John Ertman & Friends
An Evening of Original Music at 54 Below
Setlist
Abbey Road (Part 1):
1. If You Loved Me (Abbey Road)........................................................John Ertman
2. Orange Skies (Abbey Road).............................................................John Ertman
Alone:
3. Distance (Alone)........................................................................Katherine Ertman
4. Leveling Up (Alone).................................................Ellis Gage & Natalie Pereira
5. I Mean What I Say (Alone)................................................................John Ertman
A Preview Of What's To Come:
6. Paris (Is For Lovers): An Original Song by Natalie Pereira .........Natalie Pereira
7. Soaring (Moriarty).....................................................................Thomas Sellwood
Abbey Road (Part 2):
8. Forever Love......................................................................................John Ertman
Mews:
9. All Blocked Up......................................................Q. Smith & Lawrence Stallings
10. Side Effects Include.....................................................................Lauren Elledge
11. Capable You..................................................Maddie Burton & Carson Stewart
12. Something From Nothing...................................................................Ellis Gage
Abbey Road (Part 3):
13. Read 3:56 pm..............................................................John Ertman & Company
14. Never Say Goodbye...........................John Ertman & Chloe Nadon-Enriquez
The Story of Our SHow
When I first approached our director, Mary, about coming aboard, I wanted to make one thing clear above everything else: this was not going to be a "me" show. I am so incredibly grateful to 54 Below for entrusting me with a slot like this and for allowing me to make my solo debut in such a hallowed space. But I have to acknowledge that I would never be in this position as an artist and a creator without the influence, support, and talents of the many amazing people I've been blessed to cross-paths with in my professional career. Truly, none of this would be possible without them.
There are so many people -- too many -- to get on this stage within the 70 minutes I've been allotted, so I consider tonight to be the first of (hopefully) many love-letters to all those who have believed in and sacrificed for my art and for their own. This evening, you will see eight of my friends, all of whom are supremely talented and all of whom deserve the brightest spotlight NYC has to offer. Each offers their own unique sound and voice to the world of musical theatre and each has contributed immensely to my own artistic endeavors. This night is for them, it’s about them. Please join me tonight in cheering them on!
As a songwriter, I’ve amassed a portfolio of nearly 75 songs, written over the course of over 16 years from grade school to now. Most of these songs were co-written with my best friend and brother-from-another-mother, Joseph Mathusek. In our two completed musicals, we have over 40 songs written. And there’s more in the stuff that’s not done. Tonight, you’ll hear from three shows by Joe and I: Alone: A New Musical, Mews, and Moriarty. In addition to musical theatre, I got my start writing pop/rock. I was blessed with the opportunity to take 6 of those songs to Abbey Road Studios in London, where I recorded a live album and filmed a series of music videos with Ollie Dann of CNN International. Tonight, I am both incredibly proud and excited to share those songs with you, a New York audience, for the first time.
I like to say that theatre is a business of opportunity. I’m grateful to be in a position tonight to provide such an opportunity to others. I hope their performances inspire you to do the same.
With Love,
John Ertman
Cast & Creative
Band & Crew
Band:
Patrick B. Phillips...........................................................................Conductor/Keyboard 1
Joseph Mathusek..............................................................................................Keyboard 1
Skyler Fortgang..............................................................Drums/Percussion/Slide Whistle
Aamir Juman.................................................................................................................Bass
Francesca Castro...............................................................................................Lead Guitar
Crew:
Ty Chee............................................................................................................Videography
Jeffrey Blitt......................................................................................................Photography
Jason .........................................................................................Rehearsal Pianist/Copyist
Jeremy Kimmel........................................................................................Hair Department
Elizabeth Ertman.......................................................................................Marketing Copy
Sandra Nissen........................................................,.................Promotional Photographer
Smash Studios.........................................................................Sitzprobe Rehearsal Space
Ripley Grier................................................................................................Rehearsal Space
54 Below Team:
Mia Porter...............................................................................................................Producer
KJ Hardy..............................................................................................Light/Sound Design
Audrey Rowland..................................................................................................Marketing
Amanda Raymond.....................................................................................Board Operator
Special Thanks
The Staff/Crew/Team at 54 Below! You guys rock!, Paul Hufker (Bookwriter, Mews), Meghan Finn, (Director, Mews), Jeremy Stolle (Feel Better Soon!), Cassidy Sledge (Break A Leg!), Ryan Silverman (Break A Leg!), Bridget Hogan, Sandra Nissen/Sandra Nissen Photography, Lili Mathusek, Chloe Nadon-Enriquez and Thomas Sellwood (they saved the show!), Sellwood Studio of the Performing Arts, John & Elizabeth Ertman, Jared & Ruth Mathusek, Lauren Elledge, Curt & Nancy Elledge, David Keith, Spexwax LLC., The Tank, IAMT, AMTP, NMI, Mark Hollmann, David H. Bell, Jeremy Kimmel, Northwestern University, Natalie Pereira, Tony & Dianne Pereira, Harrison O'Callaghan, The Creative Team of Alone: A New Musical, Patrick B. Phillips and Mary Tomei, without whom none of this would be possible!issen