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.

THEATER IN THE NOW SPOTLIGHT ON … Danny Ashkenasi

Posted on January 29, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Michael Block from Theater in the Now has posted his interview with me.  Click here to read it. Here some excerpts: Why theater?: I’ve loved performing and music since before I can remember.  It’s always been who I am.  I … Continue reading →

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FASCINATING VIDEO OF JULIAN ELTINGE IN DRAG (with bonus clip of Gene Malin in drag too!)

Posted on January 27, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

One of the musical Speakeasy‘s lead characters, Julian Carnation, is based in part on the real life female impersonator Julian Eltinge (as well as the red Queen and the Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s Alice books). I want to share … Continue reading →

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

Speakeasy – THE LOBSTER QUADRILLE vs. THE LOBSTER CHARLESTON

Posted on January 24, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Introducing the latest dance craze from the Roaring Twenties: The Lobster Charleston! The Lobster Charleston Yes, it’s a novelty dance, like the Turkey Trot, or the Chicken Dance, or the Macarena, the Mashed Potato and Gangnam Style. But it’s imaginary, … Continue reading →

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NfaC Repost: The Sound of Music: Embracing the “Sugarcoated Lie”

Posted on January 22, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

This article was one of the first ever published on “Notes from a Composer” and quickly became one of the more popular during the first months of the blog’s existence.  I thought I would repost it so newcomers to the … Continue reading →

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Official Speakeasy Publicity Photos

Posted on January 18, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Chet Cheshire with the Tweedle Sisters (Anne Bragg, Bri Molloy, Allie Radice)   Duchess Bentley, Jane Allison, John Allison & Julian Carnation (Camille Atkinson, Rosalie Graziano, Matias Polar & Tim Connell)   The “dip”.   John surrounded by Julian and … Continue reading →

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OSCAR NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED – so, what happened with those hoped for bragging rights, Danny?

Posted on January 14, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

So the Academy Award nominations were announced this morning, and as every year I had the TV on, munching my breakfast, and followed along as they were read out (see the full list of nominees at the bottom of this … Continue reading →

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Speakeasy Photo Shoot Extra: The Unbearable Cuteness of Jane and John

Posted on January 13, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Or perhaps I should say, the off-the-charts adorableness of Rosalie Graziano and Matias Polar as Jane and John Allison? The last shot of the day we did at the press photo shoot was a shot of Jane and John reading … Continue reading →

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Behind the scenes at the SPEAKEASY PRESS PHOTO SHOOT

Posted on January 11, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

It is an odd reality of our production of Speakeasy that our Public Relations officer required press photos before we even launched into rehearsals.  So we had to “create” moments from the show before we had yet gotten around to … Continue reading →

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Speakeasy Tickets Now on Sale

Posted on January 6, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Tickets for the showcase production of SPEAKEASY – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland are now on sale. Check out the Theater for the New City Speakeasy webpage here! Check out the Smarttix Speakeasy ticket purchase page here! Plus, … Continue reading →

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MY 1978 SANTA BARBARA EARTHQUAKE

Posted on January 4, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

I was standing near my croquet ball holding my mallet waiting my turn when we heard the rumbling. First thing I saw was the house shaking.  A one story ranch style house made with vertical wooden slats, which were now … Continue reading →

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HOPE for a New Year

Posted on December 31, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

I believe in the good of mankind I believe in the end truth prevails It resides in our hearts and our minds Should we seek it we’d find love unveiled HOPE Happy New Year.  Let’s hope for a 2016 that … Continue reading →

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Speakeasy – MEET THE “SWELL” ENSEMBLE

Posted on December 28, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

The ensemble for the showcase production of “Speakeasy” has been assembled.  Doubled in size from the group that performed in the December 7 reading, it is a wonderfully talented and diverse ensemble.  A “swell gang”, in the parlance of the … Continue reading →

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SPEAKEASY HONOR ROLL OF PLEDGES

Posted on December 24, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE GRATEFUL! Thank you to all who gave to help make Speakeasy’s February/March showcase run a reality! In alphabetical order:   Ilse & Hanns Ahrens Michael Ahrens Kelly Aliano Claudia Arlo Abraham & Catherine Ashkenasi David … Continue reading →

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS – How this Carol Curmudgeon Ended Up Unwittingly Writing Three Seasonably Suited Carols Himself

Posted on December 21, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

I plead guilty to being a bit of a Christmas Carol Grinch.  OK, I used to be a BIG Christmas Carol Grinch, really loathing most carols and sometimes resorting to lip syncing rather than singing out loud when drawn into … Continue reading →

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94% FUNDED! 3 DAYS TO GO!

Posted on December 19, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

We’re so-o-o-o close! Hundreds of friends and strangers have come together to help make next year’s showcase production of “Speakeasy – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland” a reality! Will you join them? Remember, with each pledge, no matter … Continue reading →

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

Revealed: SPEAKEASY Poster and Postcard DESIGN!

Posted on December 17, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

Voilà, the poster/postcard design for the February/March 2016 showcase run of “Speakeasy – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland”! Designed by Derk Scholtz in an ever evolving process that I will get into more behind-the-scenes detail below.  But first, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Live! On Stage, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment