When asked to do new orchestrations for Troika's national tour of Annie, the first thing I thought is, "Oh God, I don't want to be the guy that ruins Annie!" I only had 10 musicians in the pit, so I justified having a smaller band by creating Annie's world through the sound of a 1930's depression era street band. Jenn Thompson, whose work as a director I truly love, was all in. She wanted to create a more authentic, grittier production. I think we succeeded. Great cast, great musicians in the pit - totally fell in love with our Music Director Elaine Davidson - solid as a rock and so easy to work with. She can play anything and was so willing to try anything I put in front of her. And of course, I LOVE Charles Strouse's music. There's a reason this show has been around this long. Fantastic music. I ended up being very proud of this production, and hope a lot of people enjoy it as much as I did as it starts its journey around the country.

I'm so happy to have my orchestrations used for a newly imagined production directed & choreographed by Randy Skinner, music supervisor Rob Berman and music director Adam Souza.

17 incredible musicians including mandolin, dobro, 6 and 12 string guitar, ukulele, tenor and 5 string banjo, washboard and kazoos! Where else but Nashville to record it?

Goodspeed Musicals in unique in the regional theater world in that almost every production is freshly orchestrated specifically for their pit orchestras. In 2000 Goodspeed's resident music director, Michael O'Flaherty, took a chance letting a very eager, but very green orchestrator score "George M!"
Nineteen years and 52 shows later we sign off on our last collaboration together at the Opera House. Michael is retiring after 28 years at Goodspeed, and I can't thank him enough for his mentorship, his friendship and his unending support. His trust in me helped turn my dream into a reality.
Thank you, Michael. Happy retirement. We can't wait to see (and hear) what you create next.

We got the old gang together again for another reading of Emmet Otter's Jug Band.
​Sounds like exciting things are on their way for the Fall of 2020!

Music and Lyrics by Paul Williams
Puppets by The Jim Henson Company
Book adapted for the stage by: Timothy McDonald
Directed by Chris Gattelli 
Music Direction by Larry Pressgrove
Orchestrations by yours truly 

We're practicing hard for something special in the Fall of  2020!

I spent a wonderful afternoon sitting next to Charles Strouse (composer of Bye Bye Birdie, Annie) and his wife Barbara while we listened to his brilliant score "RAGS," which I newly orchestrated for the 13 piece NYU Broadway Orchestra conducted by Joe Church.

I was so fortunate to have worked with composers Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell) and Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie)  on their new adaptation of "Rags" at Goodspeed. What brilliant minds and incredible musicians.

One of the highlights of my career working with Charles Strouse (seated , composer of Annie, Bye, Bye Birdie) and Stephen Schwartz (standing far right, composer of Wicked, Godspell) on this new adaptation of 'Rags.' Beautifully reimagined by director Rob Ruggiero (standing on left) and script writer, David Thompson

Congratulations to all involved. Honored to have had my orchestrations used in this beautiful production.

Reviews coming in.... All of our hard work seems to be paying off. 
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"Dan DeLange's orchestrations brilliantly show off the songs that would one day become Judy Garland classics."
-BroadwayWorld.com

"David Libby and orchestrator Dan DeLange have done a remarkable job of making the show's mixed bag of tunes (from composers as divers as Jerome Kern, Jimmy McHugh, Nacio Herb Brown and Luigi Arditi) fluid and smooth."
-Hartford Currant

I'm glad to announce my scores for "Something's Afoot" from Goodspeed's 2012 production are  available as the principle orchestrations through licensing company Samuel French.

Pure joy orchestrating "Bye Bye Birdie" for choreographer Patti Wilcox, composer Charles Strouse and director Jenn Thompson.

​"The music, whether Broadway or rockabilly, has been brilliantly orchestrated by Dan DeLange."
-New York Times

Greasepaint Orchestra at the Norma Terris Theater. I was asked to create new orchestrations for Don Stephenson's bold new vision for the cult musical. It was stripped down to just 4 actors and just 6 musicians.
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Music director Adam Souza
Celeste Cumming, Cello
Mike Raposa, Woodwinds
Nick DiFabbio, Guitar
Marty Wirt, Percussion
David Uhl, Bass

For complete instrumentation see the orchestration page

Director Daniel Goldstein's decision to showcase the orchestra on the upper deck of the ship caused me a lot of worry, but Jay Hilton's sound design and the willingness by the  extraordinary musicians at Goodspeed to "do what it takes"  ultimately made this one of my favorites. As the critic at BroadwayWorld.com said, "...the music soared!"

Show Boat opens in London this weekend!

Very excited to announce my orchestrations for "Show Boat" will be used in the West End production opening April 9, 2016 through January 7, 2017 at the New London Theatre in London, UK

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‘sensational’
‘a gorgeous spectacle of glitzy Americana’
‘electrifyingly vivid’
‘A production of pure exhilaration’
‘A triumph’
The Times

‘A musical treat from beginning to end’
The Mail on Sunday

‘every sound is lush, sonorous and extravagantly beautiful’
‘leaves you feeling choked, shivery and on an absolute high’
Daily Telegraph

‘exceptional’
‘unmissable’
The Observer

‘magnificent’
‘A classic, classy evening of musical theatre at its vintage best’
The Stage

Magnificent
Thrilling
The Sunday Times

‘bold and brilliant’
‘Show Boat is a production with such flair and heart it will likely make you want to jump on board and set sail.’
‘Upbeat, joyful and electrified’
‘The cast are an all-round superb bunch’
WhatsOnStage

‘visually and musically of the highest standard’
The Guardian

‘Heart-tuggingly brilliant’
‘Extraordinary’
‘stunning’
Yorkshire Post

‘the highlight of Sheffield’s theatrical calendar’
Financial Times

‘Gina Beck [Magnolia Hawks] is stunning.’
‘the famous Ol’ Man River still hasn’t lost any of its charm especially when sang by Emmanuel Kojo [Joe].’
‘fantastic casting, beautiful set design, great artistic direction and a brilliant score…If you haven’t already bought yourself a ticket, you must’
Gay Times