AUTHORS

Dante Russo (Book and Lyrics) received a Bachelor of Arts in Acting and Directing from Emerson College in 2003. While at Emerson, he spent semesters in Boston, Los Angeles, and The Netherlands. Upon graduation, Dante conceived the new musical, “City of Silence,” which premiered at the Boston Center for the Arts for a three-week limited engagement (www.thecityofislence.com).

For Vital Theatre Company, Dante wrote the book and lyrics to “Extraordinary,” which was also produced at The Millbrook Playhouse in Pennsylvania and The 2005 New York International Fringe Festival where it won Outstanding Music and Lyrics! Dante also wrote the book and lyrics to “Radiant Ruby,” a new family musical that was produced at the Vital Theatre Company in Fall 2005.

As a performer, Dante toured the country in Disney's "High School Musical". Regional credits include: Paper Mill Playhouse, Atlanta Theatre of the Stars, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Goodspeed Opera House, and Westchester Broadway Theatre. He currently trains at the Upright Citizens Brigade and Magnet Theater in NYC. Check out his new web series "Wiener & Wiener" on www.wienerandwiener.com! For more information, visit www.danterusso.com.


David F.M. Vaughn (Music) is a graduate of the theatre program at Florida State University, where he studied theatre and Spanish. He also studied the oboe and participated in the opera department as a vocalist. During his 3 years at Florida State, he worked as a dance teacher, actor, musical director, choreographer, and musician, giving him a wide variety of training in the theatre.

David was also on the music faculty at The Broadway Theatre Project, a three-week summer intensive musical theatre program in Tampa founded by Ann Reinking. He has been involved with the Broadway Theatre Project since 1998.

As an actor, David has played Chester in the Broadway National Tour of “Saturday Night Fever,” Riff in “West Side Story” (European Tour, Reagle Players, Pioneer), Dayton Opera’s “Candide,” the national tour of “Spirit of the Dance,” Reuben in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the original Las Vegas cast of “Tommy Gunn” at the MGM Grand, Cousin Kevin in “The Who’s Tommy,” Falstaff, King Louis in “The Three Musketeers” workshop, “The Pirates of Penzance,” and Westchester Broadway Theatre's “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” David was featured in the national tour of Tommy Tune's “Doctor Dolittle" and recently played Enjolras in the Regional Premiere of "Les Miserables" at The Pioneer Theatre Company. Currently, David can be seen in the Broadway musical "Shrek."

As a composer, “Extraordinary” marks David’s first show produced in NYC. His second work, "The Johnny," was recently seen at The 2008 New York International Fringe Festival. For more information, please visit www.DavidFMVaughn.com!