As Composer Chandler: 2 Staged Musicals So Far
March 2023: CHAMELEON CHANDLER has many OLD REEL-TO-REEL RAW DEMO TAPES. Daily, I am finding more DRAFTS, too. This website has become a SONG REPOSITORY, of sorts. From tape to computer … another leg of a song’s journey. May it bring us … more EGGHEADS (read: musicians, singers, etc.) Wish me luck … with this tech stuff … it’s tough. Why? Because I am my own teacher. Signed, “Student Liz” … aka “Mrs. Dennis” … aka … Archivist.
Will We Ever Catch Up With Tomorrow
And what will TOMORROW bring? BARBRA? To explain … it was always a DREAM of Dennis’ … and STILL is … to work with “THE GREAT STREISAND”.
“Let Me Be Your Song”. It was inspired by the ICONIC Barbra Streisand … with whom we have yet to make a connection. I say “yet” because … we can always hope, no? How so? A FAN of PIANIST-DENNIS … offered that she might have a way … via a relative of hers … to connect DC to BS! But first I was asked … by that fan of DC’s … “What has been written about DC that I could share?” Hence all this info here … and on Face Book. BTW: Back in the day … we told BB King about DC’s admiration for her talents. Her voice, in particular. It plays in Dennis’ mind, (so to speak). Poppa BB implied that BS would be easy to talk to. Why? BB said she was very gracious … when the two of them met. He said he would help with a hookup, (so to speak). It wasn’t meant to be. BB’s gone. But, Babs still here. That’s why while we are all still here … we say, “yet”. It seems a long way to go. But, that-fan-of-Pianist-Dennis said, “It’s a “BROADWAY connection”. Will that be … “Close enough for rock and roll”, as they say. Well, “Maybe Someday”, as the song sings … on Broadway … with Barbra?
But, to be specific … and to quote Barbra …
Speaking of DREAMS … Dennis was working on one particular song … to be done as a duet … for the famed songbird to sing with a partner. He thought perhaps for her and her husband, James Brolin? Let me explain … Dennis was arranging HIS music for THEM … while sitting with HER … under a tree. BUT … IT WAS ALL IN A DREAM. When was that first vision? In 1987 when he began his first rounds of … then-newly-researched … fresh-out-of-FDA … chemotherapy treatments for cancer. Those and subsquente rounds brought his battle with LEUKEMIA-Type AML … to a VICTORIOUS end. Life began anew and so did Dennis’ dreams.
“Let Me Be Your Song”: This song got a GOOD GRADE and RAVE REVIEW … from some other ICONIC creative-types. It was when the great GAMBLE & HUFF were holding SONGWRITING SEMINARS in NYC. The LEGENDS from the label called THE SOUNDS OF PHILY… were conducting classes for composers. There they GAVE A RAVE REVIEW. We never did get to follow up with those fine folks from Philly. Why? Health hurdles. So albeit belatedly, I’m posting that CRITIQUE from PRODUCERS GAMBLE & HUFF. (By the way, these notes I only just found while de-cluttering Dennis’ files).
The lyrics were written by the two of us (LC & DC). Music by Composer Chandler. Instrumentation … arranged, produced and recorded by musician-composer DC. The melodious vocals are by Melissa Barber. Click on the title to hear the song.
Oh, would that these songs be heard by her. She would love them, I believe. Thus, I ask the Universe, ” From our lips to G_d’s ears!”… or … at the very least, Barbra Streisand’s ear. It could happen, no?
Now back to about the two plays … that Chameleon Chandler wrote the music for.
Briefly I must mention “Ruling Passion – A Musical Comedy About Richard III”. The book and lyrics were written by Deborah Osment Ryan, now of Blessed Memory. The music by Composer Chandler. Speaking of Deborah, Dennis and BB King being on my mind. There’s more ’bout BB insisting the two eggheads … Dennis and Deborah … become colaborators. They did. This particular project was began during a BLIZZARD of a NOR’ EASTER! We left BB’s large luxurious suite at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan … just in time … to get to Deborah’s tiny domacide on City Island. There while snowed in Dennis and Deborah started doin’ their thing. Their “ruling passion” … writing. Go to webpage titled, “Ruling Passion” listed UP above. Plus there’s more WAY DOWN BELOW. Scroll on.
(I am awaiting our bandwith to be bumped up … to take the twenty-five minute track of DC doin’ his thing … STREAM-of-CONSCIOUSNESS-KEYBOARD-PLAYING.)
But, for NOW … below are a few of VOCALIZED songs. MANY OTHERS NEED VOCALS added. (Any volunteers?) The opening number “Let’s Be Grownups” is here as an INSTRUMENTAL (vocals will be added).
In Blessed Memory of Steven Sterlekar. Sadly, he did not live to see the play’s first staging. In our “GooGoo’s Maltshop” … one can see the writing on the wall (of the phone booth). Steven signed the following message … 
Some deem his writing is difficult to deciper … but he wrote: “Dennis, don’t forget me! Because one day my name will be in lights!” Well, his name might not be in lights down here on Earth … but his beautiful tenor voice is Up there … in G_d’s Cyberspace.
Hear him now … doing a duet with the talented singer, Melissa Barber. Both were kind enough to do demos of several songs (and we thank them). One song is titled, “I Remember the Days (Time)”. In this time of pandemic … one may find the lyrics particularly poignant. They sing,“Time doesn’t heal … it just ticks away…” …“No one can tell me that I’ll laugh again … though I’ve stopped crying … I still think of then” … “Chimes of what might have lived … till this day … If time would have stopped … that day”. In my head I hear, “Though I’ve stopped crying … I’ll still think of then”. See, we haven’t forgotten you, dear Steven.
Again this song is a lament sung by a daughter to her father. I dedicate the photo collage … to my late father. He made me believe … that wishes can come true.
Maybe Someday
The next photo collage is dedicated to my big brother … thanks for being there for us.
Who Needs Boys, Who Need Girls
Will We Ever Catch Up With Tomorrow
Dennis Chandler’s Dedication
Musician Chandler has had a crazy quilt of life experiences. But, it is why he feels blessed to be able to make ALL the music he loves and in the VARIOUS styles that he loves. That’s due, in no small part, to the following folks he met along his way in the world.
First, as a very young performer in the schoolyards of Cleveland … Dennis was taught stage presence, blocking and entertaining-in-general by coach and mentor Arlene Blank Rich. “The Ed-U-Tainer” … feels he owes it all to her … this enjoyment of “Educating While Entertaining”.
Bandleader Chandler also gives credit to … Arlene’s husband Berni Rich. He helped out in those above-mentioned parking lots … giving the group a strong foundation, (pardon the pun). They are why … early on, Dennis learned how to sense what a crowd might want to hear … and if it turned its interest in another direction? How to get that audience’s attention back … to about the music.
BTW: Berni Rich was a famed local photographer. Also he was one of the first to take pictures of Barbra Streisand … during her early days of performing!
Another photo of “The Great Streisand” that is on OUR VISION BOARD …
Speaking of inspiring musical mentors … the backstory of how Dennis met these two Marvin Mavens … is fleshed out on the web page titled “Marvin Hamlisch, Mina Kulber and Me”.
But, back to ’bout the stage play’s music: Talk ‘ bout hearing things, “I’ll try it out on my audiences”, Dennis thought. So he did … at one of his “Masters of Melody” performances at Wiggins Place. They loved it.
Fridays with Dennis … Weekly at Wiggins … What a Blessing
By the way … for over 30 years Dennis had the pleasure of playing piano all around the Menorah Campus. But, the Covid pandemic caused numerous lockdowns … thus preventing live performances to continue … until recently. Today he says to return to a place he calls his “second home” … both delights and saddens him. Why? Many of whom he considered mispocha (extended family) … are gone. But, based on his most recent playing engagements there … he has been told he now has new mispocha … to make music for.
Thus Pianist Dennis will hold onto that feeling of family … whenever he is called to do musical duty … anywhere on the Menorah Campus. BTW: He will return to R.H. Myers … after a long absence from that apartment complex. Plus he will perform again in the Miller Auditorium.
Having the luxury of a vast library helps, too. (Can you spell: PACK RAT?) But, Dennis does enjoy doing a deep dive into the dozens of drawers. They contain some gems from the Golden Age of American Music. So something old … suddenly becomes new, for him … and by extension … for audiences, too. We organized the songbooks in these beautiful credenzas. The type that one would associate with a professor’s office. We found them at our friend’s liquidation business. Since he was a devotee of Dennis’ “Masters of Melody” sessions … he cut Dennis a deal. (He had to play the debt off, so to speak!) Sifting through the really beautiful pieces of old sheet music … has made many a night … a musical treasure hunt. Composer Chandler as Pianist Dennis was again asked to do some of his own original music (from these two stage plays). What happened? It was mutually … musically … quite enjoyable, they said. Why? Those residents in attendance at the time he tried out his theatrical numbers … were real theatergoers (to the Umpteenth power). How so?
Back in their day … the time when there still was melodic stage music being written … they were the typical audience. They experienced the excitement of hearing good melodic stage music. Yes, the kind one can sing long after the play is over … not just walking up the aisle. Many of those playgoers saw the shows in NYC. They shared some interesting stories of being invited to go “Meet and Greet” … the original composers! Only in the good old days of Broadway, eh?
So “The Ed-U-Tainer” aka Pianist Dennis played some of his songs right there on their “Campus”. They raved and gave good grades to Composer Chandler. Talk ’bout road–testing the music… read: Road Show testing … get it?
Composer Chandler wrote some of his stage music from “the top-of-his-head” … while … healing his body-below. It was thanks to being laid up recovering from side effects of the then-new chemo treatments for LEUKEMIA – TYPE AML. Dennis was able to finish music he was working on before his battle with Cancer (’87,’88). The webpage about his battle and victory over Cancer is titled, “The Journey”.
Back to About the Stage Plays Composer Chandler Did the Music For
Composer Dennis still does believe the above mentioned play (“Just We Two”) and another musical (“Ruling Passion – A Musical Comedy about Richard III”) might just get mounted, yet.
In memory of playwright Deborah Osment Ryan … allow me to ask you to read about her play … (the second play Dennis did the music for). Scroll down on this webpage for the little bit written. We do have a much more fully fleshed out story about “Richard’s music”, (as I and playwright DOR liked to call it). That back story can be found on the webpage titled, “Ruling Passion – A Musical Comedy about Richard III”. Get the kettle out. Brew some tea. Then read on … as we remember dearly, departed Deborah Osment Ryan (who died December 24, 2016 … home alone). May her memory be a Blessing … (and her play mounted).
Composer Chandler also asked to dedicate this to another special group of talent. These folks coached him, but in a different way. To explain, in 1990 we were invited to appear on the National Leukemia Telethon. We met the following stars of stage, screen, television and the written word … the late, great Steve Allen, his wife, Jayne Meadows, Florence Henderson, Shirley Jones and her husband, Marty Ingels. They were some of the telethon hosts who were helping to raise funds for cancer research.
(Note: Since this writing sadly, of this group of stars … only Shirley Jones survives. It is my hope that I might be able to share with Shirley some of these songs, by way of thanks.)
Back to being interviewed by Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows…
Dennis, who had battled and beat AML – ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA … was THE TELETHON’S ONLY FEATURED ADULT SURVIVOR and was being interviewed about his NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE … when he was told to “Go back … it is not yet your time … your calling is on Earth”. And after playing piano … the iconic Steve Allen told Dennis … he must do more with what he was given. “God brought you back for a reason. I would love to hear what you are going to write!” Thank you, dear Lord. Here, it is. And Steve Allen, hear you go!
Back to about the PREMIERE of “Just We Two – The New Musical”
By the way, why playwright Brenner chose to call it “new” escapes us for it was started so long ago. And now its premiere in 2011 seems so long ago, too. But, the memory lingers of that wonderful reception by the audiences at Tallmadge Theatre. Standing ovations and soaring hopes to take the show to THE GREAT WHITE WAY in NYC … also memories. For alas … without the right backing (read: funding and connections) … it remains here in CYBERSPACE … in bits and pieces … (until I learn how to make the music … GO VIRAL).
A shout out of “Thanks” to director Frank Chaff Iv, the talented cast of grade schoolers, high schoolers, young college and community actors who helped present this musical. Finally, for their spot-on accompaniment, Bandleader / Composer Chandler gives Kudos to the following professional musicians … drummer John Mosconi, bassist Dan Horswell and guitarist Michael Dragas, Jr. Your time, talent and tenaciousness are appreciated, still.
So what’s needed next? Angels of the New York theater-type (can you say Tom Hanks, Oprah, Whoopie or Harvey as in Fierstein?) … OR… Grants as in the Genius-type grants (can you say MacArthur Grant?)
We are still waiting on Director Frank Chaff IV to locate a DVD copy of the stageplay. It was filmed with a two camera setup at Tallmadge Theatre. Dennis says he’d love to enjoy the play from another perspective. Says, he was too busy being in the moment(s) … as Conductor and bandmember.
What will be the next big project for Composer Chandler to write music for? He awaits direction … confident as a composer waiting in the wings … or is it the pit? (Read the webpage titled … “A Prophecy for Dennis”)
BUT… LET’S TALK ABOUT CRITICS … as in ANOTHER CRITIC’S REVIEW:
“The music of ‘JUST WE TWO’ is MAGNIFICENT! Its MUSIC IS GREAT ON ITS OWN, SO IT IS INEVITABLE THAT SOMEONE WILL RISE UP TO THE TOP OF THIS SHOW! BRAVO, composer Chandler and playwright Brenner!” George Foster, NORTH CAROLINA OPERA.
Back to about “Just We Two”…
Going back in time … HOW GOOD ARE THE SONGS? We were told by the playwright that one critic said if not enough actors were found to do it as a stage play … it should still be done. Perhaps as a musical revue with all 22 songs? This was said after the critic heard only just a few of the songs. The critic and the director both feel this FAMILY piece with its message is sorely needed today.
LET’S GO FARTHER BACK IN TIME … ABOUT REACTIONS AT THE AUDITIONS
When the show was being cast … THE SONGS ELICITED TEARS and THEN SPONTANEOUS APPLAUSE from those auditioning and from THOSE ATTENDING THE AUDITIONS. That boded well for the music. For example, Composer Chandler was delighted when a six year old IMMEDIATELY PICKED UP the melody of one particularly (he thought) difficult song. She got the melody IN SECONDS. Sang it straightaway … full out. It wasn’t even her song. It was always his intention to make this play’s music MEMORABLE. He thought, “Out of the mouths of babes”?
Currently … STILL A GOOD PREMISE: THIS PLAY is based on a situation EVERYONE CAN RELATE TO. A loved one lying in a bed in a hospital room. The play begins with family members coming into the room to visit. They are then seen one by one, pondering and reflecting upon their life together with the patient. Emotions come back in flashbacks, emotions come in the moment. They lament. They cajole. They sing their hearts out with their respective “SHOUDA-WOULDA-COUDAS”. Again, everyone will relate to this play.
FYI & Bears Repeating … Book & Lyrics were written with humor and pathos by former syndicated cartoonist-turned playwright, Larry Brenner. It is semi-autobiographical for both lyricist and composer. First, the lead character as a writer working with words … wants to be taken seriously… delivers his dialogue in short sing-song syllables. Then, he acts out in lyrical laments … singing all his own “SHOULDA-WOULDA-COULDAS”.
The music was written by Composer Chandler who wanted all 22 songs to be MELODIC. Even the few rock ‘n’ roll songs are in an older more traditional “MELODIC BROADWAY STYLE”.
FOR ALL TIME … OUT OF TRAGEDY COMES ART (AGAIN)
To explain … the FIRST time for Dennis … was when playwright DEBORAH OSMENT RYAN sent him … her script titled “RULING PASSION – A MUSICAL COMEDY ABOUT RICHARD III”. The music was first written in his head, while he was bed-bound.
Wanting to return to life before Cancer (how could one ever do that, one may ask). But, Dennis did go on to do business but not as usual. Prejudice for people whom they whispered as “having the C word”… was strong. For the financial devastation alone, he had to put “the Day Job” first and “his music” second. So that is how Dennis took to being low profile and low key, so to speak.
Referring now to “Just We Two” …
When PLAYWRIGHT BRENNER came back into our life … he told Dennis he had finally finished … what they both started so long ago. But, he said it wasn’t until after overcoming his own health hurdles. That’s when he came to understand more fully … what the words were saying. For COMPOSER CHANDLER? Dennis said, he thinks he’s just really beginning to understand the DEEP MEANING of THIS PLAY FOR HIM. (Talk about mental blocks!)
Well, they made it. Out of TRAGEDY … comes ART. These two survivors “Know from whence they speak!”
1988: About “A Prophecy for Dennis” authored by Mrs. Lou Kassouf
Maybe it just might come about … yet. It seems so long ago when Lou Kassouf told us … that the words were … “given from above and “written down” by her … (after she saw Dennis back jogging in the neighborhood).
But, first about Lou. She was a neighbor here in our community of sixty-some houses. We only knew her from when she invited Dennis play piano … for a “gathering” at her North Hill home. That was previous to Dennis’ battle with Leukemia – type AML. After his lengthy hospitalization of 32 days … I brought him home from Huron Road Hospital. It was the night before Christmas Eve … and in our mailbox … I found many notes wishing us well. They were addressed to “Our Jogger” and most were signed, “From your North Hill Neighbors”. Although they could have easily dropped them in our box … they chose to mail them. That was the-night-before-Christmas Eve (of 1987). It was a long Winter. In 1988 … Lou’s “Prophecy for Dennis” was mailed. The postmark? Valentine’s Day. A special Holi-day, in deed.
Later in the Spring … Lou shared how she gathered together others in our community to pray when she heard how deathly ill Dennis was. What Lights lived ’round us and we didn’t even know it. We do now.
To read it in full … go to the webpage titled, “A Prophecy for Dennis”.
So perhaps the power of her Prophecy will transcend Time. Better late then never. The power of prayer … and the power of music… remains to be see … and heard.
Bears repeating … and a reprise …
Will We Ever Catch Up With Tomorrow
Liz Chandler, Website Writer 2023
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