Jack and the Beanstalk

Duke’s Playhouse, Lancaster

Book & Lyrics by John Hartoch

Music & Lyrics by Gary Yershon

A year after our debut as a writing team, this was my second and, sad to say, final collaboration with John Hartoch. I also served as musical director, playing piano in a three-piece band, my first experience working that way. Up till then, I’d been on solo piano, or had conducted musicians at recording sessions. Musical direction is an under-appreciated theatrical craft, one that seems to be noticed only when something goes wrong.