Musical Theater
Musical Theater has been Cormac's first love since a very young age. Growing up, his influences came from Frank Loesser, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz and Andrew Lloyd Weber.
Cormac's work has been heard at the famed 55 Bar, Upright Citizens Brigade NY & LA, various off off Broadway productions, the youtube channel Machinima and Television's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
The Velveteen Rabbit
SELECTED SONGS FROM SHOW
Book and Lyrics by Cormac Bluestone and Anya Saffir
Music by Cormac Bluestone
Presented at ATLANTIC THEATER COMPANY
Based on the book by Margery Williams Bianco
Directed by Anya Saffir
Musical Direction by Cormac Bluestone
Choreography by Alison Beatty
…So begins the story of a very shy toy Rabbit made of velveteen and sawdust who longs to be loved. Newly adapted from Margery Williams Bianco’s beloved children’s tale of nursery magic and the secret life of toys, The Velveteen Rabbit takes us on the Rabbit’s musical journey from loneliness to friendship, from loss to Love, from innocence to wisdom, and finally…to becoming Real.
Photos by Ahron R. Foster Photography
http://www.ahronfoster.com
“The writers have leavened the tale with humor — a musical number in which the more elaborate nursery toys boast is particularly funny... Mr. Bluestone has also injected wit into his score, which ranges in tone from barbershop quartet to doo-wop to English-style folk music.”
“Much of the narration and dialogue are sung a cappella, although at times there’s a soft cello and guitar accompaniment. The songs are catchy and move the story along quite well, and make the transitions between different parts seamless.”
Friends in Transient Places
Written by Jonathan Caren, Lyrics by Cormac Bluestone and Jonathan Caren, Music by Cormac Bluestone.
Presented at Ars Nova, ANT fest November 1, 2010
"Friends in Transient Places" is comprised of a number of scenes amongst people flying together from New York to Los Angeles who all seem to be inexplicably intwined.
The Check In is the opening number from the show in which the whole cast arrives at JFK. Each of there personal struggles begin to manifest themselves within the tribulations of preparing to travel.
The Botanist's Wife - Musical Short Film
Directed by Heath Cullens, Book and Lyrics by Cormac Bluestone and Julie Gearheard, Music by Cormac Bluestone
"The Botanist's Wife" was made by Acorn Pictures for the 48 Hour Film Project in Los Angeles, August 13-15, 2010. The Film Features Jeffery Addiss, Renée Brna, Ashley Lambert and Laura Hughes.
click for full album
The Amazing Adventures of Arthur McGilligutty
Book by Jeff Addis, Music and Lyrics by Cormac Bluestone
Atlantic Theater Company, "Atlantic for Kids", Fall 2005
"The Amazing Adventures of Arthur McGilligutty" or "The Boy Who Wasn't Afraid" is a loosely adapted Grimms Fairy Tale about a boy who sets out to learn what fear is after feeling too set apart from his family and friends.
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“Mr. Addiss’s scrambled script and Mr. Bluestone’s lively tunes share a sense of inspired lunacy.”
Songs of William Shakespeare
Selected pieces
Much Ado About Nothing, 2015
The A.R.T./MXAT Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University presents
Much Ado About Nothing
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Anya Saffir
Orignal Music by Cormac Bluestone
Additional Lyrics by Christopher Marlow
Twelfth Night, 2008
Atlantic Theater Company Acting School
as part of the NYU Tisch program present
Twelfth Night
by WIlliam Shakespeare
Directed by Anya Saffir
Original Music by Cormac Bluestone
Performed at the Atlantic Stage Two
As You Like It, 2005
Atlantic Theater Company Acting School
as part of the NYU Tisch program present
As You Like It
by WIlliam Shakespeare
Directed by Anya Saffir
Original Music by Cormac Bluestone
Hamlet, 2007
Orpheus Productions presents
HAMLET by William Shakespeare
Directed by Anya Saffir
Original music by Cormac Bluestone
Performed at the Atlantic Stage 2
Nominated for the
2007 Innovative Theater Award
for Original Score
Romeo and Juliet, 2012
Northwest Passage and Tragedians of the City present
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Directed by Anya Saffir
Original Music by Cormac Bluestone
The Chernuchin Theater at American Theater of Actors
The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht
Presented by Pipeline Theater Company at Theater for a New City from March 5-19, 2011. Directed by Anya Saffir.
I wanted to do something different from the norm of existing productions of Caucasian Chalk Circle. I didn't want the music to sound "Brechtian" or "Theatrical". I wanted it to be completely accessible to anyone who heard it and I wanted it to be challenging and satisfying for the musicians to play every night.
Winner of the
2011 Innovative Theater Award
for Original Score
click for full album
“Composer Cormac Bluestone’s music is beautifully arranged with texture and layering that enhances dramatic moments and appropriately underscores the comedic spectacle of Chalk Circle, of which there is plenty.”
I talk with Trevor Exter on his podcast Play it Like It’s Music about process, balance and what keeps us in this business.