Witches! the Musical – Writer Interview

September 7, 2012 – Mount Vernon, WA

Interview with Conrad Askland – writer of “Witches! the Musical”

Premiere Info

Why did you choose the subject of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials?

Originally I had picked a different subject. But while researching that other project I ran into a major problem with the plot that ruined the project for me. That plot problem became my new focus for a different project which I started working on, and may be my next project. During that process I realized it was just too big to attack for my first full length musical. So I started over looking specifically for an existing story, a topic I felt hadn’t been done well as musical theater in the past, and that incorporated children.

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Witches! the Musical – Auditions June 5-6, 2012 – Mount Vernon, WA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auditions for “Witches! the Musical” June 5-6, 2012 at the Historic Lincoln Theater in Mount Vernon, WA.  Show dates will be Oct. 19-Nov. 3 at the Lincoln Theater. This is a world premiere show about the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. For more info and audition signups visit http://www.WitchesMusical.com.

Produced by TAG – the Theater Arts Guild of Skagit County.
http://www.theaterartsguild.org

Shy Boy and Friend WOW Audience with The Prayer

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT3PyW5bIqc

I got a little shiver and the start of a tear when I watched this. Another lesson for us that we can find inspiration in places we might not expect. Each of us has a special voice. Part of the beauty of life is to find that voice and express it the best we can to help lift others up.

Check out what Simon says at 5:20 and the response at 5:34. Beautiful. From a musical standpoint I think the male singer will have to be very careful not to blow his voice by bringing so much weight to the voice (no reference to his physical size) in trying to simulate an older singer’s voice. (Male singers usually do not fully mature to full voice until late twenties). But I love the story. It’s inescapable. Bravo!

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Derek Paravicini – Savant Pianist

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak2jxmhCH1M

Lesley Stahl profiles British musical savant Derek Paravicini, whose computer-like memory for music is matched by his creative abilities to play it in any style.

This is so inspiring I wanted to share it with you. It’s partly about music and overcoming obstacles, but also about human connections and communication through music.

I Want to Quit Smoking

I really want to quite smoking. I’ve been smoking for 26 years at a pack or 1.5 packs a day. Today was my quitting day. I made it 7 hours. Was dizzy, disorientated and thought about smoking almost every second. I’m smoking a cigarette now as I write this.

I don’t want to die from a smoking related disease. I have a lot more music work to do. Any tips from people that successfully quit smoking?

Justin Bieber raps

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGHExRPCnKs

Justin Bieber raps live during an interview with Power 106FM. I know we all like to make fun of the Bieber but this is actually a pretty good rap. I’ve run a rap artist forum for over 10 years and members there were like “ORLY?” – they give respect to the Bieber.

I think Justin should hire me to orchestrate a hip hop album for him. Now THAT would be very cool. Wouldn’t surprise me if JB ends up having a very long career like Frank Sinatra.

Halloween Sound Effects

Conrad Askland’s Haunted Mansion Sound Effects released October 17, 2011.

This was a very fun, exhausting and scary project to work on. The fun part was I improvised a lot of different creepy pipe organ, harpsichord and piano music to create a feel I liked for the different Halloween themes. My favorite part was playing a lot of JS Bach style pipe organ bits interspersed with the expected Halloween tritone movements.

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Cirque ZAIA Third Anniversary

August 28, 2011 was the 3rd anniversary of Cirque Du Soleil’s ZAIA show in Macau (SAR), China. Above is one of the new promotional posters. You can click it for a larger view.

Cirque Du Soleil ZAIA band

Maria Elena Medina (cello, viol), Olivier Milchberg (guitar, plucked strings, flutes), Gabriel Cloutier (singer), George Manz (key 2), Conrad Askland (bandleader, key 1, accordion), Rose Winebrenner (singer), Darrin Johnson (drums), Eduard Harutyunyan (percussion), Justin Wilman (violin, recorder).

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