CROSSING BROOKLYN

TRANSPORT GROUP 2007
Book & Lyrics: Laura Harrington
Music: Jenny Giering

Set in New York City in 2002, Crossing Brooklyn tells the story of Des and AJ, young, idealistic public school teachers bent on changing the world, one kid at a time. Life is full of promise and endless possibility until Des begins to unravel under the weight of her fears, ignited that fateful September day. Splitting apart under the strain, Des and AJ struggle to find their way back to each other.

“It’s probably too early in the season to be bandying around the word “best” in regard to new productions. So in lieu of this appellation, I’d like to suggest that the Transport Group’s Crossing Brooklyn is probably the most heartbreaking and deeply felt musical that will be seen in New York during 2007-2008.” — TheatreMania

“Crossing Brooklyn is a beautiful piece, beautifully executed. It does not make an audience feel manipulated and it’s an exploration rather than a political statement or soap opera. It rings true and reaches deeply into the human soul where it could have, in lesser hands, been pat or flat. Go.” —Edge New York

“Crossing Brooklyn aroused for a New York audience the empathy of shared experience and shared healing.” —New York Times

“A hearty bravo to Transport Group for once-again proving that those who complain about the American musical being a stagnant art form are just seeing the wrong musicals. Bookwriter/lyricist Laura Harrington and composer Jenny Giering tackle the tricky subject of post 9/11 stress related disorder in their adventurous and often beautiful musical, Crossing Brooklyn … The light touch in which all involved handle the subject of Des and A.J.’s struggle is what makes the evening especially moving. Harrington’s conversational words wisely never mention specifics about that day and Giering’s music is expressive chamber jazz/pop exquisitely orchestrated by Mary-Mitchell Campbell. —BroadwayWorld

PRODUCTIONS

TRANSPORT GROUP 2007
World Premiere

Book & Lyrics: Laura Harrington
Music: Jenny Giering
Jack Cummings III artistic director
Director: Jack Cummings III
Musical Staging: Scott Rink
Scenic Design: Sandra Goldmark
Lighting Design: R. Lee Kennedy
Costume Design: Shana Albery
Sound Design: Michael Rasbury
Production Stage Manager: Wendy Patten
Stage Manager: Theresa Flanagan
Orchestrations: Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Musical Director: Brian J. Nash

With: J. Bradley Bowers, Jenny Fellner, Blythe Gruda, Susan Lehman, Bryce Ryness, Clayton Dean Smith, Ken Triwush, Kate Weisman, Jason F. Williams

Pace University, 2009
Nautilus Music Theater, 2009

WORKSHOPS

Boston Music Theatre Project, Suffolk University, 2006 Marilyn Plotkins, artistic director, Jim Kaufmann, producing director Bristol Riverside Theater, 2009

AWARDS

2008 Kleban Award ASCAP/ Disney Music Theatre Workshop with Stephen Schwartz