Thursday, April 30, 2015
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
GREAT AUDITION SONGS THEY HAVEN'T HEARD: Tenor/Soprano/Alto/Mezzo
Break a leg!
Girls
Uptempo Sweet Liberty....................................................................Jane Eyre A Lovely Night................................................................Cinderella A Change In The Wind.....................................Caddie Woodlawn Another World......................................................A Little Princess Almost There................................................Princess and the Frog The Spark Of Creation.........................................Children of Eden The Best Things In Life Are Free..............................Good News I've Gotta Crow.......................................................Peter Pan Ring of Keys.........................................................Fun Home Ballad God Help The Outcasts.......................Hunchback of Notre Dame Home.............................................................Beauty and the Beast Notice Me Horton............................................................Seussical Far From The Home I Love..........................Fiddler On The Roof By My Side.......................................................................Godspell Just Imagine..........................................................Good News Once Upon A Dream.............................................Jekyll and Hyde As Long As He Needs Me......................................................Oliver Goodbye My Love..............................................................Ragtime Back To Before...................................................................Ragtime When I Look At You....................................The Scarlet Pimpernel Come Out Of The Dumpster..........................The Wedding Singer Will He Like Me.......................................................She Loves Me Candle On The Water...............................................Pete's Dragon Out of Sight, Out of Mind..............................A Tale of Two Cities Villain Lucky....................................................................A Little Princess
Boys
Uptempo Beyond The Door..................................................The In-Between Livin' The Life............................The Adventures of Jim and Huck The Testimony.......................................................Amazing Grace Any Day Now...............................................Fiddler On The Roof Farewell Good Angel.......................................................Jane Eyre The Fall..............................................................................Xanadu I'm Coming Out Of My Shell............A Year With Frog And Toad She Loves Me............................................................She Loves Me All I Ever Wanted...................................................Prince of Egypt Ballad Empty Chairs at Empty Tables................................Les Miserables Drink With Me.......................................................Les Miserables Javert's Suicide........................................................Les Miserables Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful.......................Cinderella Beautiful City....................................................................Godspell Lost In The Darkness.............................................Jekyll and Hyde Your Work And Nothing More..............................Jekyll and Hyde Pilate's Dream..............................................Jesus Christ Superstar One More Angel In Heaven.................................................Joseph Prima Donna.............................................Phantom of the Opera Coalhouse's Soliloquy........................................................Ragtime Gliding..............................................................................Ragtime Where's The Girl (Reprise)...........................The Scarlet Pimpernel When I Look At You (Reprise).....................The Scarlet Pimpernel A Bit Of Earth..........................................................Secret Garden A Sentimental Man.............................................................Wicked Not While I'm Around.............................................Sweeney Todd |
Friday, May 17, 2013
Silueta: A New Play Imagined From A True Story
Silueta
A new play imagined from a true story.
1985: A sultry New York night. A marital spat. Cuban artist Ana Mendieta plunges 34 stories from her bedroom window to the sidewalk below. A tragic accident? Or murder?
Silueta imagines Ana's husband, sculptor Carl Andre, as he might be today, still living in the 34th-floor apartment that he shared with the beautiful, ambitious Ana. He is riddled by frustration at the loss of his artistic potency and by a gnawing suspicion about his innocence in Ana's death. The ghost of Ana haunts him relentlessly at the scene of the tragedy. They are both obsessed with the same question, what really happened that fatal night? Silueta is a two-person show based on the true story of Ana Mendieta, who fell to her death in 1985. She was a rising star in the art world. Her husband, Carl Andre, was one of the founders of Minimalism. He was prosecuted for her murder and acquitted. The play explores their volatile relationship.
Silueta is a collaboration by Tom Shelton, Chris Shelton and Diana Burbano. Written for Tom and Diana to perform, the play came out of research and improv sessions with Chris, a writer/director.
Tom is a writer/composer as well as an actor. He is one of the writers of Caddie Woodlawn, published by Samuel French, as well as other musicals, an opera and a string of successful murder mysteries for “The Gourmet Detective”. He has worked as a professional actor for 30 years.
Chris is a writer and director in theater, television, and film. His stage directing has earned Dramalogue and Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle awards. He is a Directing Fellow at the Sundance Institute and has directed, produced and written many programs for PBS, Discovery, National Geographic, TLC, Animal Planet, and Travel Channel.
Diana has been a working actress since the age of 12. She was born in Colombia and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Professional Actors Conservatory and the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain. She has had leading roles in world premieres at The Laguna Playhouse, The Center Theatre of Santa Barbara, and South Coast Repertory. She is a teaching artist at South Coast Repertory and a member of LTA/LA's premiere Writers Circle.
Silueta was a Playlab selection at the 2013 Great Plains Theatre Conference, and was a finalist (1 of 12) of the Ashland New Plays Festival 2013. It was one of four plays chosen for Cygnet Theatre/Playwright’s in Process Festival 2014. It received a staged reading at The Great Plains Theatre Conference and at the Cygnet Theatre in San Diego.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Long Beach Pops
Tom will be narrating Long Beach Symphony orchestra's "To Boldly Go" on Saturday Oct 27th
Music of the cosmos, accompanied by spectacular photos from NASA telescopes. Hear selections from Star Wars, Holst’s The Planets, Star Trek, E.T. and more!
Sarah Hicks, conductor
The leading lady in a new wave of female conductors, Sarah Hicks‘ versatile and vibrant musicianship has secured her place in the next generation of up-and-coming American conductors. Currently with the Minnesota Orchestra, Ms. Hicks has conducted extensively both in the U.S and abroad, including the Hollywood Bowl and a European tour with Sting.Tom Shelton, narrator
Long Beach resident Tom Shelton has appeared in a myriad of local Southern California stages including South Coast Repertory (The Trip To Bountiful, In the Next Room, A Christmas Carol, and many more), Pasadena Playhouse, Musical Theatre West (1776), La Mirada Theatre, and the Laguna Playhouse.Monday, November 21, 2011
Caddie Woodlawn First Stage Review
Caddie Woodlawn by Susan Hunter & Tom Shelton
First Stage Milwaukee through March 17, Todd Wehr Theater, PAC
Disney has had a negative impact on American entertainment. When I
heard that Caddie Woodlawn was a musical, I thought of the endless
progression of assembly line songs and music that Disney studios have cranked out over the years and steeled myself for a possible saccharin attack.
Caddie Woodlawn isn't distorted or sanitized by Disney. It is an honest direct and very substantial musical with a genuine family appeal. Everyone who has been to a First Stage Milwaukee Production knows that whatever the show may be it will be thoroughly professional. While some of their productions are pitched to specific age groups, none of them are without general appeal and interest.Some people might think that I am far enough into second childhood to be peculiarly susceptible to First Stage Milwaukee Productions. I would defend myself and them by insisting that the level of their work is such that no theater critic can fail to be impressed. I was not only impressed by Caddie Woodlawn, I was entertained and enchanted.
C. Michael Wright is a treasure and adds immense luster and talent to
the Milwaukee theater scene. His direction of Caddie Woodlawn is sure-footed (He also does the choreography) and impeccable. His mass movements for changing scenes and adding and subtracting cast members was deft and delightful
The set design by Charles Erven is evocative and fully functional. He
makes brilliant use of quilts, planks, and props to suggests a considerable range
of locations and to provide a framework for the action. His design provides a number of working levels for the cast to perform on.
One of the most basic and pleasing aspects of theater for all ages is the element of dressing up (or down). Di Govern provides practical and sometimes perfectly lovely costumes for this production designed by Karin Simonson Kopischke. Andrew Meyers' lighting design serves the actors, the set, the costumes, and the audience beautifully.
In a period when positive male role models seem to be in somewhat
short supply, Ron Anderson as John Woodlawn is a very positive presence upon the stage. The contributions of the young actors in this production serve to remind us that he is a very positive presence as Director of the First Stage Theater Academy as well.
Ray Jivoff was an endearing character in his last appearance at First Stage. As Robert Ireton, Jivoff establishes the quality of the musical aspects of this production with a warm and solid voice, spirited dancing, and a charming characterization. Kay Stiefel as Mrs. Woodlawn has to be maternal yet
problematic as her relationship with Caddie is difficult and far from sugar- coated. Jerome Landry and Mark Salentine have modest roles but they support the principals and the children with strong performances. Raeleen McMillion and Margaret Pierson-Bates add additional strength to a very strong cast.
I saw the yellow cast and found the children unaffected, natural, and solid in their acting, their singing, and their dancing. To achieve this apparent naturalness is far from natural or automatic. It is a credit to these young actors and to their mentors that they carry off their roles so well.
The audience at the performance of Caddie Woodlawn that I attended
deserves mention. I went to a school matinee and the theater was packed with young persons who were squirming and screaming with all the energy and informality of children on a school field trip. I wondered what would happen when the show began and it became obvious that this was a musical without rap, rock, or reggae. The audience became totally absorbed and were so attentive as to
excite the envy of their teachers. There was a subdued chorus of coughing but that was inevitable with a crowd of school children during flu season.
What reduced a horde of active youngsters into an enraptured
audience? The rich and enriching performance provided by First Stage Milwaukee.
Catch this production if you can.
David M. Doll
First Stage Milwaukee through March 17, Todd Wehr Theater, PAC
Disney has had a negative impact on American entertainment. When I
heard that Caddie Woodlawn was a musical, I thought of the endless
progression of assembly line songs and music that Disney studios have cranked out over the years and steeled myself for a possible saccharin attack.
Caddie Woodlawn isn't distorted or sanitized by Disney. It is an honest direct and very substantial musical with a genuine family appeal. Everyone who has been to a First Stage Milwaukee Production knows that whatever the show may be it will be thoroughly professional. While some of their productions are pitched to specific age groups, none of them are without general appeal and interest.Some people might think that I am far enough into second childhood to be peculiarly susceptible to First Stage Milwaukee Productions. I would defend myself and them by insisting that the level of their work is such that no theater critic can fail to be impressed. I was not only impressed by Caddie Woodlawn, I was entertained and enchanted.
C. Michael Wright is a treasure and adds immense luster and talent to
the Milwaukee theater scene. His direction of Caddie Woodlawn is sure-footed (He also does the choreography) and impeccable. His mass movements for changing scenes and adding and subtracting cast members was deft and delightful
The set design by Charles Erven is evocative and fully functional. He
makes brilliant use of quilts, planks, and props to suggests a considerable range
of locations and to provide a framework for the action. His design provides a number of working levels for the cast to perform on.
One of the most basic and pleasing aspects of theater for all ages is the element of dressing up (or down). Di Govern provides practical and sometimes perfectly lovely costumes for this production designed by Karin Simonson Kopischke. Andrew Meyers' lighting design serves the actors, the set, the costumes, and the audience beautifully.
In a period when positive male role models seem to be in somewhat
short supply, Ron Anderson as John Woodlawn is a very positive presence upon the stage. The contributions of the young actors in this production serve to remind us that he is a very positive presence as Director of the First Stage Theater Academy as well.
Ray Jivoff was an endearing character in his last appearance at First Stage. As Robert Ireton, Jivoff establishes the quality of the musical aspects of this production with a warm and solid voice, spirited dancing, and a charming characterization. Kay Stiefel as Mrs. Woodlawn has to be maternal yet
problematic as her relationship with Caddie is difficult and far from sugar- coated. Jerome Landry and Mark Salentine have modest roles but they support the principals and the children with strong performances. Raeleen McMillion and Margaret Pierson-Bates add additional strength to a very strong cast.
I saw the yellow cast and found the children unaffected, natural, and solid in their acting, their singing, and their dancing. To achieve this apparent naturalness is far from natural or automatic. It is a credit to these young actors and to their mentors that they carry off their roles so well.
The audience at the performance of Caddie Woodlawn that I attended
deserves mention. I went to a school matinee and the theater was packed with young persons who were squirming and screaming with all the energy and informality of children on a school field trip. I wondered what would happen when the show began and it became obvious that this was a musical without rap, rock, or reggae. The audience became totally absorbed and were so attentive as to
excite the envy of their teachers. There was a subdued chorus of coughing but that was inevitable with a crowd of school children during flu season.
What reduced a horde of active youngsters into an enraptured
audience? The rich and enriching performance provided by First Stage Milwaukee.
Catch this production if you can.
David M. Doll
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tom's Resume/CV
TOM SHELTON
Composer/Lyricist/Librettist
RESUME OF PRODUCED WORKS
(representative projects)
St. George and the Dragon
Theatre of the Open Eye, NYC
With Susan C. Hunter, a song score for the world-premiere play by John Patrick Shanley.
Caddie Woodlawn
Originally produced at Landers Theatre, Springfield MO
With Susan C. Hunter, a full-length adaptation of the novel by Carol Ryrie Brink. Recipient of the Landers Theatre National Playwriting Award, resulting in productions of at the Landers Theatre in Springfield, Missouri, at First Stage Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, The Mabel Tainter Theatre in Menomonie, Wisconsin and various other venues across the country. Published by Samuel French. www.caddiewoodlawnmusical.com
The Boy Who Ruled the Moon and Sun
San Diego Opera
With Susan C. Hunter an original children’s opera commissioned by the San Diego Opera for their Hands On educational outreach program. Received numerous performances across Southern California, including a major remounting by The Whittier Center Theatre in Whittier, California.
Cinderella
Pasadena Playhouse Youth Players
With Kathryn Laird-Johnson, a full-length re-imagining of the classic fairy tale.
A Tale of Two Counties
Marion Ross Performing Arts Center; Albert Lea, MN
With Joan Claire Graham, a musicalized evening of local oral histories. Commissioned by the State of Minnesota.
The Disciple’s Undoing
Theater of The Open Eye, NYC
With Erin Blackwell, a one-act ballet, with singing. Commissioned by Jean Erdman.
The Constant Wife
The Laguna Playhouse; Laguna Beach, CA
Incidental music for the Somerset Maugham play. Directed by Andrew Barnicle.
The King of Millard Fillmore Junior High
Tour/Imagination Machine
With Susan C. Hunter an original one-act musical commissioned and performed by The Imagination Machine, a Southern California touring ensemble.
Darling, You Slay Me!
Gourmet Detective
With Alyssa Canaan, a commission for the Gourmet Detective of Irvine. A full length interactive musical murder mystery. Published by Heuer
Stay Tuned For Murder!
Gourmet Detective
With Alyssa Canaan, a commission for the Gourmet Detective of Irvine. A full length interactive musical murder mystery.
Get Cartier!
Gourmet Detective
With Alyssa Canaan, a commission for the Gourmet Detective of Irvine. A full length interactive musical murder mystery.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Music from the new musical "Highpockets"
Highpockets by Gary Davis and Tom Shelton.
"Who Cares?"
"Gettin' By"
Articles about Claire Phillips: I am here because of War Hero High Pockets
Info page
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Murder Mystery Scripts Available
Available now for your theatre.
Perusal scripts per request.
Read the reviews!
Perusal scripts per request.
Read the reviews!
Darling You Slay Me
A Musical Murder in Three Acts
(For 7 Performers)
Written by Tom Shelton and Alyssa Cannan
The show runs about 1 hour and 30 minutes. With optional appetizer course, salad, dinner, and dessert, awarding of prizes and pictures, the evening runs 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours.
1928. New York, New York. Opening night of the new Broadway musical sensation, "He Rang the Bell". As an invited guest to Lardi's... THE place to see and be seen, you can mingle with the best and brightest of the New York stage, as you await the reviews that will make or break this big money production.
Share a table with the glamorous (and Insufferable) Broadway diva; her ambitious yet Starry-eyed understudy; the dashing leading man with the roving eye and the overdrawn bank account; the deep pocket producer with ties to the underworld;and let's not forget the man they all love to hate--the cynical, sharp-tongued theatre critic.
Careers as well as fortunes will be made or lost tonight. On the surface it's all charm, anticipation and high spirits. Seething just below the surface are passions, conflicts and ambitions of murderous intensity. Mysterious and bizarre events set the stage for some dazzling final performances.
Test your wits against Anthony Badger, our well-fed detective, a brilliant curmudgeon and bon-vivant, and make this opening night a "hit" to remember...
Available from Heuer Publishing
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