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. He co-directed and co-choreographed Richard O'Brien's “The Rocky Horror Show,” choreographed Donald Margulies’ “The Loman Family Picnic,” and directed Neil LaBute’s “A Gaggle of Saints.” As a performer, Dante was featured in “Children of Eden” at the Majestic Theatre, “Carrie: The Musical,” and the children's play “The Yellow Boat.” He was also the Activities Coordinator of The Musical Theatre Society.

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. The musical tells the tale of friends, families, and the struggles that ensued during World War II Nazi Germany. www.thecityofislence.com

At the Vital Theatre Company, Dante performed in the new musical “The Changeling” and choreographed “The Falcon's Magic Feather.” He 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 the Fall of 2005.

As a performer, Dante toured the country in Disney's "High School Musical." (www.highschoolmusicalontour.com) Additional regional credits include: "High School Musical" at Paper Mill Playhouse, Atlanta Theatre of the Stars, and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, "Li'l Abner" at Goodspeed Opera House, "Cinderella" at Paper Mill Playhouse, and "Oliver!" at Westchester Broadway Theatre (Artful Dodger). For more information, please visit www.danterusso.com or www.doollee.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!