Author Archives: dannyashkenasi

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About dannyashkenasi

I'm a composer with over 40 years experience creating music theater. I'm also an actor, writer, director, producer, teacher and general enthusiast for the arts.

STAHNSDORF – An American Red Oak for my Father

Posted on April 7, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

My plane was delayed by two and a half hours.  Needing only hand luggage for a five day stay I breezed past the baggage carousel at Berlin-Tegel, but the taxi ride added to the delay due to traffic jams on … Continue reading →

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NfaC Repost: THE DAY I BECAME A COMPOSER

Posted on April 2, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

I have not yet written much about my parents on this blog so far, but this piece from last June includes one of my favorite anecdotes about my father: “My parents were always supportive of all my creative endeavors, but … Continue reading →

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Abraham Ashkenasi

Posted on March 27, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Abraham Ashkenasi May 14, 1934 – March 27, 2016

Posted in Beginnings | Tagged | 2 Comments

KICKSTARTER REWARDS MAILING

Posted on March 24, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Yesterday Kelly Aliano and I got together to put together the mailing of Speakeasy Reward gifts (T-Shirts and Booklets and Posters, oh my!) to those Kickstarter contributors to the showcase production of Speakeasy who weren’t able to pick up their … Continue reading →

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NfaC Double Repost: BREAKING INTO SONG IN MUSICALS

Posted on March 21, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Time for another Notes from a Composer rerun, or repost, this time a double feature from last April on the convention of breaking into song in musicals, and how cleverly the movie version of Cabaret subverted that convention.  This post … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Melodies Linger On, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cast Picture

Posted on March 17, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  Jonathan Fox Powers (music director), Anne Bragg, Allie Radice, Amanda Thomas, Zachary Martin, Kristen Quinn, Rita McCann, Larry Johnson, Rebecca Marquardt, Brendan Mellette, Camille Atkinson, Tim Connell, Matias Polar, Darcy Dunn, Kayleigh Shuler, Brian Henry, Bri Molloy, Sebastian McCracken, … Continue reading →

Posted in Live! On Stage, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Contemplation before the show

Posted on March 13, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  My husband Ed took this pic of me in the lobby of Theater for the New City sitting at our concession stand by the entrance into the Johnson Theater.  Speakeasy would be performing in about 40 minutes that Saturday … Continue reading →

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FINAL SPEAKEASY PERFORMANCES – Dance into the Light tonight, let Love have her way

Posted on March 11, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Tonight and tomorrow, 8pm Final Performance Sunday, March 13, 3pm Theater for the New City, 155 1st Avenue Thank you to all, contributors, performers, production team, audiences, who have helped make this workshop production of Speakeasy possible.  May we all … Continue reading →

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“SPARKLING MOMENTS OF MUSICAL THEATER” – OffOffOnline’s Speakeasy Review

Posted on March 7, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

OffOffOnline posted their Speakeasy review.  Here a few highlights: “Kayleigh Shuler as Jane and Matias Polar as John are the heartbeat of the show; they are the flawless young lovers, never missing a note or a cue.” “As Jane’s best … Continue reading →

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6 SPEAKEASY PERFORMANCES LEFT! – (plus James Rado from Hair drops by) (and a personal recommendation)

Posted on March 6, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

3pm Matinee today! Wed 8pm!   Thur 8pm!   Fri 8pm!   Sat 8pm! Final performance Sunday March 13 3pm! Get your SPEAKEASY tickets here! Also… Last night the legendary James Rado, co-writer of the musical Hair, attended the performance.  Afterwards he shook … Continue reading →

Posted in Live! On Stage, Melodies Linger On, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Inspiration for SPEAKEASY’S DUCHESS BENTLEY – Part 2 of The Terrific, Transgressive and Tragic Tale of Gladys Bentley

Posted on March 4, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Gladys Bentley, the model for the character Duchess Bentley in Speakeasy, enjoyed a terrific career as deliberately outrageous Lesbian nightclub singer during the Roaring Twenties, but saw her prospects plummet during the far less permissive Great Depression.  Almost all homosexual … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Inspiration for SPEAKEASY’S DUCHESS BENTLEY – The Terrific, Trangressive and Tragic Tale of Gladys Bentley – Part 1

Posted on March 2, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

In the musical Speakeasy – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland, Jane Allison first meets Duchess Bentley, Harlem nightclub singer and unabashed lesbian, when she finds herself outside a door being angrily knocked upon by Minister Fish, who implores … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Speakeasy inspired ART by PETER BONNER

Posted on February 28, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Peter Bonner is a New York based artist originally from Australia.  We met as members of the choir singing the Ode to Joy in Carnegie Hall with the World Community Orchestra.  He has been reading the libretto and listening to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Literary Lyricism, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

SPEAKEASY PRODUCTION PHOTOS #2

Posted on February 25, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

    “An offbeat, mind-blowing fantasia on identity, taboo romance, and queer culture circa 1930.” Gay City News       “The lyrics, melodies, and orchestrations are surprisingly rich and sophisticated.” Gay City News  

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SPEAKEASY PRODUCTION PHOTOS #1

Posted on February 23, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  “One of the most wildly ambitious, inspired theatrical endeavors I’ve seen on an Off Off Broadway stage. Bursting with an excess of ideas and passion” Gay City News       “Director Lissa Moira, choreographer J. Alan Hanna, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Live! On Stage, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Gay City News Review for Speakeasy

Posted on February 21, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

“An offbeat, mind-blowing fantasia on identity, taboo romance, and queer culture circa 1930.” “One of the most wildly ambitious, inspired theatrical endeavors I’ve seen on an Off Off Broadway stage.  Bursting with an excess of ideas and passion.” “The score … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Live! On Stage, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment