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Nolan Gasser

Birth Place: Anaheim, CA

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Nolan Gasser BIO

Nolan Gasser is a composer, pianist, and musicologist – most notably, the architect of Pandora Radio’s Music Genome Project and the company’s chief musicologist from its founding in 1999. He holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from Stanford University. His original compositions have been performed in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall (Lincoln Center), the Kennedy Center, La Salle Pleyel (Paris), and the Rose Bowl (Pasadena), among many others. Theatrical projects include the musical Benny & Joon—which enjoyed a successful run at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego in fall 2017, and will next move to the famed Paper Mill Playhouse outside of New York City in spring 2019, on its hopeful way to Broadway; an opera, The Secret Garden, commissioned by San Francisco Opera (2013); an oratorio Repast: An Oratorio on the Life of Booker Wright (2015); and a musical, Start Me Up, in development. His film scoring work thus far includes Lance Kinsey’s mockumentary All Stars (2015), starring Fred Willard, Angela Kinsey, and John Goodman—winning numerous film festivals. Nolan’s forthcoming book, Why You Like It: The Science and Culture of Musical Taste, will be released in early 2019 (Macmillan Press). He is also the subject of a documentary for the ESPN-FiveThirtyEight series, The Collectors, entitled “Breaking Music Down to Its Genes” (2015). The film highlights his work with Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital to pilot an “algorithm” to provide personalized musical therapy for cancer patients. Nolan’s TEDx talk, “Empowering Your Musical Taste” is available on YouTube.

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Elizabeth Askren Named Hawai'i Opera Theatre's Inaugural Principal Guest Conductor


Elizabeth Askren has been appointed as Hawai'i Opera Theatre's Inaugural Principal Guest Conductor. Learn more about this conductor, educator, and cultural activist.

Elizabeth Askren Named Hawai'i Opera Theatre's Inaugural Principal Guest Conductor


Elizabeth Askren has been named the first-ever Principal Guest Conductor of Hawai'i Opera Theatre.

Christine Allado, George Blagden, Hannah Elless & More to Star in Workshops of New Musical BENNY & JOON


As it prepares for an expected UK premiere, two 75-minute first-look workshop performances of Benny & Joon will take place at 5pm on Monday 14 November and 3pm on Tuesday 15 November. Tickets go on sale today at The Other Palace with £10 seats available to the public.

Interview: Kip Cranna of SAN FRANCISCO OPERA CENTENNIAL at War Memorial Opera House - Part 2


In part two of this interview, Kip Cranna speaks on the San Francisco Opera Centennial and opera as a living form.

VIDEO: First Look at Bryce Pinkham, Hannah Elless, and More in BENNY & JOON at Paper Mill Playhouse


Paper Mill Playhouse presents the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil. Benny & Joon began performances Thursday, April 4, 2019, and will continue through Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ). Benny & Joon is presented by special arrangement with Larry Hirschhorn. Opening Night is set for Sunday, April 14, 2019, at 7:00pm.

Global Roundup 4/19 - MUNY Casting, Corey Cott in WEST SIDE STORY, Encore Performance of ALIEN Play and More!


BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature Jenn Colella in PETER PAN, Patti LuPone, DEAR EVAN HANSEN London, and More!

Review Roundup: Critics Weigh in On BENNY & JOON at Paper Mill Playhouse


Paper Mill Playhouse presents the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil. Benny & Joon began performances Thursday, April 4, 2019, and will continue through Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ). Benny & Joon is presented by special arrangement with Larry Hirschhorn. Opening Night is set for Sunday, April 14, 2019, at 7:00pm.

BWW Review: BENNY & JOON at Paper Mill Playhouse - A New American Musical that Touches the Heart and Mind


The East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon, is now onstage at Paper Mill Playhouse through Sunday, May 5. This new musical enjoys outstanding direction by Jack Cummings III, clever choreography by Scott Rink, and top musical direction by J. Oconor Navarro with orchestrations by Michael Starobin. The show's marvelous cast brings the honest, touching, and entertaining story to life on the Millburn stage.

Photo Coverage: Inside Opening Night of BENNY AND JOON, Starring Bryce Pinkham, Hannah Elless, and More at Paper Mill Playhouse


Paper Mill Playhouse presents the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil. Benny & Joon began performances Thursday, April 4, 2019, and will continue through Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ). Benny & Joon is presented by special arrangement with Larry Hirschhorn.

VIDEO: Watch Clips of Bryce Pinkham, Hannah Elless, and More in BENNY & JOON at Paper Mill Playhouse


Paper Mill Playhouse presents the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil. Benny & Joon began performances Thursday, April 4, 2019, and will continue through Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ). Benny & Joon is presented by special arrangement with Larry Hirschhorn. Opening Night is set for Sunday, April 14, 2019, at 7:00pm.

Photo Flash: First Look at Bryce Pinkham, Hannah Elless, and More in BENNY & JOON at Paper Mill Playhouse


Paper Mill Playhouse presents the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil. Benny & Joon began performances Thursday, April 4, 2019, and will continue through Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ). Benny & Joon is presented by special arrangement with Larry Hirschhorn. Opening Night is set for Sunday, April 14, 2019, at 7:00pm.

BENNY & JOON Begins Performances at Paper Mill Tomorrow, April 4


Paper Mill Playhouse presents the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil. Benny & Joon begins performances TOMORROW, Thursday, April 4.

Photo Coverage: In Rehearsal With BENNY & JOON, Starring Bryce Pinkham, Hannah Elless, and More!


Paper Mill Playhouse will soon present the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil.

TV: Hannah Elless, Bryce Pinkham & More Preview Paper Mill's BENNY & JOON!


Paper Mill Playhouse will soon present the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil.

Wake Up With BWW 3/22: HADESTOWN Begins Previews, and More!


Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Happy Friday! Finish off your week by catching up on the latest Broadway news!

Photo Coverage: Meet the Cast of Paper Mill Playhouse's BENNY & JOON


Paper Mill Playhouse will soon present the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil.

Photo Flash: Bryce Pinkham, Hannah Elless and More Head Into Rehearsal for BENNY & JOON At Paper Mill Playhouse


Paper Mill Playhouse presents the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil.  

Wake Up With BWW 2/21: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in Yiddish Opens, and More!


Good morning, BroadwayWorld! We're so close to Friday! Power through the rest of your week by catching up on the latest Broadway news!

Claybourne Elder, Hannah Elless, and Bryce Pinkham Star in Paper Mill's BENNY & JOON


Paper Mill Playhouse will present the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil.

Rhinebeck Writers Retreat Announces 2018 Writers, Including Tony, Emmy, Jonathan Larson, And Kleban Winners


Founding Executive Director Kathy Evans announced the 19 writers of 9 new musicals in this summer's Rhinebeck Writers Retreat. This year's writers include 2018 Jonathan Larson winners Andrew Farmer and Andrew Butler, 2018 Kleban winner Amanda Yasnowitz, Tony-winner Ken Davenport, 2018 Lucille Lortel winner for Outstanding Musical (KPOP) Max Vernon, Emmy winner Doug Katsaros, Obie winner Erin Courtney, and the writers of the podcast musical 36 questions who are developing their next musical, Chris Littler and Ellen Winter.

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