By Robert Burke Warren When it comes to creating art, inspiration is only a fraction of the process. Artists also contend with time constraints, isolation, and financial woes, especially in aggressively capitalist, crowded, notoriously noisy New York City. Musical theater folks have it particularly hard; Broadway depends on lavish sure-thing revivals, and for-profit producers are increasingly less likely to take a chance on new material. Money is tight. Yet musical theatre is hardly dying out, in part because of benefactors like Rhinebeck’s own Kathy Evans, former executive director of the National Alliance of Musical Theatre, and a modern-day Medici of sorts.
Every summer since 2011, a handful of promising writers have been spending time at Evans’ Rhinebeck Writers Retreat. Evans is following in the footsteps of the great patrons of yore, although in lieu of big money, she provides essential time, space, and encouragement; all free. This year marks the fifth annual retreat, at which she bequeaths selected writers a week of peace and quiet, plus meals, a small stipend, and lodging in the Hudson Valley woods. Of the eight weeklong workshops, five feature Saturday “Meet the Writers" receptions, where the public is invited into homes in the Rhinebeck area, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and wine, and talk to the creators in a charmed atmosphere of appreciation and possibility. "Many of our artists have gone on to exciting things, other residencies and awards," says the ebullient, quick-to-laugh Evans. In fact, Variety recently announced that two musicals developed previously at Rhinebeck Writers Retreat will be featured in National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Festival of New Musicals in NYC in October — Noir by Duncan Sheik and Kyle Jarrow and The Last Queen of Canaan, by Rebekah Melocik, Jacob Yandura and Harrison David Rivers. “From just an idea to concept to success, I couldn’t be prouder about the retreat," Evans says. And word has spread. In 2012, for example, there were 55 applications. This year, there were 90." Of those, 17 writers will be on retreat, working on eight new musicals. “Musical theater has always been a passion for me," says Evans. “I worked in the corporate world most of my career until 15 years ago when I became executive director at the National Alliance of Musical Theatre. Part of its mission is supporting new work. I became engrossed in that world and decided ‘This is what I want to do, I want to help these writers who are so creative.’ There’s so much talent out there and not enough opportunity, so I wanted to give them an opportunity to develop."
Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne.
The season’s first musical theater writing team gave a taste of what the week was like at the reception on July 11. Charlie Sohne, bookwriter/lyricist, and Tim Rosser, composer, both recipients of a 2015 Jonathan Larson Grant, presented three songs from their work in progress, Run Away Home (one of which they had written that morning). The week away from the distractions of the city and in a house where all their needs were met did more than give them a place to work. “We are actually changing the entire way we’re telling the story," says Sohne. “That wouldn’t have happened without this week of intense, uninterrupted work." Evans began the retreat modestly, but has since honed her skills as fundraiser extraordinaire, enlisting financial commitments from a widening circle of donors. “I’ve learned if I tell my story passionately," she says, “and tell why it’s so important to support writers, people get it. People want to support the form and support writers.
My task is to find those people who share my passion." You’ll find them — and the musical theater writing teams — at the “Meet and Greet" receptions held on Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free, but space is limited to 30 per reception. Reservations accepted and address info given by email: RhinebeckWriters@gmail.com.
August 1, Staatsburg, NYElizabeth A. Davis, Luke Holloway, Jason Michael Webb, creators of Indian Joe.August 8, Germantown, NYKellen Blair, Joe Kinosian, creators of The More Things Change August 22, Red Hook, NYDavid Hein, Irene Sankoff, creators of MitzvahAugust 29, Staatsburg, NYMike Lew, Rehana Lew Mirza, Sam Willmott, creators of Bhangin’ It Check Rhinebeck Writers Retreat website for bios and show synopses.
