Thank You!

I’d like to express my gratitude to the insane people who have decided to come along with me on this journey of manifesting a musical.

One thing I love reminding people about is that we are, all of us, on a tiny little spinning rock, spiraling around a gaseous ball of light and heat moving in an outward direction to where we do not know! That is to say, who knows what is to come, but I’m really glad we’re together, here,  now. 

The odds of all these pieces coming together to create something beautiful is just astounding and makes this moment so very special.

To my Handsome Husband Alex, You are the sunlight on my face. You are the most loving, kind, authentic, intelligent Man and I am so so lucky to be Your Husband. 14 years later, you are still the love of my life, and I truly could not do any of the things that I do without your ever-present love and support. When I proposed to you all those years ago, I could never have imagined the things we have experienced together. Life is so much sweeter with You my Treasure. Wherever You Go I will Go. 

To my Friend, Colleague and Collaborator Bruce Phillips. Ichabod is being seen and heard tonight because of this Man. Bruce took literally hundreds of videos that I sent, as I composed Ichabod, and transcribed it.  (looked at the video, replicated/played it, or arranged it then played it using a digital piano which created sheet music that we could then print and use). This literally took Ichabod’s Music from my mind to the page. This gift that Bruce gave is the reason why Ichabod has a score! This. Was. Integral.

Bruce, You stuck with me through the most challenging pieces of this musical. We had to think creatively a lot and Bruce, I do not think I could have done that with anyone but You. We have been friends for 25 years now. Who would have thought that after all this time, we’d be here, doing this? And I am SO happy we are! Your talent is unmeasurable. Your Heart and Love are unmeasurable. You are a bright light and I consider myself very fortunate to be your Friend. Goddess Bless You. 

To my Family by blood.  I am who I am today because of You. To my Father, the Merchant blood gave me my Nannie and She gave me Music. She also taught me that you can teach yourself greatness if you harness your talents. To my Mother, the Duprey blood gave me the gift of hard work, my strength, and the wherewithal and resilience to keep coming back to the table. I am honored to have family in the audience.

To my Family by choice. My lovely amazing Queer People. I am so thankful that you haven’t kicked me out of the club yet! My Radical Faerie Family have flown out to be with Us and support Me. How lucky I am to number, among my friends, such bright, loving men. You have taught me to be myself. You have taught me the power of a heart circle. Raymond and Gary (and Bryan) are my tribe. 

To my friend Tami Matthews, you remind me of who I am. You keep it cool and show up when it really really counts. You have done so so much to aid in the success of this Musical. I don’t know how to thank you enough. Your kindness knows no end my friend and I’m in awe of that. Thanks for being the drama-turgiest of dramaturgs! You are my spirit Wonder Woman! 

To Chris Rose: My Brother. To this day I have never met another musician who can stick the way You do. We’ve been friends for a long time and I have never stopped being in awe of Your talent and kindness. Thank you Chris for bringing your amazing talent to my projects both small, and now, BIG. I trust you at the helm. I know that you always have others in mind in the way you support singers on stage and even within the band. Thanks for sticking with me Chris! This was the best yet! Love You buddy!

To Rob Stragnell: Rob, thank you so much for bringing your flow and vibe to Ichabod! You took my songs and added your own style that really elevated the moment! Thanks for doing different projects with me over the last decade. I really appreciate you always being super earnest despite your incredible talent. Love you bud! 

To Lilyana Treece, my fearless, multi-hat-wearing, badass assistant director and stage-manager/crisis averter/cue guru/chill go getter. YOU. ARE. NUTS. Thank God for You. You literally are flying this plane and I would have it NO other way. Thank you for being You and bringing that talent and heart to this project.

To Laurie McKibben, not only are you an incredible human being with an incredible heart, but you have also helped in a VERY big way by bringing props and accessories, offering everyone loving hugs or words throughout this whole process. Thanks for jumping headfirst into anything I’ve asked for or needed. 

To my friend Jason Palo La Costa, You are a MASTER Stylist and Jack of ALL Trades! You showed up, showed out, sewed out, velcro’d, painted, reinforced, designed, styled, prop mastered, gave hugs, glued, carved, screwed, repaired, replaced, sawed, drilled, all while making supporting comments to the cast and crew. Are you a robot? Lol. Jason, I am so glad our paths have crossed and i look forward to all the weird art we make in the future. 

To my new friend and backstage task-master,  Knox. Thank you for jumping in and ruling the backstage area. Your strength and soft demeanor have really added a necessary vibe to this production.

Tate and Luke Rust,  I am honored to see the Men you have become. Your natural flow on stage is palpable. You have been team players this whole time and brought a much-appreciated levity to the rehearsals. I cannot wait to see what you both do next.

To my lovely Friend Shirene…. Thank you for being You! You have such a heart for people and I’m so lucky to be a person who receives some of that big heart. When I wrote Ichabod I didn’t quite know the depths that we would experience with Matilda and you have truly manifested Her with moment after moment of entertainment. You are a sweet person my friend and you are one hell of a musician and singer! Thanks for bringing your party to my Musical! 

To Johnny Nichols Jr. You are the epitome of what I would call a gentleman. You listen, you are kind, you approach others with care and love, you think and act in great consideration of others. You have taken Qatal to places I never thought possible. You made time for this and I know how little time you have as it is, but dear God are you shining brightly as Qatal! The 5280 is lucky to have you Mister. The DGMC is lucky to have you, Our Queer Community is SO lucky to have You, and I am lucky to call you Friend. 

To Jason Vargas. Jason You, sir, I will be forever indebted to You!  To undertake the title role of a new musical can be a real journey or a real mess. Because of You Jason, this was truly a journey. Your Ichabod has brought thoughtful attention to such interesting details in the relationships he has. Your authentic portrayal is more than I could have ever hoped for and I just have to say that I don’t know any singular person who could do what you do, while working full time and going to school full time. I admire you and will always cherish this moment with you. 

Eddie my SON! Eddie, You Sir, were a GOD-SENT! Who knew that I would find you in the forests of Woodland Park at a Queer Camping event?!?! You swept in, you owned it and you are ruling it sir!  It’s always the nicest, most wonderful people that can play a villain and You are the best! Thank you for being a consummate professional! Our Performing Arts Community is so lucky to have You! I have seen you lifting people up over and over throughout this process. And I can tell You that every single person in this production loves and adores You! Including Me! Thanks for bringing your experience to play in  Our production. I doubt the audience will forget Fr Harmful any time soon! 

To my incredible friend Greg at Station 6 over 9. HEADS UP! Thank you for accessorizing Our production with props and accessories. But, most of all, Thank you for bringing your MacGyver-like skills to Ichabod in creating our severed head. The actors said the process of working with you was one of the most chill experiences they’ve ever had. THANK YOU GREG!!!!

To my new friend Austin Goodman: It has been a joy to get to know you and watch you RULE a swing-role! You have given a strong lesson in the art of playing multiple characters in one production. Your Grifter has really arrived! The final touches have just made it so funny. It’s important to note that the age gap from youngest to oldest of your 4 characters in the show is approximately 75 years! Thanks for coming to play! 

To Cody McKibben. Dude you are the full package! Off Stage, You Assisted Our Admin Team BRILLIANTLY with media, marketing and promotion. On Stage You were intuitive and really hit the mark with Your multiple characters! You treated your first swing like it was old hat and that was really cool to see. Thanks!

To Millie: You took the risk, you put yourself out there, and you are amazing! You have such a grasp on things that usually take a lifetime for people to understand. This is what makes you a wild card and one hell of a performer. Thanks for trusting me to guide you through Mary Smith and know I will be firmly in your corner for life! 

To Aurelia: Thank you for taking a jump into Mary Smith. Your beautiful voice really lends itself to my music and really appreciate how you sing it.

Quinn - Thank you for bringing your bubbly energy to Ichabod! Your “annoyed” voice as a brat is hilarious! What a voice! 

Sam - Sam you Rock! I am so thankful for you bringing props from home, always offering to assist and always bringing amazing energy to your roles on stage! Great job bud! 

To Bryn: I’m so thankful to be Your Teacher and now watching you perform on the stage. You are a very talented Young Artist and I can’t wait to see what you do! 

To Chris: Thank you for bringing your bright smile and energy to Ichabod! We love having You! 

To James: Thank you for using your gift of singing to make Ichabod great! You are so talented and I can’t wait to see what you do! 

To  Mary:15 years after we met in my Broadway Summer Camp where you were the student, I am so thankful to have such a wonderful, thoughtful and deeply talented Young Woman in this Production. You have been crucial to the performance as a performer and as a back stage helper.  Thanks for paying it forward by returning round! 

To Harley: I am so thankful that you bring that lovely heart to every rehearsal. You really show your joy in this process and its infectious. 

To Jayden: You are truly the character actor of your age group. Thanks for taking some risks with this production and with singing a little louder each other. You have really blossomed into a promising Young Baritone and I’m excited to see whats next for you! 

To Dana: Dana you have so many talents! Your voice is one that just gives and gives and I adore you! I want to thank you for signing on for the dance assignments you were given. You leaned in and made your role really ring! I can’t wait to hear the audiences reactions! 

To Rachel and Andrew Miner: Thank you both so much for joining Our Community and becoming my friends. You are both so lovely and I am lucky to have crossed paths with You! Thank you Rachel for your additions to the basket in Tarrytown! Andrew thank you for photographing Our productions and rehearsals! 

To my lovely friend Patrice, there is no better Mermaid in the sea! I am certain we will be friends through many lives to come. 

To my dear friend Ron, You, my friend, have earned the badge of being a person that I will ALWAYS listen to. You’ve brought out in me things I never thought I would see in myself.

To my friends in the audience tonight. I see you, I feel your love, and it warms my Heart! Thank you for coming!!