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Losing My Mind: A Sondheim Disco Fever Dream Album

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We will be closing down this page, if you wish to continue to support us on what is next you can head over to The Field. https://www.thefield.org/sa/623233 

We can also be reached at: [email redacted]

Below are some reviews!

Why the Sondheim disco album is perfect for right now  - Kerry Breen, OnStage Blog

Losing My Mind A Sondheim Disco Fever Dream is just what the doctor ordered  - David Clarke, BroadwayWorld

Album Review Losing My Mind A Sondheim Disco Fever Dream  - Mark Robinson

Losing My Mind A Sondheim Disco Fever Dream  - Robert Nesti, Edge Media Network

Sending love,

Joshua and Scott

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Who is this album for?

Losing My Mind: A Sondheim Disco Fever Dream is for fans of musical theatre, fans of Stephen Sondheim, fans of disco and for those that enjoy creative arrangements and reinterpretations of your favorite songs. 

Who is making this? 

Performer & conceiver Joshua Hinck came to Scott Wasserman with the idea for mashups, medleys, and new arrangements of Stephen Sondheim’s songs in various disco styles. Scott, an arranger, orchestrator, and electronic music designer for musical theater (Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen), has created arrangements for Joshua to perform with collaborator Aili Venho, a fabulous 12-piece orchestra, and more incredible singers who will be announced at a later date. It is very important to Scott and Joshua that members of the LGBTQ community as well as people of color are represented and involved in the making of this album to honor disco's origins.

The cast features the talents of Alison Luff (Waitress, Wicked), Blaine Krauss (Pose, Great Comet, The Cher Show), Aneesa Folds (Freestyle Love Supreme), Charity Angél Dawson (Waitress, Mrs. Doubtfire), Vishal Vaidya (Groundhog's Day), Brittnie Price (Postmodern Jukebox), Juwan Crawley (Aladdin), Deonté L. Warren (Aladdin), Joshua Hinck (Hail Oblivion), Aili Venho (50 Shades! The musical), and Onyie Nwachukwu (Cirque Dreams, Rent Natl Tour).

The album's 12-piece 'disco' orchestra is made up of Nicole Patrick, Lydia Paulos, Ward Williams, Joshua Hunton, Kyle Stalsberg, Jay Julio, Josh Henderson, Grau, Hajime Yoshida, Jami Dauber, Mark Miller, and Paul Staroba.

Check us out in Broadway World! 

What was the inspiration? 

Joshua was inspired by musical theater/disco crossover albums released by Liza & the Pet Shop Boys, Ethel Merman, and Gordon Grody (“The Ballad of Sweeney Todd”). In the 1970’s it was popular to release pop versions of shows as they came out. Joshua and Scott wanted to take this idea further and release original arrangements and mashups - not just covers - with nods to Sondheim’s music and lyrics that provide fun easter eggs for fans. The 12 tracks on the album will include over 40 Sondheim songs from shows such as Into The Woods, Company, Follies, Merrily We Roll Along, and even Saturday Night. Pretty much any Sondheim show you can think of!

What will it sound like? 

Scott’s arrangements stay true to disco orchestrations of the time with a rhythm section as well as strings and horns, using that instrumentation to represent Jonathan Tunick’s classic orchestrations of Sondheim’s works as well. The arrangements also took inspiration from disco legends like Donna Summer, the Village People, Thelma Houston, Isaac Hayes, Diana Ross, The Pointer Sisters, Gloria Gaynor, Vicki Sue Robinson, Chic, and more!

What are the steps in completing this album?

This project began at a coffee shop, Joshua and Scott first wrote a list of their favorite Sondheim songs and how they would fit together; lyrically, thematically, musically, etc. Then discussed favorite disco artists and the various pop and disco styles from the 70's and 80's that they would like to use. Both huge fans of Sondheim, Joshua is a super fan of disco, Scott loves playing with music styles.

In the past year these ideas led to the arrangements and orchestrations. In that time they also received approval from Sondheim and his publishers to head into the recording studio!

That's where you come in! 

We need your support to reach our goal.

Fundraising team (4)

Joshua Hinck
Organizer
New York, NY
Aili Venho
Team member
Scott Wasserman
Team member
Vianni Kelso
Team member

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