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Arts & Entertainment

Local Boy Makes Musical Debut In NYC Festival

Drew Gasparini's original musical is set to open this September in New York. But you can see him with his band and sister, Chole Gasparini at Fairfax's Sleeping Lady this Friday.

Marin theater audiences are familiar with the name Drew Gasparini. Locally, Gasparini, a 2004 graduate of , has played his original music, performed in plays, and, perhaps most notably, in 2007, premiered a musical he wrote called "Crazy Just Like Me" at the .

As it turns out, New York audiences are getting acquainted with his name, too.  "Crazy Just Like Me" will receive its first full New York City staging at the New York Music Festival.

The New York Music Festival, with its stated aim to be "a launching pad for the next generation of musicals," will run from September 26 to October 16. Gasparini's musical will be one of thirty productions presented this fall to an audience of some 30,000 theater-goers and theater professionals.

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In what you might call a little cross-country diversion, Gasparini will be performing with his youngest sister, Chloe Gasparini, at The Sleeping Lady in Fairfax this Friday.  Drew Gasparini and his band have become regular performers at The Sleeping Lady, and he thought "it just makes sense to have Chloe join the party.  Chloe is so talented and began writing her own songs this year."

On that other coast, however, a major production is mounting.

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"It's a real honor and a lot of work," says Gasparini who was invited to participate in the festival.  "For me as the writer this means the cast and crew know that I'm relying on all our efforts to make this show the best it can be in order to further the success of the show."

What does success mean to Gasparini?  "I would love this show to go far and beyond of course…My realistic, ambition is to see this show go off-Broadway.  It has commercial appeal and there are a ton of talented people who believe in me who are willing to help me make that happen."

By "talented people" Gasparini is referring to a staff of Broadway and off-Broadway pros including:  director Stephen Agosto (co-founder of the Crosshatch Theatre Company NYC), actors Andrew Kober (Broadway's revival of "HAIR"), Mike Russo (The National Tour of "Grease"), Andy Mientus (The National Tour of "Spring Awakening"), and Louis Sacco (Off-Broadway's "Room Service"), who has co-written the book for "Crazy Just Like Me."

Alexis Papedo, a Drake High School graduate, who recently appeared in ACT's "Tales of the City," is also starring the in production.

Gasparini credits the success of his earliest incarnations of "Crazy Just Like Me" to his former San Marin music teacher Emily Gates, a woman whose name has become synonymous with great music and the numerous phenoms who have thrived under her tutelage.  

"Mrs. Gates, sincerely, is one of the top reasons that I do music professionally at all.  She talks about music like it's nothing.  She's seen and heard everything," says Gasparini who has found real motivation from her praise of his songwriting.  "She is supportive of me."

Gasparini also credits his parents, George and Kele Gasparini, whom he calls "my heroes," for their hand in the success of his shows.  When asked what kind of support they've given him, Gasparini laughs and says, "They tell their friends about it.  They post any link.  They're very proud."  

But Gasparini says that none of 'Crazy Just Like Me's' success would have been possible" without Emily Gates. She allowed him to use the student center at San Marin to perform the concert version of the show, during which the initial seeds of enthusiasm took root.  

Since then "Crazy Just Like Me" has blossomed into publication and performances in numerous venues, one as far away as Austrailia.    

The taking off of "Crazy Just Like Me" has involved a lot more for Gasparini than just observing proudly.  While attending a Chapman University production, he recalls, "The kids were so talented, but I remember sitting there as a writer thinking of all the changes that could be made to the script... not to mention the set kept falling... it was hilarious."

Gasparini has put those thoughts into action.  "The show has gone under many reconstructions. Rewriting is the best part about writing sometimes... People who know the original show would notice many significant changes that were necessary to the structure of the show. Things like: a new character, many new songs and a few new twists," says Gasparini.

Upcoming productions of "Crazy Just Like Me" are happening in Dallas, Omaha, Chico State University, and New York City at the Barrow Group Theater.

In addition to all this writing, rewriting, and mounting of shows, Gasparini has other projects in the works for the coming year: the New York debut of his second musical "Circles," and the release of two albums, one with his band and one of his solo work sung by Broadway performers.  

Yet, somehow, Gasparini is still finding time to board a plane headed to the Bay Area to visit his family in Novato.  And to squeeze in just one little Fairfax gig while he's in town.

Catch Drew Gaspirini, his band, and his sister Chloe Gasparini this Friday, August 9; from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The Sleeping Lady
23 Broadway Boulevard
Fairfax, CA 94930-1622,
(415) 485-1182 
www.sleepingladyfairfax.com

For more information on Drew Gasparini:
www.drewgasparinimusic.com

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