christmas Carol at Madsion Square Garden (original cast). Regional: The Midwife in The Duchess of Malfi, starring Kelly McGillis (The Shakespeare Theatre Company, DC); The Queen in Cymbeline (Utah Shakespearean Festival); and Dr. Charlotte in Falsettoland (Hartford Stage Company). Andrea is a 2008-2009 Dramatists Guild Fellow (lyricist/ bookwriter) and is currently writing a humorous book about her life in the theatre. She also teaches singing and acting in and around New York City. 

Broadway/Off-Broadway/National Tours: Marie in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (original cast, all three versions), PASSION, CITY OF ANGELS, featured soloist in THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER starring Michael Crawford, THE GREEN HEART, HELLO AGAIN, CHESS, THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE opposite Hector Elizondo, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, LES MISERABLES, and SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. Regionally, Liz has starred all over the country, most recently as Lela in BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS (Asolo Rep); Mother Superior in SISTER ACT (Pasadena Playhouse, Alliance); THE KING AND I, THE THING ABOUT MEN, KISS ME, KATE (Musical Theatre West); THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Sacramento Music Circus); PETE ‘N’ KEELY (Alpine Theatre Project); ROMEO AND JULIET (Goodspeed); and as Connee Boswell in THE BOSWELL SISTERS (Old Globe). TV: ONE LIFE TO LIVE, CRUMBS, THE AMANDA SHOW, 10-8, ALL MY CHILDREN. Her acclaimed debut CD, FIRST HARVEST, was released in 2008. www.ElizabethWardLand.com

has appeared on Broadway in South Pacific and High Fidelity as well as on the national tour of Carousel. Regional credits include Damn Yankees, Oklahoma, Violet, Brigadoon, and Cabaret. On TV, he has appeared on As the World Turns and All My Children. George is also a lyricist and a proud member of BMI Lehman Engel Workshop, where he was the recipient of the 2010 Harrington Award.

Yasmeen is a singer/songwriter living in New York. Signed to MCA Records at 18, Yasmeen recorded and toured nationally and abroad for four years. She took a break from the music industry to try something new and was seen in Little Shop of Horrors First National Tour, Junie B. Jones (Off Broadway), Hi-5 (TLC), and Half & Half.  Somewhat recently signed to the Strictly Rhythm/Defected label, she’s been writing, recording, and performing overseas for the past two years.  

Kevin Cordt has been playing the trumpet for more years then he'd care to remember and performing more years then he's willing to admit. Highlights have included performing all over the world with Spottiswoode and His Enemies, performing Samstag Aus Licht by Karlheinz Stockhausen at La Scala and running his own jazz quartet based out of Washington DC. Born in Wichita Kansas, Kevin is now living in Washington DC, where he designs gardens for the rich and irresponsible. A life of flowers and music- he has no legitimate complaints.

Candace DeBartolo has been living in NYC for 13 long years....but has intense fantasies of living in Paris and Barcelona.  Alas, this one only gets to be lived out a week at a time each year.  A jazz sax player and jazz orchestra composer, she's busy here in new york city and also travels with her cover bands The Storytellers of NYC and the Mustangs Band of Washington DC.  Candace has been playing in Mr. Spottiswoode's bands since 1994...a long and wonderful journey into and through the unknown! Next stop, Above Hell's Kitchen.

Tony Lauria aka, Liberawnchy aka, Enemy #6 just celebrated his 11 year anniversary of addiction to Jonathan Spottiswoode's music. After many failed attempts to get "sober" through, rehab, hypnosis and a Spottiswoode induced sabbatical, he  realized that Spott's formidable and extensive music catalogue is too strong a drug to kick. During the occasional dry out from Spottiswoode gigs, Tony also directs Tony N Tina's Wedding National tour, has developed his one man show "The Wonderful Danny Prata" and has toured Europe and the US accompanying other divas. Big thanks and love to my number 1 enabler, Axel.

Riley McMahon is a producer/multi-instrumentalist/arranger who has been providing musical direction for 20 years in a variety of styles — from rock to folk to country to cabaret.

Besides his work with the esteemed Spottiswoode, Riley has arranged and performed music for an Emmy-winning documentary on HBO, countless rock acts in NYC,  Shakespearean productions in NJ, award-winning short films on IFC, and television commercials aired in the US and UK.

 Whether working out his New Warsaw Studio in Brooklyn or playing live on a stage somewhere, Riley strives to create the vibe that a given song or scene demands.

Born in L.A., Tim has lived in New York since 2000. He attended the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music. He has performed on 17 cds. (9 w/Spottiswoode) He has led his own trio, ‘Couloir’, performing his compositions. He has composed music for film and video. Other artists he has performed with include: Russell Gunn, Paul Pieper, Sam Hilmer, Danielle Howle and Katie Elevitch.

Raised in Seattle, John Young spent many years in Washington, DC, and now lives in Ithaca, NY. He has been playing with Spottiswoode for longer than either of them can remember. He studied classical piano as a child, picked up the electric bass at age 24, and began studying the double bass in 2004. A frequent sideman with the Grandsons for more than a decade, he has also performed or recorded with, among others, the Zimmermans, the Oxymorons, Danielle Howle, the Karl Straub Combo, Tom Freund, Little Pink, Scott McKnight & Naughty Pine, the Klingle Valley Boys, and the Luke Hendon Gypsy Jazz Trio. Before music swallowed his life, he was well-known for his writing and research on global environmental issues, which has been published in more than thirty languages. His latest obsession is the classic big-band calypso of Lord Kitchener. He would like to thank his delightful and exceptionally supportive wife, Ingrid Jensen.