Their show is an entertaining, one-of-a-kind combo of indie rock concert and touching holiday fairy tale (though secular…the holiday is New Year’s Eve), with enough bah-humbug cynicism and fourth-wall-breaking humor to keep it well out of saccharine territory…It’s a must-see opportunity. – Tom Mizer

Catch one of the only eight performances Dec 26-31 at the Metropolitan Room in NYC — or, check it out in Helsinki. We love this video, below! To our knowledge, it’s the first time our show has been translated into Finnish.

Today’s “Theater Talkback” article is a plea for better holiday theater (“Why Is Holiday Drama So Bad?”). Clearly this writer doesn’t know about STRIKING 12, and it’s time for our show to return to NYC!

As of right now (9:30 AM PST), there are about a dozen comments, and two of them mention our show. We encourage you to add your voice to the discussion. Here’s a short excerpt of Jason Zinoman’s article:

Despite being described as “instantly forgettable” and “a theatrical lump of coal” by some critics, “Elf,” the adaptation of the Will Ferrell movie, has become a huge hit, grossing more than any show on Broadway last week except for “The Lion King” and “Wicked.” Audiences have also ignored the dismissive reviews for “Donny & Marie: A Broadway Christmas,” one of only a handful of shows that topped $1 million in weekly ticket sales.

The reason for these blockbuster successes is obvious to anyone who has tried to organize a large family outing this time of year. Audiences want to see uplifting, holiday-theme family fare, and if it provides a respite from shopping, cooking and struggling to get along with the in-laws, they will pay top dollar for it.

We are of the opinion that what NYC really needs is a revival of Striking 12–maybe even the larger-cast version we worked so hard on, and which has been so successful around the country (and in other countries!) If you agree, spread the word.

Melody Butiu as Hope and Robert Brewer as Charles in LONG STORY SHORT

The 3 of us had a blast at opening night on October 9. Apparently, so did the critics: we are absolutely delighted, and it’s clear the momentum of this show is now revitalized. We have very high hopes for the future, as does the San Diego Union-Tribune: “Long question short: when does it go to New York?” (see below)

Meanwhile, get thee to this production if you can! The show runs through November 1 at San Diego Rep – and this weekend ONLY, 2-for-1 tickets are available. Full price tickets are $39-53, and you can use code CPLS to get 2 for 1: call the box office at 619.544.1000.

“Every time I look at you, I turn into me.” It’s the kind of clever, compact line that pops up again and again in the dialogue and lyrics of Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda, the show’s married writer-composers (and co-founders of the band GrooveLily). Their music is equally distinctive. Vigoda is a top-notch violinist, and while neither she nor Milburn are part of the production’s five-piece ensemble, strings and piano (Milburn’s specialty) are a key to their score’s melodic pop-rock pleasures. The show’s sound turns out to be a blissful departure from the usual musical-theater tropes, with plenty of stylistic shifts but enough unity to hold together the unorthodox storytelling…This smart and surprising show — still in just its third production — is already more than a match for other small-scale musicals I can think of that managed good runs off-Broadway. Long question short: When does it go to New York? — James Hebert, San Diego Union-Tribune (read FULL STORY HERE)

The work is funny and true, and, like any marriage, Charles and Hope’s is beset by misunderstandings, negotiations, adjustments and tragedy. Humor is what gets them through. Expect to laugh a lot, weep a bit, and be totally swept up in an almost through-sung tale that’s told through expert language, (Vigoda) gentle lyricism (Milburn) and a grand feel for the inside of a long term relationship. As with the musical Striking 12, also written by Milburn and Vigoda and performed by their GrooveLily three-person band at the Old Globe in 2003, the music is not easily categorized, because it is a seamless marriage of rock ‘n’ jazz ‘n’ folk with an abiding musical theatre sensibility…Particularly haunting are the musical numbers “It Happens in a Moment” and “Live Like This,” and much midlife angst and gentle humor are limned by “Empowered,” Hope’s experience with being a middle-aged divorced woman. Many thanks to San Diego Rep for bringing GrooveLily’s Milburn and Vigoda’s music back to our ears and hearts. Fans may have to see/hear this more than once.
Bottom Line: BEST BET — Charlene Baldridge, San Diego Theatre Scene (read FULL STORY here)

Everything old is new again with likable LONG STORY SHORT: Contemporary, hummable and concise…Fans who saw GrooveLily’s musical STRIKING 12 at the Old Globe in 2003 will be familiar with Milburn’s songwriting — breezy, jazzy/pop numbers where the electric violin and keyboard lead the melody (the most memorable numbers are “One Hundredth of the Love” and “Letting Go”)…Vigoda’s clever lyrics make each number unique, particularly “Unpacking the Suitcase” (where the newly married couple catalog their likes and dislikes with the apologetic “I don’t mean to be a jerk but …”); “There She Goes” (where with each verse, a daughter goes from first grade, to her bat mitzvah, to rebellious teen, to UCLA freshman); and “Empowered” (where 50something Hope’s dating experiences take her from “empowered” to “emboldened” to “embarrassed”). — Pam Kragen, North County Times (read FULL STORY HERE)

“Every time I look at you, I turn into me.” It’s the kind of clever, compact line that pops up again and again in the dialogue and lyrics of Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda, the show’s married writer-composers (and co-founders of the band GrooveLily). Their music is equally distinctive. Vigoda is a top-notch violinist, and while neither she nor Milburn are part of the production’s five-piece ensemble, strings and piano (Milburn’s specialty) are a key to their score’s melodic pop-rock pleasures. The show’s sound turns out to be a blissful departure from the usual musical-theater tropes, with plenty of stylistic shifts but enough unity to hold together the unorthodox storytelling…This smart and surprising show — still in just its third production — is already more than a match for other small-scale musicals I can think of that managed good runs off-Broadway. Long question short: When does it go to New York? — James Hebert, San Diego Union-Tribune

Read the full review here, and then if you can, get thee to San Diego to see LONG STORY SHORT! The show runs through November 1.

You hear a GrooveLily song from one of its theater pieces, such as “Sleeping Beauty Wakes” or “Striking 12,” and you want to know what song, what part of the story, comes next.

And one other thing about GrooveLily sets them apart — this band truly seems to be having a great time on stage making this music. And that sense of joy and fun was quite infectious Friday night as the band made its Oklahoma debut at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

As we say in my house, now that I’m trying to avoid all cursing and swearing around my 4-year-old son, hot golly. Check out the full review here.

I know this is the season to give thanks, to express gratitude, to be appreciative – well, actually EVERY season is the season to do these things…and about a year ago, inspired by the example of our dear friends Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, Brendan and I started making a practice of listing things to be grateful for at the end of each day. (The existence of our 3-year-old son Mose, as well as the privilege and honor to be able to write and play music for a living, are on our lists a lot.)

Mose

Right now, when things are so difficult for everyone, it’s even more important to put positive/appreciative energy out into the world…so tonight, my list will include Stephen Sondheim, composer/lyricist of the incredibly inspiring “Road Show,” which I got to see last night at the Public Theatre. Sondheim (whom I consider probably the greatest living theater composer) is worthy of gratitude not only because he is brilliant, but (more importantly) because he simply keeps on writing. (I’m grateful also for John Weidman, who wrote the book for “Road Show” and has collaborated with Sondheim several times – but don’t know as much about him.)

Stephen Sondheim

“Road Show,” a tale of 2 brothers who succeed and fail spectacularly in real estate and other ventures in the early 20th century, has been written and rewritten, worked and reworked, titled and retitled, at least 4 times (former titles include “Bounce”, “Wise Guys” and “Gold”). It has yet to garner very positive reviews; somehow when critics compare it to Sondheim’s former work, they find that it comes up short. In my opinion, it’s an astounding piece; both Brendan and I were on our feet the moment the lights went out. It’s only playing through December 28; but if you get the chance, I strongly urge you to go and see it.

Some writers and performers never read reviews. Not sure if Sondheim does. I can’t help myself; I’m too curious. In the history of GrooveLily and the shows I’ve been involved in writing, I’ve been mostly lucky enough to get very good reviews…but in the case of our latest musical, “Long Story Short,” the reviews are now all in, and they have been very mixed. (Some extremely positive, some kinda lukewarm, and a few rather harsh.)

It’s tempting (and useful for our press kit) to keep the good ones and simply ignore the rest…but I feel that if you’re going to believe any of your positive press, you have to believe, or at least be open to, the negative. Also, it can be instructive. Brendan and I are definitely not finished writing this show; before the next production we have a good list of points to ponder and improvements to make.

Having a sense of humor about it all is crucial. (In retrospect, this will all be funny…so why waste time?) My favorite part of reading the reviews is that some critics, in comparing “Long Story Short” unfavorably to our first theatre piece “Striking 12,” have decided retroactively that they loved “Striking 12.” Excellent.

In any case, I’ve decided that four days is plenty of time to allow myself to give in to SAD, and now I’m done. Thank you, Stephen Sondheim, for setting such an amazing example of longevity and continued striving…and thank you, Karen and Andrew, for reminding us to be grateful.

More festive mood alteration will commence next week at the Zipper Factory Theatre in Manhattan, where we will have the honor of doing seven “Striking 12″ concert performances, December 26-31. Hope to see you there.

Pittsburgh City Paper preview article

Pittsburgh City Paper review

“…a must-see for anyone who loves theater, loves music and loves love.” – Michelle Pilecki, Pittsburgh City Paper

Also, our actors Ben and Pearl appeared on the TV show “Pittsburgh Today Live.” Click here and get to know them a bit.

GrooveLily Revamps Its Website and Offers Preview of New Musical Long Story Short

By Kenneth Jones
18 Aug 2008

The rock band/musical theatre trio GrooveLily — creators of the cult hit musical Striking 12 — relaunched its website Aug. 17, offering fans access to past and future pop albums — and a special preview of the new musical Long Story Short.

The site (groovelily.com) was first launched by Brendan Milburn, Gene Lewin and Valerie Vigoda in 1996. “A revamp is long overdue, and our fans have been pestering us for ages — to the point of offering their help, expertise and advice,” Vigoda told Playbill.com. “It’s time.”

(Read the rest of the article at Playbill.com…)

The lovely tale is not only well woven for the telling but for optimum impact. Moving you through time, two tales and the present, over and over the trio takes you to the edge of heartbreak then pulls you back, makes you laugh and finally shoves you off the cliff. It’s a masterful, theatrical blend.

I like to think we’re in the business of shoving people off cliffs, and it’s gratifying to get recognition for it in a public place like SeacoastOnline.com. Now we just have to find some suitable cliffs near the Zipper Factory Theater on 37th Street…