“The Crinolynns,” a musical with book and lyrics written by Broadway performer Scott Logsdon ’84 (Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre) and music by Aaron Gandy, was presented by Stage Right! Productions at the Carey Center Theater at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, Sept. 30.
“I’m very proud to have collaborated with the remarkably talented composer Aaron Gandy on this show,” said Logsdon. “To have three bonafide Broadway/TV stars like Donna Lynne Champlin, Sally Mayes and Valerie Wright bring it to life is beyond a dream come true. We want to spread the message that there is no expiration date on talent and dreams. I hope our show will provide employment for years to come for mature singing actresses who still shine brightly. In our show, the cast proves beyond all shadow of a doubt that older women rock.”
The musical about a fictitious girl group features three sisters now in middle age, as they reunite and work through what’s become of their lives in their new, autobiographical act. The trio is played by a lineup of Broadway veterans, including Donna Lynne Champlin, Sally Mayes and Valerie Wright, according to onstagepittsburgh.com.
Visit onstagepittsburgh.com and www.broadwayworld.com to learn more.
About Scott Logsdon
Logsdon is an award-winning Broadway veteran actor, director and writer. He was an originating cast member in the national company of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, “Les Misérables,” a show he also appeared in on Broadway and internationally. In addition to being seen as Thenardier opposite Colm Wilkinson’s Jean ValJean, he served as dance captain and staged seven companies of the tour. As dance captain, he had the pleasure of directing Colm Wilkinson (on his return to the show in Toronto as ValJean), Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, Broadway legend/Tony nominee Andrea McArdle, Tony Award nominee Laurie Beechman, daytime television star Catherine Hickland and future Tony Award winners Jarrod Emick and Sutton Foster, among many others.
During his professional career, Logsdon has been seen on Broadway, off-Broadway, on tour, in five countries, in six Canadian territories, in seven time zones, in 48 states, in 146 cities, on 352 official opening nights, and as a guest of the Clintons in the White House (twice). Some favorite roles include Thenardier in “Les Misérables” (opposite Colm Wilkinson), as Sweeney Todd (twice), as Che in “Evita” (Desert Theatre League’s best actor award), Anatoly in “Chess: (twice), El Gallo in “The Fantasticks,” Stine in “City of Angels,” Bruce Granit in “On the Twentieth Century,” Marvin in “Falsettoland,” Paul in “Company,” Starbuck in “110 in the Shade,” as the title role in “Candide,” Joe Cable in “South Pacific,” Sam in “Trouble in Tahiti,” Charlie in “Brigadoon,” and The Hair Hag in “Les Misérables” (don’t ask!). He most recently was seen as King Herod in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Strand Theatre.
He’s an in-demand soloist with symphonies across the country, where he’s sung alongside Tony winner Cady Huffman, and Tony nominees Howard McGillin and Liz Callaway. He has been a guest star in the “Sondheim: Unplugged” series at 54 Below. Logsdon also sang the national anthem at two MLB Playoff games.
With two-time Olivier Award nominee, composer Dana P. Rowe (“The Witches of Eastwick,” “The Fix,” Off-Broadway’s “Zombie Prom”) he wrote “12 Days Till Christmas.” It is a holiday rom-com musical using every trope of Hallmark and other Christmas movies. Tony/Olivier Award-winning Broadway legend Jerry Mitchell is attached to direct/choreograph it as a film. Logsdon and Rowe also wrote the theme song for Seth Rudetsky’s web series, “Stars in the House,” as well as specialty material for the MAC Award-winning cabaret duo, The Show Broads.
Logsdon wrote the book/lyrics for the musical “Sticks and Stones” with Grammy/Emmy Award winner John McDaniel (“The Rosie O’Donnell Show”). It uses the story of David and Goliath to address teen bullying. It had a highlights concert premiere online in partnership with Lady Gaga and her Born This Way Foundation and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. It starred Broadway legend Audra McDonald, Javier Muñoz, George Salazar and Mykal Kilgore, and featured appearances by Bernadette Peters, Kristin Chenoweth and Leslie Uggams. It won the Florida Theatrical Association’s New Musical Discovery Series in 2017.
He is also the author/lyricist of a new musical, “An American Country Christmas Carol.” Logsdon was honored to co-write songs with some of the most awarded and recognized writers in country music who are behind hits such as Garth Brooks’ #1 smash “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” CMA Song of the Year Award-winner “Holes in the Floor of Heaven” and Toby Keith’s “My List,” among many others. His co-writers are Rand Bishop, Kent Blazy, Roxie Dean, Tim Finn, Billy Kirsch, Fred Knobloch and Pam Rose.
Logsdon wrote the book and lyrics for the musical “Joyce Jackson’s Guide to Dating,” a collaboration with composer Steve Marzullo. It won the Florida Theatrical Association’s New Musical Discovery Series in 2016 and had its premiere in Orlando in August of 2017. In April 2017, an all-star concert version of “Joyce” featuring Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita was presented at Feinstein’s/54 Below in New York City. “Joyce” was also a finalist for the Richard Rodgers and Jonathan Larson Awards and featured in the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) Composer’s Concert Series. His play “The Bois” (a contemporary, all-male take on “The Women”) received a workshop in Orlando in 2017.
Logsdon wrote the opening number for Broadway’s Roundabout Theater Company’s Birthday Tribute to Alec Baldwin, a night that featured Bernadette Peters, Bebe Neuwirth, Andrea Martin and more as well as specialty material for Jason Alexander and multiple MAC Award winning comedian Rock Albers. He was the lyricist for a number that was performed by Broadway’s “Les Misérables” cast in the Gypsy of the Year Competition. Other writings include profiles for TheaterMania.com; three volumes of the acclaimed, cult internet serial, “The Glamorous Life;” and a dark comedy called “THe Mourning After.” He authored songs for a tribute to Seth Rudetsky presented by the Only Make Believe Foundation.
He was vetted by the Cole Porter estate to write new lyrics to “I Hate Men” for the documentary “Fabulously Fake: The Real Life of Kenneth Jay Lane.”
In 2012, Logsdon had the honor of directing/hosting a tribute to and interview with Broadway and film titan Stephen Schwartz, the Academy Award-winning composer of Broadway’s “Wicked” and “Pippin” and lyricist of the film “Disenchanted.” The event featured Hunter Parrish, Kate Flannery and Academy Award winner Dean Pitchford (“Footloose,” “Fame”) in Palm Springs.
He directed Andrea McArdle’s sold-out debut at 54 Below in New York City in 2012. A recording of that show, “70s and Sunny,” was released on Broadway Records.
Logsdon was given permission by Sir Tim Rice to rework and present “Chess” in concert at the Richland Performing Arts Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He directed the show and played Anatoly in a production featuring Broadway performers and a local cast with a full orchestra and a performing company of over one hundred artists. He also produced and appeared in a benefit concert for the Women’s Help Center of Johnstown.
