Gay Fantasy 'A Kiss From Alexander' Lands 'Best New Musical Work' Nomination

"A Kiss From Alexander" a gay musical fantasy about "Alexander the Great!" has received four nominations including "Best New Musical Work" from the prestigious Jeff Citation Awards.

Asheville, NC (PRWEB) May 26, 2006 -- Writer and lyricist Stephan deGhelder, who recently moved to Asheville from Washington DC, along with composer Brad Simmons, have seen their gay musical fantasy “A Kiss From Alexander” receive four Jeff Citation nominations including “Best New Musical Work” from the prestigious Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee in Chicago. The ceremony will be held June 5th at the Park West in Chicago.

The play received rave reviews when it world premiered at the Bailiwick Repertory in Chicago last summer. deGhelder’s book and lyrics and the music by Simmons recall glorious musicals of yesteryear, only this is a “boy meets boy, or should I say, ‘boy meets god’ love story,” deGhelder said. Opposite of Oliver Stone’s sanitized movie “Alexander,” this story throws no punches when it comes to Alexander the Great’s greatest love: Hephaestion.

“The world premiere in Chicago was terrific. Reviewers loved it. (The website, www.akissfromalexander.com features reviews, articles and clips from the world premiere). “We are so proud and honored that the committee (and reviewers) saw our play – first and foremost - for what it is: an old-fashioned musical love story. One reviewer said, we were “destined to become a cult classic.” It’s way too early to talk about that yet, but we were “Jeff recommended” by the second night’s performance.”

Since 1968, the Joseph Jefferson Awards have recognized excellence in Chicago Theatre for both Equity and Non-Equity productions. Citations recognize outstanding achievement in professional Chicago-area productions under non-union contracts. “Jeff Recommended” means at least one element in the show is deemed outstanding by the judges.

In all, “A Kiss From Alexander” received four nominations: Best New Work –Musical (deGhelder and Simmons); Choreography (Brenda Didier); Actor in a Supporting Role – Musical or Revue (John Cardone); and Actor in a Principal Role – Musical or Revue (Jason Bowen).

deGhelder is a member of the Dramatist Guild, Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and Actor’s Equity. deGhelder and Simmons are currently working on their new musical, “A Dickens of a Carol,” which has been booked for the holiday season at Theatre Tuscaloosa where he is currently choreographing “Hello, Dolly!’

###