OHIO
(Music: Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics: Betty Comden and Adolf Green; Arrangement and Conducting: Brendan Milburn)
BILLIE WILDRICK—Vocals
THE 5th AVENUE ORCHESTRA:
Brad Allison (Flugelhorn and Trumpets), Dane Anderson (Clarinet, Flute), Tom Dziekonski (Violin), Virginia Dziekonski (Cello), Stuart Hambley (Trombones), Kimberly Harrenstein (Violin), Brendan Milburn (Piano), Rick Neff (Viola), Jennifer Nelson (Bass Clarinet, Clarinet), Dave Pascal (Bass), Antonio Portella (Bass Trombone), Derek Smith (Bassoon, Clarinet, English Horn)
By the mid-2000s, I had moved back to Seattle from stints in LA and NYC. I had opportunities here that seemed too good to pass up, but I didn’t even have my Actor’s Equity card. We have a 2000-seat, 1920s-era theatre, The 5th Avenue, which locally produces musical theatre. It is kind of an outrageous idea as most of these large, historic venues around the country only host national touring shows, not locally produced shows with a local subscriber base. David Armstrong and Bill Berry, a married couple who have been leading the theatre artistically for over 20 years, took a chance on me. They came to the late, great Empty Space to see me in a musical spoof called Ming the Rude. Of course, the night they came, I had hurt my foot and was in a wheelchair trying to re-create the choreography just with my arms—nice! That did not stop them from casting me in the Leiber and Stoller review Smokey Joe’s Cafe.
Thank you to Jack Straw Cultural Center, the non-profit audio arts center where we recorded the orchestra.
Also a shout-out to our wonderful Engineer Ayesha Ubayatilaka who not only works in recording but also heads up education programs, and archival and preservation projects.
The next show I did at the 5th was Wonderful Town. It is not produced much; there are some clunky parts (a football number?). But it captured my heart. It was based on the play My Sister Eileen with a score written by Leonard Bernstein for Rosalind Russell, who was not a singer, so the whole part of Ruth Sherwood was pitched in the basement. It is a true contralto part and I got to lead a company of incredible artists playing opposite Billie Wildrick as my younger sister Eileen. “Ohio” is comedic song about missing the small community that the sisters ran from; both Billie and I grew up in small towns and deeply related to this song, which made us cry each night when we sang it to each other.
Billie is a true polymath who has gone from a young ingenue star to a singer of mature depth, a theatre director, a producer, and a community leader. I love that we bonded as theatre sisters long ago. A special shout out to my old friend Brendan Milburn who I met when we were freshman at the Claremont Colleges. He did the arrangements for 22 instruments for all the musical theatre songs on the record.
a few more pics to add, but you get the idea…
Brad Allison
What instruments do you play?
I play trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet.
How many shows have you played at the 5th Avenue?
110 different musicals at the 5th and 30 at the Paramount
Favorite Musical?
Two of my favorites are Michael Jackson the Musical and West Side Story.
Any link that we can go to find out more about you or watch a performance?
Dane Anderson
What instruments do you play?
Flute, piccolo, alto flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophones, recorders and harmonicas.
How many shows have you played at the 5th Avenue?
I’ve played for 79 5th Avenue productions.
Favorite Musical?
So hard to say, I love The Drowsy Chaperone, West Side Story, Into the Woods, Company, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, How to Succeed…
Any link that we can go to find out more about you or watch a performance?
No website but here is a cool post of me playing 14 instruments in the pit during Paint Your Wagon.
Tom Dziekonski
What instruments do you play?
Violin, occasional viola double
How many shows have you played at the 5th Avenue?
About 10
Favorite Musical?
Hello Dolly
Any link that we can go to find out more about you or watch a performance?
Here's a silly clip from another famous musical! You might call this "Music during Covid."
Virginia Dziekonski
What instruments do you play?
Cello
How many shows have you played at the 5th Avenue?
My first one was Addams Family. Probably something like 25+
Favorite Musical?
Westside Story, Sound of Music, Sweeney Todd, Pirates of Penzance.
Any link that we can go to find out more about you or watch a performance?
I'm always in the pit for Pacific Northwest Ballet. Otherwise, I'm living the freelance life, so you never know where I'll show up next. I've played for Andrea Bocelli a couple of times, and this summer I'll play for Final Fantasy at Benaroya.
Brendan Milburn
What instruments do you play?
Piano, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, bass, drums, organ
How many shows have you played at the 5th Avenue?
Zero! But they’ve almost produced one of mine twice.
Favorite Musical?
Merrily We Roll Along
Any link that we can go to find out more about you or watch a performance?
Chris Monroe
What instruments do you play?
All things drum and percussion
How many shows have you played at the 5th Avenue?
Too numerous to list! 40+
Favorite Musical?
Hair
Any link that we can go to find out more about you or watch a performance?
Six more to go… Jesse, make sure to adjust the mobile view after each addition, they get WEIRD in there and you don’t want a pile-up :)