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

I'm excited to be a part of Goodspeed's Festival of New Musicals. I've been asked to do a seminar on how we orchestrate shows for the Goodspeed Opera House. Saturday Jan. 16 10:00AM at La Vita across from the Gelston House.

Every musical got its start somewhere—for many, it was at Goodspeed. Don't miss your chance to see the next big hit at Goodspeed's Eleventh Annual Festival of New Musicals. Hundreds of musical theatre lovers will gather on the Goodspeed campus for staged readings of brand new works as the brightest new writers and performers collaborate to create the future of America's greatest art form. It's something different...come join us!
- See more at: http://www.goodspeed.org/11th-annual-festival-of-new-musicals#sthash.Sm5yYxG2.xBz3mFWq.dpuf

Feinstein’s/54 Below presents an evening with Paul Williams, Lisa Howard, Cass Morgan, Steven Booth, Lesli Margherita, Kate Wetherhead, Robb Sapp, Daniel Torres, Stephen Bienskie, Kevin Covert, Leo Daignault, Kevin Zak, Jeff Hiller and Sheri Sanders as well as muppeteers Tyler Bunch, Anney Ozar, David Stephens, Matthew Furtado, Kristin Feeney and James Silson in Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas In Concert.
The holiday concert features Paul Williams’ songs from the musical Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas performed by the original cast. The evening is directed by Christopher Gattelli and produced by Timothy Allen McDonald with music direction by Larry Presgrove.
Produced in association with The Jim Henson Company, Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (the musical) is based on the book Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas by Russell and Lillian Hoban and the all-muppet HBO special of the same name produced and directed by the late Jim Henson. The score features Williams’ songs from the television feature as well as new pieces written for the theatrical adaptation. Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas received its world-premiere at Goodspeed Opera House in 2008- marking the first time Goodspeed had created a show specifically for the holiday season- and performed for two seasons to sold-out audiences.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas features music and lyrics by Paul Williams and a book by Timothy Allen McDonald and Christopher Gattelli. As Christmas approaches in the world of Frogtown Hollow, Emmet Otter and his Ma can only dream of buying each other gifts. So when a Christmas Eve talent contest is announced, both secretly enter, hoping to win the prize money. In a heartwarming twist on “The Gift of the Magi,” Emmet and Ma risk all they have and end up with the greatest grand prize of all.

So I'm gonna put this out there...

​My goal is to receive a Tony award for best orchestrations on a Broadway show in the next 3 years, therefore I’m taking steps to make this become a reality.
 
I have been ridiculously blessed, scoring numerous productions with ridiculously talented people, which in turn have showered me with ridiculously wonderful reviews and recommendations.  I even came ridiculously close to scoring my first full Broadway show as principal orchestrator this year!
 
Since my work is only being heard live, I have yet to have any quality recordings of my orchestrations. So the next hurdle I need to cross is getting professionally recorded samples of my orchestrations onto my website.
 
And that’s where I’m hoping you come in!
 
I am raising $3950 to hire the recording studio, vocalists and the amazing musicians from the Goodspeed Musicals pit orchestra so that prospective composers/arrangers and producers can hear my work in its best possible light.
 
Please hit on the link below to go to my GoFundMe campaign. Any help large or small (or even passing the word about my project to anyone that might be interested) would be greatly and humbly appreciated, and I welcome you to follow along and join me on my journey to the Tony Awards!

I'll add updates on here to share my progress. Thank you so much for your help!
​-Dan

Bedford Falls came to life at Goodspeed Musicals last Friday, September 18th, with the opening of the updated version of "A Wonderful Life." I've orchestrated the show for eight musicians, but it has the power of three times that thanks to the HOT pit band at the Opera House.

"Dan DeLange’s orchestration are superb; they bring out the best in Raposo’s score."

-Mark Auerbach, The Westfield News