It’s no surprise when “Un-Block The Music” writes that artists often work for no money. It’s even less of a surprise when I say artists during the pandemic are working for no money. HOWEVER, it may be a bit surprising to realize how many people in the theater industry have been out of work since March. It’s estimated about 100,00 people. It’s not just actors. There are writers, musicians, stagehands…need I go on. I had the opportunity to speak with Barbara Bellman this week about a video she has collaborated on with Emiliano Messiez, called “When Broadway Is Back.” While it is meant to entertain, this video has been released in hopes that people will donate to Broadway Cares and The Actor’s Fund.
If you love theater, you most definitely have been hearing a lot about Broadway Cares. Donations provide emergency financial assistance and care to those in the Broadway community who are struggling through a pandemic that will keep their industry closed at least til June; that’s more than a year since the shutdown!
“When Broadway Is Back” is a fully-orchestrated song and video with a big-band sound. It is performed by Syndee Winters (Hamilton, Lion King) and Carmen Ruby Floyd (Chicago, Hello Dolly) along with Dana Aber (Baggage At The Door) and Dale Sampson (Sam’s Room).
The creators say, this song offers a vision of a post-pandemic moment when bright lights and in-person audiences return to Broadway. Barbara said, she and Emiliano were talking about what it will feel like when Broadway is finally back. So they did what any self-respecting songwriter would do…they wrote a tune! “I created the lyrics and Emiliano grabbed them and developed the music. Within a few days we had a track. Emiliano was singing all of the parts at first. It was just so much fun!” The duo had worked with Luis Bacque in the past on demos for their developing musical Bordello, so the duo brought it to his studio. “Luis was then able to contact excellent musicians to perform for us.” Musicians included Diego Urcola (trumpets), Conrad Herwig (trombones), Scott Robinson (reeds), Emiliano Messiez (pano), Luis Bacque (bass) Ignacio Rivas Bixio (drums), Juan “Pollo” Raffo (horns arrangements). Many of the artists came into the studio at different times and laid down their tracks. Others recorded from their homes.
It’s no surprise when “Un-Block The Music” writes that artists often work for no money. It’s even less of a surprise when I say artists during the pandemic are working for no money. HOWEVER, it may be a bit surprising to realize how many people in the theater industry have been out of work since March. It’s estimated about 100,00 people. It’s not just actors. There are writers, musicians, stagehands…need I go on. I had the opportunity to speak with Barbara Bellman this week about a video she has collaborated on with Emiliano Messiez, called “When Broadway Is Back.” While it is meant to entertain, this video has been released in hopes that people will donate to Broadway Cares and The Actor’s Fund.
If you love theater, you most definitely have been hearing a lot about Broadway Cares. Donations provide emergency financial assistance and care to those in the Broadway community who are struggling through a pandemic that will keep their industry closed at least til June; that’s more than a year since the shutdown!
“When Broadway Is Back” is a fully-orchestrated song and video with a big-band sound. It is performed by Syndee Winters (Hamilton, Lion King) and Carmen Ruby Floyd (Chicago, Hello Dolly) along with Dana Aber (Baggage At The Door) and Dale Sampson (Sam’s Room).
The creators say, this song offers a vision of a post-pandemic moment when bright lights and in-person audiences return to Broadway. Barbara said, she and Emiliano were talking about what it will feel like when Broadway is finally back. So they did what any self-respecting songwriter would do…they wrote a tune! “I created the lyrics and Emiliano grabbed them and developed the music. Within a few days we had a track. Emiliano was singing all of the parts at first. It was just so much fun!” The duo had worked with Luis Bacque in the past on demos for their developing musical Bordello, so the duo brought it to his studio. “Luis was then able to contact excellent musicians to perform for us.” Musicians included Diego Urcola (trumpets), Conrad Herwig (trombones), Scott Robinson (reeds), Emiliano Messiez (piano), Luis Bacque (bass) Ignacio Rivas Bixio (drums), Juan “Pollo” Raffo (horns arrangements). Many of the artists came into the studio at different times and laid down their tracks. Others recorded from their homes.
Luis also reached out to singers and everyone was thrilled when Syndee said “yes she would record”. Barbara said, “She totally understood the feeling we were trying to convey, and she gave it her all,” as did all of the participants. “Luis knew we wanted a video that is happy to watch. We want people to send it out and post it…and contribute to those who are suffering in this industry we love so much!”
Broadway Cares’ help is being provided through The Actors Fund, the employee assistance program for everyone in the entertainment industry and performing arts. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the single largest financial provider for The Actors Fund’s safety net of social services.
Check out the new video for “WHEN BROADWAY IS BACK” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pAJds3hRL0
Donations to The Actors Fund:
www.actorsfund.org/donate
Contributions to Broadway Cares:
https://donate.broadwaycares.org/give/140654/#!/donation/checkout
FYI, Barbara will be the subject of “Un-Block The Music’s” “Women Wonders” in 2021. Find out about her unconventional path to theater and about the musical she has in development with Emiliano.
Un-Block The Music 
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