GLORY, GLORY: ERIC’S NOTES ON GLORY DAYS

Three years ago while teaching at the Overtures Musical Theater Institute at The Kennedy Center, two young men brought in a song they had written. Boldly, they asked if they could play it for me.   I listened to it intently and thought they had something special.  The song was from raw, young voices complete with smart, simple, honest lyrics.  Tony® Award-winner Richard Maltby Jr. was teaching a master class the next day, and I told them to play it for him. 

They did. And Richard had the same reaction as I did.

Those two young men, Nick Blaemire and James Gardiner, both at the ripe old age of 23, are premiering their very first musical Glory Days here at Signature.

In Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, Charlie says "just don't write what you know, write what you know."  And indeed they have — four friends from high school moving into a new generation, each on a separate path. 

Over the years, Signature has provided a home for local writers to premiere their work. Now, Nick and James can add their name to the list.  Not only as “local boys make good” (both hailing from the Rockville area) but also as the youngest writers to grace our stage.  Not many people are writing musicals at this age, let alone getting them produced.

The idea of a brand new musical not based on pre-existing material is a rarity these days.  Broadway is overcrowded with movie and book adaptations, with barely an original musical in sight. I am proud of Signature's commitment and support of new works and young writers.  Too often in today's world of theater, few are given the chance — or the encouragement — to find their own voices.  I am proud to have encouraged and inspired the talent you will be witnessing.

So tonight, enjoy these fresh, new voices as we keep original theater alive. I could not be more proud of the exciting work that has been produced on the Signature stages this season.

.
Eric Schaeffer
Artistic Director/Co-Founder

STEVEN BOOTH (Will). Broadway debut! Regional: Glory Days (Signature); Avenue Q (Princeton/Rod), Wynn Las Vegas; Edges: A New Song Cycle at the Capitol Repertory Theatre in Albany; The Molly Maguires (Michael Darcy); The Three Musketeers (Planchet) at North Shore Music Theatre; Pippin (Pippin). So much love and thanks to Mom, Dad, David, Katie, Corey and the kids!

ANDREW C. CALL(Andy). Glory Days (Signature). Broadway: Cry-Baby, High Fidelity. Off-Broadway: Altar Boyz. National tours: Altar Boyz, Saturday Night Fever. Regional: West Side Story, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Robber Bridegroom, Booth. For TES.

JESSE JP JOHNSON (Jack). Glory Days (Signature). He is so stoked to be making his Broadway debut! Off-Broadway: Altar Boyz (Luke). National tours: Altar Boyz (Luke), Oklahoma! (Jess/principal dancer), Grease (Doody) w/Frankie Avalon. TV: "One Life to Live" (recurring, singer/dancer). Recordings: Western Star (Benji) by Dale Wasserman, Rock Odyssey (Telemachus) by Billy Strauss. Workshops/readings: The Last Starfighter, Glory Days. Molto love to all who made this dream possible: Mom, Dad, Jacob, Siah and fam, my awesome posse (YOU know who you are), Penny Luedtke and G-O-D!

ADAM HALPIN (Skip). Broadway debut. Regional credits include Glory Days at Signature, Forever Plaid (Frankie) at North Shore Music Theatre and Pittsburgh CLO (for 17 months), Hair (Claude), among others. Graduate of Rutgers University. Adam sends thanks to Abrams Artists and Guy Stroman and all his love to his amazing family and friends. Proud AEA member.

ALEX BRIGHTMAN (Understudy) is thrilled to be making his Broadway debut with the best boys on the planet: Nick, James, Eric, Steven, Jesse, Adam, Andrew and Jeremy. He was last seen as Posner in the West Coast premiere of The History Boys at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Love to Mom, Dad and especially Jesse, the best brother in the world.

JEREMY WOODARD (Understudy) is beyond thrilled to make his Broadway debut. National tours: Miss Saigon (u/s Chris), Hairspray (u/s Link, Corny). I would like to thank each and every person who has played a part in getting me here; love to my family, friends, cam and a huge thanks to Nick Blaemire, Eric Schaeffer, Eric Woodall and Clear Talent. It doesn't get any better than this.