Peter Saxe Composer-Lyricist-Pianist-Arranger-Coach As an undergraduate at SUNY Purchase, Peter studied composition with Yehudi Wyner and James McElwaine. Peter’s musical, “...The Latecomer” was performed in concert at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center. While at Purchase, Peter also participated in the BMI Musical Theater Workshop. Graduate studies at Manhattan School of Music followed. A performance of Peter’s musical, “A New Beginning,” (concerning the power struggles of a politically ambitious televangelist, his gay son, the son’s Jewish lover and the lover’s “Estelle Getty-esque” mother) served as his Masters’ recital. In 2024, Peter served as Musical Director/Arranger for Paul Iacono's parody 'Batman Villains' musical, "Almost Got 'Im" "Time Has Come For Us" performed by Rachel Parker, was premiered as part of the "MuseMatch" concert series, March 4, 2022 "MTA: The Musical" was recorded (starring Gabrielle Ruiz, from "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) as part of a series of podcast musicals called Bite-Sized Broadway, and premiered April 5, 2021. In 2017, Peter's 20 minute musical, co-written with Laurie Graff, "Love In The Time Of Recession," was premiered at the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center as part of the Across A Crowded Room program. Peter is the winner of the 2016 Burman Songwriter Award, given by The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC). Peter has served as arranger, and producer of performance tracks for award-winning drag performers, including Vicky Boofont, Sutton Lee Seymour and (Lady Baritone) Andy Starling, Gloria Swansong, and Clarice DuBois Peter provided arrangements and musical supervision for Paul Iacono's new show, "Psychedelic Playhouse." Peter previously provided arrangements for the Iacono's earlier show "Psychedelic Hedonism," at Joe's Pub, including the new song, "Trending," co-written by Iacono, and "Dreamgirls" composer, Henry Krieger. As a vocal coach, Peter worked with cast members, Rumer Willis, Nolan Gerard Funk, and Tyler Blackburn on the movie musical, "Hello Again." As a composer/lyricist and musical director, Peter participated in the NYMF (New York Musical Festival) Songwriters Workshop. In 2015, Peter's 20-minute musical, "What Friends Are For" (co-written with Mark-Eugene Garcia, and Leah Garber), described as "a Cyrano for the Facebook age" was premiered at the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center as part of the Across A Crowded Room program “Saxe and the City,” an evening of Peter’s songs premiered at The Duplex NYC. The show continues to be developed and expanded. It was most recently performed in September, 2019 Peter wrote original music and song orchestrations for the Off-Broadway premiere of “The Sensational Josephine Baker,” and for “Penny Penniworth,” both produced by Emerging Artists Theatre (EAT), also serving as the company’s staff musical director. Peter’s short musical, “MTA: The Musical” was a finalist in the 2013 Davenport Short Play Competition. "MTA: The Musical" has been recorded as part of a series of radio musicals called Bite-Sized Broadway, and has premiered April 5, 2021. He is also the creator of the ongoing “8-bar Audition Song Series,” and the "Fractured Holidays Series." Previous Musical Direction and/or Arranger credits include: “Dig & Be Dug: The Gospel of Lord Buckley,” “DMV: The Musical,” and “Johnny Infamous,” “That’s Showbiz!” for MITF, “BlackFootnotes” for AMAS, a 40th Anniversary Production of “Hair” for The Real Theatre Company in NYC, “Evita” and “1776” for the Yorktown Theater Company, various cabaret shows, and numerous productions of the award-winning family musical, “Welcome To Tourettaville.” Peter provided Musical Direction and Orchestrations for productions of “Very Good Eddie,” “Fifty Million Frenchmen,” and “Lady Be Good” (benefiting BC/EFA.) Peter has written custom 'special material,' including the 50th birthday song for Tony Award®-winning Broadway producer, Marc Routh, entitled "The Man Behind The Curtain." Parody lyrics include "Cake is Coming" performed by Matthew Hydzik for a benefit performance, and "Boy Toy" for Ben Cameron. Peter has written two jingles: “Designs For Living” for a Texas-based home re-modeling firm, and “Gynelotrimin” (..brings out that unleavened woman in you..) for singer-comedian Lizz Manners. Peter’s song-cycle, “History Remembers,” premiered by John Whitley, was recorded, (featuring the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus) and is available on CD. “Ernie and Bert (Living Together)” from “History Remembers” was nominated for a GLAMA (Gay, Lesbian American Music Award). “History Remembers” was later expanded into a solo musical play. For the opera vaudeville duo, ‘The Bad Boys Of Opera,’ Peter served as an arranger, editor, copyist, occasional pianist, and is co-author (with Mike Wills) of “Abbott & Costello Meet Gilbert & Sullivan” (“Who’s On First” as a mini G&S operetta) “Sing Your Song,” and “A Christmas Toast.” Peter provided arrangements for The 2011 MAC award-winning “Operation Adelmo,” which made it’s debut at the 2008 NY Fringe Festival. “Operation Adelmo” (re-titled Operation Opera) was featured at the 2011 Edinburgh Festival, and Lincoln Center in 2014. Peter also makes short film documentaries, including the two-part "Marie's Crisis Outdoor Piano Tour" and the personal film "The Unveiling," for which he also wrote the music. Peter's page on Broadwayworld can be found here. Peter maintains a private performance coaching studio (including unique song selection, custom arrangements/transpositions, and sight-reading improvement). Peter also provides music preparation services at competitive rates using Sibelius Notation software. For 5 years, Peter worked for Transcontinental Music Publications, the music publishing division of the Reform Jewish Movement (URJ), the world’s largest publisher of Jewish Liturgical Music, For 7 years, Peter worked as a Senior Coordinator MTV Networks’ Music & Media Licensing (Business & Law Affairs Group – TV Credits available). |
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