"4@15: Four New 15-Minute Musicals"
York Theatre Company
York Theatre Company
My collaborater and I once again wrote a musical for the York Theatre Company's "4@15: Four
New 15-Minute Musicals." This event gave musical theatre students of UC-Irvine's NY Satellite
Program a fast and furious chance to experience being cast, rehearsed and put in front of an
audience in a musical written specifically for them. After auditioning for each of the four writing
teams, the students were then cast in 1 of 4 as-yet-unwritten projects. After a frenzied week of
brainstorming and late nights, each team then presented their 1st draft to their cast. Two
weeks and a few rewrites later, the students presented staged readings of their (our?) musicals
at the York. Besides Tom and me, the other terrific writers were Miriam Daly, Andy Monroe,
Julianne Wick Davis and Dan Collins. Brian Blythe directed and Tammy Holder was the music
director.
New 15-Minute Musicals." This event gave musical theatre students of UC-Irvine's NY Satellite
Program a fast and furious chance to experience being cast, rehearsed and put in front of an
audience in a musical written specifically for them. After auditioning for each of the four writing
teams, the students were then cast in 1 of 4 as-yet-unwritten projects. After a frenzied week of
brainstorming and late nights, each team then presented their 1st draft to their cast. Two
weeks and a few rewrites later, the students presented staged readings of their (our?) musicals
at the York. Besides Tom and me, the other terrific writers were Miriam Daly, Andy Monroe,
Julianne Wick Davis and Dan Collins. Brian Blythe directed and Tammy Holder was the music
director.
"Souvenir" nominated for 5 Carbonells
The Palm Beach Dramaworks production of Souvenir has garnered 5 Carbonell Award
nominations, including Best Actor in a Play for Tom Kenaston. Nominated for Best Production
of a Play, Souvenir also received nods for Elizabeth Dimon (Best Actress in a Play), J. Barry
Lewis (Best Director), Erin Amico (Best Costumes) and Steve Shapiro (Best Sound Design.)
Along with New York’s Drama Desk and Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards, the Carbonell
Awards are among the nation’s senior regional arts awards and predates others including
Washington, D.C.’s Helen Hayes and Philadelphia’s Barrymore Awards. This year the
nominations include "the entire length of South Florida with 16 companies receiving nods and 30
of the 83 eligible shows that opened in 2008 being recognized."
nominations, including Best Actor in a Play for Tom Kenaston. Nominated for Best Production
of a Play, Souvenir also received nods for Elizabeth Dimon (Best Actress in a Play), J. Barry
Lewis (Best Director), Erin Amico (Best Costumes) and Steve Shapiro (Best Sound Design.)
Along with New York’s Drama Desk and Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards, the Carbonell
Awards are among the nation’s senior regional arts awards and predates others including
Washington, D.C.’s Helen Hayes and Philadelphia’s Barrymore Awards. This year the
nominations include "the entire length of South Florida with 16 companies receiving nods and 30
of the 83 eligible shows that opened in 2008 being recognized."
For the full story and list of nominees, please visit
| UPDATE: Elizabeth Dimon and Erin Amico WIN! |
| HERE'S WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT "THE TRAIN TO CHICAGO" BY TOM KENASTON AND TOM PAITSON KELLY! "Touching, unexpected, funny, haunting, inspirational." - David Glenn Armstrong, Director NY Shakespeare Festival, Goodspeed Opera, Walnut Street Theatre "Great work. As strong a composer as just about anyone out there. A really strong team." - Jeff McCarthy, Actor. The Pirate Queen, Urinetown, Side Show "Truly great...such intelligent writing." - Michael Perreca, Producing Director, Barrington Stage Company "Exceptional." - Lynnette Barkley, Director/SSDC, Artistic Director, Barkley Kalpak Associates, Inc. "A standout. Very moving, affecting, and sweet. Bravo!" David McDowell |
| ©2009 Tom Kenaston |