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“In Strange Woods” in Entertainment Weekly

Gary Gershoff/Getty images; Steven Ferdman/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images; David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images; Vivien Killilea/Getty Images; Getty Images/IStockPhoto

Entertainment Weekly writer Maureen Lenker featured In Strange Woods in her article asking “Is the Musical Theatre Podcast the New Concept Album?”

Atypical Artists CEO Lauren Shippen and I are quoted in the piece discussing how musical podcasts have the potential to increase the scope and audience of musical stories.

From the article: “This is an opportunity to expand the concept of what musical stories can be,” proclaims Ryback. “It will raise the bar for what we expect we can put on stage and what we think qualifies as a musical, and what styles of writing can exist on stage.”

We are so honored to have been included in the article alongside the likes of podcasts such as 36 Questions and John Cameron Mitchell’s Anthem: Homunculus.

Click here to stay up to date with news and info on In Strange Woods.

Books I Read in 2019

**Something Wonderful – Todd S. Purdum
Simply delightful. The best way I could have began my year was reading this book. An intimate, unflinching, and yet sepia-toned look at the two grandfathers of the modern musical. I loved every second of seeing the inner-workings of the R&H machine that dominated the 1940’s and 50’s and created the sound of the Eisenhower era.

The Commercial Theater Institute Guide to Producing Plays and Musicals – Ed. Frederic B Vogel & Ben Hodge
A bit of a homework read, but extremely informative. This was a recommendation from Ken Davenport. Each chapter is a sit-down with a successful commercial theatre producer or marketer. In reading the book, you begin to see the patterns emerge of just how shows come to life on Broadway.

Deadline Announces “In Strange Woods” Partnership

Deadline announced today that my co-writers Jeff Luppino-Esposito, Matt Sav, and I are partnering with podcast production company Atypical Artists to bring you a Serial-meets-Broadway-style scripted podcast series: In Strange Woods.

In Strange Woods tells the coming-of-age story of Peregrine Wells, an 18-year-old girl in Minnesota’s north woods, reeling from the death of her older brother. I will also act as narrator, spinning a fictional mystery that weaves together investigation and taped interview with a folk-pop score.

We are so unbelievably excited to partner with this incredible company of talented, ambitious, and fresh voices. We can’t wait to share In Strange Woods with the world!

TRW to License ‘Nate the Great’

Theatrical Rights Worldwide has acquired the theatrical performance rights for Nate the Great, with music & lyrics by me and book & lyrics by John Maclay.

TRW is one of the premiere licensing houses for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and TYA titles. John and I are so honored to be included in their very exclusive list of TYA titles.

‘Art Matters’ at TYA/USA

The 2019 TYA/USA Festival & Conference will feature the song “Art Matters” from Nate the Great at their “Song Slam” event. It will be performed by Atlanta-based singer Destiny Freeman and bookwriter & co-lyricist John Maclay.

WARNING: Contains Peanuts!

I’m really excited to share that I will be playing Schroeder in a very special, newly devised production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

The production is based on a concept created by Nick Cearly and Lauren Molina – also known as The Skivvies: an indie-rock, alt-cabaret, burlesque duo based in NYC.

In this new take on the classic show, the Peanuts gang are their own band. Each of us take turns playing multiple instruments from piano, guitar, and drums to melodica, cello, banjo and even boomwhackers.

The show is directed by Bill Fennelly and has incredibly vibrant new arrangements by Michael Holland that capture the existential melancholy and joy of Charles Schulz’s original strips.

The show runs April 20 – May 18th @ the Marx Theatre. Grab tickets and more info here.

The Peanuts Gang! (L-R) Armando Gutierrez, Lauren Molina, Nick Cearly, Rob Morrison, Myself, Stephanie Johnson.

Books I Read in 2018

Is it too late for a “Best of” list??

Scratch that – never mind – I hate “Best of” lists. This is merely an inventory for you (mostly for me) of the books I read in 2018.

These actually aren’t ALL of the books I read (nerd brag), just the books I read for personal enjoyment or enrichment. I share them because maybe you, too are looking for enjoyment or enrichment.

Last year when I did this, I told myself to read more fiction. Alas, I didn’t listen to myself. So once again, if you like entrepreneurial type books mixed with a little bit of human psychology – congratulations you’re my soulmate. Oh, and for those of you who simply NEED a “Best of” list, I put a ** next to my favorites.

In Strange Woods – A Musical Podcast

I’ve been teasing the news for a few months now, but the announcement finally went out today.

I’ve teamed up with former Nickelodeon songwriters Matt Sav & Jeff Luppino-Esposito to develop a narrative musical podcast titled In Strange Woods, to be released later this year. (www.instrangewoods.com)

PASSING THROUGH to Premiere at Goodspeed

Goodspeed Musicals announced last night that Passing Through will receive its world premiere at their Norma Terris Theatre in July 2019. According to their press release, the show was “the inspiring hit musical of Goodspeed’s 2018 Festival of New Musicals.”

It was also developed over the course of two winters by Goodspeed’s Johnny Mercer’s Writers Colony. It’s a homegrown musical that my collaborator Eric Ulloa and I are very excited to see premiere at the company that helped bring it to life.

Set amidst the rich sounds and diverse tapestry of the American landscape, Passing Through tells the incredible true story of a young man who journeys on foot from Pennsylvania to California, collecting stories as he goes. But when his trek brings to light an unresolved family crisis, he must use the lessons he’s gathered to finally confront his past. It’s a brand new American musical about the healing power of fellowship and forgiveness.

Read more about Goodspeed’s 2019 Season here.

LISTEN: New Songs!

Two months ago, I premiered a couple songs from some upcoming projects at Musi-CAL, a bi-monthly concert of new songs from Southern California based musical theatre writers (that I also host!)

Now, I know what you’re wondering: does bi-monthly mean twice a month or every two months?

The truth is it means both. BOTH! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what’s both amazing and terrible about the English language.