WINKLER GOES BACK TO THE HEAD OF THE CLASS Once again Mark will be teaching lyric writing at UCLA.  He described the last class he taught there as, "one of the best experiences I've ever had!  The students were incredible and having the twelve weeks to work with them - produced some great music."  Mark's lyric class got the highest ratings a first year instructor has ever received at UCLA Extension.  Now he's doing it all over again - and with some new songs and tips to impart to budding songwriters. Here are some comments from last year's students: "This is the best workshop I have ever taken on writing song lyrics. Mark's method really works for me."                                                                                         Christel Knonang Ph.D.   "I have learned so much in these workshops...anybody from beginning-est of beginners right up to Stephen Sondheim himself could benefit from Winkler's phenomenal syllabus"                                                                                                Kilbourne Craddock To register for the class call (310) 825-9971 and give them the course number (# T7523U) or go online at www.uclaextension.edu and go to the music program.   Here's a description of the class: Of interest to beginning as well as more experienced songwriters, this course offers a supportive and inspirational writing workshop environment. Instruction focuses on three equally important and interrelated aspects of songwriting: form, theme, and content. Each week, students perform practical exercises and write lyrics to strengthen their songwriting skills. Exercises are designed to broaden rhyming patterns and add specificity and color to songs. Hit songs by such writers as The Beatles, Avril Lavigne, John Mayer, and Joni Mitchell provide templates for commercial lyric writing. Ultimately, each participant's lyrics are evaluated by the hit song formula: to entertain, to tell the truth, and to connect with your audience. Course Open Reg # T7523U  No Textbook Required Westwood:  217 Extension Lindbrook Center Thursday evenings, 7:00-10:00pm April 3rd through June 19th - 12  meetings Mark Winkler,  platinum awarded lyricist and songwriter who has written for such artists as Dianne Reeves, Nancy Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Liza Minnelli, has written or co-written songs for five musicals, including Naked Boys Singing!, Bark!, Too Old for the Chorus, and Play It Cool

Winkler in Studio - Working on NEW CD! Yes, Mark is finally back in the studio working on his new CD.  It's mostly originals with a few favorites thrown in - by such writers as Laura Nyro, Ivan Lins and Brock Walsh and Steve Allen. There's a neat duet on a Winkler/Marilyn Harris original called "Cool" with Cheryl Bentyne and lots more.  CDs will be available in late Summer with a national release at the beginning of next year.        Cheryl Bentyne and Mark Winkler The whole gang in the studio: - (l-r) Bassist-Dan Lutz, Guitarist-Anthony Wilson, Pianist and arranger-Jamieson Trotter, Producer-Barbara Brighton, Drummer-Steve Haas, Mark Winkler and Engineer-Geoff Gillette.

Who Let the Dogs Out . . . in KEY WEST, FLORIDA?! Bark, The Musical just opened in Key West, Florida at the Red Barn Theatre from December 18, 2007 through January 26, 2008.  See the Red Barn Theatre website for tickets!  For more show information go to the BARK The Musical website.

Land of the Loving Used for Phillipines Ad David Benoit and Mark Winkler's original song "Land of the Loving" is being used in a one-minute Christmas ad for Phillipines Tourism.  A recording by Lea Salonga, the original star of "Miss Saigon" -- now appearing in "Les Miserables" on Broadway -- underscores beautiful images of the Phillipines as tourists enjoy the countryside.  In the Phillipines, this song is something of a standard, with many of the top artists in the country like Sharon Cuneta and Lani Misalucha performing it. David Benoit is a big star in the Phillipines and ever since Dianne Reeves performed the song on one of his early CDs it's been well known there.

NAKED BOYS SINGING! THE MOVIE The hit Off-Broadway show is now a movie!  It opened on October 12, 2007 in New York City and Los Angeles - and it's set to open in a lot more cities real soon.  It will also play at gay film festivals in Washington, DC and Rochester, NY.  All of this is preparation for the December 4, 2007 release of NBS on DVD where as part of the special features there'll be a "History of NBS" with Mark and many of his collaborators interviewed.  Don't miss it!! Here are some excerpts from the reviews of NAKED BOYS SINGING! THE MOVIE: "In 'Naked Boys Singing!' 10 grown men (including one natural redhead) go full monty while belting out show tunes and high-kicking like muscular Rockettes.  Alternately campy and coy, smirky and serious, the 16 original songs (newly arranged by Troy Christian) celebrate the male anatomy - and the gay lifestyle - with playful wit and unabashed explicitness."                                                                                                             - Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times "Among the standouts in the talented ensemble are Kevin Alexander Stea (as the Naked Maid), Joseph Keane (as the Perky Porn Star) and Salvatore Vassallo (as the Conductor).  Alternately silly and shocking, yet ultimately moving, Naked Boys Singing cleverly reveals the vulnerability of ubiquitous nudity as a window to the human soul. "                                                                                                                                                                   - Kam Williams, News Blaze "This year's truth in advertising award goes to 'Naked Boys Singing,' a photographed version of the fully-frontal stage musical that is going into its eighth year as an off-Broadway institution.  It's obviously not for all tastes, but there's going to be an appreciative audience for any musical whose opening number is 'Gratuitous Nudity'."                                                                                                                                                                             - Lou Lumenick, New York Post "An unexpectedly boisterous, giddy show kicking down the taboo of the male body with a collection of toe-tappin' songs and enough full frontal to power 300 consecutive bachelorette parties.  This is tremendously breezy, friendly entertainment that just so happens to be bottomless."                                                                                                                             - Brian Orndorf, efilmcritic.com "Overall the show is cute, affable, sweet rather than raunchy, and occasionally touching, as in the ballad 'Kris, Look What You Missed,' sung to a first lover who moved on too soon."                                                                                                  - Maitland McDonagh,TV Guide's Movie Guide "If eye candy is what you're looking for, you'll get your money's worth, as the song says, from this easy-going and affable ensemble.  What's noticeable about the actors, though, is their talent. Not only do they all have a strong set of pipes, there's not a hint of mugging, unlike in many musicals."                                                                                                                       - Kent Turner , Film-Forward.com  Get all info at www.nakedboyssingingmovie.com

PLAY IT COOL Does 2 New Readings in New York City There'll be two new readings of PLAY IT COOL - A New Jazz Musical in New York City.  The readings will be presented at 2:00pm on October 19th and October 22nd at the Snapple Theatre Center, 210 W 50th St @ Broadway (4th Floor Rehearsal Studio).  The reading will feature many Broadway stars including Josh Strickland (who just played Tarzan on Broadway), Dee Hoty (3 time Tony nominee for Will Rogers Follies and Footloose), Nancy Anderson (of Wonderful Town and A Class Act), and Paul Clausen (of Mama Mia and Sunset Blvd.).   PLAY IT COOL is centered around Mary's Hideaway, a fictional jazz club, circa 1953. Inspired by the period's film noir, this jazz musical examines laws governing gay and lesbian clubs of the time; when women weren't allowed to bartend and men couldn't dance with other men; when every glance had a double meaning, every word was an innuendo and everything had to be done to strict code. Set against a sexy Hollywood backdrop, PLAY IT COOL looks at the people of the time who had the guts to break the rules... along with the ones who were only to happy to play along with them. PLAY IT COOL was conceived by Larry Dean Harris, with a book by Martin Casella and Larry Dean Harris, lyrics by Mark Winkler and music by Phil Swann and a host of talented composers.  It was a CRITICS PICK in the L. A. Times, L .A. Weekly and Backstage West.  It received 3 L. A. STAGE OVATION AWARD nominations including BEST NEW MUSICAL - and got a prestigious GLADD nomination.

"Too Old For The Chorus" Opens in La Mirada TOO OLD FOR THE CHORUS opens Friday, September 28th, 2007 at The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. For those of you who've seen previous productions of the show (in Los Angeles or San Diego) be aware that this is quite a different version than those other productions.  We've retained the great stuff like "Dog Passages", "Menopause Rag", "Age Is Just A Number" and "Lunch Hour Lift" - but there are 5 new songs since the San Diego production - and 9 new songs since the original Los Angeles production!  Plus, this new production has a 5-piece band that sounds like an orchestra. The show runs from Friday, September 28th, 2007 through Sunday, October 14th, 2007 - every evening except Mondays.  There are matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.  The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard. , La Mirada, CA 90638.  To Order tickets by phone call (562) 944-9801 -or- (714) 994-6310 between 11:00am and 5:30pm on Monday and Friday - or Saturdays between 1:00pm and 4:00pm.  To Order tix online visit The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts website at www.lamiradatheatre.com and click on "buy tickets".  For more information on the production check out the TOO OLD FOR THE CHORUS website at www.toooldforthechorus.com. TOO OLD FOR THE CHORUS - A MUSICAL REVUE Concieved by Mark Winkler -- Written by Marie Cain, Mark Winkler and Shelly Markham Directed by Joel Bishoff -- Choreography by Dana Solimando -- Musical Direction by Lisa Lemay Starring:   Eileen Barnett -- David Holmes -- Robert Loftin -- Diane Vincent -- Robert Yacko DON'T MISS IT!!!

Winkler Song Featured on New Music Video "Bebop High" is a loving tribute to all of the great jazz musicians who pioneered bebop. Marilyn Harris sings with the L. A. Jazz All-Stars Big Band.  Words and Music by Marilyn Harris and Mark Winkler.  Tenor Sax solo by Pete Christlieb - Alto Sax solo by Dan Higgins.  The song is available on Marilyn Harris' "Round Trip" CD at Wrightwood Records.

Lea Salonga Records Mark's Song for New CD Lea Salonga, the original star of "Miss Saigon" -- now appearing in "Les Miserables" on Broadway -- has recorded Mark's song (with David Benoit) entitled "Land of the Loving" for her new CD "Inspired".  She did a beautiful version with a full orchestra and her glorious voice.  It's the single, and there are a few fan videos of it on "You Tube"  Check it out below.  Mark just recently discovered that in the Phillipines, the song is something of a standard, with many of the top artists in the country like Sharon Cuneta and Lani Misalucha performing it. David Benoit is a big star in the Phillipines and ever since Dianne Reeves performed the song on one of his early CDs it's been well known there.

Professor Winkler is in the House! UCLA Extension Entertainment Studies and Performing Arts presents: CRAFTING GREAT LYRICS - A Songwriting Workshop INSTRUCTOR: Mark Winkler DATE: Wednesdays, April 4 through June 20, 2007    TIME: 7:00-10:00pm Of interest to beginning as well as more experienced songwriters, this course offers a supportive and inspirational writing workshop environment. Instruction focuses on three equally important and interrelated aspects of songwriting: form, theme, and content.  Each week, students perform practical exercises and write lyrics to strengthen their songwriting skills. Exercises are designed to broaden rhyming patterns and add specificity and color to songs.  Hit songs by such writers as The Beatles, Avril Lavigne, John Mayer, and Joni Mitchell provide templates for commercial lyric writing.  Ultimately, each participant's lyrics are evaluated by the hit song formula: to entertain, to tell the truth, and to connect with your audience. ENROLLMENT FEE: $515.00 USD ­ Course Registration #: S8608 To enroll online, visit our website at www.uclaextension.edu/entertainmentstudies and click on HOW TO ENROLL at the top of the page.   To enroll by phone, please call (310) 825-9971 and reference Reg # S8608 CLICK HERE for a printable flyer.

PLAY IT COOL

Mark's new "film noir jazz musical" Play It Cool was given an extended run - from June 9th through July 30th, 2006 at the Celebration Theatre in Los Angeles (where both Naked Boys Singing! and Too Old for the Chorus got started).  The reviews are in and The Los Angeles Times has deemed it a "Critic's Pick" and Backstage West has earmarked the show as "Critic's Choice".  CLICK HERE to see the full reviews from PLAY IT COOL.  

Mark wrote it with a wonderful writer, Larry Dean Harris, and it's Mark's Mama Mia -- it features a lot of Winkler songs you already love like "Everybody Cha Cha" and "Another Night".  To read Richard Del Belso's interview with Mark about the show CLICK HERE.

More PLAY IT COOL News (Fall 2006)

PLAY IT COOL was nominated for three 2006 Ovation Awards (L.A.'s Tony awards) including a nomination for Mark and Larry Dean Harris for "World Premiere Musical".  The ceremony will be taking place at the Historic Orpheum Theatre on Monday, November 11, 2006.

On October 12th & 13th, 2006, PLAY IT COOL had a well received reading in New York City at the Zipper Theatre with Lea DeLaria, who tore up the joint as Mary.  Up and coming jazz sensation Hilary Kole wowed the crowd as Lena.  Andrew Pandaleon from the L. A. production played Will and Todd Murray and Andy Senor rounded out the wonderful cast.  

Cross your fingers  -  New York City here we come!

Speaking of Andrew Pandaleon, Mark is working with Andrew on a hot new project taking jazz into the 21st Century. More on that soon...

Even MORE PLAY IT COOL News (February 2007)

PLAY IT COOL keeps getting more honors.  

In addition to it's Ovation Nominations, PLAY IT COOL was nominated for Musical of the Year by Glaad.  The Awards will be given out at the Kodak Theatre (home of the Oscars) on April 17th.   It will be broadcast live by Logo.

PLAY IT COOL was named one of the top 10 shows in Los Angeles in 2006 by Les Spindle in In Magazine

PLAY IT COOL was nominated for 2 L.A. Weekly Theatre Awards:
                     - Best Ensemble                         - Best Lead Actress (Jessica Sheridan)

PLAY IT COOL was nominated for a LADCC Award:
                     - Best Musical Director (Louis Durra)

There is much interest for PLAY IT COOL in New York City - and there will soon be another reading there.

The PLAY IT COOL CDs sold out in London's prestigious Dress Circle record shop.

	Here's some copy from PLAY IT COOL: "In 1953 Hollywood, Gay life was a world of shadows, innuendo and fear. But at Mary's Hideaway - a stiff gin, a wink and a hot jazz number made it all worthwhile." Sounds steamy, huh? For more info and to purchase tickets -- visit www.celebrationtheatre.com

More Winkler Jazz! More Mark Winkler original jazz music has recently hit the airwaves!  Along with co-writer Marilyn Harris he wrote 4 new songs for Marilyn's recently-released Wrightwood Records CD entitled "Round Trip" - featuring the L.A. Jazz All-Stars Big Band. The songs are the usual fabulous Winkler/Harris fare: "Bebop High" waxes rhapsodic about the great old days and players of the Bebop era, "Cool" (not the Leonard Bernstein song) features a vocal duet with jazz legend Bob Dorough and Marilyn Harris - and is all that the title implies, "That Afternoon In Harlem" is a moody ballad recounting a meeting with an elderly jazz diva, and "They're Gonna Love Me" is a sassy romp on the current state of deifying deceased jazz artists - and preferring their music over living artists.  All in all, a great group of new jazz songs - available now!  "Round Trip" spent 15 weeks on the Mediaguide Jazz Chart and reached #25 on the JazzWeek Chart. Also, there have been many fabulous reviews of "Round Trip" including the October '06 Issue of JazzTimes.  CLICK HERE to read it! To purchase "Round Trip", for more information about "Round Trip" session pictures, Marilyn's Round Trip America Tour and "round" "Round Trip" swag check out marilynharris.com and the Wrightwood Records website.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE FOR "Too Old For The Chorus" Mark, Marie Cain and Shelly Markham are working with acclaimed director and all around nice guy Joel Bishoff (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Huff) on new revisions for TOO OLD FOR THE CHORUS - which will hopefully be produced by McCoy/Rigby Productions as part of the La Mirada Civic Center's 2007-2008 season.

NAKED BOYS SINGING News (February 2007) Naked Boys Singing just opened in Barcelona Spain, where it's called "Cantando Desnudos!" Naked Boys Singing is enterering it's 9th year Off Broadway. But the big news is that Naked Boys Singing is coming out as a movie! (www.nakedboyssingingmovie.com)  Principal photography was completed over the Christmas holidays - and it was a gas. There are 10 naked Boys!  Including one original from the first L.A. production (Vincent Zamora). It is being produced by Funny Boy Productions, the people who gave us "Adam and Steve" and "Later Days" - and it's co-directed by Troy Christian and Bob Schrock (the original wizard who created and directed the show). Mark Winkler was interviewed for a special "Making of Naked Boys!" video.  Release date is tentatively set for mid-2007.

Who Let the Dogs Out . . . in CHICAGO?! Bark, the musical just celebrated it's first anniversary in Los Angeles and now it's opened in Chicago.  It got a rave review in the Chicago Tribune and it's selling out.  If you're in the area, it's playing at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts.   For tickets (312) 733-6000. Look for it to be playing in New York City in early 2006.   BARK UPDATE (February 2007) Bark, the musical just opened to rave reviews in Portland, Oregon. Bark, the musical opens April 2007 in Nashville, Tenn. Bark, the musical will be opening in NYC - Off Broadway in a few months. Stay tuned!

Claire Martin Spends New Year's Eve in L.A. Claire Martin, fabulous London Jazz singer and good friend of Mark, made her first Los Angeles appearance on New Year's Eve 2006 and not only sang a Winkler original, "Another Night," but also dueted on "Baby It's Cold Outside" with Mark.  It was quite a wonderful night for all.  As an added bonus she performed "My Dissapation," a new original song by favorite Winkler collaborator Marilyn Harris.

Yes - There Will Be A New CD! Late in 2007, Mark is going in the studio with his favorite producer, Barbara Brighton, to do a CD of Winkler originals and a few standards.  It's been far too long!

Extended Run for "...Chorus" Over

Mark's show, TOO OLD FOR THE CHORUS, played in San Diego from Sept. 22 through March 19, 2006. The show recently closed its extended run.

Audiences loved it (standing ovations every night), and along with the great performances go some nifty reviews like:

"It's a smart, funny and sometimes touching exploration of the challenges and joys of aging"                                                Jennifer Chung - SanDiego.com "The show approaches Sondheim's sophisticated mixed emotions in a form, like his, that's more than a review but less than a traditional musical"                      Anne Marie Welsh- San Diego Untion Tribune "Paula Kalustian's breezy direction keeps the show moving, and Steve Anthony's choreography is tight"                                           Pam Kragen- North County Times "Showbiz bliss"                       Anne Marie Welsh- San Diego Union Tribune

The "TOO OLD FOR THE CHORUS" cast has recorded several songs from the show - check back to this site for more inofrmation on downloads and CDs.

Plus go to www.toooldforthechorus.com and see the fabulius slide show for "Dog Passages".

Blonde Ambition  Mark is still working on his musical about the last 4 months of Marilyn Monroe's life. Co-writer David Benoit will be putting a song from the show on his next CD "Musical Stories".  Another very talented composer has been added - Phil Swann, a hit Nashville writer who has a wonderful musical playing in Chicago musicalizing the romance of Romeo and Juliet as seen through the eyes of 2nd City - very hilarious and cheeky.

Scattin'  On the Mark Winkler "Jazz Singer" front: Mark's been working with his favorite composer, Marilyn Harris, on new songs for both of their upcoming CDs.  They just finished a new song entitled "The Things That Make Me Love You More".... meanwhile Mark and Mike Melvoin finished a lovely ballad called "In the Moment".

Speaking of friends, Mark's good bud, Judy Wexler charted with her inaugural platter "Easy on the Heart" - impeccably produced by Mark's producer, Barbara Brighton.  The disc is nothing short of sensational, and it features such goodies as Mancini's "Moment by Moment" and the Beatles "In My Life".

Also, Mark's longtime comrade in song, Bettina Devin, has a wonderful new CD out called
"Dangerous Type" with two of Mark's songs on it: "Scattin' in the Moonlight" and "Beauty
and the Beach".  Highly recommended.

Delta Radio Show  Finally, if you're sailing the Blue Skies on Delta Airlines, Mark is hosting one of their Jazz shows on Delta Radio - and amidst their introductions he even manages to squeeze in "Hungry Man".

That's it for now - tune in soon for further news!