Happy 2012!

“The Addams Family” US Tour –   The tour continues to pack ‘em in across the US and Canada. Here’s a taste of what Toronto’s Globe and Mail had to say: “…a whole lot of show-stopping tunes with laugh-out-loud lyrics.” Wow!!!

The “Family” opens a brand new production in Sao Paulo, Brazil in February. In Portuguese yet! Then, a new production in Sweden, an 18-month tour of Australia that kicks off in March of 2013 and then on to Europe and Asia. More details as we have them.

“Big Fish” –  We’re doing a 4-week workshop in New York City under the direction of Susan Stroman mid-March through mid-April. After that, announcements will be made about our out of town city and then, fingers crossed (!), Broadway in 2013.

Andrew’s on the road –  I head to Vegas in January to do a little clean up on “Peep Show“  – starting it’s 4th sexy year in March – and then off to Australia to cast “Addams” at the end of the month. Then, it’s off to San Francisco in February to meet on a new project (soon to be announced). Finally, I leave for Sao Paulo at the end of February to see the new production and then a little R&R in Rio and Buenos Aires. ¡Adios, Nueva York!

“A Little Princess” –   Music Theater International (MTI) begins licensing the show this month. It’s available for YOU to produce! Also, there’s a strong possibility of future commercial life. Stay tuned!

“The Wild Party” –   Can someone say revival? Quite possibly… Details to follow.

Personal news – I continue my fitness regimen and on May 12th am participating in an event called “Tough Mudder“. It’s an 11-mile, 20 obstacle, military-style obstacle course. I’m on a team called “Angry Pandas”. I’m training for this event very seriously so that I can climb a rope, scale a wall, and push through the mud on my elbows. What a fun way to spend a Saturday!

Seminary – Halfway through my first year in seminary on the way to becoming an Interfaith minister. It’s been a blessed journey so far. I hope to be a minister who writes musicals and fights Ninjas. Wish me luck!

“The Addams Family” US tour – We begin in New Orleans in September. There will be some surprises so if you’ve seen the show you might want to see it again! Next year: Sao Paolo, Scandinavia, Korea, and more. Details to follow. theaddamsfamilymusical.com

“Big Fish” – The incredible Susan Stroman is our director and choreographer. Schedule not quite set yet but you can bet we’ll be on Broadway in the 2012/2013 season.

October 29 and 30, Harrisburg, PA. The Harrisburg Symphony, under the direction of Stuart Malina, will premiere “The Addams Family Casket of Orchestral Grotesqueries”. This is an orchestral suite arranged by me and Larry Hochman and orchestrated by Larry. Larry and I will be there on the 29th. Will you?

That same weekend the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus will premiere the men’s choral arrangement of “Move Toward The Darkness” from The Addams Family. Mary-Mitchell Campbell has done the incredible arrangement. More excitement!

Australia! I’m of to Australia in November to help cast the Oz tour of The Addams Family. This will be my third time there.

My new project with John Logan is underway. One song down, many more to go. But it’s fun to be into a new one.

September 13th! (I’m out of chronological order, I know) “A Little Princess” CD release on Ghostlight Records!

October 16-19 at Texas State University, “A Little Princess” in concert. 20-piece orchestra, 40 student actors, and yours truly on the podium. We’re streaming live on October 19. Details to follow.

Personal news – Two BIG things: First, I’ve been accepted to a two-year, part-time program at One Spirit Learning Alliance. I will be studying the world’s great religions and, with hard work and some luck, will be ordained as an Interfaith minister in May of 2013. I will then be able to perform ministerial duties at all life-cycle events. This is my next step in my spiritual growth (having been a high-holiday cantor for 10 years this feels like an inevitable step for me) and evolution. I won’t demand anyone call me Reverend Andrew but maybe I’ll get some hotel discounts if I do!

Second, I’ve dropped over 30 pounds since last August, am in the best shape of my life (!), and will be participating in a triathlon next spring. My exercise regimen includes strength training, running, swimming, biking and more. I can now swim 1/2 a mile (I couldn’t swim 8 lengths in January). Thanks to Mary H. for all the lessons and encouragement in the pool. NONE of my clothes fit (a very good problem to have) so I’ll be shopping a lot in New Orleans and Australia.

Brooke Shields takes over for Bebe Neuwirth in “The Addams Family” on June 28!For more information read this: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/149388-Brooke-Shields-Will-Succeed-Bebe-Neuwirth-in-Broadways-The-Addams-Family

“Mr. President” – Judith Clurman’s new choral series published by G. Schirmer includes Andrew’s setting of a Woodrow Wilson quote. The piece, titled “I Believe in Democracy” is for SATB choir. Andrew appeared on NPR on February 15, 2011 to discuss his piece. (link it when it’s available)

“A Little Princess” – The CD, released by Ghostlight, will be available 9/6/11 on iTunes, Amazon.com and sh-k-boom.com. The vocal folio for “A Little Princess”, published by Hal Leonard, will also be available on 9/6/11. Music Theater International will release the show for general license beginning fall of 2011. mtishows.com

“The Andrew Lippa Song Book” is being edited now and will be available in Fall, 2011.

Andrew performed in concert at North Dakota State University on February, 18^th, 2011.

“The Addams Family” begins its national tour in New Orleans in September, 2011. The show is currently playing on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater. theaddamsfamilymusical.com

“Peepshow” continues to pack ‘em in (and take it off!) at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. We begin our 3^rd hot year in March, 2011! lasvegaspeepshow.com