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Todays Overture discussion has me thinking about the value of music directors/conductors, and how undersung they are in the theatre industry.
So, here are a handful of MD's you should familiarize yourself with! Feel free to add on, since I can't cover everyone in one go
So, here are a handful of MD's you should familiarize yourself with! Feel free to add on, since I can't cover everyone in one go
Lehman Engel
* Also a composer, his classical inspired style influenced Wonderful Town, and the work of Gilbert and Sullivan. Won so many Tony's for Best MD that they later discontinued the category because people voted for him on principle. He founded the BMI Workshop!
* Also a composer, his classical inspired style influenced Wonderful Town, and the work of Gilbert and Sullivan. Won so many Tony's for Best MD that they later discontinued the category because people voted for him on principle. He founded the BMI Workshop!
Milton Rosenstock
* An absolute legend. Rosenstock was responsible for some of the best shows in first golden age, including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Bells Are Ringing, Oliver!, Finian's Rainbow, Funny Girl, and Gypsy.
No one can conduct Gypsy like Rosenstock did. No one.
* An absolute legend. Rosenstock was responsible for some of the best shows in first golden age, including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Bells Are Ringing, Oliver!, Finian's Rainbow, Funny Girl, and Gypsy.
No one can conduct Gypsy like Rosenstock did. No one.
Liza Redfield
* Redfield was the first woman to conduct an orchestra on Broadway when she took over The Music Man. She was a very steady time keeper, and stood strong against a barrage of sexism levelled at her by those who considered music a man's profession. She opened the door
* Redfield was the first woman to conduct an orchestra on Broadway when she took over The Music Man. She was a very steady time keeper, and stood strong against a barrage of sexism levelled at her by those who considered music a man's profession. She opened the door
Paul Gemignani
* Yes I am bias, no I don't care. Paul is a genius. His ability to conduct phrases and ideas, rather than notes, is unmatched, and you can tell he is at the podium from the first note. Distinct and unforgettable.
More in my book GEMIGNANI, out March 2022.
* Yes I am bias, no I don't care. Paul is a genius. His ability to conduct phrases and ideas, rather than notes, is unmatched, and you can tell he is at the podium from the first note. Distinct and unforgettable.
More in my book GEMIGNANI, out March 2022.
Elliot Lawrence
* One of the nicest men in showbiz, Lawrence is known for giving hundreds of musicians their big break. In addition to Bye Bye Birdie, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and 1776, he MD'd a lot of television, including 34 Tony ceremonies!
* One of the nicest men in showbiz, Lawrence is known for giving hundreds of musicians their big break. In addition to Bye Bye Birdie, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and 1776, he MD'd a lot of television, including 34 Tony ceremonies!
Georgia Stitt
* Also a composer and lyricist, Stitt has conducted Little Shop of Horrors, Avenue Q, The Music Man, Titanic, Annie, and Parade. She founded Maesta Music, which supports female, non binary, and gender non conforming musicians in the theatre! http://www.maestramusic.org/
* Also a composer and lyricist, Stitt has conducted Little Shop of Horrors, Avenue Q, The Music Man, Titanic, Annie, and Parade. She founded Maesta Music, which supports female, non binary, and gender non conforming musicians in the theatre! http://www.maestramusic.org/
Alex Lacamoire
* Double duty MD and Orchestrator! LMM's right hand, he is a key component in what makes Hamilton work, and is one of the busiest MD's working today. He experiences hearing loss and wears hearing aids, and is an icon for many disabled musicians.
* Double duty MD and Orchestrator! LMM's right hand, he is a key component in what makes Hamilton work, and is one of the busiest MD's working today. He experiences hearing loss and wears hearing aids, and is an icon for many disabled musicians.
Or Matias
* Long term collaborator of Dave Malloy, Matias's sense of flow is a huge part of how the complicated structure of a Malloy score becomes listenable when staged. In my opinion, the most exciting MD of the last 10 years - I cannot wait to see what he does next.
* Long term collaborator of Dave Malloy, Matias's sense of flow is a huge part of how the complicated structure of a Malloy score becomes listenable when staged. In my opinion, the most exciting MD of the last 10 years - I cannot wait to see what he does next.
