NEWS & RECENT PROJECTS
OTHELLO
In February of 2026, I was asked to read the role of Roderigo in a reading/discussion of Shakespeare’s OTHELLO. This was the first time in many years I’d done anything with CTH since they gave me my start in professional theatre in NYC in 2006. From 2006-2008 I performed with CTH in their productions of MACBETH (starring Ty Jones), ROMEO & JULIET, MARAT/SADE, and KING LEAR (starring André De Shields). To be back in the room with Ty and other actors from my professional history was a really beautiful way to spend an afternoon.
THE HUNTING PARTY
In January of 2026, I filmed my first guest star on a network tv show. I’ve done commercials, been featured in a few films, and even done a show for the History Channel, but this was my first real role on a tv show. I played Doug, a man that works in a garden store and gets interviewed by the law enforcement team while they are investigating a murder.
I spent a day on set out in Queens, not too far from where I grew up on Long Island. Everyone was really kind and helped to create a very playful and alive environment on set. Looking forward to being back on camera again soon. I really loved the experience.
THE WILD DUCK
In the summer/fall of 2025, I was asked to perform & music direct the production of David Eldridge’s adaptation of Ibsen’s THE WILD DUCK directed by Simon Godwin. In addition to playing the role of Jensen, I also was in charge of curating all the music in the production. The production began in NYC at Theatre For A New Audience and then transferred to The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC.
In Ibsen’s play, the character Hjalmar plays a flute when he’s home with his family. For Nick Westrate, who played the role, I created a double flute based on the ancient Greek instrument called the Aulos. Nick didn’t have any musical instrument experience so I adapted the original historical design from a reed instrument to a tin whistle, which he easily learned in a few short lessons from me.
The legendary actor/musician, David Patrick Kelly, was also in the production in the role of Old Ekdal. DP very generously lent his two norwegian folk instruments to our production and let me play on his Hardanger fiddle while he played on a langeleik (both seen here in the photo of me with DP Kelly).
I pulled from 19th century Norwegian folk and classical music to create & arrange the musical soundscape of the show. Among the composers whose music was utilized was Ole Bull, a celebrated Norwegian violinist and composer. Ole Bull was instrumental in the creation of Norway's National Theatre and he hired the young Henrik Ibsen as a stage manager and resident dramatist there in 1850. Years later, Ibsen's works would premiere at that same theatre, including The Wild Duck in 1885. Ole Bull wrote music that drew on the Romantic Classical style at the time as well as Norwegian folk songs. He wrote works for violin that tried to emulate the sound of the Hardanger fiddle, a traditional nine-stringed instrument of his homeland.
UPDATE : my work on this production was recognized with a nomination for the 2026 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music In A Play.
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
In the summer/fall of 2025 I was reunited with a bunch of old friends to create the music/sound for a production of Ken Ludwig’s THE THREE MUSKETEERS directed by Rick Sordelet. I’d done two other productions of this play with Rick in which I created the music/sound and also played Aramis. However, because of scheduling conflicts, I was unable to return to the cast for this version. It was so very special nevertheless to be able to support the production with exciting music and sound for this swashbuckling adventure. The cast featured old friends Alex Podulke, John Keabler, and Paul Molnar as the title characters and one of Rick’s sons, Collin Kelly-Sordelet, as D’Artagnan. Rick’s other son, Christian, expertly created the fights for the production. All for one, and one for all!
THE CRAIC
In the winter of 2024/2025, I was lucky enough to be a part of a world premiere actor/musician musical at Milwaukee Rep. THE CRAIC was written by Deanie Vallone & Mark Clements, was music directed by Dan Kazemi (associate music direction by myself), and was directed by Mark Clements.
The cast featured Luke Darnell, Megan Loomis, Claire-Frances Sullivan, and Trevor Lindley Craft. It was an absolute blast and we all became friends for life on this very special production. Between the 5 of us, we sang & played over 15 different instruments in the show. What better way to spend a cold winter in Milwaukee than in a theatre singing Irish folk songs?
UPDATE - THE CRAIC will be returning to Milwaukee Rep for their spring 2027 season!
ACTOR-MUSICIAN Roundtable
in March of 2024, the Actors Equity Association asked me to sit down with fellow actor-musicians, Leenya Rideout & Helen J Shen to discuss the work we do, our journey into professional theater, and our advice to folks taking a similar path.
OUR TOWN
By Thorton Wilder, Directed by Andrus Nichols (Sharon Playhouse, 2023)
After working with Andrus Nichols many years ago in NYC, I was thrilled to be asked to create some original music for her directorial debut production of this American classic. Andrus sent me the traditional folk tune ‘Bright Morning Star’ and I created my own take on the tune on a solo string instrument. It was played on my 5-string Cricket Violin/Viola made by the Magic Fluke Company which allowed me the lower end C string on a Viola but also the higher E string of a violin.
This trailer features my music with the production photography from the production. Credits for all of the production team are at the end of the video.
The Chevalier
Bill Barclay has been a friend of mine for a long time so when he told me he wanted me to be a part of his developmental workshop of his new concert theatre work, THE CHEVALIER, I gladly accepted. The ambitious storytelling he envisioned combines a full cast of actors, singers, musicians, and a chamber orchestra to take the audience through the life of Joseph Bologne, The Chevalier de Saint-George (acted by R.J. Foster & performed on violin by Brendon Elliot). We spent a week together at Vassar College in July of 2023 with the Harlem Chamber Players and presented the piece as part of the 2023 Powerhouse Theatre lineup at Vassar College.
I played a few smaller supporting roles in this workshop production including Antoine Barnave, one of the early leaders of the French Revolution.
the stones
I was approached by Jim Frangione at Great Barrington Public Theatre to create and perform an original score for their American premiere of Kit Brookman’s play. The piece is a one-man play (brilliantly performed by Ryan Winkles) and full of humor & suspense. I worked in the rehearsal room alongside singer Wendy Welch to compose a musical accompaniment to the piece. We drew from popular songs and contemporary songwriters as well as weaving in a lot of original music of my own, even an ancient Latin hymn that I found.
I performed the score live on my acoustic/electric 5-string Cricket Violin/Viola and my short-scale fretless Timber Bass (both instruments made by The Magic Fluke), and on an electric Hagstrom Swede guitar. Using a loop pedal and some basic effects, I was able to layer tones & phrases to create a soundscape that was full and haunting.
THE SWEET TASTE OF FREEDOM
I was honored to be asked to score this short film written by Mark Malone and directed by my long-time friend and collaborator, Matthew Penn. This dark tale features a stellar cast including John Bedford Lloyd, Johanna Day, and Kate Eastman. The original music I created is for a string quartet and all of the music was performed & recorded by me. You can hear a bit of the score in this trailer for the film.
This film has won numerous awards and been seen in many short film festivals throughout the world since its release in 2022.
AN ILIAD
Ever since I saw Denis O’Hare perform this one-person show it was a dream to score it. I’m deeply appreciative of director Jeffrey Mousseau of the Ancram Opera House who brought me on to create the music & soundscape for their 2021 summer production of Denis O’Hare & Lisa Peterson’s play, AN ILIAD. The production featured actress Maconnia Chesser and her stellar was well received. The following summer in 2022, Shakespeare & Company included the production in their season. Jeffrey Mousseau assembled much of the original 2021 design team including Maconnia & myself.
I created this trailer of the 2022 production (featuring production photography by Nile Scott Studios and my original score) to give you a taste of how gorgeous and special it truly was. The production team also included Sarah Edkins (sets), James McNamara (lighting), Govane Lohbauer (costumes), Brendan F. Boyle (associate sound designer), and Nile Scott Studios (production photography).