Video: Golden (Timothy Huang)

/

Timothy Huang just released a new video featuring me and a marvelous band as well as some of his students from the University of Utah, University of Michigan, Emerson, and New York Film Academy.

From his Facebook post:
This past year i have been super lucky to guest teach and/or write for many students across many different universities. Even more astounding than the sheer diversity of students studying musical theater though was the amount of whole-throated support they were getting from faculty and staff to break free from what was once a very standard, very homogeneous interpretation of what musical theater is.

I first began working with Tim two years ago for Prospect Theater’s production of his musical American Morning and he’s been keeping me busy since! The future of musical theater is in good hands!

Enjoy!

Opening: Twelfth Night

/

This weekend, Pace University opens a virtual production of Shaina Taub’s Twelfth Night. Back in January, I was invited to record the drum book by Music Director Alexander Tom, who played keyboard 1 on Grinch in 2019. I’ve done a few things at Pace in the past, including Drowsy Chaperone in 2018. Last year, I was hired to play Head Over Heels there, but unfortunately it was one of the first gigs to go at the start of COVID.

It was really exciting to be in a studio for the first time in nearly a year due to the pandemic. There were only three of us in the main room, plus an engineer and assistant in the control room. COVID protocols were in place, everyone was always masked, and safety was prioritized. We only had a few hours to record the entire score, so we moved quickly and efficiently. I’m excited to hear how everything turned out! If you’d like to watch the show, grab tickets here.

Here is a video of an excerpt from the opening number that I took in my studio in preparation for the session. If music be the food of love play on!

Now Playing: Her Sound, Vol. 1

/
Screen Shot 2021-01-15 at 10.06.36 AM.png

Today is release day for Ethan Carlson’s Her Sound, Vol. 1, and it. sounds. amazing! I’m extremely proud of this one, as I tracked all of the percussion on my own. It was HARD TO DO and it nearly drove me to the edge, but the payoff has been extremely rewarding.

The album is produced by Thousand Faced Theatre in association with the incomparable Ryan Scott Oliver and features many fantastic musicians (with orchestrations by Solomon Hoffman) and an array of talented singers. I first played this wonderful music at Don’t Tell Mama in June 2017.

Here’s some info on the recording. Give a listen below. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Her Sound is a new song cycle that reimagines the ancient stories of women in the Bible. Instead of the tired tropes of “wife”, “mistress”, and “whore”, discover the untold accounts of a rebel contemplating the cost of knowledge for a bite of an apple, a disobedient wife celebrating her community of women, a groundbreaker escaping the walls that trap her, and many more.

Reflections on The Grinch

/

This year would have been my fifth year of playing the national tour of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but 2020 had other plans! It’s been bittersweet to be in NYC right now instead of freezing my butt of in Milwaukee or watching live music til the sun comes up in New Orleans, but on the other hand, I got to spend Thanksgiving with my wife for the first time EVER and we will get to celebrate Christmas from our own apartment.

Still, I miss the escapades that come with touring. I miss the thrill that comes with the curtain rising 8+ times a week and the antics that take place with my orchestra mates after every show. I miss the feeling I get when grandparents point out all the instruments in the pit to their grandkids before the show. I miss the theatre.

Though I know this show inside and out, I’ve never actually seen it, except for the occasional times when I can see above the lip of the stage, and even then, I’m playing so much during the show itself that I can only watch 2 or 3 scenes. Therefore, I am SO EXCITED that tonight I get to watch this musical on television, starring Matthew Morrison as the Grinch himself. I have so many questions — can an unsuspecting worldwide audience handle ‘Whatchamho?’ Will ‘Shopping’ be cut? What exactly happens on stage during ‘Down the Mountain’ that everyone raves about while I’m trying to not drop a stick? Will the quartet nail the harmonies in ‘Now is the Time?’ How many times will I cry? I can’t wait to tune in to NBC tonight to find out!

Here are a few of my favorite drum moments from the 2018 tour. Enjoy!

Lewis Flinn's Hood

/

Yesterday I got to participate in a reading of Lewis Flinn’s Hood in advance of its upcoming production in Sarasota. Let me tell ya, it was particularly delightful to make some music in a room with other people in these especially uncertain times. The percussion list for this one was big, much of which was provided by Centanni Percussion (thanks Barry!). Special shouts to music director and joyous human Brad Simmons as well as co-orchestrator Justin Goldner who gave me the call.

That's a Wrap: City of Angels

/

I just finished a 4-show run of City of Angels with St. Bart’s Players, the longest running community theater in New York! The book is almost entirely swing so I wanted to use some of my “jazz” cymbals that don’t get a whole lot of use these days. Unfortunately, the gig was in a boomy church so I had to play extremely quietly and those dark, dry cymbals just don’t get enough rebound at soft dynamics, so I swapped them out for some old faithful As. I did, however, get to use my vintage Rogers snare which sounded particularly good for brushwork. It was great to play with my Grinch fam, Joe Graziosi, as well as MD Jon Audric Nelson.

Ring of Keys' 2nd Birthday @ Joe's Pub

/

I had a most excellent time playing with these ladies at the 2nd birthday for Ring of Keys at Joe’s Pub on Sunday night. Hearing Julianne Merrill on a grand piano was, frankly, mindblowing. And even though this was a cabaret, the bass was pumping and Meghan Rose was holding. it. down. Special thanks to Emily Erickson for all of her hard working prepping the music for us!

That's a Wrap: Broadway Across America Conference

/

I had a fantastic 30-something hours in the Bahamas playing for presentations of the Karate Kid & Empire Records at the Broadway Across America conference. It was nice to see some old friends and make some new ones in a tropical climate in February! Congratulations to Drew Gasparini and Zoe Sarnak on their new shows! And shouts to the amazing Erica Rotstein who keeps one-upping herself on gig locations. I owe you, lady! 

Gear Pics: The Grinch 2019

/
View this post on Instagram

Ready to go in Detroit

A post shared by Ashley Baier (@ay_bear) on

I had to get a picture of my setup for the Grinch this year before my “hut” (shield and baffles) was set up. I’m playing the same DW kit as last year. Big drums=big sound! I’m loving the Paiste crash cymbals as well. They’re really nice for suspended cymbal work. The Fox is such a beautiful theater and it is a true pleasure to get to play here for the second time!