I am über-excited about the 2011-2012 season! Lots of great gigs with great people…

Beginning Tuesday, September 6, 2011: I’ll be returning to theUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee to teach the graduate collaborative piano students techniques of opera coaching and accompanying. By far, the best part of my job there last year, so I am thrilled that they are having me back in this capacity. Corrupting young minds is a dream come true.

September 16 through October 2, 2011: Under the sure direction of Dorothy Danner, the Skylight is mounting the world premiere production of Kirke Mechem’s new opera The Rivals, based on a play by Richard Sheridan. I’m only playing for rehearsals (there is no piano in the pit) but I will be at every performance, so please come by the Skylight and say hi.  *UPDATE*  The show is looking excellent - it’s gonna be the first “must-see” of the Milwaukee theater season.  Here’s a preview video to whet your appetite, and here’s a list of malaprops to prepare you for the ensuing hilarity.

Saturday, October 22, 2011: Once again, honored and delighted to play for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. A full day (from 10am to 5pm) of GREAT singing from the latest generation of opera singers. Milwaukee’s most essential soprano, Kathy Pyeatt, is the director - and she keeps the gig perfectly on track. You’ll love it!

Beginning November, 2011: I will be coaching 5 singers from the MONC auditioins (see above), for 6 months culminating in a concert in April. Details will be forth coming!

November 18 through December 18, 2011: Music Man at the Skylight Opera Theatre. One of the theatrical must-sees of the season! I’m playing in the pit and serving as assistant music director to my all-time favorite maestro, Richard Carsey.

January 15, 2012: What could be better than an evening with Noel Coward as my first official gig of 2012? That’s right, Gary Briggle and I will once again perform A Talent to Amuse in St. Paul at Skylark Opera. Details will be forthcoming!

January 14 through February 5, 2012: I’m thrilled to be working for the first time at the nation’s second largest children’s theater company, First Stage Children’s Theater, music directing Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. I’m thinking it’s gonna be a blast.

January 28 through February 11, 2012: A cabaret featuring music of the Harlem Renaissance with Cynthia Cobb, Sherri Williams Pannell, and yours truly banging on the Petrof. Having not performed in this space for over a year, I’m delighted to be back with these two incredible, blow-the-roof-off-the-joint singers. It runs in the Skylight Bar & Bistro on Fridays and Saturdays following the Skylight’s production of Edith Piaf, starring Leslie Fitzwater as Piaf. That’s a lot of belting in one night!

First two weekends in March, 2012: It’s a little premature to put this up here because it’s not a for sure deal yet, but I will hopefully be back to UW-M to music direct the Peck School of the Arts Inter-Arts Musical Theatre program‘s workshop production of Into the Woods. The performances will be at the Kenilworth Building which is a 5 minute walk from my apartment — convenient!

March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24, 2012: Sunset playhouse - a full evening cabaret with my favorite Milwaukee performer, BECKY SPICE! (She’s also a Realtor.) This gig is a dream come true. I love performing with Becky. I mean, LOVE it! And we’re gonna create an entirely new evening of music for this. Then we will have over 5 hours of material…book us for your next event! Once it’s announced, info will be here. You won’t want to miss this, but I guarantee I am more excited about it than you or Becky are!

March 30 and 31, 2012: Classical Idol 6! It was a lot of fun doing this gig two years ago, Classical Idol 4. I was sad to have to miss last year, but they asked me back for CI6, and I can hardly wait. Rochester is a great little town with some world-class art going on. The competition is entertaining, to say the least, and Eric Townell is an excellent musician and host. All under the auspices of the Rochester Oratorio Society. Plan your vacation now and join me in balmy Rochester in March where the average temperature is 34°F. Brrr.

April 27 through May 6, 2012: It’s back, bigger and better than ever, with all new numbers, and many more new novelty tuned percussion instruments, this time fully produced in the Broadway Theatre Center’s black box theater: the sensational cabaret hit Things That Go Ding. If you saw it the first time, we know you’ll be back…if not, don’t miss it! It’s the most fun you can have listening to music. Here’s a little taste:

May 18 through June 10, 2012: The Skylight Opera Theatre presents the Sondheim masterpiece Sunday in the Park with George. It’s the first time the Skylight has produced this amazing show. It promises to be another must-see of the season. I’m just playing in the pit for this one, but I’m really looking forward to it - I love this score!

Please check back for more updates!