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Event
TODD ALMOND: WYOMING AND PARTS OF KANSAS
The concert will be a 'travelogue' of sorts, with music rooted in three specific places; Wyoming, Kansas and (as a detour) Mississippi. While on a retreat at Sundance in Ucross, Wyoming, adapting a slim chapter from Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov," Todd was inspired by the notion of transplanting the Russian topography, along with themes and moments crucial to a minor character in the novel, to the physical, musical and spiritual properties of Wyoming. This resulted in a new collection of songs that contain Almond's unique brand of plaintive quietude, joy and humor. For this concert, Almond has paired this new material with his earlier Kansas songs, written during a lengthy stay at a Kansas City hotel. As a detour from Wyoming to Kansas, some music is inspired by an artistic stay in Mississippi this past year.
Says Almond, "I want the experience to be joyful--I was inspired by the themes of forgiveness and accountability, but also by the great humor of simply being a human. We can't help it, we're funny--when we're asking to be loved or when we're praying or eating or singing, we're funny, and I like to present these thoughts musically."
Amy Ryan, an actress acclaimed for her performances from stage, television and screen, consistently illuminates depth, warmth, humor and sorrow in all of her work, will be joining Todd in song.
Todd's frequent collaborator LEAR deBESSONET will serve as the evenings director/artistic adviser.
TODD ALMOND is a composer, lyricist and playwright. His musicals include WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE (Yale Repertory Theater, with Adam Bock, dir: Anne Kauffman); ON THE LEVEE (Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3, with Marcus Gardley, dir: Lear deBessonet); GIRLFRIEND (Berkeley Rep, with Matthew Sweet, dir: Les Waters); AHRAIHSAK (Theater Mitu, dir: Ruben Polendo); PEOPLE LIKE US (NYMF, dir: Gus Kaikkonen); KANSAS CITY CHOIR BOY (dir: Sam Gold) Almond has written musicals for both Juilliard and NYU Grad as well as music-directed and reconceived classic works, most notably HAIR at the Skirball Center/NYU, and served as Music Director for the world premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's TRES NIÑAS (Zipper Theatre) In addition to his songs having been performed by Sherie Rene Scott, Victoria Clark, Cheyenne Jackson, Jayne Houdyshell and Laura Benanti, Almond regularly performs his own material in NYC and he's recently released a CD of original songs entitled MEXICO CITY. He has been an artist-in-residence at Sundance (both Utah and Ucross, Wyoming), Vassar (with New York Theatre Workshop), and The Orchard Project. Almond is currently collaborating with Warren Leight and Stafford Arima on a musical adaptation of John Knowles' novel A SEPARATE PEACE; and adapting THE ODYSSEY with Lear deBessonet which will premiere at the Old Globe Theatre in September 2011.
AMY RYAN has made her mark working with some of today's most prolific directors, writers and actors. Whether in film, television or on stage, Amy continues to turn heads with chameleon-like character turns and compelling performances. Amy impressed audience and critics alike, starring in Miramax's GONE BABY GOBNE as 'Helene McCready", a drug addict mother from Boston's working class Dorchester neighborhood, whose child is kidnapped (Academy Award, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations in the Best Supporting Actress categories) Additionally, Amy won Best Supporting Actress awards from the National Board of Review, the Broadcast Film Critics Association (Critic's Choice Awards), the New York Film Critics Circle, the Los Angeles Film Critics, and Film Critics Societies of Boston, Washington D.C., and San Francisco, among others. Amy also appeared opposite Ethan Hawke in BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD directed by Sidney Lumet. Her work was recognized with Best Ensemble Cast awards from the Gotham Awards, the New York Online Film Critics and the Boston Society of Film Critics, and nominated for a Broadcast Film Critics Associate award. As a follow up to two profoundly dramatic performances, Amy opted for a lighter turn, guest starring in the season four finale of NBC's THE OFFICE. Showing off her comedic chops, Amy was introduced to the group at Dunder Mifflin as 'Holly', the new Head of Human Rescources. Applauded by New York Magazine for "raising the show's game," she returned for several episodes in season five, where sparks continued to fly with 'Michael' (Steve Carell). Recently Amy received universal acclaim for her work on HBO's IN TREATMENT playing "Adele' opposite Gabriel Byrne. Amy has also been twice nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayals of 'Stella' in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE and 'Sonya" in UNCLE VANYA (both at Roundabout Theatre.)
Todd Almond photo by Shelton Walsmith
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LocationSt. Marks Church
131 East 10th Street
New York, NY 10003
United States
Categories
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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