David Zellnik

Noble Family Concert at La Mirada Theatre in Los Angeles!

6/11/2023

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So excited that NOBLE FAMILY got a top notch concert at la Mirada in Los Angeles! And that we have a video that captures this sold-out performance!

And oh my, the full orchestra led by Andrew Gerle, who also did the orchestrations. Cecilia and I were very honored. And what a cast (see below)! Thank you McCoy Rigby Entertainment and La Mirada Theatre.

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Brazil News Part 2: Yank! becomes a Graphic Novel... in Portuguese!

6/11/2023

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After years of planning – and collaborating with 7 amazing artists for each of the comic books that together tell the story of Yank! – our graphic novel is ready to come out! It looks beautiful, sexy as hell, and super fun!

Hugo Bonemer – my friend and go-to Brazilian collaborator – has taken Joe and my musical and made it a novel. He builds off the excellent translation of the musical done by Menelick de Carvalho and Vitor Louzada back when we played in Rio in 2017/18 (and won CENYM'S Best Musical in Brazil!).

"Yank: Diario de Guerra" tells the story of Stu, an American kid who faces the two scariest things possible: war and first love. Set during World War 2, this story centers on a queer kid who discovers love and sex, camaraderie and bravery, as well as a hidden world of LGBTQ+ people he never knew existed.

The excitement (and coverage) have been immense! I can't wait for you to read it... and for one day soon, it to be translated (back) into English! There are currently a few copies printed... but in order to publish more, Hugo is holding a small fundraiser. If you want to donate click here. This is also a great way to buy the issues but warning: shipping will cost a pretty penny if you're outside of Brazil.

Love how Yank! continues to travel the globe!

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Brazil News Part1: Loveville Becomes Amorlândia!

5/11/2023

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Hugo Bonemer (Producer) and Estrela Blanco (Translator) help bring Loveville High to Brazil. Helming this ship — and performing in the company too!— they have transposed Loveville, Ohio to the state of Rio de Janeiro, into a small go-nowhere town that's still so full of love and promise... called Amorlândia!

I was lucky enough to be a part of this creation, staying with Hugo in Rio as we recorded with a stellar cast. Then came back to NYC and with Eric Svejcar (composer/production engineer) mixed down the 10 episodes.

10 episodes you ask? Yes! "Episode 0" – penned by Hugo himself – introduces Brazil to this world through the eyes of Noah and Caio, the two bros we will come to know from Episode 5 in the locker room! It's super fun and really helps launch this new Brazilian version.

Debuting on all major platforms in July!

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In the Spirit of Returning...

12/30/2020

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...to some new sort of normal (one with less sickness and suffering, more justice, more theatre, more Biden) I thought I'd fill you in on my past few months...you know, like people used to do! There's more exciting news coming, but meanwhile, wishing you all health and happiness in 2021! - David

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In March, I was thrilled to be asked to write lyrics for a new musical called "The Noble Family" (Music by Cecilia Lin, Book by Susan DiLallo). It's a beautiful love story that takes place in 1920s China, set to open in Beijing and Shanghai a year from now, with plans to then bring it to New York! My lyrics are in English (of course) but they will be directly translated into Chinese. We had a reading last August (directed by Liz Piccoli, produced by Jim Kierstead) and with an amazing cast, led by Telly Leung and Catherine Ricafort. Can't wait to be in a room with all these supremely talented people!

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This year we had the Yank! 10th Anniversary Concert at 54 Below (something we remain immensely grateful the universe allowed to happen!) And over 4K people have watched the video of it on YouTube! Now Broadway World has nominated it for three 2020 Cabaret Awards: Best Special Event, Best Filmed Show, and Best Solo Performer for Hugo Bonemer (our Stu in Rio). In other Yank! News, look for a comic book version in Portuguese to be released worldwide this coming June! (We told you were were a hit in Brazil!) In 9 issues, with text adapted by Hugo, drawn by different artists representing the diversity of LGBTQ life in Brazil, the story of Stu, Mitch, Artie, the Squad, and Louise comes to life! Here's a peek!

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In Loveville High News almost two years ago Episode 1 debuted. Now, 40K(!) downloads later, we are set to have the first staged version premiere on the stages of Colorado University...

Well, until that which will not be named meant that all live performances were off. Ever-resilient, CU has postponed the stage version for a year, but will do an online hour of songs/scenes/stories celebrating their students work. It will stream to all so I'll send out more info the closer we get!

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Finally, this song meant the world to me and Joe to write during the darkest days of the epidemic. Please give a listen - Santino Fontana sounds amazing! And if so moved, buy the album Artists in Residence for which we wrote this song! All funds raised help out-of-work artists!

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More Playbill Love! Thanks, Chase for letting write... a ballet!

10/22/2019

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Playbill Exclusive: Concert Video of Loveville's "Sparkle Like Bowie"

10/22/2019

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Thank you Playbill for the love! Listen to to Mason Alexander Park and Isaac C Powell sing "Sparkle Like Bowie" at the York Theatre concert of "Loveville High"

See more Cocert videos here!

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Interview on Broadway Radio!

9/3/2019

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Thanks for the fun interview Broadway Radio! James Marino gets into all of it - Loveville High! Yank!, Career! and all of it. Give it a listen!

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Yank! in Australia!

7/8/2019

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Thanks Stage Whispers for the lovely review of Yank! Joe and I are over the moon to have our show play Down Under, continent number 4 for Yank!

"The songs are melodic, the lyrics literate, and the plot has something you don’t often find in modern musicals these days, heart." ...Read more!

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