UP NEXT THIS WEEK!

This week in the wild world of Matt Conner, we have three big events...

First, our new children's show, "Eddie Allan Poe" opens November 4th at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church, VA.

I wrote the book and lyrics, and Matt wrote the music and lyrics. The cast is a wonderful and very talented group of children, anchored by the fantastic Dani Danger Stoller as the head mistress of the Edgar Allan Poe Academy. Join the lovable little terrors as they learn an important lesson about being true to yourself, no matter what people might think about you. www.creativecauldron.org

Then, Sunday brings us the CD Release party for Matt Conner's second album, Snow. This collection of timeless holiday classics also features two original songs written by Matt. There will be CD signing and then a live performance from Matt at 6pm. Start your holiday season out right, with the music of Matt Conner! Come enjoy some wine and cheese and some Holiday Cheer!!!! CD's will be available for purchase at $20.00 OR purchase a Gift Set of WINTER/SNOW for $30.00! Matt will be available to autograph each and every one with a personalized note to make each gift special!!!!

And finally, on Monday brings us a concert presentation of Matt Conner's Nevermore in New York City at The Duplex at 9:30pm!

Here are the details:

"NEVERMORE" Music by MATT CONNER Book by GRACE BARNES Lyrics adapted from the writings of EDGAR ALLAN POE... Orchestrations by JONATHAN TUNICK Music Direction by KEVIN B. WINEBOLD Directed by DAVID NORWOOD

CAST

Edgar ... DAN COONEY

The Whore ... ELEASHA GAMBLE

Virginia ... MARGO SIEBERT

Muddy ... MARY PAYNE

Mother ... NATASCIA DIAZ

Elmira ... WHITNEY BASHOR

“Nevermore” sets Edgar Allan Poe’s writings to music, telling the story of his relationships with five women in his life. The Washington Post described it as “a dreamscape of a musical” and called Cooney’s performance “robust” and “virile.” Conner’s score has been universally praised, attached to words like “hauntingly beautiful” (Theatermania.com) and “dark, lush and swooningly romantic” (Washington City Paper). Tickets: $15, available at http://www.theduplex.com/~thedup/webcalendar/view_entry.php?id=6282&date=20111107

And all the while, we are rehearsal for Hairspray at Signature Theatre, where I am hosting the Big Hair Ball this Saturday night.

So needless to say, this is a very busy week in the Smith/ Conner household. I feel like all that I do is promote different events constantly. I hope to see some of you at one of these many upcoming events. Until then, buckle up! November proves to be just as bumpy as October was! Children's shows, CD's, Concert Presentations, and lots of Hairspray!

xoxosgs

Nevermore Opening Night!

Nevermore opens tonight at Creative Cauldron! Tonight's performance is a benefit to save the Edgar Allan Poe house in Baltimore. A portion of the proceeds will go towards saving the house! Visit www.creativecauldron.org for ticket info, and come on out and see this amazing piece of theatre. It runs October 7th through the 30th on Fridays through Sundays.

xoxoxsgs

Hump Day Check In - Nevermore will the Boy Detective Fail...

Good Morning, interwebs! I am writing this blog from my new laptop! Yes, folks, the blog will lurch back from the dead now that I have a tool to write on again!

So what is going on? As always, very much.

The Boy Detective Fails is still running for 2 more weeks, so I have about 8 more performances as Billy Argo, Boy Detective. This makes me incredibly sad, and this role has been 2 years in the making. Letting go of this show is going to be like ripping off a very large band aid. Not looking forward to it.

Matt is directing a production of his first show, Nevermore at Creative Cauldron. It features many area favorites, including Priscilla Cuellar, Mary Payne Omohundro, Karissa Lynn Swanigan Upchurch, Katie Culligan, Dani Danger Stoller, and Sean Thompson. I had the priveledge of seeing a run through last wee, and am seeing another one tonight, and can assure you, it is money WELL spent.

It is, first of all, an incredibly SEXY cast. Secondly, the talent of the cast is overpowering. Matt has done some really amazing directing as well! So all in all, I am verrrrry excited about the entire production. Check out www.creativecauldron.org for details and tickets!

And in further Nevermore news, Musically Human Theatre Company, a new emerging company in NYC is looking to produce it's initial season using all Matt Conner shows! They are kicking this off with a concert version of Nevermore, featuring the original Edgar Allan Poe, Dan Cooney, and also Eleasha Gamble! The Concert is November 7th at the Duplex in NYC. Details will follow. After the concert, the group will do a reading of NightoftheLivingDead in December, followed by full productions of both in the spring/summer! The company is raising funds for the Concert over at our favorite fundraising page, Kickstarter - visit their Nevermore event page and donate anything you can!

In other news, I will be posting a look back at the summer, sharing some atrocious movies that I have had the pleasure of discovering, and much more, including coverage of the opening of Nevermore at Creative Cauldron, to coverage of the closing of the AMVP Rep at Signature next week! Please stand by!

xoxosgs

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

COMING UP!

FROM SIGNATURE THEATRE'S NEWSLETTER...

Page To Stage Monday: December 6

Conversation with STEPHEN GREGORY SMITH

Monday, December 6
7:00 – 8:00 PM

Arlington Public Library, Shirlington Branch
4200 Campbell Avenue

Arlington, VA 22206

Stephen Gregory Smith has performed on the Signature stage for over ten years! In 2004, he received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his performance in 110 in the Shade. He was also a member of the Helen Hayes Award-winning cast for Best Ensemble in Les Misérables and in 2009, Stephen played the lead role in Signature's eagerly anticipated new musical The Boy Detective Fails, based on the book by Joe Meno.
Other work at Signature over the last decade has included Kiss of the Spider Woman, Into the Woods, Assassins, One Red Flower, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and numerous cabaret performances.
Recently, Stephen has branched out in areas other than acting. He is the book writer for a new musical NightoftheLivingDead which had a reading at Kensington Arts Theatre in October. Stephen has been instrumental not only in the creation of the musical, but also in bringing it to life financially. He launched a Kickstarter online fundraising campaign that resulted in raising close to $10,000 to support the show. In addition, Stephen teaches art, creative drama, and improvisation to Fairfax County students through Creative Cauldron in Falls Church.
Now, Stephen Gregory Smith can be seen again on the Signature stage in Sunset Boulevard. Take this opportunity to talk with Stephen about any aspect of his varied career endeavors.
Page to Stage Mondays are free to the public. No tickets or reservations are required.





For tickets to see Stephen in Sunset Boulevard, click here or call 703 573 SEAT.





AND ALSO...



Matt Conner's Debut CD

Matt Conner, a Signature Theatre composer, actor and our lobby pianist, has recorded his first album, entitled WINTER. This Signature-produced CD of holiday favorites with two original songs by Conner is a perfect holiday gift for family and friends. If you've enjoyed Matt's music in the Signature lobby or saw his musical Nevermore, you'll love this mix of holiday songs played by Matt in his Signature style. The CD features 14 melodies including "Jingle Bells" and "O Holy Night" and is available in the Signature Shop beginning November 15.
Be one of the first to purchase this album by attending Matt's WINTER CD signing and release party on Monday, November 15 from 6:30 - 8:30pm in the Signature Lobby. Matt will be on-site to autograph CDs. Join us for a glass of wine and a special concert of the songs from 7:15 to 7:35pm.
WINTER is available for $20. If you purchase 4 CDs, you get one for free.
It's the perfect holiday gift for friends and family!

MATT CONNER.ORG IS LAUNCHED!!!

A NEW top link is listed to the right side, Matt Conner.org! This is Matt's composer website, with all of his professional details, and sound samples! Go and check it out!
Also Matt has been announced as a 2008-2009 winner of the American Musical Voices Project: The Next Generation award! Click HERE for more information!

NEVERMORE wins best musical at WATCH AWARDS!

Kensington Arts Theatre's production of my husband's show, Nevermore won best musical at the WATCH Awards tonight. It tied with another show, but still won for best musical. It also won best Sound Design.
Kudos and congrats to all involved in this fantastic production of this fantastic show.
A well deserved show of appreciation for a show that has always deserved it.
CONGRATS!
luv,
SGS

NEVERMORE at Kensington Arts Theatre garners 12 WATCH Award Nominations!

You can see which ones over AT THIS SITE.
Congratulations to all!

Talkback Tonight!

After tonight's performace of Nevermore at Kensington Arts Theatre, "the theatre will be hosting a Talk-Back session with the composer, Matt Conner, and members of the cast, production, and artistic staff of NEVERMORE.

This is a unique, exciting opportunity to ask questions about the show or artistic process and gain more of an insight into the author's work. Come to the Thursday performance and stay for this exciting chance to learn what it is like to build a musical from the ground up. "
Just FYI...

Yet more Nevermore press...

Just wanted to let yinz know that Nevermore was listed on NBC4's website...HERE IS THE LINK!

More Nevermore praise...

Click HERE to read the Washington Post's rave about Nevermore at KAT.
I cannot stress enough to you...go and see this production. It is fantastic.
2 weekends left.

Brad Hathaway weighs in on KAT's Nevermore...

Click HERE to read the Potomac Stages review of Nevermore at KAT! Good stuff!
Get your tickets for this coming weekend or next weekend right HERE!
They are also offering $10 student tickets!
Remaining performances: March 23, 24, 25, 29,30, 31

Reminder...Nevermore

Check out the Signature Theatre Blog, where they do a nice little PR for Nevermore at KAT. Only two weekends left, so reserve your tickets today!

Nevermore Update...

I would advise all who want to see KAT's smart production of Matthew Conner's Nevermore to reserve you tickets now. I know that the past 2 posts have been about this and that I am slightly biased, but I had a conversation with Evan Hoffman (the director, and the Edgar) tonight, and sales are picking up as the word gets out. You only have the next 3 weekends to catch this show, so I would move on it if you are so inclined to see it.

Here again is the contact info.

I am serious, it is worth it.

Nevermore

This weekend was opening weekend for Nevermore at Kensington Arts Theatre. My husband bumped into Brianne Cobruzzi at the 7-11, who said that they were getting standing ovations for the past 2 nights. I am not surprised by this at all, and am glad that audiences are being exposed to this piece. See the link below to secure tickets to this SECOND production of the show that obsesses me to no end.

BREAKING NEWS: Nevermore in Maryland!

THIS IN FROM KENSINGTON ARTS THEATRE...
"KAT will be taking on one of our most ambitious projects ever with NEVERMORE. Commissioned and produced originally by Signature Theatre, we will mount only the second staging of this edgy, new musical.

Audition dates: January 9 & 10, 2007 (callbacks on January 11). Click on the show image for more information. Character breakdowns are coming soon.

With music by Matt Conner, book by Grace Barnes and lyrics adapted from the writings of American fiction writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe, NEVERMORE uses Poe's poetry and short stories as its base and his shifting obsessions with the women in his life as its catalyst. With hauntingly beautiful melodies, NEVERMORE breathes new life into Poe's work and explores a twisted true-life tale as bizarre as his classic stories of the macabre."


Yes, Nevermore will be done for the second time at KAT. Only one year later, I can't wait to see my hubby's first musical created on stage again. Exciting!

I'll take Literary Theatre for $200, Alex...

"The Critics are Raven about the new musical, Nevermore, which is based on the life and work of this poet...
Who is Edgar Allan Poe."


It was a $200 question, but still...prety cool!

I'll take "Up and Coming Composers" for a thousand, Alex...

So...randomly, Jeopardy will be having a question on tomorrow (Tuesday) evening's show that is related to my hubster's new musical, Nevermore! They called Signature to let them know this, and that it would be on tomorrow's show...
Please set your Tivo's!

Dreamland haunts me still...

PHOTO of Amy McWilliams and Dan Cooney, By Carol Pratt.
DREAMLAND
Edgar Allan Poe, 1844
dialogue-
By each spot the most unholy-
In each nook most melancholy-
There the traveler meets aghast
Sheeted Memories of the Past-

For the heart whose woes are legion
'Tis a peaceful, soothing region-
Bottomless vales and boundless floods,
And chasms, and caves, and Titan woods,
For the heart whose woes are legion
'Tis a peaceful, soothing region-
Mountains toppling evermore
Into seas without a shore;
Seas that restlessly aspire,
Surging, unto skies
Surging, unto skies of fire;
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,
On a black throne reigns upright,
I have reached these lands but newly
From an ultimate dim Thule-
From a wild,weird clime that lieth, sublime,
Out of SPACE- out of TIME.
By the lakes that thus outspread
Their lone waters, lone and dead,-
Their sad waters, sad and chilly
With the snows of the lolling lily,-
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
From a wild clime that lieth, sublime,
Out of SPACE- out of TIME.
Out of SPACE- out of TIME.
out of TIME.

This song has bored a hole into my brain...


Copywright-Matt Conner-2005

"There the traveler meets aghast, sheeted memories of the past.."

Photo of Steve McWilliams and Amy McWilliams
Well. Hmm. So tonight starts 7 weeks of boredom. I think we've established by now that Damn Yankees closed a month ago yesterday...Nevermore just closed last night. *Sigh*
Blue would be my general hue right now. I was so bored tonight that I actually watched "Deal, or No Deal" on TV.
Yeah.
This closing was harder on me than any other, and I wasn't even in the show.
Well...at least it's not 7 months of boredom. I'm trying to focus on the positive.
I am in great need of a second job, though. Something part-time and at night or on the weekends. Of course, I only need this job for 7 weeks. So this will not be an easy find. If it happens at all.
Wow. Welcome to the depression blog, folks! LOL
OK...I'm completely over myself at this point. I actually just started writing this because I was so damn bored. Ha. I bet you are really enjoying it, too.
Alright...here are some more shots from the closing night party last night.
The last one really almost made me cry when I looked at it.
PS- When you do spell check on McWilliams, it comes up Muslims. Hmmm.
Here are the members of "The Husbands Club". Don't ask.

Saying his goodbyes.