About this project
The Goal
We need $60,000 to cover the cost of a TWO WEEK Off-Broadway run of "Hereafter Musical" (Nov 2011 or March 2012) This includes theater rental (199 seats), rehearsal space, eight actors, three back up singers, one music director, five band members, two stage managers, costume, lighting, sound, set design, marketing and press. We will be inviting investors and many Broadway producers who have been tracking our show to this two week run so they can evaluate us for a bigger commitment on their part.
********************************************************************************************
The Story
“Hereafter Musical” is a musical drama
(with some light touches) that explores what happens when a loved one dies from
the perspective of both the living AND the dead. The sentiment of the show is captured beautifully with the reading of Henry Van Dyke's classic “Parable
of Immortality” during the show's prologue.
"I am standing on the seashore. A ship spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. I stand watching her until she fades on the horizon. And someone at my side says; “she is gone.” Gone where? The loss of sight is in me, not in her. Just at the moment when someone says, “She is gone", there are others who are watching her coming. Other voices take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" And that is dying."
The Synopsis
Three women have come together one afternoon for a reading at the Middletown, New Jersey home of psychic, Jason Richards. They each have had difficulty coping with the loss and of their loved one and are desperate to make contact. Unbeknownst to them, the spirits materialize during the reading and we discover that, like the living, they are also having a great deal of difficulty moving on. But the spirits are faced with a dilemma. The only thing keeping them earth bound is their family’s need for closure. They discover that if they make contact today, it will ease their family’s pain, but they will disappear into the unknown of the Hereafter. We meet each of the spirits through flashback stories that take place on their last day alive. Over the course of the session the spirits get revelations and see a side of their loved ones that they haven’t seen before. And as the living shares their grief, the spirits struggle with their decision as to whether or not they should make contact.
********************************************************************************************
The Music
The heart of every musical is it's music and "Hereafter Musical" has a lot of heart! Take a listen for yourself of some of the musical highlights from the show. You can see lots more videos on the "Hereafter Musical" Youtube Channel.
"Hereafter Musical Trailer"
********************************************************************************************
"Prologue: Loss into Life & Death" - Frankie, Deborah, Dani & Shea
********************************************************************************************
"Illustration Montage into Rest In Peace Reprise" - Frankie Keane
********************************************************************************************
"Someday" - Karen Bernod, Sandra Hill, Frankie Keane & Carol Dennis
********************************************************************************************
"Lost" - Shea Hess
********************************************************************************************
"Talk To Me" - Danny Aiello & Frankie Keane
********************************************************************************************
The Back Story
Vinnie Favale & Frankie Keane have been work shopping "Hereafter Musical" since 2007. Drawing from their own personal losses over the years as well as those of Vinnie's wife Debbie, they have created a thought provoking musical that explores the mystery of life after death. To date, they have produced three concerts of the show's music, and six staged readings (all sold out shows). Their goal is to eventually take the show to Broadway. And while the show is still very much in development, the show is ready for it's next evolution. They feel it's essential to the show's development to stage this ambitious two week run (which will be off book, on a small set, in costume with a full band, Off-Broadway) in a 199 seat house. This will be the first opportunity for some of Broadway's top producers to come see and evaluate the show.
Here's a nice article on the show and how they came together.
********************************************************************************************
The Pledge Rewards
Among the pledge rewards are; The Soundtrack CD, T-shirt, Hereafter Musical Off-Broadway Tickets and a private screening, hosted by Vinnie AND Debbie, of highlights from the NEVER before seen infamous "Debbie Tapes" as featured on the Howard Stern Show.. You can get the back story on the "Debbie Tapes" here;
********************************************************************************************
The Creative Team
Vinnie and Frankie have built an amazing creative team and cast that have been with the show from the beginning.
- Book, Music & Lyrics - Vinnie Favale
- Book, Vocal Arrangements & Additional Music & Lyrics - Frankie Keane
- Music Director - William Hindin
- Book Consultant - Bill Persky
- Music Consultant - Eric Garner
- Orchestrations - Amy Baer & Dani Donadi
- Studio Engineer - MP Kuo
- Live Audio - Eddie Davis
- Video - Patrick Kendall
- Illustrations - Samuel Zanger
- Poster Art - Richard Weinstein
********************************************************************************************
The Cast
The show has worked with many fine actors and singers including Danny Aiello & Carol Dennis. This was the cast from our last showcase and many will be returning for our two week off-Broadway run;
Frankie Keane ~ Deborah Tranelli ~ Shea Hess ~ Carolyn Mignini ~ Alma Cuervo ~ John Moss ~ Pierce Cravens ~ Ilene Grossman ~ Jenna DiMartini ~ Sandra Huff ~ Andrea Andert ~ Don Johanson ~ Bill Hindin
********************************************************************************************
Illustrations and Posters From "Hereafter Musical"
"Playbill From Backers Reading" - June 2011
********************************************************************************************
"NYC Staged Reading At Roy Arias Theater" - August 2010
********************************************************************************************
"Poster for Ranney Theater NJ Concert " - May, 2010
********************************************************************************************
"Poster for Roy Arias Theater NYC Showcase" - August 2010
********************************************************************************************
"Ranney Theater Concert" - May 2010
********************************************************************************************
"Ranney Theater Playbill" - Dec 2009
********************************************************************************************
"Two River Theater Concert" - May 2009
********************************************************************************************
"Storyboard Illustration" - Sam Zanger
********************************************************************************************
"Hereafter Art Cards"
FAQ
-
“Hereafter” is a musical drama (with some light touches) that explores what happens when a loved one dies from the perspective of both the living AND the dead.
-
We need $60,000 to cover the cost of a two week run in an Off-Broadway theater that seats 199 people. This includes theater rental, rehearsal space rental, paying eight actors, our music director, five band members, two stage managers, costume, lighting, sound, set design, marketing and press.
-
If we don't raise the full amount, we will NOT get any of the money that was pledged. Your credit cards will NOT be charged.
-
No. It essentially makes you a ticket buyer. Every pledge get's you something tangible. The pledges under $50 get you merchandise. The pledges that are $50 and more get you tickets and various other incentives as the pledges get higher.
-
No. Your credit card will only get charged when we reach our $60,000 goal.
-
All pledge fulfillment will happen when we reach our goal.
-
We will announce our two week run shortly after we reach our goal. The weeks we choose will depend on how long it takes to raise the full amount. We will either have a two week run in October of 2011 or March of 2012. Either way, your pledge will entitle you to choose from any of the twelve performances that meet your schedule. If you can't attend you will be able to give your ticket to whomever you choose.
-
Unfortunately the answer is no. BUT will will issue you a free ticket to any one of our future performances. "Hereafter Musical" will be having many runs beyond the two weeks we are raising money for and we will absolutely honor any unused tickets for future performances.
-
An emphatic NO! Vinnie & Frankie are waving their writers fees for this two week run.
-
We have several goals. We have made many changes to the script over the past three years and this run will allow us to implement these changes and develop the the story even further. We also will be using this opportunity to showcase the show for some of New York's top Broadway producers AND investors. Quite a few of them will be attending and it's our hope that we will generate interest from them as possible investors and creative partners. Our goal is to develop Hereafter Musical into a viable theatrical property on both a local AND national lever, regardless of how long it takes to get to Broadway. The exposure that we receive from this two week production will help us achieve that.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
264
Backers
$61,250
pledged of $60,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 25.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
HERE'S SOME MONEY NOW LEAVE ME ALONE ALREADY! - This unique package is for folks who want to support us but don't want anything in return! Your pledge will guarantee our undying loyalty to you until we reach the Hereafter (and we'll even save you a seat if we get there first!).
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
"HEREAFTER MUSICAL" CD - The heart of our show is the beautiful music that is on this CD. There are sixteen tracks plus bonus cuts which make up the ENTIRE score. It's a wonderful cross section of music which runs the gamut from Beatlesque rock, to R&B to Gospel...and it's all filtered through a Broadway musical prism that would make Rodgers & Hammerstein proud! All pledge rewards will be fulfilled once we reach our final goal. You will not be billed till then.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
"HEREAFTER MUSICAL" CD + T-SHIRT - You not only get the soundtrack CD as described above, but an official "Hereafter" T-Shirt (black with the show's logo in the front). All pledge rewards will be fulfilled once we reach our final goal. You will not be billed till then.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
ONE TICKET TO A PERFORMANCE OF 'HEREAFTER MUSICAL" OFF BROADWAY + CD + T-SHIRT - Now we're talking! Experience the beauty of "Hereafter Musical" the way it was meant to be experienced...LIVE! You not only get the soundtrack CD and T-shirt as described above, but you also get one ticket to see a performance of the show during it's two week New York City run. All pledge rewards will be fulfilled once we reach our final goal. You will not be billed till then.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
PHONE CALL FROM VINNIE! + TWO TICKETS TO A PERFORMANCE OF 'HEREAFTER MUSICAL" OFF BROADWAY + CD + T-SHIRT - Same as the package above but with TWO tickets AND a personal phone call from Vinnie! And if you ask nicely, he might even sing "Restless, Restless" and tape an answering machine message for you in that creepy "Oh Debbie" voice! Bring a date, bring your mother, bring your significant other. Whomever you bring will love you for it. All pledge rewards will be fulfilled once we reach our final goal. You will not be billed till then.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
LUNCH WITH VINNIE + SIX TICKETS TO A PERFORMANCE OF 'HEREAFTER MUSICAL" OFF BROADWAY + CD + T-SHIRT - Same as the package above but with SIX tickets AND a lunch in midtown with Vinnie for you and a guest! He'll talk about anything you want to talk about...TV, Theater, The Beatles, The Debbie Tapes, Restless, Restless. He'll even offer career advice! And on top of all that, he'll even pick up the tab for lunch! All pledge rewards will be fulfilled once we reach our final goal. You will not be billed till then.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
FIFTEEN MINUTE SCREENING OF THE DEBBIE TAPES + SIXTEEN TICKETS TO ATTEND A 'HEREAFTER MUSICAL" PERFORMANCE + CD + T-SHIRT - Things are getting interesting as we start to amp up both the pledge and reward levels. In addition to the large block of tickets and merchandise listed above, you and three guests (total FOUR people) will get the experience something very few people have seen...fifteen minutes of video highlights from the ACTUAL DEBBIE TAPES! This private screening includes dinner (on Vinnie). All pledge rewards will be fulfilled once we reach our final goal. You will not be billed till then.
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
THIRTY MINUTE SCREENING OF THE DEBBIE TAPES [HOSTED BY DEBBIE!!!!] + TWENTY TICKETS TO A PERFORMANCE OF 'HEREAFTER MUSICAL" OFF BROADWAY + CD + T-SHIRT - OK, it's official...I've sold my soul and I am pimping out my dear wife "Debbie Oh Debbie"! In addition to an even larger block of tickets, (TWENTY) you and five guests (total SIX people) will get to see THIRTY MINUTES of video highlights from the ACTUAL DEBBIE TAPES + I'LL THROW IN DEBBIE!!! Wait, by that I mean that Debbie will co-host the screening. This private screening includes dinner (on Vinnie). All pledge rewards will be fulfilled once we reach our final goal. You will not be billed till then.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
SIXTY MINUTE SCREENING OF THE DEBBIE TAPES [HOSTED BY VINNIE AND DEBBIE] + THIRTY TICKETS TO A PERFORMANCE OF 'HEREAFTER MUSICAL" OFF BROADWAY + CD + T-SHIRT - OK, the reward incentive just got better (and creepier)! In addition an even larger block of tickets, (THIRTY) you and seven guests (total EIGHT people) will get to see SIXTY MINUTES of video highlights from the ACTUAL DEBBIE TAPES hosted by Vinnie and Debbie. This private screening includes dinner (on Vinnie). All pledge rewards will be fulfilled once we reach our final goal. You will not be billed till then.
Project By
Connected as Vinnie Favale (5071 friends)
VINNIE FAVALE [Music & Lyrics, Co-Author, Director, Producer] – Vinnie made his TV debut on October 28th,1982 on the The Late Show With David Letterman…he was so successful that it only took him ten years before he appeared on TV again! He was the producer of Comedy Central’s “Real Deal” and “800 Club” [which he also hosted] and he has co-written “Websightings” [still available on Amazon for .99 cents]. He was the executive in charge of production for the Howard Stern Show on CBS TV. He has been a semi-regular on the Howard Stern morning radio show for the past ten years and begs that you never Google him. He is the proud VP of Late Night for CBS where he oversees the funniest show on TV; The Late Show With David Letterman [in spite of his stand-up with a sock puppet in 1982]. He has co-written a song [“Restless, Restless”] that has been covered by over 1000 artists including Robert Goulet and William Shatner…it’s a song that is “So bad it’s great”! He has the honor of having one of his songs from "Hereafter Musical" ("Talk To Me"), covered by Oscar nominee Danny Aiello on his new album.
FRANKIE KEANE [Co-Author, Vocal Arrangements, Additional Music & Lyrics, Cast ] In addition to co-writing the book and music for "Hereafter Musical", Frankie is also one the stars of the show! With influences in Gospel, R&B and rock, Frankie is a multiple threat as singer/songwriter; composer; lyricist; instrumentalist (piano); and accomplished stage/film actress. Frankie made her debut Off-Broadway in director David Tobin’s acclaimed review, "Pure Gospel America" and toured with the musical "If This Hat Could Talk" directed by Tony Award winner George Faison. In Chicago, Frankie was chosen as The Cotton Club’s “Best Young Vocalist”. Frankie has recorded with Universal artist Malik Yusef appearing on his 2003 debut album, “The Great Chicago Fire” alongside artists: Kanye West, Common, Twista, Ron-E-Ron and more. She has been a featured opening act for legends: Koko Taylor, R. Kelly, Isaac Hayes, Bernie Mac, Dennis Miller, Danny Boy, Ashford and Simpson and more. Her own music has been featured on the soundtrack of a number of films and she continues to perform around the NYC area. Also co-produced along side R. Kelly.
WILLIAM HINDIN [Musical Director] – Bill is a much in demand Music Director, Arranger, and Accompanist - He recently completed a 5 week off-Broadway run of the acclaimed show, "Spaghetti & Matzo Balls” with Rena Strober and musical directed, arranged and played on her CD of the same name.. He co-musical directed the 35th Anniversary show of "All My Children" at New York City’s Town Hall. He served as Musical Director for the Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS “Labors of Love" show at the off-Broadway Lambs Theater. For four years, he served as Musical Director, Conductor, Arranger and Road Manager for entertainer John Davidson. His management company, William Hindin Artist Management ("WHAM"), represents variety and theatrical performers.
**********************************************************
SELECTED LYRICS
"LIFE & DEATH"
Words & Music:
Vinnie Favale
JASON
They need an answer
They need a sign
They need to know if
They’re wasting their time
DEBBIE
Please tell me now
I have regrets
It's a matter of
Life and death
CHRISTINA
I need to know
If she still feels the pain
I need to know
If she still feels the same
MARY
I’ll wait all night
I’ll hold my breath
Cause, it's a matter of
Life and death
DEBBIE
Oh, oh, a oh,
ALL
Life and death
We're all lost souls
With dreams we can't forget
Life and death
JASON
And they ain’t leaving
Until their needs are met
JASON
Last time I saw her
I was twenty three
Do I have to die?
For her to talk to me
DEBBIE
I need a vision
I need to see
MARY
My life is locked
And he holds the key
CHRISTINA
I have my faith
And I still believe
But it'd be nice
Just to take a peek
JASON
The stakes are high
They’ll place their bets
Cause it's a matter of
Life and death
DEBBIE
Oh, oh, a oh
ALL
Life and death
We're all lost souls
With dreams we can't forget
Life and death
And we ain’t leaving
Until our needs are met
JASON
Life goes on without them
It doesn't skip a beat
ALL
We always think about them
Will we be strangers when we meet?
We're not looking for
The meaning of life
We just want one more chance
To say hello
Before we say goodbye
Goodbye
JASON: I can help everyone with my gift of communicating with the spirit world…everyone except myself.
DEBBIE: My mother gave me everything I could ever want. I wasn’t able to do the same for her…I miss her every day.
CHRISTINA: My daughter Ana committed suicide when she was twenty three and I never saw it coming.
MARY: My son Eddie died forty years ago but it still feels like yesterday. And now…as I approach the end of my own life……I wonder, what happens next?
ALL
Life and death
We're all lost souls
With dreams we can't forget
Life and death
Can’t help believing
That it ain’t over yet
Life and
Death
Death
Death
**********************************************************
“THE TOE TAG TANGO”
Words & Music:
Vinnie Favale
Frankie Keane
SYPIE
I may be dead and buried
And turning shades of blue
Although I’m six feet deep
And I no longer breathe
I'm right in front of you
Cause I still have my dance card
With a few punches left
Just watch me work my hips
That I had two times fixed
I really was the best
Oh I used to be quite the dancer
When tango was all the rage
But now there's no one to dance with
I'm all alone on the stage
I wait
And wait
And wait and wait and wait
I do the toe tag tango
I click my heels on the floor
But nobody hears me
I'm so easy to ignore
That’s why I’m dancing solo
Though I get in my own way
Cause it takes two to tango
Maybe today will be the day
I was always the life of the party
Now I don't stand a ghost of a chance
I watch life go on all around me
Why won't somebody ask me to dance?
COMPANY
You’re dead
SYPIE
I’m dead
I'm really, really…
COMPANY
Really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really…….
SYPIE
Alright already…I get it!
ANITA
Dead
SYPIE
Doing the toe tag tango
I stomp my feet on the floor
But nobody answers
I'm so easy to ignore
I tripped the light fantastic
When I was still alive
But now my trip is over
You can say that I’ve arrived
I’ve tangoed in Paris
I’ve Samba’d in Brazil
I’ve even Limbo’d
Now limbos where I live
**********************************************************
"TALK TO ME"
Words & Music:
Vinnie Favale
JASON
I've been hearing voices
Before I could even speak
When people make their choices
I'm the first one that they seek
Some will wait for years
Just to walk through that door
But when they look at me
It's someone else they're looking for
I love that knowing feeling
People get when they connect
I've never known that feeling
It hasn't happened to me yet
I leave myself wide open
But I never get the sign
Words are never spoken
The only words are mine
I have this gift
It’s not for music not for art
My gift is different
My gift is odd
I wish I could control it
Take some time off to break free
Sometimes I wish the voice I hear
Was talking just to me
Talk to me
Tell me what I want to hear
Talk to me
I can feel that you are near
There’s so much
I want to share with you
I'd give everything I have
Just to get you to
Talk to me
And I’ll show you love that's real
Talk to me
You can whisper in my ear
There’s so much
I want to share with you
Talk to me
Talk to me
Talk to me
I’ve been waiting…for you
Show me you can hear me
Show me because I’m blind
My only gift has failed me
I've fallen way behind
The place I thought I’d be at
Now seems so far away
I just need a sign
To get me through the day
Your life seemed so tragic
And I know the price you paid
They all buy the magic
Till the magic fades away
But I saw something different
I saw something real
If only I could reach you
If only I could feel
JASON & ANITA
Talk to me
Tell me what I want to hear
Talk to me
I can feel that you are near
There’s so much
I want to share with you
Talk to me
Talk to me
Talk to me
I’ll be waiting
I’ll be waiting
For you
