Broadway stars Annaleigh Ashford and Matt Doyle will bring a poignant four-actor song cycle about "breaking up, breaking down and breaking through" to the New York stage for the first time.
"Chasing The Day," which features music by Will Van Dyke and lyrics by Josh Holloway (as well as additional material by Randy Blair and Rick Elice), began life in 2010 as a 12-song album. At the time of of the piece's composition, Van Dyke was on tour while Holloway had recently re-located to Los Angeles; together, the pair found musical inspiration in the challenge of navigating long distance relationships in their personal lives.
The concert itself, which hits New York's 54 Below for two performances on Nov. 17, expands on the original album with new songs, including "A Seat at the Table" and a title track, which opens the show and serves as narrative transitional device. Joining Ashford and Doyle for both shows will be Tamika Lawrence ("If/Then," "Book of Mormon") and Preston Sadleir ("Next To Normal")."
Watch Lawrence perform "A Seat at the Table" above, and Ashford singing "The Lighter Side" below:
If the album and show has a bit of gypsy vibe, that's because it was written "on the road, aboard planes, across time zones, between sets in hotel lobbies, at 24-hour coffee shops, miles apart, when the thought of home is your only companion," Van Dyke said. Although much of "Chasing The Day" is rooted in his personal experience as a musician on the road, the composer feels audiences will be able to relate to the piece's ultimate message, regardless of their romantic history.
"Even though there are times when we are far away from the ones we love … if you can navigate the challenge, you'll make it home stronger and closer than you could have ever imagined," Van Dyke, who is currently serving as the Associate Music Director for the first international touring production of "Kinky Boots" in South Korea, told The Huffington Post in an email.
Van Dyke performs "Another Time (Andrew's Song)" below:
Pointing to "Come Home," a song from the show which is about "the idea of waiting for someone across time zones," he added, "It's interesting being in Korea right now dealign with my relationship with my boyfriend, as we only have a very small window of the day when we are both awake. You spend a lot of time waiting and wishing for time to pass."
Directed by Kerry Wingham with musical direction by Dominick Amendum, "Chasing The Day" plays New York's 54 Below for two performances on Nov. 17. Head here for more information.
