The Sunday Giveaway: 2 Tickets to my reading of Garage Band!

Ok, here's a first in the five years (!) of Producer's Perspective history!

I had another giveaway all lined up for today.  I had finished the blog entry and everything.  And then I got a call about the reading of the new musical I'm working on, and thought . . . wait a minute . . . my readers are peeps that are interested in seeing how shows develop, right?  So, why not give away two tickets to the reading?  Because while tickets to a reading may not have a price tag attached, for the right person, they might be more valuable than a couple of tickets to INSERT NAME OF BROADWAY SHOW HERE.

Readings are a first peek at a new show.  A chance for the writers to hear what it sounds like out loud, and a chance for an audience of industry VIPs  . . . well, to judge it like a sow at a country fair.  :-)  

But it's a beginning, and I find beginnings exciting.  

And one of you and a guest will be joining me at my reading of Garage Band!

It's going to be a lot of fun, and features a killer cast including Micky Dolenz (yep, that Micky Dolenz, from The Monkees), Tony Award Winner Beth Leavel, Andy Karl, Amy Spanger, Alex Gemignani, and a whole heck of a lot more.  Jonathan Larson Award Winner Mark Allen wrote the music and lyrics, and Gillian Berkowitz will be providing the musical direction.

The book was written in the same way that I put together The Awesome 80s Prom.  I cast a bunch of actor/writers, and for three months we created characters, improvised scenes, and then we distilled all that down into a script . . . and the story that we came up with goes something like this:

When Mitch Shapiro gets fired from his Wall Street job on his 40^th Birthday, he has no choice but to move back in with his mom . . . in New Jersey.  On his first day back, his best friend from high school suggests that they "put the band back together!"  Mitch thinks his buddy is crazy.  But when Tygen Billows, a local real estate mogul and the town douchebag threatens to foreclose on Mitch's mom unless Mitch agrees to a re-match of their infamous battle of the bands, Mitch realizes he may have no choice.

So how do you get to be a part of this (hopeful) Broadway beginning?

Tell me . . . were you in a band? If so, what was it called?  If you weren't in a band, did you want to be?  Was a friend in a band?  

Tell me your rock and roll band story, no matter what it is and I'll pick a random winner to attend the private reading of Garage Band.

See you there!

(Oh, one more thing - the reading is this Friday at 3 PM in midtown - which means we'll be announcing the winner on Thursay.  Stay tuned!)

 

 

(Got a comment? I love 'em, so comment below! Email subscribers, click here, then scroll down, to say what's on your mind!)

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FUN STUFF:

- Join me at the NY Cares Soiree!  Get tix here.

- Take the Musical Boot Camp!  Click here for info and an application.

- Broadway Road Trip from DC on 4/28.  Click here.

Comments

[Cam]

I was rereading the synopsis and I thought of Will Farrell. He would be good in this. People would go see it. I would too. Will on Broadway. I can envision it happening!

[David]

I never was in a band, but when I was in high school I went to see The Who in one of their many farewell tours. That seemed like a big deal.

[Brooke]

Haha its Brooke... I put my email as my name. WHOOPS

[[email protected]]

Remember when I posted on your FB that THIS should be the give away! You rock! And so did my xbox rock band when I was in college. We called ourselves XRox and it was probably the best rock band ever because we all played all the 'instruments'. Sure, it was a video game, but I still felt like a rockstar!

[Danielle Sacks]

My first band: Bus 6.
We were all 12 years old and rode bus 6 after school everyday.
Since there are no clubs you can play when you are 12 I went to student council (of course) and made a huge event called Battle of the Bands where all the bands in the school could compete and the audience would vote. Unfortunately we were the only band that signed up to play so the voting part was scrapped.
So we practiced in my friends basement after school everyday to prepare.
Finally, we played at the school dance and we got in huge trouble because we did a cover of "Shook Me All Night Long" by ACDC
That was the beginning of my band experiences and it was a great one.
the end!

[Cathie]

So sad to hear about Davy Jones. I saw Mickey Donlenz on GMA this morning talking about losing his friend and band mate. I would definetly go to see Mickey in a show.

[Doug Braverman]

When I was in high school, a friend founded a band called ATWATER JUNCTION, a name which had no significance, but which they made up. I was completely non-rock, and my interest then - as now - was primarily in Broadway music. Because my friend knew I was a writer, he asked me if I would write lyrics for some of their music.... but ultimately, they decided my lyrics were "too literate" for a rock band, and we parted ways.

[Morgan Allen]

Not in a band unfortunately, wish I was! Would love to go to this though :)

[Catherine Y]

I can't attend on Friday, but I'll use this opportunity to plug my friend's band: check out TheDemos.net! They're huge in Japan, and are getting big in the US. They're actually making cameos in the musical I'm currently writing!

[Ellen Orchid]

In the 90's I was in a band made up of my friends who all worked with me in a mental health clinic; we called ourselves "Nervous Wrex". Social workers, psychologists, psych techs. It was a lot of fun. We had songs about nervous conditions, "OCD", etc. We were very funny and very burnt-out but pretty decent musicians. I'd love to have a revival "concert" of "Wrex".

[Solange De Santis]

I was in the Milton Concert Band in Milton, Ontario. But the catch is ... I play piano/keyboard. But this band was just starting up, so they were just saying yes to everyone who showed up. So I got in on the ground floor and played the part of any instrument in C - usually a flute part - and even some parts written for keyboard. What a wonderful learning experience - about tempo, listening, following a conductor, concentrating during those 32 bars of rest.

[Stephen Cyr]

Unfortunately I was never in a band, but was in a vocal jazz ensemble and most importantly, a men's a capella group. Obviously not as cool and we definitely didn't have the same cache as all the rock band kids, but we made the best of it. We piled into vans, we went to gigs, and the girls loved us. High school can be a rough time, and it definitely was rough for all of us, but we were able to create bonds with each other that I don't often see guys having these days. We always had something to do and a place to go, and we felt like we had this secret that made us cooler and gave us a purpose. We were a very random group of guys that came from different backgrounds, and after high school we went our separate ways down our own paths--none of us becoming musicians. But when I look back, I still feel that bond years later and can imagine us easily getting back together and picking it right up where we left off.

[Keni Fine]

I was the lead male singer in a band in high school, called the Miami Beach Rock Ensemble. Great diverse band, playing Billy Joel, Kansas, Earth Wind & Fire, Seals & Croft, Stevie Wonder, et al. (They were also the live band on stage in our rockin' community theater production of HAIR.)
Fast forward to 2004, formed a band w/friends on Long Island called "Jericho Turnpike" and we played all over Long Island. Wrote about 30 original, now-classic songs for the band, including the Bush-era inspired "Wolves In The Henhouse," the Elvis-inspired "It's Cold Until The Heat Comes On," and the frustrated man in a band-inspired "World Don't Wanna Turn My Way!" In 2006, we did what bands do best - we broke up.

[Cam]

When I was a teenager, the guys would form a garage band to attract the babes. Even the geeks would become instant babe magnets. Some guy friends of mine formed such a band and it was a very social time for us. All of us girls would go and listen to them and of course other guy friends of the band would be there too. We had a lot of fun. They never went beyond the garage and I can't even remember the name of their band, but for us, it was time of having fun and socializing. The teenage years, a time of growing up and learning how to relate to each other, during a period of high hormones and new feelings and emotions. a fun time in my life. I myself always seem to fall for the piano player. Give me a guy who can play the piano and I'm mesmerized! Even today. Oh yea! He's got it going on. :-)

[Eva Heinemann]

I was with a theater company called Pen To Stage Productions and at one point they started a band called Rudy's Jukebox after the bar we hung out(Rudy's Bar and Grill). Despite my inability to sing they asked me to be the lead singer singing Madonna's Papa
Don't Preach. After 3 rehearsals they decided they didn't want funny but someone who could actually sing. For one brief shining moment I lived the dream.
I am the biggest Micky Dolenz fan since I was 10. I rented a car to see him in Pippin at Goodspeed. Just saw him at Beacon and even watch old Circus Boy television show. Is the reading open to the public.

[Ryan McCurdy]

Two Fancy Gentlemen.

I played 50% of the instruments and sang approximately 50% of the songs, and Phil Keeling played the other 50% of the instruments and sang the other 50% of the songs.

We are both divorced. We are both tenors. There's an incredible hour-long concert we performed at a party, and then no more. He forgot the words to The Sound of Silence. I believe that's the reason.

[Tony p]

I started an acoustic duo with a friend back in Pennsylvania, which quickly became a trio. We gave the band an unimginative name and started writing songs and playing bars and coffeehouses. In just a few years we'd grown into a full fledged rock band with 4-6 players (although the numeral stayed the same), played clubs from Baltimore to NYC, recorded two albums (still available on iTunes.) in the process we got to play places such as the Bitter End, CBGB (may it rest in peace) and the old Le Bar Bat. We also got to open for Janis Ian, John Scofield, the Badlees, The Jellybricks and a host of roots rock or power pop bands. Had a blast! That was seven great years! But acting proved to be way more fulfilling ...

[Matt]

I was in a band called *Seriously Dude* in Brooklyn. My building had a July 4 competition for 500 dollars to do any art form, and a friend in the building, Max, said we should do something--we came up with the idea of Max drawing a portrait on the spot of the person and me writing a song about the person on the spot. The deadline was approaching, Max wasn't in the building, so it was sort of an excuse not to apply. But Max said, apply! so even though I was nervous I did. Then we tested the concept on Max's girlfriend, and I wrote a song, "Beautiful girl, with the beautiful folly" (to rhyme with broccoli). So we went to the event and "did" 6 people in 2 hours. and won the 500 dollars!!!

Then Max and I and a violinist named Sooyeon (who was actually also performing that night, doing her amazing contemporary-classical stuff---played three chords round a kitchen counter and realized we had something special. I wrote a song Old Man on the L Train which is now on Itunes, it coudl not have happened without the band! We performed a few times, now Max moved back to Spain, but it was such a special time. *Seriously, Dude* forever!!!!

[mark levine]

After my father died when I was twelve my brother turned to music and I turned to theater. My brother formed a group called The Brooklyn Blues Blusters and I spent my years hanging out closely with them. The Brooklyn Blues Busters went on to back up the great blues musician John Lee Hooker. My brother moved to Austin and formed the successful country and western group The People's Choice. But the group started in our tiny four room apartment in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. And many nights we drove our next door neighbors wild which was okay with us. Oh, yeah. My brother also backed up the legendary Frankie Lymon. But that's a long story I will save for another time.

[Mark]

Some friends and I started a male a cappella group in high school. In the pre-Glee era, it probably didn't make us as cool as we thought, but in the end, we enjoyed ourselves, and that's all that really matters, right? It worked, however, because we had the support of the vocal music teacher, who worked with us and helped us build our repertoire. From classic oldies like The Turtles' "Happy Together" (an arrangement our teacher sourced for us) to Gen-X memories like the theme song to the classic PBS game show "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" (an arrangement we worked out on our own), it helped form lasting bonds that continue to this day. Our sporadic "reunions" every few years -- when we sing at someone's wedding or have some fun at a house party -- are always a special event.

[Stew]

I was the roadie for a garage band.

[Julia]

Probably due to the lack of bands interested in a member on marimba/backup vocals, never been in that kind of band. But not giving up hope yet!

[Z]

I wasn't in a band but if I was, I'd've created a band to do Celine Dion covers.

[Kevin Davis]

I spent my entire high school years in various bands. I initially got involved to meet girls but then fell in love with music. The band I have the fondest memory of was called "The Third World." We played many battle of the bands and in those days everyone took it very seriously. So that plot line really resonates with me!

[Sabrina Leichty]

I wasn't in a band, but I envied those who knew how to play the guitar. Some classmates formed a band called 'Illinois' that played covers and I thought it was the coolest. When I eventually received an acoustic guitar as a gift when I was in high school, I never actually learned to play it.

[Andrew]

My band was called "Stickboy", and we won the '95 Battle of the Bands my sophomore year in high school in Columbus, OH for a total of $226. That led to a couple pool party gigs, and....we felt like rockstars.

I'm currently in a band called Cordis. Athough we play Performing Arts Centers, NPR, and such now, I'll still never forget the feeling of beating 7 other bands at the Battle of the Bands when I was 15. A highlight of my musician youth, if you will. ;-) (btw, Cordis will be playing LPR in April.)

[Randy Hobler]

I was in a rock band called "The Nightwatch". We were a multiple tribute band before they had that name. We were known as the "live jukebox" and sounded just like the acts we were performing. This included the five-part harmonies and four-part harmonies of the Beach Boys and Four Seasons.

[Al B]

I wasn't in a band - I was an actress/dancer who wished she could sing better and who read sheet music just well enough to follow along. My first experience with a band was producing a four city tour of BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. I learned a TON about the technical aspects of those instruments. I had to hire one guy whose sole responsibility was to tune the guitars and move the guitars around the stage. That was a budget item I hadn't expected...(I'm based in LA, but it just so happens I'll be in NYC this Friday!)

[Kristopher]

My only real band experience was pretty great.
In 2006, I was 'Skshp' in Hedwig & the Angry Inch. While this is a musical, we bonded like a band. The cast is just six people, two of which are the lead singers and the other four are the bandmates. We were onstage for the whole show, and we ran for six weeks in (access your 42nd St. knowledge, fans of musical theatre references) Allentown, PA.

It felt the most like being in a band I can guess I may ever come to experience. We rehearsed together, we partied together, and we worked hard. We didn't write the music (but thank the gods that someone -Mr. Stephen Trask in this case- did) but we did bring something new to it, for sure.

After our extended run (it's a smaller city) of six weeks, the band even packed up and 'took the show on the road' as they say, playing the same show weeks later in Philadelphia (with a new cast and a sub bass player) and then eventually reuniting with the original gang for one last night in a regional opera house. A year later, I got plugged in to sub for a production in Asbury Park.

All of them were good experiences--but nothing comes close to the feeling of playing in a band whom you know and trust, with material in which you've grown together in the woven fashion of a lovingly knitted afghan... That's right, I said afghan. Like the ones my grandmother used to knit.

For that period of my life... I was an Angry Incher.

[Caitlin C]

Middle school band with some classmates called "The Killer Hoagies"

[Dave]

Was in a top-40 band for more than 20 years, Standing Room Only, playing at weddings and conventions, etc. The older we got the less we liked the late nights so when it was starting to get close to midnight one of the guys would sneak away while the rest of us played and sang, and he'd go find the thermostat and turn the heat up about five degrees. Then we'd start into a polka medley or an Elvis rock-and-roll medley, stretch it out for at least ten minutes, get everyone sweaty, overheated and exhausted. Then we'd take a break, knowing that they'd just decide to go home or at least give up dancing for the night, so we could pack up and head home. Shameless manipulation.

[Jeryl M.]

I was never in a band, but we are always singing in our house and always joke around about starting a family singing group and calling it The Marcus Family Glee Club.

[Brian Hajjar]

I was never in a band... my mother put me on the violin playing root. Even though it suited me well, I always wondered what it would be like to play the bass!

So in Middle School, I had a couple of friends who made a band called "UnMedicated." The reason was because they all had ADD so they would rehearse without taking their medication that day...they never made a song, all they did was just jam around. haha.

It would be awesome to see a reading!

Brian Hajjar

[Gaby G]

About 8 years ago, I formed a band with some co-workers from a kid's birthday party place here in NYC. We were called 'City Kiddies'. We made music for kids and had songs like 'Gonna Make a Volcano'. We never played out but made a recording of 4 songs in an awesome home studio in BK. The producer was a punk rocker named Dan Pfeffer and he was awesome to work with. We did a fun photo shoot at FAO Schwartz on their big keyboard. We were really going places, but two of the four band members (a couple) moved to L.A. and then broke up. I miss you, City Kiddies! Rock on!

[pappy]

I was in a wind ensemble in college. We didn't practice much- it was all very loosy-goosey. So we just began an outdoor concert and after the first number the conductor said we sounded so bad, that his NJ 7th grade band was better than us and he shut us down and left the podium! Things could only get better from there...

[Jackie S.]

Well, I grew up playing the French horn, so my band experience was limited to orchestral things. But my friends and I made a band (a French horn, a violin, and two accordions) called AMS (don't ask why) and we recorded a CD of classical musicarranged in differen t styles (In The Hall of the Mountain King was a bossa nova song)

I will say, though, that I always wanted to learn bass guitar and start a band with a clever but badass name (to be decided once I learned how to play). One problem was that none of my friends knew how to play any typical Garage Band instruments. Sad to say, it never happened.

[Lindsay B]

I never was in a band, but my friends were. They were an Irish rock band named One Punch Mickey. Of course the kicker was only one member actually was Irish. Yet, the sound appealed to the the large and vocal Irish Catholic contingent in Buffalo. Ah good St. Patty's Day memories from a few shows with that time honored holiday around the corner.

[Lisa B]

Alas, was never in a band, but my high school friends were in a band called "Marshmallow Overcoat". In college my friends band was called a more sophisticated "Three Martini Lunch". I loved being at the rehearsals for both of these bands. The jam sessions were so much fun - the improvisations, the arguments, the creativity, the really awesome covers of Pink Floyd and the Police, the amazing new music that only we got to hear. In many ways - these bands represent hope, imagination and exuberance for the art's sake alone.

[Tzahalla]

Back in Israel I began writing and composing my on songs and my vocal coach said they had a ,to of potential and connected me with her friend who helped me record my first single (called "on the stage" - funny enough). I sent it to the biggest network in Israel and they released it for free so I would get as much exposure as possible. Things went on pretty quick from there, I wrote more for my first album - iScream - my song was number 2 on the most downloaded and listened to chart for 3 weeks in a row when my mom got into the hospital after breaking her leg and arm plus she fractured her skull while she came to my recording session late at night. I put everything on hold ( I felt so guilty) and after a week, because all the pressure, my appendix burst. I had to return to the military, and the medical expenses held me back. I had time to figure out whether I am a singer/actress or actress/singer. 3 years later, I'm about to graduate from AADA. I was close, but I haven't given up yet :)

[Dean Roth]

While I was in a series of bands with boring names, some friends of mine had a cover band named "Tastes Like Chicken" Best I could come up with for myself was 20 years out of college doing a reunion under the name "Rusty" -- and we all were.

[Robb Johnston]

I was not so much in the band, but my friends had a band . . . "Nevermore" When they played at the HS talent show the brought me in as a background vocalist. We lucked out that the song we prepped was released as a single the tuesday leading up tot he event, so when we did Extreme's "More than Words" with me singing the harmonies, it was a big hit. based on the lucky timing

[Ellen]

When I was in high school, my older cousin (in college at the time) had a relatively successful (for its ilk) rock & roll band called Dodge D'Art; and his younger sister and I were allowed to be groupies at their local gigs...they did an awesome cover of "Come On Feel The Noise" :)! And my fellow groupie cousin married one of the band members and they just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary!! The band cousin went on to get a Phd and is now a celebrated audiologist...me? I settled for being a lawyer and continuing my career as a groupie - but now it's for theater!