Eric Schaeffer – DANA P. ROWE

Look! We Wrote a Quarantine Showtune!

Sondheim said, “Art isn’t easy,” and these days of COVID-19 definitely present their artistic and collaborative challenges. I’m super proud of my friends who decided to push past the problems we’re all experiencing to continue creating together. I’m delighted to share this quarantine showtune that Nathan Cann and I wrote for Leanne Borghesi, and I’m honored it was a featured video on Playbill yesterday!

THE SHOWBROADS Are Baaaaaaack! Get ready NYC and SF!

After their standing room/sold out debut November, these “dueling divas” are back to heat up the stage with their brassy belts, boa-ography & over the top comedic chops with and array of “showstopping number after showstopping number.” Arrangements/Musical Direction by seasoned composer Dana P. Rowe (Witches of Eastwick, Blackbeard, The Fix, and Zombie Prom). Dana leads a tight combo with Don Kelly (drums), Jim Piela (sax/clarinet) and Jamie Mohamadien (bass).

Avery Sommers Rules The Laurie Beechman Theatre with FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS

“It is appropriate that Avery Sommers wears a bejeweled gold headpiece around her upswept hair for her performance of “For Sentimental Reasons” because it looks rather like a crown, and Avery Sommers is showbusiness royalty. It is true that Ms. Sommers is not the most famous woman to tread the boards, but fame is not what makes royalty – style and survival do, tenacity and talent do, originality and individuality do, and these are the royal titles bestowed upon Avery Sommers by some otherworldly being or by Mother Nature herself. In simplest parlance: Avery Sommers is all the damn things.” ~ Stephen Mosher, Broadway World

THE SHOWBROADS leave them wanting more!

Blackbeard‘s unique immersive staging thrusts the audience entirely into the action like never before. Get an in-depth look at the inventive behind-the-scenes magic to launch a world premiere musical in this five-part series. Meet the writers, explore Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer’s vision and hoist the sails as the show takes off during the final dress rehearsal.

BLACKBEARD SEMINARS: Into Legend We Sail – Captaining a New Musical

Blackbeard‘s unique immersive staging thrusts the audience entirely into the action like never before. Get an in-depth look at the inventive behind-the-scenes magic to launch a world premiere musical in this five-part series. Meet the writers, explore Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer’s vision and hoist the sails as the show takes off during the final dress rehearsal.

BLACKBEARD June Premiere at Signature Theatre in VA

Set sail with the most infamous pirate of all time in a riotous, rowdy high-seas adventure from John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe, the creators of The Witches of Eastwick, Brother Russia, Zombie Prom, and The Fix.

West End Musicals We Hope Will Come to Broadway

From an article on Broadway Direct by Mark A. Robinson Pleased to be included in this Broadway wish list of musicals! The Witches of Eastwick This one goes back even further than We Will Rock You, opening in the West End in 2000. The Witches of Eastwick premiered to generally good reviews and enjoyed a…

Signature Revs Up For One Helluva Spin

CBS This Morning, September 18th, 2015 “The Fix” The first two Republican debates had plenty of theater, but a play near Washington is bringing its own political intrigue. “The Fix” captures the absurd and sometimes seedier side of politics, at times hitting a little too close to home. Julianna Goldman reports from Arlington, Virginia. Click…

Eastwick Original Cast Promotional Video

Thanks to @JBoydRochford for bringing this video to my attention. What a treat to see this footage again of the Witches of Eastwick Original London Cast featuring Lucie Arnaz, Joanna Riding, Maria Friedman, Ian McShane, Rosie Ashe, Caroline Sheen and Peter Jöback! Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, directed by Eric Schaeffer, choreographed by Bob Avian and…

InDepth InterView: Dana Rowe on BroadwayWorld.com

Dana Gabe Erin and John at Signature Theatre

by Pat Cerasaro Today we are talking to the composing half of one of the most talented and consistently exciting songwriting teams in musical theatre, Dempsey/Rowe – the force behind ZOMBIE PROM, THE FIX, THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, and, now, the brand new rock musical at Washington, D.C.’s lauded and progressive Signature…