This news is so new, Andrew barely has any details, but suffice it to say that he is hugely honored to receive the inaugural Burton Lane Award from ASCAP and Lynn Lane, wife of the famed composer of such classics as "On A Clear Day" and "Finian's Rainbow". More details to come.
Andrew is thrilled to have Tony Award nominee Mark Jacoby, Drama Desk nominee Lynne Wintersteller, and newcomers Michael Marcotte and Kate Rockwell (TV's Grease: You're The One That I Want!) joining him for two nights only at the coolest venue in town. Backed by a mean combo, they'll be premiering a new evening of songs, including old favorites from The Tutor, Meet John Doe and Brighter Things, plus world premieres written just for this show. Performances are at 9:30 both nights, tickets only $20. Get your tickets at the Zipper Factory or call 212.352.3101. For dinner reservations at the terrific Zipper Factory Tavern next door, call 212.695.4600. Make it your Patty's Day party (bring your drinks with you into the theater!), or send March out like a lion/lamb/animal of your choice on the 31st. Hope to see you there!
February 25: The Queen of the Capital Area awards has handed down her picks for this year, and Meet John Doe got more nods than any other musical! Up for consideration are:
Read the complete list here, with details about the April 28th ceremony at the Warner Theater. Wish us luck!
Andrew made his professional acting debut in June in the show, Two Pianos, Four Hands, at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, MA, opposite Playhouse Artistic Director Evans Haile. A blast was had by all, including the critics and a second production is scheduled to open October 19th at the Penguin Rep in Stony Point, NY, just 40 minutes north of the city. See the schedule for details.
Andrew Gerle and Evans Haile
On a sad note, Andrew's longest two-piano partner, his mother, concert pianist Marilyn Neeley, passed away in May. Read the wonderful Washington Post obituary. A memorial concert is scheduled for October 28th at the Catholic University of America, to be followed by a Vespers service in the Crypt Church of the National Basilica. Click here for more information.
Marilyn Neeley Gerle (1937-2007)
Continuing work he started at the MacDowell Artists' Colony last December (see his "AG at the MacDowell" blog), Andrew recently went into the recording studio to put down four new songs from his new show, Gloryana, with three fantastic actors: Yale undergrad Casey Breves, NYU grad Stefan Basti, and The Color Purple's vivacious Montego Glover. You can listen to mp3s of the new tracks from Gloryana here!
Eddie and Andrew participate in a panel for the National Alliance for Musical Theater, giving an in-depth look at the development process for Meet John Doe, from NAMT Festival '05 through residencies and workshops at TheatreWorks Palo Alto, Carousel Dinner Theatre, the Hartt School of Music, and Goodspeed Musicals, to its recent full production at the Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC.
Andrew appears with Evans Haile in Two Pianos, Four Hands at Penguin Rep.
2007 Larsen recipient Robert Maddock, performer Mary Testa and Andrew Gerle
On a sunny Valentine's day, Andrew was honored to be a presenter for the Jonathan Larson Foundation Awards, introducing a song by 2007 recipients Melissa Li and Abe Rybeck. The starry luncheon at the fabled "21" Club included Steven Schwartz, Anthony Rapp, Neil Patrick Harris, Norm Lewis, and Andrew's table-mate, the irrepressible Mary Testa. Congrats to all of this year's recipients!
Andrew and collaborator Eddie Sugarman, outside the Ford's Theatre Box Office
Andrew and Evans premiered their production of Two Pianos, Four Hands, directed by Tom Frey, at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, MA.
Meet John Doe gets its extended-run, critically-acclaimed world-premiere full production at the Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC. Directed by Eric Schaeffer and orchestrated by Jonathan Tunick, it was truly a roof-raising spectacle. Read the inside scoop on the production on Andrew and Eddie's rehearsal blog.
Several of Andrew's songs were featured in the evening Trying It Out in New Haven — a revue of Yale's most prominent composers. Others featured included Cole Porter, Richard Maltby and David Shire, Adam Guettel, and Kristin and Bobby Lopez.
The Tutor, Andrew's 3-time Richard Rodgers Award-winning comedy with Maryrose Wood, is being produced at the Spirit of Broadway Theatre in CT. Gala Opening Feb. 28th.