WORLD PREMIERE
BILLY STRAYHORN:
Something to live for
September 19 - October 11, 2023
Pittsburgh Public Theater
Billy Strayhorn:
Something To Live For
a new musical that tells the story of the extraordinary life, music and legacy of an often-overlooked giant in the history of jazz.
Music and Lyrics by Billy Strayhorn
Written by Rob Zellers with Kent Gash
Musical Direction by Matthew Whitaker
ChOREOGRAPHER Dell Howlett
Directed by Kent Gash
Featuring a stunning score, Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For brings to life the remarkable true story of one of the greatest composers of all time. From his impoverished beginnings in Pittsburgh to his lifelong collaboration with Duke Ellington, this world-premiere new musical follows the highs and lows of Billy Strayhorn's career, the joys and heartbreak of his personal life, and the challenges he faced living as an openly gay Black man in mid-20th century America at the dawn of the civil rights movement. Through his collaborations with Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, and the greatest jazz orchestra of all time, Billy Strayhorn transcended racial and sexual barriers and brought a unique fusion of jazz and classical music to the world with all-time favorites including “Take the ‘A’ Train” and the immortal “Lush Life.”
THE CREATIVE TEAM
The creative team for Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For includes award-winning Choreographer Dell Howlett; Scenic Designer Jason Sherwood (Two-Time Emmy Award winner); Lighting Designer Rui Rita (Obie Award-winner); Costume Designer Jahise LeBouef; Projections Designer Shawn Duan (Lortel Award winner); Sound Designer Zach Moore; Hair and Wig Designer Tenel Dorsey. Arrangements are by Musical Director Matthew Whitaker, who also conducts and plays piano and organ. Orchestrations are by Tony Award-winner Bruce Coughlin. Heather Ankley is Stage Manager; Ellie Handel is Assistant Stage Manager; José Pérez IV is Fight Director; Marty Ashby is Orchestra Personnel Manager
THE PRODUCING TEAM FOR Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live FOR INCLUDES LEAD PRODUCER STEVEN TABAKIN; PRODUCER BILLY PORTER; PRODUCER TAYLOR MARGIS-NOGUERA; PRODUCER ROB ZELLERS; AND PRODUCER MARK POWER.
About
Billy Strayhorn
Billy Strayhorn was one of the greatest composers in the history of jazz. His body of work includes such standards as Take the ‘A’ Train, Something To Live For, Day Dream and Lush Life. He grew up poor in Pittsburgh, graduated from high school in 1933, then moved to New York where he settled in Harlem and joined the Duke Ellington orchestra. His 30-year collaboration with Ellington was one of the most prolific and groundbreaking in the history of American music. Strayhorn was also deeply committed to social and charitable causes, a strong supporter of the civil rights movement, and a personal friend of Martin Luther King, Jr. His life was tragically cut short; he passed away in 1967 at the age of 51.