All About Katherine Baker

What do you know about Katherine Baker?  Our production team got the inside scope in our latest interview:

What is your dream boyfriend like?

He would be kind of stubborn, good looking for sure, and someone who I'm not completely sure I can have.  That makes it all the more fun.  I have a way with boys, which you'll see in this musical.

Who do you call the most on the phone?  What do you talk about?

I have a great bunch of friends.  We talk about school and work; occasionally we get going on boys.  I've been talking about this one guy I'm interested in lately.  My girls can't get enough of my stories.

Have you ever had to follow your instincts and hold true to them?

There have been times when my friends say things about my other friends.  Like one time, my friend accused another of my friends of cheating on their boyfriend and I went through all the facts until they believed me because I knew it wasn't true.  I was 100% confident in my argument.

I hear you have some other qualities you'd like to share?

Yes, I'm very fashionable.  I like to go out and have fun.  I'm loyal to my friends and I like to take a few risks now and then ... but nothing too responsible.  I  know when to turn down a stupid suggestion.

Thanks to Katherine and cast member Melissa Nyman for their contributions.

Musical Siblings

Christopher is not the only member of the Hopkins family to be involved in the musical world. He has an older brother, Stephen Hopkins, who is a prominent musician and composer. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance from Yale University and a Master's degree in Piano Accompanying and Coaching from Westminster Choir College, Stephen continues to lend his talents to the musical theater and operatic companies. He was selected as the recipient of the Shen Prize for Excellence in Composition at Yale, where he received instruction in composition by such prominent composers as Ricky Ian Gordon and Richard Pearson Thomas and attended talks by Stephen Sondheim and Adam Guettel. For the past two years, Stephen has served as a vocal coach and rehearsal accompanist for the Houston Grand Opera in Houston, Texas.

More information about Stephen Hopkins can be found at his official website: Stephen M. Hopkins

Photo Day

Photo Day will take place on Friday, November 13th at 11 am. On this day, Christopher and the cast of "All's Fair in Love" will take headshots and various group pictures to be used for publicity purposes. More details to follow.

All About Anthony DiSalvo

What do you know about Anthony DiSalvo?  Our production team got the inside scope in our latest interview:

Where did you work before this job?

I was a desert guide in Cimmiron, NM.  A private ranch would hire me to guide hikers throughout the New Mexican Desert.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy photography, singing to my customers, doing hard work, and fishing on my days off.  Did I mention singing?  I also enjoy scouting.

What is the name of the store in which you work?

The store is called "Hidden Treasures."  We sell a lot of gift items, especially antiques, custom made items, and household furnishings.  During the holidays, we do pretty well for ourselves.  I have gotten promoted twice already, so I am quite pleased with the job and the pay.

What else should theatergoers know about you?

I am very smart and respectable.  You can tell when you see the musical.

Thanks to Anthony and cast member Nick Errico for their contributions.

Group Rehearsal #3

There will be a group rehearsal this Friday, October 30 in Fine Arts 101 from 11 to 1.  Note the room change.  Bring all your music and your character work on your designated songs.

In-Song Dialogue

The cast received preliminary lead-in, interlude, and lead-out dialogue for their respective songs.  They will expand on the ideas and character traits laid out in their character development to improve their dialogue.

All About Mrs. Johnson

What do you know about Mrs. Gladys Johnson? Our production team got the inside scope in our latest interview:

Where did you first meet your husband?

We are high school sweethearts!  We met in an English class.  I couldn't stop looking at him as we were reading Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

Where did you get married?

We got married on the beach.  It was a simple wedding in my opinion.  The weather was warm with a slight breeze, I remember it well.  On my wedding day, I felt that destiny had run its course and created the perfect pair!

What was happening in your life at the time Martin was born?

We had just bought a house and settled and thought it was time to start our family.  George had just gotten a promotion on his job and after many weeks of debating between him and me, we came to the consensus that we would have a baby.

How faithful are you to your husband?

I stand by him always, as he does with me.  As a wife, I've seen and heard all the "Desperate Housewives" stories of couples cheating on one another and I always felt sad for those who had to look for love that way.  I've known George for many years, and even though we have a good quarrel here and there, I know he loves me and loves our family.  

Thanks to Mrs. Johnson and cast member Sarah Boylan for their contributions.

Cast Message for 10/25

Hello Cast,

For your next character development assignment, I would like you to read over the lyrics
of each song you sing in, whether it be a solo, duet, or ensemble number. For each song,
find a lyric that speaks to you and describe to me in a sentence or two a motion or
gesture which you can do when singing that line. The action can be toward another
character. This will help speed up the process of blocking the songs. Moving around as
your character will bring these songs to the next level.

Please write a sentence or two for EACH SONG YOU SING. Please quote the lyric you are reacting to.

Please submit your responses either via e-mail or written out and given to me or put in
my mailbox by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30. I will take your ideas and that weekend, create some
blocking for you based on what creativity you devise.

All's Fair in Blocking,
Christopher

Rehearsal #2 Update

Friday's group rehearsal brought with it many new changes, all for the better.  A few of the cast members were ill, but their absence left more time for the remaining cast members to develop their characters and receive instruction on their songs.  Christopher revealed the two flyers that will be used to promote the December 1st preview night.  Then each character read the story he or she wrote and received comments from the other characters.  Through the stories, Christopher and the cast solidified numerous character points and details, paving the way for the musical's dialogue.  

During the rehearsal's vocal section, the characters performed their individual and duet pieces for the group.  For each song, the cast had to improvise lead-in and lead-out dialogue that was appropriate for the scene in which the song takes place.  The results and the interaction of the characters were brilliant!  The cast is putting in great work in and out of rehearsals and it will show.

Reprise sections were created for all of the Jenny/Martin and Martin/Katherine duets.  

The songs are expected to be memorized by December 1st.

Group Rehearsal #2

There will be a group rehearsal on Friday, October 23rd from 11 to 1.  The cast will listen to the stories they wrote about their characters' backstories.  Each performer will also sing one or two of their individual pieces for the group and receive feedback.  They have one more week until their songs are expected to be memorized.

All About Mr. Johnson

What do you know about Mr. George Johnson?  Our production team got the inside scope in our latest interview:

How did you propose to your wife?

One late sunny afternoon on a Sunday, after coffee in town, Gladys and I walked over to the Town Center's park.  We sat on a park bench for hours.  We got into a heated debate about politics (my wife loves a good argument), which wasn't the most romantic time to propose as I would have expected.  A gush of wind blew off my hat, and as I chased it down, my wife burst into laughter.  Once I got my hat, I walked back, fell to my knee and gave her my ring.  She'll tell you that the motivation for our beach wedding was the sunset from the proposal, but I don't remember that!

What is your job like?

Well, I am an engineer.  I design progressive machinery parts for mass production bakeries. Most days I'm in a lab with the boys.  You don't want to be called for overtime when there is a mass recall on one of your company's parts!

What is your favorite meal that your wife cooks?

Everything she cooks!  Because I'm a vegetarian and she is not, everything she cooks for me is made with love.  Although she'll tell you she isn't a very good cook, she knows how to keep me full and content. 

What are your hobbies?

Well, I love to read in my favorite chair.  I love desserts, especially my morning coffee.  I encourage sing alongs at home, even if my kids don't get as excited as they used to.  I am also proud that through my love of my family, I can provide the life for my children that I never had.

Thanks to Mr. Johnson and cast member Danny Campbell for their contributions.

Progress Update 10/19

Last week, the cast gave individual practice to their selected songs.  They also created imaginative stories which reflect an aspect of their character.  These stories go beyond the scope of the musical.  They will provide backstory and will enrich the musical's dialogue.  By the end of this week, the cast will have their songs prepared very well and will begin adding their own personal style to the songs.

Flyer #1

We reveal to you ... the flyer for "All's Fair in Love" preview night!

1st Public Appearance

Did you know that December 1st will not be the first time a song from "All's Fair in Love" will be performed?  In August, those that attended "Christopher: the Music Man" in North Babylon, Long Island got the first public performance of one of the songs.  Read the review here: Life on Long Island

Group Rehearsal #1

During last Friday's group rehearsal, the cast learned "Finale" and "All's Fair in Love."  They performed some improvisational lead in dialogue as a group to segue into the songs.  After the singing, each cast member introduced his or her character, based on the responses from the Character Description forms the cast completed last week.  Then other cast members, acting as their characters, reacted and asked questions which often entered into a heated debate among characters!  

Cast Message for 10/11

Great work on Friday! Your character development is coming along nicely, as are the
ensemble numbers.

Now that everyone has their appropriate music (and in the adjusted keys), you should be
1. learning the notes and rhythms and 2. stylizing the songs in a way that is uniquely
you. Think about body gestures and body language; how can you convey the tone and the
lyrics through your movement? As you practice the songs, write in your music some
actions that would be appropriate. This is the week you have to solidify the notes and
rhythms and to play around with it before we start adding lead in and lead out dialogue.

For your characters, I want you to continue developing them in this next assignment. Now
that we've all been introduced to each other, we are going to explore a story as our own
character from before the events of the musical (almost like Wicked). Two paragraphs
should suffice. Here are story starters:

Mr. Johnson - a story that involves Mrs. Johnson in some way
Mrs. Johnson - a story that involves Mr. Johnson in some way
Martin - a story that involves your car
Jenny - a story that involves planning something
Anthony - a story that involves a previous job
Katherine - a story that involves being assertive
Sylvia - a story that involves confidence and self-beauty

Stories can take place at any time in your life ( from school days through to present).
They do not have to involve the characters in the musical unless specified above. All
stories are due on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 via my e-mail. Be creative and have fun. There is
no wrong answer.

I am having private rehearsals this week by appointment only. Any questions on the music
itself, call me.

All's Fair in Stories,

Christopher

About Preview Night

What is preview night?

Preview Night is the first public performance of all the distinct songs of the musical in succession.  It will take place on December 1st, 2009 in the Great Hall of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.  During the performance, the cast members will perform the songs, accompanied by Christopher on piano.  Christopher will discuss the premise of the musical and talk briefly about the pieces, which include solo, duet, chorus, and instrumental settings.  The event is free and open to the public.  Musical theater and Broadway producers are encouraged to contact the University in advance.

Private Rehearsal #1

The private rehearsals with the cast members went very well.  Each of them received their appropriate sheet music and sung through them.  Key alterations were made to "Welcome to My Store" and "When I Look at You."  Additional harmonies were inserted into "All's Fair in Love" and "When I Look at You."  The cast submitted their character description forms and together their character development work will create a cohesive and satisfying backstory to the musical.

During tomorrow's rehearsal, the cast will go through "Finale" and "All's Fair in Love."  They will also perform their solo and duet songs in front of each other for positive criticism and feedback from Christopher.  

Instrumentalists Needed

Attention instrumentalists:

Musicians are needed for the musical "All's Fair in Love."  The performance
date which features the pit is on Sunday, February 7th, 2010.  The music has built in solo opportunities for experienced players.

The list below are instruments which are needed. The
instruments listed with a * indicate those that those positions already filled:

Strings-
Violin
Viola
*Cello
Double Bass

Woodwinds-
Clarinet
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon

Brass-
*Trumpet
*Horn
Trombone
Tuba

Other-
Drum Kit
Alto Saxophone
Electric Bass

Rehearsals for the pit orchestra will take place based on the schedules of those musicians 
involved. It will not be during the cast rehearsals and it will not conflict with the
bands and ensembles that are available at the University.

Parts will be arranged by Christopher with contributions to their
creation based on your expertise on your instrument.

Contact Christopher for more information.

Rehearsal Schedule for the Week of 10/4

Rehearsal Schedule for the Week of 10/4

Wednesday 10/7
12:20-1:00 Mr. Errico
12:45-1:30 Ms. Cruz

Thursday 10/8
5:10-5:45 Mr. Campbell
5:30-6:15 Ms. Boylan
6:30-7:10 Ms. Nyman
6:45-7:30 Mr. Bebry

Friday 10/9
10:30-11 Ms. Montalto
11-1 FULL CAST

Inspiration Behind the Music

The music of "All's Fair in Love" draws inspiration from the music of the American Broadway scene during the early to mid 20th century.  Composer teams such as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, and Bernstein and Sondheim find a new voice in the themes and plots set forth by Christopher Hopkins.  Other composers whose musical works offer insight into "All's Fair in Love" are Jerry Herman and Meredith Willson.

Preliminary research and consultation were essential in constructing this musical.  Numerous books on musical theater production and orchestration enriched the entire background of the musical.  The books studied in the preparation of "All's Fair in Love" were the following: “The Sound of Music: The Making of America’s Favorite Movie” by Julia Antopol Hirsch, “Rodgers and Hammerstein” by Ethan Mordden, “The Sound of Music Companion” by Laurence Maslon, and “The Sound of Broadway Music” by Steven Suskin.  These books, along with the resources of Carl Strommen’s years of arranging and an individual love of musical theater, aided Christopher in developing a system of composition for musical theater that is effective and practical while respecting the source material.

Musical Advisor

The progress that this musical has made from its inception to now owes much to the guidance and assistance which Christopher has received from C.W. Post faculty advisor and Warner Bros. arranger Carl Strommen.

This Week 10/4

Cast members will be contacted to arrange a time with Christopher to develop their characters and to receive private instruction on their songs. All cast members should turn in their character description work to Christopher's mailbox in the Music Office or directly to him no later than October 6th.

Opening Meeting 10/2

The opening meeting of "All's Fair in Love" went very well. The cast and pit members received materials regarding the musical's plot, characters, lyrics, and songs. They received information regarding showdates, dress rehearsals, the official website, and contact information. The cast will flesh out their characters through character descriptions and shape their characters' personalities with Christopher individually. The remainder of the rehearsal was spent listening to all of the songs of the musical in succession. The pit members will receive further instruction once arrangements of the songs are made.

Invitation to the Musical Theater Public

You are invited to a special event:

All's Fair in Love
An Original, New Musical
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Christopher Hopkins

The preview performance of selections from the musical will take place on
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 8:15 p.m.
in the Great Hall of the
C.W. Post Campus of
Long Island University
Brookville, NY

The songs will be performed by Christopher and the undergraduate and graduate music majors of the university.

The characters, plotlines, and songs all draw their inspiration from the Broadway compositional styles of such teams as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, and Bernstein and Sondheim.

Time for Rehearsals!

Welcome to the Official Production Website of "All's Fair in Love," an original musical with book, music, and lyrics by Christopher Hopkins.  Visit the site often to hear about exciting developments in the project.

Congratulations to the Long Island University Cast:

Daniel Campbell as Mr. Johnson

Sarah Boylan as Mrs. Johnson

Joseph Bebry as Martin Johnson

Rachel Cruz as Jenny Johnson

Nick Errico as Anthony DiSalvo

Melissa Nyman as Katherine Baker

Christina Montalto as Sylvia

Nick Whitley as Chorus Member #1

Cloe SanAntonio as Chorus Member #2

Pit Orchestra:

Brittany Schlude

Josh Kowalski

Mark Holodak

Angelica Fadrowski

This Friday at 11 am in Fine Arts, there will be an opening meeting which all cast and 

pit members should attend.  At this meeting, you will be introduced to the world of 

"All's Fair in Love": you will hear all of the songs in succession, as well as learn 

about the characters, the rehearsal schedule, and the two performances.

If you are unable to attend this opening meeting, please e-mail me.  Communication is key 

and the more you put in, the more developed your characters will be and the better 

overall musical we will have!