Alex plays guitar

Alex plays guitar
Originally uploaded by Chazzyg.

Alex couldn't keep his hands off Kerry's christmas present!

Holiday Lights

Holiday Lights
Originally uploaded by Chazzyg.

The facade of our South Philly joint lit up for the holiday - the lights are actually red but the camera couldn't get the colors right at dusk...

Holiday decor

Holiday decor
Originally uploaded by Chazzyg.

A view of the decorated dining room during our Christmas Eve bash, showing Kerry at the buffet. Check out the garlands on the ceiling!

A Skinny Tree

A Skinny Tree
Originally uploaded by Chazzyg.

Our holiday tree this year is 100% artificial (guaranteed no sneezing) but 101% beautiful.

Kerry's new guitar

Kerry's new guitar
Originally uploaded by Chazzyg.

Looking down on Kerry on the sofa as he strums his new guitar - a scene from Christmas morning

Music from the younger composer in the family

Alex has posted four original compositions which some chazzyblog habitues may find of interest. These are tunes which he created in collaboration with his friend and roommate, Mark Malangyan (both pictured above), unveiled at a release party at Silk City earlier in December.
Call
March In May
Salvation Army
Awake

Musical Theater in Hong Kong

I've just accepted an invitation to visit the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, to help conduct an assessment of their musical theater program. Above, an image from their production of Fiddler On The Roof (in Cantonese).
Here is a link to a little bit of video from their program. Stay tuned to the Chazzyblog for further tales of Musical Theater in the Far East!

Talkin' Broadway reviews "The Dinosaur Musical"

The Internet theater site Talkin' Broadway has a very nice write-up of The Dinosaur Musical, which their reviewer liked even better than Frog and Toad - imagine that! This reviewer appreciated the show in every imaginable way, a very nourishing form of praise.

Doctor Dolittle tour features UArts alum

This article on BroadwayWorld.com provides detailed information on the casting and tour schedule of the re-constituted Doctor Dolittle tour, now starring Tommy Tune and Dee Hoty. Scroll down to read the name of Lesley M. Klose (formerly Lesley Fagen, now wife of Chip Klose) in the cast list. Congrats to Lesley!

Take Off Your Emotional Clothes and Sing

The New York Times published this wonderful piece about Barbara Cook and a master class that she conducted with Juilliard singing actors. I've been coaching my third year students on a round of standards and have been repeating many of the same mantras, but I don't get paid the big master class fees to do it. It's affirming to see a great artist affirm this approach to singing-acting.

Art, truth and politics

The text of Harold Pinter's Nobel acceptance speech makes some pretty profound reading. It takes awhile but it's worth it.

Toby Zinman reviews The Dinosaur Musical

Toby Zinman reviews The Dinosaur Musical at variety.com. Kudos are due to friend and colleague Toby, who has been appointed the new theater reviewer for the Phila Inquirer.

City Paper reviews Dino

Jurassic Jingles is the name of David Anthony Fox's review of The Dinosaur Musical in the City Paper. "Director MacLaughlin does superb work here—there's energy and charm galore, but also sophistication. He, like Nolen and the rest of the Arden team, have exceptional gifts to offer this holiday season. And I guarantee that all of you—kids and adults—will have a great time."

Young Vaudevillians

These are the students in my junior Voice for Musical Theater class on the day of their Vaudeville Showcase. We had lots of good times that day...

Everybody Walk The Dinosaur

Today is the opening performance of The Dinosaur Musical at the Arden Theater. Here is an article on playbill.com about the show, which I'm music directing.