LAWRENCE HARTZELL

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Lawrence Hartzell is professor of music theory at Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music where he has taught since 1973. From 1993 to 1996 he served as Coordinator of music theatre at B-W, a job now held by Victoria Bussert. Working closely together with the dance and theatre faculties Bussert and Hartzell have developed a music theatre program that has recently been listed as number six in the country for music theatre preparation.

As a music director Hartzell has prepared recent highly acclaimed productions of They're Playing Our Song, My Fair Lady, Forever Plaid , and Company. This past fall (1997) he music directed the Cleveland premier of the Stephen Schwartz/John Caird musical Children of Eden, a production that was a major success receiving many extremely favorable reviews. His work has been seen at Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea Summer Theatre, Clague Playhouse, and the Halle Theatre.

He also works as a MIDI programmer for musical productions. Much of this work has been done for Music Theatre productions at Baldwin-Wallace College, including Sunday In The Park With George, Into The Woods, and Passion. Most recently he work for Great Lakes Theatre Festival as synthesizer programmer for the Festival's production of Gypsy in the Ohio Theatre on Playhouse Square.

As an arranger Hartzell presented recitals at Baldwin-Wallace College that included his vocal arrangements of jazz/pop standards for music theatre students. These recitals were very popular over the five-year period they were produced and provided singers with valuable training in the important area jazz singing. His most recent major arranging project was a Musical Review entitled Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? The review was the invention of local Cleveland radio personality and former Great Lakes Theater Festival associate director, Bill Rudman. The review, which includes a cast of four singer/actors, a narrator and a pianist was conceived for the GLTF outreach program. Once it was premiered at the Ohio Theatre in Cleveland's Playhouse Square it played a 25 venue tour of northern Ohio. In addition to serving as arranger Hartzell also served as music director and pianist.

During 1998 Hartzell served as music director for three different musical productions. The first of these was Fiddler On The Roof which was produced by the Jewish Community Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. This production, held at the Halle Theatre, ran to sold out audiences in May and June and by popular demand was remounted in September.

Hartzell served as music director for Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along at Baldwin-Wallace College. This production employed students in B-Ws music theatre, theatre, and music programs and was directed by Victoria Bussert. This production was a highlight of the 1998 fall theatre season in the Cleveland area.

At Cain Park Hartzell has served as musical director for several shows the most recent of which was last summer's production of Damn Yankees.

Currently Hartzell is working on several arranging and composition projects.