The Palo Alto, CA, company hosts the annual retreat, Jan. 13-20, which will feature the development of four new musicals. TheatreWorks provides the collaborating teams of composers and playwrights "the opportunity to develop New Works, uninterrupted by the hassles and distractions of their daily lives," as a release states. "The company will supply performers and accompanists so that composers can try out new arrangements, and a musical director to help guide the creative process." The week will conclude with a by-invitation-only presentation with selections from each work.
The participants of the retreat include:
Music, lyrics and book by Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda
Adapted from the play by David Schulner
GrooveLily's Milburn and Vigoda (Striking 12) return to work on this new musical "examining the life-cycle of a relationship from first date through old age; this dazzling musical retraces a brief encounter that develops into a love affair that lasts a lifetime."
Book and lyrics by Tanya Shaffer, music by Vienna Teng
Bay Area author Tanya Shaffer (Baby Taj) teams with local singer-songwriter Vienna Teng on a "contemporary musical re-telling of the Buddha story."
Music by Jenny Giering, book and lyrics by Sean Berry
Composer, singer and pianist Jenny Giering (Caraboo, The Mistress Cycle) works with writer Sean Barry on a musical "based on the life of renowned aviator and 'The Little Prince' author Antoine de Saint-Exupery."
Burnt Part Boys creators Nathan Tysen (lyrics) and Chris Miller (music) join writer Craig Wright (Recent Tragic Events, "Dirty Sexy Money") to "explore the beginnings of a musical collaboration on various projects at this year's retreat." The TheatreWorks retreat will take place at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. For more information about the company, visit theatreworks.org.
