Bill Russell (born 1949) is an American librettist and lyricist. Among his stage musicals are Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens and Side Show, which was nominated for the Tony Award as Best Musical.
Career
Russell's first produced musical was Fortune, which ran Off-Broadway at the Actors' Plahouse from April 27, 1980 to November 23, 1980. Ronald Melrose wrote the music, with Russell writing the book and lyrics. The musical director and arranger was Janet Hood; the two went on to write several musicals together.Fortune Internet Off-Broadway Database, accessed June 16, 2014 The musical concerned four performers who were headed for stardom. According to The New York Times reviewer, John Corry, it "marked the maturity of the gay musical", and he commended the "literate" lyrics.Dietz, Dan. Fortune Off Broadway Musicals, 1910–2007, Casts, Credits, Songs, McFarland, 2010, , p. 154
Russell wrote the book and lyrics for the song cycle Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, with music by Janet Hood, which originally ran Off-Off-Broadway in 1990 and in the West End in 1993."Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens" guidetomusicaltheatre.com, accessed June 14, 2014 It played a benefit concert in 2001.Jones, Kenneth. "Bill Russell's 'Elegies for Angels, Punks & Raging Queens' Now on CD" playbill.com, July 27, 2001
He wrote the book and lyrics for the musical Pageant with Frank Kelly; the music was by Albert Evans, and the conception was by Robert Longbottom. The musical, which featured an all-male cast playing beauty queens premiered Off-Broadway at the Blue Angel in 1991,Holden, Stephen. "Theater in Review", The New York Times, May 8, 1991 and subsequently ran Off-Broadway at New World Stages in 2013, as well as having engagements in London (2000) and Australia.Hetrick, Adam. " 'Pageant' Will Compete Off-Broadway at New World Stages" playbill.com, May 2, 2013Staff. " 'Pageant' Confirmed for West End Run" whatsonstage.com, 10 July 2000
He wrote the concert adaptation of the musical Call Me Madam for the New York City Center Encores! staged concert series, which was presented in February 1995 and starred Tyne Daly.Holden, Stephen. "Theater Review. A Madam with the Mostest" The New York Times, February 18, 1995
Russell wrote the book and lyrics for the musical Side Show (music by Henry Krieger), which ran on Broadway in 1997.Lefkowitz, David and Viagas, Robert. Side Show Cast and Fans Campaign To Save the Show" playbill.com, December 24, 1997
He wrote the book and lyrics for the musical Up in The Air, with music by Henry Krieger, conceived and directed by Amon Miyamoto. It premiered at the Kennedy Center in February 2008. The musical was suggested by a Japanese story, about Boonah, the tree-climbing frog.Gans, Andrew. playbill.com, October 9, 2007
He wrote the lyrics and book with Jeffrey Hatcher for the musical Lucky Duck, with music by Henry Krieger. It premiered Off-Broadway at the New Victory Theater in March 2012. The musical started where the fairy tale "The Ugly Duckling" ended, "showing what happens once one becomes beautiful." It had premiered at TheatreWorks, Palo Alto, California, in 2000, then titled Everything's Ducky.Hetrick, Adam. "Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's 'Lucky Duck' Makes New York Debut March 16" playbill.com, March 16, 2012
He wrote the book and lyrics for the musical The Last Smoker in America, with music by Peter Melnick. The musical opened Off-Broadway in August 2012.Gans, Andrew. "Farah Alvin, Natalie Venetia Belcon, John Bolton, Jake Boyd Cast in Off-Broadway's 'Last Smoker' " playbill.com, June 11, 2012
Russell and Janet Hood have teamed up again to write the musical Unexpected Joy, which received private readings in March 2012. The musical was the story of four women and was directed by Sheryl Kaller.Hetrick, Adam. playbill.com, March 29, 2012
Honors and awards Russell received a 1998 Tony nomination for Side Show for Best Book and shared a nomination with composer Henry Krieger for Best Score. The show was nominated as Best Musical.Viagas, Robert and Simonson, Robert. " 'Ragtime', 'Lion King', 'Beauty Queen' Lead Tony Nominations" playbill.com, May 4, 1998
Everything's Ducky received the Will Glickman Award for Best New Play (in the San Francisco Bay Area) in 2001"Will Glickman Award Recipients" theatrebayarea.org, accessed June 16, 2014 and Garland Awards (presented by "Backstage West") for Best Score, Set and Costumes. He has also received two Commendation Awards from the Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Foundation (one in 2000).Ehren, Christine. playbill.com, October 30, 2000 He received an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters from Morningside College in 2003, morningsidecollege.net, June 27, 2008 and from the Boston Conservatory in May 2007."Yesterday's commencements. The Boston Conservatory" boston.com, May 13, 2007
Personal Russell was born in Deadwood, South Dakota and raised in Spearfish, South Dakota. His grandparents were cattle ranchers. He attended Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa for two years with a major in theater before transferring to the University of Kansas."Guide, About the Playwrights, p.6" South Coast Repertory (scr.org), accessed June 14, 2014 He came out in an interview with the Rapid City Journal. He married Bruce Bossard in 2009,"Weddings/Celebrations. Bill Russell, Bruce Bossard" The New York Times, July 11, 2009 and they had been a couple for 30 years before that.Russell, Bill. " 'The Biggest Freak in the World' – Side Show's Bill Russell on Coming Out Among the Cowboys" playbill.com, June 10, 2014
References
External links
Internet Off-Broadway Database