I love theater where the music is live and the musicians are incorporated into the universe of the story. Most of the music for theater I’ve done has been this way. The musicians are usually a mix of musicians and musician/actors. The cues live and grow with the evolution of the show, the energy of the audience, and the time of day. Sometimes the music is as much action as sound.
The Hunchback Variations Opera
Theater Oobleck
Produced by Theater Oobleck | Libretto by Mickle Maher | Music by Mark Messing.
The Hunchback Variations is a comedic SINGSPIEL for tenor, baritone, cello, and piano. It played in Chicago and New York in 2012.
Chicago reviews:
“best play in town…” “Messing’s score for two voices, piano, and cello allows for the interpretive power of these four voices to be fully realized without the fetters of over-orchestration. There are the clear influences here of Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland, and Philip Glass, without seeming derivative.”
J. Scott Hill Chicago Stage review #2
New York reviews:
“As usual, Chicago leads the way with some of the most innovative original theatre in the United States today. ” – Trish Vignola Broadway World
“Messing’s accomplished score is an aural smorgasbord that deftly revels in and fuses wide-ranging musical styles, from opera buffo to contemporary musical theater, from alternative jazz to musical minimalism.” – Andy Probst Backstage
Berlin
Court Theater
Adapted from Jason Lutes’ graphic novel by Mickle Maher | Directed by Charles Newell | Music and Sound Design by Mark Messing
The music and sound effects were performed by props turned sound makers – suitcases, tables, chairs, newspapers and everyday objects that were prescribed by the text. Songs were accompanied by noise makers and instruments that actors played.
Special thanks to Court Theater Associate Sound Designer Josh McCammon who wired the room with custom speakers, mics under the stage, and was an ingenious collaborator in developing our noise making techniques.
Songs were sourced by Maher from the graphic novel. I worked with the cast to fashion song arrangements.
Little Amal
Chicago International Puppet Festival
Directed by Blair Thomas and Jerrell Henderson | Produced by The Walk Productions and Handspring Puppet Company | with Tiahui NEIU Bilingual School Programs, Palenque LSNA and Opera-Matic | Music by Mark Messing
The Cabinet
Cabinet of Curiosity
Produced, directed and created by Frank Maugeri | Co-directed by Corrie Besse | Written by Mickle Maher | Music by Mark Messing
Devised in collaboration with Rachel Hartmen, Jacinda Radcliffe, Dustan Valenta, Allyce Torres, Gabby Frabotta, and Sion Silvita | Set and Appratus’s engineered by David Christopher Krause | Puppet Design and construction by Jesse Monney Bullock | Scenic Painter Kass Copeland | Stage Manager Sophie Goddard
The Cabinet – Radio Play
Cabinet of Curiosity – Phonophobia Department
Excerpt “Alan’s apartment”
Directecd by Frank Maugeri |Written by Mickle Maher | Music and Sound Design by Mark Messing
Released as Phonophobia’s first audio play on the 101st anniversary of the premier of German Expressionism film classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.
“…SUPERBLY PRODUCED AND VIVIDLY FRIGHTENING…” Nancy Bishop Third Coast Review
“…THIS RADIO PLAY VERSION OF THE SILENT FILM IS GRIPPING… FOR 45 MINUTES WE FEEL AS IF WE’RE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTION…” Alisyn Amant Picture This Post
The Tell Tale Heart
Blair Thomas & Company Puppet Theater
Directed by Blair Thomas| Produced by Blair Thomas & Company
Selections from The Tinder Box and The Thief of Bagdad
The Ljubljana Puppet Theater
Directed by Jan Zakonjsek | Produced by The Ljubljana Puppet Theater
The Twilight Orchard
Redmoon Theater
Conceived and Directed by Jim Lasko, Frank Maugeri, and Vanessa Stalling | Produced by Redmoon Theater | Performed at Columbus Park Chicago
Galway’s Shadow
Redmoon Theater
Directed by Frank Maugeri | Produced by Redmoon Theater | Performed at Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
Escape From Goose Island
The Redmoon Big Band
Escape From Goose Island is an album of theater music repertoire Produced by Redmoon Theater and Maestro-Matic
Ego Sum Abbas, Olim Lacus Colueram – Carl Orff, Arrangment – Mark Messing
Viragok Vetelkedese – Hungarian Traditional, Arrangment – Mark Messing
Rumanian Dance – Bela Bartok, Arrangment – Paul Bessenbacher
All other songs by Mark Messing
Love At Orange
The Redmoon Big Band
Love at Orange is an album of theater music repertoire Produced by Redmoon Theater and Maestro-Matic
all “Love At Orange” songs composed by Mark Messing
Voyaging
Lucky Plush Productions/Walkabout Theater Company
Directed by Julia Rhodes and Stephan Mazurek
Lucky Plush Productions and Walkabout Theater Company collaborated to produce Voyaging based on Charles Darwin and his voyage on the HMS Beagle.