Bill Russell (Co-author - book and lyrics, Director)

Bill Russell directed the European premiere of Pageant at the King's Head Theatre this Spring.  Previously, he directed the largest cast ever to appear on that stage - 33 performers in Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, for which he also wrote the book and lyrics (music by Janet Hood).  That productions subsequently transferred to the Drill Hall and then the Criterion.

Mr. Russell made his Broadway debut as the author of the book and lyrics for Side Show (music by Henry Krieger), for which he received Tony nominations in both categories.  The critically acclaimed show was also nominated for Best Musical and its stars, Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner, shared a nomination for Best Actress for their portrayal of conjoined twins, Daisy and Violet Hilton.

Bill's latest collaboration with Henry Krieger, a musical comedy titled Everything's Ducky, had its premiere with TheatreWorks of Palo Alto (California) in January 2000, received glowing reviews and played to sell-out crowds.  That show begins an American tour in St. Louis in September and has been optioned for Broadway.

Other writing credits include The Texas Chainsaw Musical (co-author book and lyrics - Off-Broadway with Pageant collaborators Kelly and Evans) and Fourtune (author, book and lyrics - Off-Broadway).  With Henry Krieger he wrote two songs featured in the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular for the past six years, including the opening number Santa's Gonna Rock and Roll, and the official theme for the Gay Games - Take The Flame.

As a director, Mr. Russell has helmed productions of Elegies... in New York, Dallas, and Montreal.  He has worked extensively with various performers, notably the comedy team of Monteith and Rand (Broadway, Off-Broadway, theatres around the U.S.).  He directed John Augustines' Generation X, and most recently, Christopher Durang's Titanic and Death Comes To Us All, Mary Agnes.

Frank Kelly (Co-Author - Book and Lyrics)

His first collaboration with co-author Bill Russell and composer Albert Evans - the revue The Texas Chainsaw Musical - led directly to their work on Pageant.  The latter played for over a year Off-Broadway and has received productions all around the U.S.A., as well as in Japan and Australia.

Frank holds the position of Professor in the Department of English and Humanities at the State University of New York at Farmingdale, on Long Island.

Albert Evans (Composer)

Albert Evans is the composer and co-lyracist of the Dickens-Goes-Nashville fantasy A Country Christmas Carol.  He co-authored the score for the Off-Broadway cult hit Nite Club Confidential.  His lyrics are featured in the New York City Opera's new performing version of The Merry Widow televised on Live From Lincoln Center (PBS).  Mr. Evans is Composer-In-Residence at New Jersey's Papermill Playhouse, where he has written lyrics for Mikado, Inc., and music for Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights.  His other scores include The Texas Chainsaw Musical, Five on the Aisle, and Ten Nights in a Barroom.  Most recently, Mr. Evans has adapted a score of classic George M. Cohan songs (and written a few new pieces) for the stage musical biography Yankee Doodle Dandy.