OTHER LIVES evolved out of the COVID lockdown in New York.  I was saddened by all the up-and-coming talents whose hopes and plans were stymied as we faced the year-long closing of shows. I prepared this opus in anticipation of when theatre and cabaret would return to normal or—as the title of another musical goes—at least NEXT TO NORMAL. OTHER LIVES is a cycle of story songs spotlighting both great stage veterans and exciting newcomers.  Many of the songs are from my past musicals; others are stand-alone pieces.  The composers are a range of favorite collaborators.  The resulting revue: OTHER LIVES.

Presented during December 2022 as a benefit for the estimable off-Broadway company Urban Stages as part of their Winter Rhythms series. The award-winning series (Frances Hill, Artistic Director) has boasted an array of unforgettable presentations starring such NY luminaries as Leslie Uggams, KT Sullivan, Steve Ross, Karen Akers, Natalie Douglas, and Jeff Harnar. In past seasons. OTHER LIVES played to full, enthusiastic houses.

Out of the despair of a pandemic, this love fest of artists (some performing publicly for the first time since COVID) was born. And now we present our cycle of story songs—some dramatic, some comic, some surprising—but all about OTHER LIVES.