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NEWS (click here for REVIEWS)
TIM DI PASQUA
An Evening of Originals
The Metropolitan Room
Monday, May 3, 2010, @7:00 pm
When Tim isn't singing country music with Tom Andersen and Scott Coulter in the award-winning show SOUTHERN COMFORT, or musical-directing Jim Van Slyke in the critically-acclaimed revue THE SEDAKA SHOW, featuring the songs of Neil Sedaka, he returns to what he does best; singing his own music. This time he'll do it for New York audiences in a one-night only solo performance with all proceeds going to THIRD EYE THEATRE Co. of which his is a founding member. Tim will be singing his classic originals such as MAYBE YOU DIDN'T HEAR ME, ONE THING, and YOU, as well as new material from his musical revue NOTES ON NEW YORK - The musicalized observations of Tim Di Pasqua, as well as debuting two brand new, never before performed originals. This time it's just Tim, a piano and his songs.
SEDAKA FANS
March 22, 2010
Just a heads up on some upcoming shows around the country. As you might know, Tim has been
playing the role of Musical Director for Jim Van Slyke and THE SEDAKA SHOW, featuring the songs
of Neil Sedaka. After a stellar performance at FEINSTEIN'S last December Jim has been busy
booking the show (along with Neil himself) all around the country. Next up...San Francisco and
THE RRAZZ ROOM , Sunday June 13th. Then onto Los Angeles and a performance at CATALINA'S with Mr.
Sedaka himself performing as well. More details to follow soon. And a quick sneak peek ahead to July,
Tim and Jim return to FEINSTEIN'S for two nights in July.
BARNES & NOBLE at Lincoln Center
August 2008
Bart Greenberg, the incredible community relations man, has booked Tim for a concert and cd signing at the Lincoln
Center Barnes & Noble Theater, Wednesday October 1, 2008 at 6:00 pm. In addition to performing selections from his
songbook collections PURPOSE OF LOVE - A Tim Di Pasqua Songbook, he will be performing brand new original
compositions from his upcoming show NOTES ON NEW YORK
- The musicalized observations of Tim Di Pasqua which premieres at The Metropolitan Room, NYC starting in October.
NOTES ON NEW YORK – The musicalized observations of TIM DI PASQUA
August 2008
Award-winning singer/composer/lyricist Tim Di Pasqua brings his thrilling new musical
theater revue to New York’s Metropolitan Room, every Monday in October. NOTES ON NEW
YORK is an exciting, and poignant ninety-minute song cycle about things seen and heard
around this intoxicating city. Inspired by the life of Walt Whitman, who wrote about
experiences he had witnessed, and by Irving Berlin’s As Thousands Cheer, featuring songs
based on headlines of the day, NOTES ON NEW YORK presents Tim at the piano, along with a
cast of five, who are the “voices in his head,” bringing his observations to life. NOTES
ON NEW YORK reflects everyday life and situations from people, as seen through the eyes
of one captivated observer. As all New Yorkers know, with over eight million diverse
people on one tiny island, there are many stories to be sung, and there is nothing
“everyday” about any of them. From the subway evangelist to the skinny white girl on
the bus; from the personal ads on a dating service to the big hairy man behind the bar,
the city pulses with the grit, beauty and drama that only New York has to offer. You will
not only become the captivated observer, but will swear that your own story is being told.
“Life is so theatrical; every day a totally new show, with starring and supporting roles changing every hour.”
Third Eye Theatre Company is proud to present NOTES ON NEW YORK under the artistic direction of Michael Levesque
; Tim Di Pasqua, musical director; Andrew Glant-Linden, director. www.thirdeyetheatreco.com
MAC/ASCAP SONGWRITER SHOWCASE and CAROL HALL
June 2007
Tim and Tom Andersen sing Carol Hall's new song "War
on Christmas Day"at the soldout MAC/ASCAP Songwriters'
Showcase at the Laurie BeechmanTheatre. In introducing
the tune, Hall says: "About a year ago, I heard Scott
Coulter, Tom Andersen and Tim Di Pasqua sing
wonderfully in their show, ‘Southern Comfort.' It was
beautiful and I fell in love with them. I've been
making a CD of my songs, and I had to have them on
it." "War on Christmas Day,"with lyrics by Hall and
music by Bob Burke, is about "a soldier in a desert"
and "a [female] sailor on a tanker"
and the loved ones who wait for them to return home
safely. After Tom and Tim sang it,
Hall said, "What a joy to have them
sing it. And if you don't know them, they're both
wonderful writers as well." The song will be featured
on the CD, tentatively titled, "The
Tattooed Boy From Memphis: The Songs of Carol
Hall." It's scheduled for release on Aug. 28
on PS Classics. Besides Tom, Tim and
Scott, it features, the Broadway Voices,
Leslie Gore, Steven Lutvak, Amanda McBroom and
Carol Woods.
The Backstage Bistro Awards
March 2007
Tim has just won two Backstage Bistro Awards. One for
Outstanding Musical Group Performance for SOUTHERN
COMFORT, the award-winning and critically acclaimed
country music concert with Tom Andersen and Scott
Coulter. The other for Outstanding Song of the Year
for ONE THING, featured in Southern Comfort.
Awarded each year by critics John Hoglund and David
Finkle and Editor-at-large Sherry Eaker, the Backstage
Bistro recognizes excellence in music and comedy.
* Vocalist: Keith David and Douglas Ladnier
* Debut: Valarie Pettiford
* Major Engagement: Jeff Harnar and Rebecca Luker
* Major Jazz Vocalist: Kurt Elling
* Jazz Vocalist: Andrew Suvalsky
* Musical Duo: Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch;
Faith Prince and Tom Wopat
* Musical Group: Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter and
Tim Di Pasqua in ''Southern
Comfort''
* Musical Comedy: Jay Rogers and Kristine Zbornik
* Unique Artist: Jose Luis Rodriguez
* Return to Cabaret: Charles Cochran
* Tribute Show: Terese Genecco in ''Drunk With Love:
A Tribute to Frances Faye''
* Piano Bar: Ray Fellman at ''The After Party'' at
West Bank; David Shenton at Helen's; Rick
Unterberg at
Townhouse
* Comedy: Bob Smith at Gotham Comedy Club
* Song of the Year: ''One Thing'' by Tim Di Pasqua
* Special Material: ''Almost (99 I Love Yous)'' by
Joe Iconis and Robert Maddock
* Recording: Mary Foster Conklin for ''Blues for
Breakfast''; Barbara Fasano for ''Written in the
Stars''
* Musical Director: Shelly Markham (for accompanying
Andrea Marcovicci) at the Algonquin
* Instrumentalist: Sean Smith
* Instrumental Group: The Ross Patterson Little Big
Band
* Technical Director: Tim Flannery at the Algonquin
* Special Awards: Chris Mazzilli, Steve Mazzilli and
Lennie Watts (Metropolitan Room); Donald Schaffer
(Danny's Skylight Room); Erv Raible and Wendy Lane
Bailey (Cabaret Conference at Yale University);
Mike
Greensill.
* Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award (for
up-and-comer): Sheera Ben-David
* Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award: To be
announced shortly.
The awards ceremony will be held Monday April 9th at
Gotham Comedy Club. Details for time and ticket
information can be found at www.backstage.com.
THE 2007 NIGHTLIFE AWARDS
January 2007
Tim Di Pasqua wins a 2007 Nightlife Award along with
Tom Andersen and Scott Coulter for Outstanding
Revue/Group/Variety Performance for their critically
acclaimed show SOUTHERN COMFORT. Chosen by an esteemed
panel of about 30 critics and reviewers from David
Finkle of The Village Voice to Rex Reed of The New York Observer, Steve Futterman of the New Yorker to
Aaron Rose Foley of HBO, Tim joins an amazing cast who
will perform at this years gala at New York's Town
Hall. Each winner will perform in lieu of an
acceptance speech.
Outstanding Cabaret Female Vocalist in a Major Engagement:
Jessica Molaskey
(Finalists: Diahann Carroll, Eartha Kitt)
Outstanding Cabaret Male Vocalist in a Major Engagement:
John Pizzarelli
(Finalists: Michael Feinstein, Jack Jones)
Outstanding Duo/Group Cabaret Performance in a Major Engagement:
Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch
(Finalists: Ashford & Simpson, Molaskey & Frishberg)
Outstanding Cabaret Female Vocalist:
Lisa Asher
(Finalists: Lina Koutrakos, Karen Oberlin)
Outstanding Cabaret Male Vocalist:
Scott Coulter
(Finalists: Patrick DeGennaro, Dane Vannatter)
Outstanding Cabaret Musical Comedy/ Characterization Performance:
Lorinda Lisitza
(Finalists: Micaela Leon, Jay Rogers)
Outstanding Cabaret Revue/Group/Variety Performance:
Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter, Tim Di Pasqua
(Finalists: Eric Comstock/Barbara Fasano, Jamie deRoy & Friends)
Outstanding Cabaret Piano Bar Performance:
David Colbert
(Finalists: Elaine Brier, Gerry Deiffenbach)
Outstanding Female Standup Comedian:
Sarah Silverman
(Finalists: Jessica Kirson, Lisa Lampanelli)
Outstanding Male Standup Comedian:
Demetri Martin
(Finalists: David Attell, Zach Galiafinakas)
Outstanding Unique/Group Comedy Performance:
TJ & Dave
(Finalist: Nick Kroll & John Mulaney, Braunholer & Schaal)
Outstanding Female Jazz Vocalistt:
Paula West
(Finalists: Carol Sloane, Annie Ross)
Outstanding Male Jazz Vocalist:
Freddy Cole
(Finalists: Dave Frishberg, Eric Comstock)
Outstanding Jazz Soloist:
Cedar Walton
(Finalists: Paul Motian, Toots Thielemans)
Outstanding Jazz Combo Performance:
Ben Riley’s Monk Legacy Septet
(Finalists: Roy Haynes, Microscopic Septet)
Special Awards will also be presented to:
Broadway at Birdland & The Metropolitan Room* and to Nightlife Legend Maureen McGovern*
20 VOCAL HEROES OF 2006
December 2006
Taking a cue from Santa, December is the prime time for making lists. So even though we still have a few weeks left in 2006, we wanted to get a jump on the holidays. Here are our "Leading Men" highlights from Broadway, Off-Broadway and cabaret:
TERRIFIC TOUR DE FORCES
Michael Arden, The Times They Are A-Changin'
Jonathan Groff, Spring Awakening
Stephen Lynch, The Wedding Singer
AMAZING MUSICAL MOMENTS
Samuel Barnett, "Bewitched" (The History Boys)
David Burnham, "Moon River" (Birdland)
Harry Connick Jr., "Hernando's Hideaway" (The Pajama Game)
Raúl Esparza, "Being Alive" (Company)
Neil Patrick Harris, "Making the Leap" (Joe's Pub)
Marc McBarron Kessler, "Both Sides Now" (Rose's Turn)
Gavin Lee, "Step in Time" (Mary Poppins)
Norm Lewis, "Stars" (Les Misérables)
Hugh Panaro, "Right Before My Eyes" (Lestat)
Jason M. Snow, "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" (West Bank)
DYNAMIC DUETS & TRIOS
Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter and Tim Di Pasqua, "Southern Comfort" (West Bank)
Matt Cavenaugh and Cheyenne Jackson, "We Kiss in a Shadow" (Broadway Backwards)
Gideon Glick and Jonathan B. Wright, "Word of Your Body" (Spring Awakening)
'THE LEADING MEN II' CONCERT
December 2006
Last year, we produced the first "Leading Men" benefit for Broadway Cares, and we had such a ball at Joe's Pub with Cheyenne Jackson, Matthew Morrison, Jai Rodriguez and other topnotch talents from Broadway and cabaret. So, we're gonna do it one more time: Monday, Feb. 5 at 7 PM at Birdland, 315 W. 44th St., New York City.
John Tartaglia, the Tony-nominated star of Avenue Q, will return to host. Now back on Broadway, he's lighting up the stage as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and next month he'll light up the Disney Channel with a new half-hour version of his hit musical kids' show, "Johnny and the Sprites." For his work on both these endeavors, Out magazine named the openly gay entertainer "one of 100 men and women who rocked 2006." Also returning to "The Leading Men" concert will be our director, Alan Muraoka, and our musical director Seth Rudetsky, who's acting the blazes out of Arnold in Torch Song Trilogy through Dec. 10 at the Gallery Players in Brooklyn. As for our lineup, it's so hard to feature only a handful of the 150 guys we've interviewed over the past four years, but here goes:
Tom Andersen (MAC Award winner), Jim Caruso (Jim Caruso's Cast Party), Matt Cavenaugh (Grey Gardens), Tim Di Pasqua (Bistro Award winner), Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening), David Gurland (Bistro Award winner), Telly Leung (Rent), Norm Lewis (Les Miserables), Perry Ojeda (On the Town), Daniel Reichard (Jersey Boys), Christopher Sieber (Spamalot), Ben Strothmann (Playbill Yearbook), Jim Walton (Merrily We Roll Along), John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys)
Tickets are $50 for general admission and $75 for VIP seats (first two rows), and there's a $10 food-drink minimum. Thanks to Birdland owner John Valente for donating the door to Broadway Cares. Tickets are available only at www.instantseats.com. Last year's concert was sold out weeks before the show, so get your tickets now!
THE DUPLEX CABARET THEATRE
August 2005 TRIO - A new cabaret series
Saturdays and Sundays in August at 7pm
NEW YORK – The Duplex Cabaret Theatre is thrilled to
announce plans for TRIO, a new cabaret series, which
will run August 13 – 28 at the famed West Village
theatre. The series will feature some of cabaret’s
most esteemed voices, as well as a host of newer
voices. Three performers will appear nightly,
performing mostly new material. There is a $15 cover
($12 for members of MAC and Cabaret Hotline Online),
as well as a two drink minimum. No one under 21 will
be permitted, and credit cards are accepted. The
Duplex Cabaret Theatre is located on the second floor
of 61 Christopher St., in the heart of New York’s West
Village. For reservations, please call 212.255.5438.
The idea behind TRIO is to combine the efforts of
three performers, giving audiences an exposure to
three different styles during the course of one
evening. This style is similar to the way in which The
Duplex was booked in the 60’s, with three different
performers appearing nightly, each presenting their
own “sets.” Each performance of TRIO will run between
60 and 90 minutes, and will be hosted by an esteemed
member of the cabaret community - Phil Geoffrey Bond
www.theduplex.com
PURPOSE OF LOVE - A Tim Di Pasqua Songbook - Volume Two
June 2005
After the successful release of Songbook One, Tim is
ready to release Volume Two. Once again, Tim has brought together some of the finest voices to
sing his music. This time around, he is honored to
feature Grammy and Oscar-winning composer Stephen
Schwartz along with Heather MacRae, Phillip Officer,
KT Sullivan, C. Mingo Long, Capathia Jenkins, Bob
Bucci, Dee Dee Lynn Magno and some great help from Tom
Andersen and Scott Coulter. A concert is in the works
to accompany the release so check the news section or
appearance page of this website for details.
PLAYBILL.com
WE’VE GOT MALE: ‘THE LEADING MEN’ CONCERT for BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS
April 2005
We’re proud to announce the first "The Leading Men"
benefit concert, which will feature a dozen of the
great guys of Broadway and cabaret that we’ve
profiled, and it will be held Monday, May 30, at 7 PM
at Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St. (212-539-8778). John
Tartaglia, the Tony-nominated star of Avenue Q, will
emcee and Seth Rudetsky, the Bistro Award-winning host
of Seth’s Broadway Chatterbox, will be the musical
director. So far, the illustrious lineup includes Tom
Andersen, Scott Coulter, Tim Di Pasqua, Tom D’Angora,
Brian and Ted Farley, Barrett Foa, Danny Gurwin,
Cheyenne Jackson, Matthew Morrison, Jai Rodriguez and
Christopher Sieber — with a couple of surprises. Alan
Muraoka, who helmed Tartaglia’s terrific cabaret act,
will direct. Playbill.com asked us to start "The
Leading Men" column in January 2003, and we figure
that by June, we’ll have featured 100 guys, so why not
celebrate and raise more money for a great cause like
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS? Tickets are $40.
Hope to see you there. It should be hunks of fun!
PLAYBILL.com
TIM JOINS THE LEADING MEN
November 2004
Contributing writer Wayman Wong of The Daily News has
included Tim in his monthly "THE LEADING MEN" series
for Playbill.com. Each month Mr. Wong features a
group of guys hard at work either on the Broadway
stage, in nightclubs around NYC, or putting out
incredible music in CD form.
In the November issue you'll find a revealing look at
Tim's career and songwriting, along with 98 degrees
heartthrob Drew Lachey, now appearing in RENT, and
funny man Gary Beach of The Producers and Beauty and
the Beast. Click here
to read the entire ariticle.
PURPOSE OF LOVE - A Tim Di Pasqua Songbook Volume 1 CD RELEASE
October 2004
In October 1999, my friend Michael Levesque approached
me about putting together a benefit for
BroadwayCares/EquityFightsAIDS, a landmark AIDS
organization in NYC. He said he thought that an
evening of my music sung by some of the greatest
voices in the city, many of whom are great friends of
ours, would make for an even greater event. I thought
events like these were reserved for well-known
composers celebrating decades of hard work and effort,
so I was a bit reticent. I also thought that putting
together a compilation album was reserved for
established artists with a list of their greatest hits
to spare. And since I was neither a well-known
composer nor the writer of greatest hits, we decided
to go ahead with it. Michael told me he thought it
would be a great way to introduce my music to the
world. The show was called PURPOSE OF LOVE, a Tim Di
Pasqua Songbook. This album is inspired by that
wonderful event.wonderful event.
When putting this album together, I made, for various
reasons, a few modifications in both the lineup and
the song list. It ended up being a little different
than the show we did September 11 and 18, 2000 at the
Triad Theater. For one thing, I decided to record two
separate albums and release them individually within a
respectable period of time. Having said that, I need
to gratefully acknowledge the incredible live
performances of Bobby Belfry, Beth MacVey, Irene
Soderberg, Angela DeCicco, J.Robert Spencer, and Dawn
Marie who graciously gave of their time and talent in
our concert. Many of you might be wondering why two of
my most well known songs, MAYBE YOU DIDNT HEAR ME and
SINCE LOVE COME AROUND, are not on this cd. At the
time we were recording, Scott Coulter had just
released his debut cd with his version of MAYBE and I
had just released MONSTER UNDER THESE CONDITIONS with
my version of the song. Phillip Officer had recorded
SINCE for a compilation cd, and I thought everything
coming out at once might be overkill.
The process of connecting the song to the artist was a
fascinating one. Both Michael and I had ideas about
who could sing a particular song but left it open for
each artist approval. So one by one, I met with each
singer and presented a few tunes to them and little by
little each song found its appropriate home. I then
encouraged each vocalist to embrace their song and put
their own thumbprint on it to make it truly come
alive.
I wasnt interested in hearing it done the way I would
do it, or the way anyone else would. At least for this
songwriter, it was a truly exhilarating experience.
I thank all the wonderful artists who shared their
gifts and their time with me to make this happen. I
thank you the listener, for your support and I truly
hope that you enjoy our collaborative musical effort.
This is Volume One. And in a short while the journey
will continue with Volume Two. There could be a Volume
Three or four on the horizon, what do I Know?
THE
PURPOSE OF LOVE concert - The Tim Di Pasqua songbook
The
Triad Theater September 5 & 12 2000
Produced and Directed by Michael Levesque Winner of the Backstage Bistro
2000 for Special Cabaret Event
This special production of the songs of Tim Di Pasqua raised nearly $6,000.00 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, making it the highest grossing cabaret offering.
The cast included: Alix Korey Phillip Officer Stephen Schwartz Tom Andersen Bobby Belfry Lina Koutrakos Ann Marie Bob Bucci Irene Soderberg Jessica Hendy Scott Coulter David Gurland Michael Levesque Dawn Marie KT Sullivan J. Robert Spencer Capathia Jenkins Trent Armand Kendall Angela DeCicco Beth MacVey.
STEPHEN SCHWARTZ and FRIENDS in NEW YORK
April 2000 Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
Tim returns once again to perform with Stephen Schwartz, this time back home in New York City.
Joining them this time around was singer/songwriter Ann Marie, and award-winning composer Andrew Lippa.
STORYBOOK: the Lyrics of Nan Knighton
Sam's NYC April 2000
Tony nominated lyricist Nan Knighton (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Saturday night fever) presented a series of concerts celebrating her songs at Sam's. Collaborating with Nan on the music were composers Frank Wildhorn (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Jekyl & Hyde, The Civil War), Howard Marren, Robert Lindsey Nassif, Jonathan Larson (Rent,Tick Tick Boom), Fred Werner, Martyn Axe, and presenting a brand new song "Falling from grace" written with Tim Di Pasqua. Among the performers were Tom Andersen, Marc Kudisch, Bryan Batt, Paige Price, Christopher Sieber, Anne Runolfsson, Brad Oscar, Kate Shindle, Frank Mistrone, and Farah Alvin.
TIM JOINS STEPHEN SCHWARTZ and FRIENDS in CALIFORNIA
February 2000
Oscar and Grammy award-winning Singer/Songwriter Stephen Schwartz performed in the Bay Area for a series of concerts celebrating his new cd release "RELUCTANT PILGRIM". Joining him on stage were San Francisco natives Tim Di Pasqua and Beach Blanket Babylon star Val Diamond. Along with singing the hits" Corner of the Sky", "When you Believe "(from Prince of Egypt), and " Colors of the wind" (in a duet with the composer), Tim performed "Someday" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame and "Rewriting History" composed by Steven Lutvak and Schwartz. Tim also took over as accompanist for Ms. Diamond and Mr. Schwartz on their duet "Two's company" from Pippin, and "Forgiveness's Embrace" for the composer.
NOW AND THEN SERIES at CARNEGIE HALL
January 2000
Michael Feinstein hosted the NOW AND THEN series for ASCAP at Carnegie Hall, celebrating the music of Sammy Cahn. It is also an opportunity to celebrate and support the new songwriters of the day. On the bill for the evening were songwriters Tim Di Pasqua, Paul Rolnick and Rick Jensen. In the first half on the program, each composer brought a guest vocalist to present an orignal song. Tim's guest was Michael Levesque who sang "As it's meant to be" from their musical "Synchronicity" and brought the house down. In the second half each composer got the chance to sing two songs by Sammy Cahn. Tim turned in two knockout renditions of "It's Magic", and "If it's the last thing I do. For the finale Tim, Paul and Rick joined Michael Feinstein at the piano for "All the way."
www.backstage.org
October 24, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org
May 2008
TALKINGBROADWAY.COM
2006
www.cabaretscenes.com
August 11, 2006
August 29, 2006 BROADWAYWORLD.COM
June 2005
TALKINGBROADWAY.COM
June 2005
TALKINGBROADWAY.COM
November 2004
PLAYBILL
January 1, 2004
According
to Playbill’s Wayman Wong who writes the wonderful
“LEADING MEN” column, Tim’s brand new song “ONE
THING” was chosen as one of the Twelve Amazing Musical Moments of
2003. Joining Tim on this impressive list is Adam Pascal’s “PITY
THE CHILD” and Josh Groban’s “ANTHEM” from the
CHESS concert. Gary Shields’ “I SEE THROUGH YOU” and
Paul Esparza’s “PETRIFIED” from Broadway’s TABOO,
Jonathan Dokuchitz “THE GAMES I PLAY” from FALSETTOS, Gavin
Creel and Richard Kind’s “YOU” from Sondheim’s
BOUNCE.
BACKSTAGEJuly 2003
In his recent series of shows of original songs at the
Duplex,
singer/songwriter Tim Di Pasqua once again proved why
he remains one of this town's hidden treasures. His
wordy and complex songs are not always easy to follow.
They often sound lkike they have been lifted out of a
musical, and they probably have been, as this prolific
songwriter is working on at least one musical. Too,
his sensitive tenor and majestic accompaniment create
a haunting appeal to this most sincere of artists.
Musically, his new songs echo an odd mix of Joni
Mitchell fused with Sondheim suggestions. The Mitchell
influence was most evident on "What Do I Know?", which
he introduced with a Mitchell quotation; "I am a
lonely painter, and I live in a box of paints". In
doing this, he referred to his songs as "canvases."
The song was a beauty about believing things from a
loved one. I particularly liked his wonderful paean to
love's trappings, "Maybe You Didn't Hear Me." Let's
hope this struggling artist receives the acclaim and
success that is so overdue. THE
VILLAGE VOICE June 2003 Tim
Di Pasqua - He writes them, plays them, and sings them with great passion.
He also tells it like it is. His "BIG HAIRY MAN" is one of the
more trenchant songs about sexual tastes to appear on the cabaret circuit
in the past few years."
CABARETSHOWCASE.CO.UK
March
2003 It's as professional and accomplished as anything put out by Sony or Arista and his attention to detail pays off in every track. A mixture of pop tunes, including ballads, up-tempos and, that most impossible of all genres, middle-of-the-rode rock songs, Di Pasqua's work is straightforward, simple and honest. The lyrics come from his heart and actually say something about him as a man-his wants, his hopes, his fears and his dreams. It's real music crafted with a sensibility that recalls groups like The Eagles, Billy Joel and, most recently, Bruce Hornsby and the Range. There is nothing schmaltzy, syrupy or cliched about his work. It's genuine pop music and doesn't apologize for being so- that alone earns him five gold stars. Di Pasqua's tenor voice has a warm, caramel center that is tailor-made for this genre. It's light and breezy with just enough character and weight that you'll listen and pay attention to his lyrics. At last, and original artist able to cross over from cabaret to pop whom actually has something to say. "Di Pasqua's is a voice of uncommon beauty. It's a sound uniquely his own, both uncommonly sweet and powerfully erotic"
BACKSTAGE NOTES ON NEW YORK -The musicalized oberservations of Tim Di Pasqua
Ever wonder what a revue about New York City written by Stephen Sondheim might sound like? Wonder no longer. Tim Di Pasqua has supplied the answer. Sorta. His Notes on New York: The Musicalized Observations of Tim Di Pasqua often — too often, and starting with the opening number — sounds as if he's setting out to prove he can write in the Sondheim mode as well as Sondheim does. This is, of course, something no one has ever quite been able to do.
The six-person revue — including Di Pasqua at the piano and projections evoking Manhattan more than the other four boroughs — is the songwriter-performer's idea of presenting a New York City collage by including many songs written mostly in the first-person to represent a cross-section of the unique citizenry.
Many of the songs in this 80-minute package fit well enough, although several of them have been slotted because — fitting or not — Di Pasqua has them in his trunk and figures he might as well trot them out again. Falling into this category, for instance, are his trenchant number about homosexual promiscuity, "Big Hairy Man," and his touchingly melancholy love song "What Do I Know?"
Di Pasqua scores often, usually as a result of combining one of his best songs with the right Notes on New York performer(s). Jennifer Zimmerman connects soprano-wise with a ruminative ballad called "Jigsaw Puzzle" that includes the poetical line "I see love as a jigsaw puzzle on a card table in the living room." (What does that mean? Who knows, but it sounds good.) Vicky Devany gets way inside Di Pasqua's "True" — but talk about echoing Sondheim's abiding theme of ambiguity!
Lennie Watts hits a bull's-eye with the amusingly vulgar "Hole and a Heartbeat" about a crude womanizer — the kind of guy you'd find just about anywhere, which the country formatting underlines. Cheryl Monroe is soulful through "The Man I Want Doesn't Want Me Around," another melodic monologue that could represent someone singing the blues in any old U.S. burg. The best selection, beautifully staged by director Andrew Glant-Linden and performed by Monroe, Devany, Watts, and Erick Pinnick, is "The Possibility." This one is reminiscent of a different Stephen — Stephen Foster, a great American songwriter less noticed nowadays and therefore someone more interesting for Di Pasqua to reference, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
A revue about New York is hardly a fresh notion, of course. Yet considering the town is always changing, and therefore there's always something new to say, a new take on the hot spot is always welcome. Too bad, however, that so much of this one could be a reflection of citizens wherever and therefore loses its involving specificity.
- David Finkle
Carol Hall
Hallways: The Songs of Carol Hall
LML Music
Carol Hall once said, “A song is not a song until somebody sings it ...”
With her wonderful new compilation album, Hallways, the Songs of Carol Hall, released by LML Music, Hall proves just that as her songs, some written with lofty collaborators, and seemingly her life, come alive. All are reflected with equanimity as sung by a thrilling array of singers and musicians including: Tom Andersen, Hubert “Tex” Arnold, Susannah Blinkoff, Scott Coulter, Tim Di Pasqua, Lesley Gore, Bobby Gosh, Rick Jensen, Steven Lutvak, Laurel Massé, Sally Mayes, Amanda McBroom, Johnny Rodgers, Carol Woods and the Broadway Inspirational Voices as well as Hall herself.
The album is a scrapbook of new and old songs that reflect the wonders of life. It takes a certain courage to swim against the tide in today’s wacky music industry and call on bits and pieces from one’s own life as subject for your material. And while it is very subtle to the listener of her compositions, Hallways ultimately reflects personalized insights into what this talented lady is about. The eclectic album is a poignant potpourri of ditties that tickle the funny bone and some trenchant ballads that tug at the heartstrings. While all cuts are standouts, particular highlights include Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter and Tim Di Pasqua singing a timely “War On Christmas Day.” The same can be said about “Do You Know What I Mean?” sung with passion by Carol Woods and the Broadway Inspirational Voices. “Dublin In the Rain” as sung by Farah Alvin is a moving ballad that is bound to find a life in cabaret. A cut called “Hungry For You,” sung by Lesley Gore, is a memorable ode to loneliness that cuts deep. Every song has Hall’s stamp of intelligence, humor and her trademark passion for life’s journeys. Albeit romantic kitsch or overflowing with passion, the songs of Hall are always real. This is especially true of the album’s most telling cut, “Circle of Friends,” now a trademark for her which is perhaps her most revealing expose of her own heart.
- John Hoglund
Scott Coulter, Tom Andersen and
Tim Di Pasqua
They call their show Southern Comfort, but it’s more
like Tenor Lightning. Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter and
Tim Di Pasqua – three of cabaret’s most accomplished
tenors - have joined forces to put on a dazzling
country music show. Accompanied by Di Pasqua on piano,
plus three sensational shit-kicker instrumentalists,
Tim Kiah on bass, Alan Grubner of fiddle, and Marc
Daine on guitar/banjo, this is a cabaret act that
boasts a refreshing, bright sheen of professionalism.
These three singers are each terrific musicians with
great voices, but together they are a heavenly choir
with harmonies to die for. They have assembled an act
that allows each to shine in their solo turns, but
also gives full range to their glorious group work. In
their slyly chosen opening number, "High Lonesome
Sound," their sound is plenty high and lonesome only
because there is no one in cabaret who sings higher
than they do. During the course of the show, the
usually soulful Andersen plays the comic card to great
effect singing "Blame It On Your Heart," while Coulter
brings sobs out of the audience singing "He Stopped
Loving Her Today." Di Pasqua’s best number is a
country-inspired song from his own pen called "One
Thing."
The first two-thirds of the show consists mostly of
less-known but deeply evocative country tunes. Having
promised familiar songs, as well, at the end of their
act they launch into a long medley of famous country
hits that crossed over into mainstream acceptance.
With these songs they clinch their argument about the
enduring popularity of country music, while also
singing the hell out of tunes like "Take Me Home
Country Roads," "On the Road Again," "King of the
Road," Make the World Go Away," "I Will Always Love
You," and a slew of others.
As regular readers may know, we’re not generally fond
of medleys. We would rather they fully performed each
and every one of the ten songs in that medley, largely
because they sing them so damned well. Besides, this
show could easily sustain being a ninety minute
concert rather than a sixty minute cabaret act.
- Barbara and Scott Siegel
CABARET SCENES
Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter & Tim DiPasqua
Southern Comfort
The Laurie Beechman Theatre
When you hear the word 'cabaret,' you probably don't
think country music - and why should you? Long
associated with towns like Nashville and Branson,
most urbanites associate country music with bouffant
hairdos, twanging guitars and story-songs about guys
who got in their car, went to the bar, drove over
their dog and got lost in a bog. And though hair,
guitars and stories of loss continue to be an
integral part of country music, the genre has
undergone a considerable metamorphosis the last
several decades. One need look no further than k.d.
lang's brilliant Shadowlands (released in 1988) to
understand and appreciate that country music, in all
its varied forms, has taken its place as one of the
most accomplished American song forms.
In fact, depending on who you ask, there are even a
lot of 'closet' country fans living in urban centers
like New York. At least that's what Tom Andersen,
Scott Coulter and Tim DiPasqua are counting on with
their new collaboration with each other. Multiple
award winners all, Andersen, Counter & DiPasqua have
put together a wonderfully entertaining show called
Southern Comfort that cleverly runs the gamut of
country colors, from bluegrass to folk to gospel with
a healthy dose of tear-jerking ballads on the side.
Listening to their distinct voices blend into an
ethereal whole, it's hard not to be reminded of the
equally dazzling and unexpected collaboration of
Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt on
Trio in 1987, from which a song, Those Memories of
You, makes an early and welcome appearance in
Southern Comfort. With Coulter’s light, shining
falsetto sitting on top, Andersen’s steady, lyric
tenor in the middle and DiPasqua’s flexible baritone
anchoring the bottom, their three voices form a
gorgeous triad as unique as it is joyous. And backed
by a superb quartet of musicians, including Marc Daine
on guitars/banjo, Alan Grubner on fiddle, Dennis
Lichtman on mandolin and Tim Kiah on bass (the latter
three being part of a group called Astrograss), the
song choices in Southern Comfort are unexpected and
tuneful.
The show starts off with a rousing High Lonesome
Sound by Vince Gill and quickly segues to selections
as disparate as k.d. lang's Full Moon of Love, George
Jones' He Stopped Loving Her Today and Ricky Skaggs'
Uncle Pen. And, of course, there’s a medley near the
end that wraps up all manner of hits by John Denver,
Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, just to name a few.
Benefiting from each other's luxurious backing
vocals, Andersen, Counter & DiPasqua are all in
terrific voice and each have several moments to shine.
Memorable solos include Andersen's delicately sung
version of Alan Jackson's Remember When which leads
into Coulter's heartfelt reading of You Can't Go Home
Again (Flies on the Butter) by Chuck Cannon, Allen
Shamblin & Alan Cunningham. Wisely, DiPasqua steals
the spotlight with one of his own estimable songs,
One Thing, which allows him to showcase his relaxed,
effortless style to perfection. Indeed, one of the
delights in Southern Comfort is being reminded what a
talent DiPasqua is and that he’s as talented a
vocalist as he is a songwriter.
There are a few wrinkles in Southern Comfort,
however, that could be easily smoothed out.
Noticeably, their patter is too off-the-cuff and
needs a bit more thought. Their staging (such as it
is) also needs a bit more polish since these are
seasoned performers who should always radiate
confidence. Lastly, and though it’s completely
subjective, Coulter's irritating habit of wincing when
he sings in falsetto is made even more apparent when
paired opposite such unflappable performers as
Andersen and DiPasqua. A mannerism that began as an
affectation of youth now only makes Coulter look like
he's in pain. It may be a small thing, but it's an
unnecessary one that mars an otherwise talented and
engaging singer. Still, those are minor quibbles.
Southern Comfort is a toe-tapping, soul-stirring
delight that will make even die-hard resisters of
country music true believers.
- David Hurst
Comfort Zone
Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter and Tim DiPasqua–each man
capable of doing fine on his own, to a degree, that
is–have just hit on something big. They’ve combined
their singing and chatting talents into a countrified
act called Southern Comfort. If they’re serious about
what’ they’re doing–and it’s sometime difficult to
know around the old second-tier cabaret arena–they’ll
stick to, refine and expand this unusually promising
collaboration. Indeed, if they mean business (or, put
another way, if they’d like to do business), they
might consider honing their new enterprise in the
rooms currently available to them like their recent
Laurie Beechman Theatre truck-stop and, when they’ve
honed sufficiently, get themselves into venues where
country fans–known to be particularly boisterous and
loyal--hang out. If this requires a jaunt to
Nashville (Coulter’s hometown, as it happens), so be
it.
What the guys have developed so far is an eclectic
program of country and country-influenced songs to
which they lay on dynamic harmonies that’d charm the
birds off the trees. And in time might charm the
Nashville hard-noses into offering recording
contracts. Andersen, Coulter and DiPasqua are worth
it when singing in unison or singly. Their versions
of “Walkaway Joe” (Vince Melamed-Greg Barnhill) and
“Always on My Mind” (Wayne Thompson-Mark James-Johnny
Christopher) sound like chart-busters to this city
boy’s ears. (Yoo-hoo, fellas, if you have a demo,
send it this way.)
And the banter is a hoot. Coulter’s naturally funny
and fires ad-libs 10 to the dozen. Andersen, a
one-man quirk festival, seems able to channel
hilarious country stereotypes. DiPasqua’s the earnest
one, ready to give background on any selection. It’s
early days for the act, of course. The men need to
coordinate the chat, work with a director to achieve
that commercial polished unpolished look and make sure
the amplification is balanced correctly. Otherwise,
it’s already dazzling hee-haw.
- David Finkle
The Leading Men: Sopranos Need Not Apply
Men may have the upper hand when it comes to corporate
America, politics and professional sports, but in the
world of musical theatre and the cabaret stage, it's
the women who get the bulk of the glory. Belting divas
and glorious sopranos traditionally get far more
accolades than the smooth baritones, rich basses and
dashing tenors.
But for the past two and a half years Wayman Wong has
been the internet's most ardent advocate for the guys
who sing, and his monthly Playbill.com column, The
Leading Men, updates fans on the latest doings from
musical actors and cabaret crooners.
So it was only natural that the boys of summer stock
would get together at Joe's Pub to show off their
pipes in a benefit performance for Broadway
Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. With Wayman Wong producing,
Alan Muraoka directing and musical direction supplied
by Seth Rudetsky, The Leading Men Concert was a wildly
entertaining boys' night out.
Singer/songwriter Tim Di Pasqua was thrilled at the
thought of being called a "Leading Man". "This is
going on my resume!", he joked. With backup vocals
from Tom Andersen and Scott Coulter, he sang and
played his beautiful, "What Do I Know?"
- Michael Dale
PURPOSE OF LOVE - a Tim Di Pasqua Songbook, Vol 2
CD review
Some of us sincerely
like sincere songs. I relish a well-written bitter and
sarcastic tune just as much as the next guy, as well
as those with sparkling wit that tickle the brain
rather than tugging at the heartstrings. But I need to
be refreshed from time to time with songs and
songwriters who aren't afraid to wear their hopeful or
broken hearts on their sleeves. Many of the selections
in this set fit into that tender, vulnerable genre.
Composer-lyricist Tim Di Pasqua opens the program
singing himself with "What Do I Know?" What he knows
is how to write from an emotional place and sing from
the same address. Please note that the lyrics aren't
necessarily naive; in fact, many reflect grown-up
lessons learned but mostly with a refusal to give in
or give up. With a different vocalist on each number,
and diverse styles, not every track may appeal to your
ear or sensibilities. Such is the case with "Various
Artists" collections. However, there is a lot to
admire and respect in this second such volume of the
songwriter's work. Two selections are from his musical
Synchronicity, available as its own CD (he's recorded
a solo CD in the past, too). Not everything is
dewy-eyed and innocent - "Irene" by sultry Lina
Koutrakos tells the apparently true story of a
fast-living married bisexual couple. Broadway
composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who knows a thing
or 100 about writing a heartfelt number, is on hand
for the attractively simple "The Best That I Can Do"
and KT Sullivan contributes "If You Would Sing With
Me," one of the most elegant of Tim's hymns. I always
admire the work of Phillip Officer, who has a Master's
degree in sincerity and his "As Famous As The Moon,"
is a highlight. Heather McRae is at her storytelling
best in a sad, lonely "When He Walks Through The
Door." Some of the singers may be new discoveries to
you. The sound is quite good, clean and clear. Di
Pasqua is on keyboards and he plays expertly with
truly interesting accompaniment figures that structure
songs nicely. Tim the accompanist doesn't distract
from or overembellish Tim the songwriter. It surprises
me that most of the songs were written in the 1990s or
before; I'd thought this second volume would reveal a
burst of recent compositions. Although his work
doesn't necessarily grab you like those of songsmiths
like John Bucchino or David Friedman who write to the
heart and get right to the heart in masterful ways,
they seem to be in that genre.
- Rob Lester
PURPOSE OF LOVE - a Tim Di Pasqua Songbook, Vol 1
CD review
Another eagerly anticipated album was Purpose Of Love,
Tim Di Pasqua's long-awaited follow up to one of my
favorite albums, Monster Under These Conditions. The
album was inspired by a benefit in 2000 for Broadway
Cares/Equity Fights AIDS that featured Di Pasqua's
songs (and won him a 2001 Backstage Bistro Award for
Special Cabaret Event). Purpose Of Love features
eleven songs performed by a dozen performers and
encompasses a variety of styles. There's the anthem to
Broadway belting ("My Favorite Note, performed by the
iron-lunged Alix Korey), an ode to the fantasy of
closing time ("Big Hairy Man," tenderly and
beautifully sung by Scott Coulter), a rollicking blues
number ("You Got No Style," performed by the
incomparable Baby Jane Dexter), and the warped high
comedy song ("You Make Me Nuts," delightfully sung by
Tom Andersen).
With all those styles and performers, this is one of
those albums that has something for everyone (and
conversely has a song or two that won't match a
person's individual taste). As, to my ears and heart,
Tim Di Pasqua is a songwriter with a unique and
evocative voice that is at its best when describing
yearning, be it desperate or fulfilled, my favorite
numbers are the haunting "So Good" (beautifully sung
by Ann Marie), the heartbreaking "It Shouldn't Have
Happened" (sung by Jessica Hendy, who plucks every
heartstring like a maestro) and a number celebrating a
person's true accomplishments in life, "You"
(performed by Tim himself). The last number is by far
the best on the album, sparking the only complaint
about this album: Tim Di Pasqua is as good a performer
as he is a songwriter and the album would have been
even more magical (to this listener at least) if he
had preserved more of his interpretations.
Purpose of Love is the first volume of the Tim Di
Pasqua Songbook series with Volume Two scheduled to be
released sometime in 2005. For more information visit
www.timdipasqua.com.
- Jonathan Frank
- John Hoglund
- David Finkle
Monster Under These Conditions CD review
Ultimately,
it’s the lyrics that are the driving force of Tim Di Pasqua’s debut album
“Monster under these conditions”. Indeed even the album title suggests
an unusual way with words for a lyricist, one which can render initially
improbable phrases for a song perfectly musical, finessing an apparently
inelegant turn of phrase into something highly expressive. All the songs
on the album are Di Pasqua’s own compositions and there is a consistency
of style and quality that suggest that this is a young man of considerable
talent and potential.
Di Pasqua’s final composition on the album “Nothing”, expresses a dualistic
belief that all human activity breaks down into either “giving love or
craving it”. needless to say, therefore, the works which comprise this
collection seem to be written from one of those two perspectives. Then
in “I thought it was you”, Di Pasqua gently emotes that “I only want to
live together and make you feel good” whilst “As famous as the moon” finds
him unable to conceal his joy in the assuredness of the love he has found.
The lyrics of many of the songs in this collection work as much as prose
as they do as poetry, reflecting the songwriter’s preference for longer
phrases and developing more sophisticated ideas. More often than not,
the songs are densely packed, highly conversational and, in the case of
up tempo numbers, requires the skill to sing at times at near breakneck
speed. It is this aspect that makes this an album of particular interest
to cabaret performers. Di Pasqua, for one, is certainly up to the task
as a vocalist and whilst the apparent ease with which he performs the
material may be deceptive, singers looking for new repertoire will be
encouraged to hear him deliver perfectly naturally a lengthy phrase such
as “all alone in the darkness romanticizing, holding out for a sign and
it seems that until then I’m just fantasizing that one day you would be
mine”.
It would be wrong to infer that the primacy of the lyrics detracts in
any way from the musicality of the work; Di Pasqua will write a strophic
chorus when one is required and all the songs have a solid, traditional
construction and are enhanced by full and satisfying, mostly soft rock
arrangements. No doubt Di Pasqua will have his own list of musical influences,
that in “Adventure” one strong, possibly unconscious, source would seem
to be ABBA, at least for the verse sections.
Adding to the ambiance are the contributions of guest vocalists Lisa Asher,
Capathia Jenkins, Mayumi Harada and Tom Andersen, some fine instrumental
work by guitarists Jay Condiotti and Tony James as well as saxophonist
Danny Wilensky.
This is an album that demands careful and unhurried listening but which
offers rich rewards to those who take the time to pay attention to it’s
lush, melodic feel and astute observations on love, whether giving or
craving it.
- Steven Wells
SHOW BUSINESS WEEKLY December 2001
Monster Under These Conditions CD review
The first thing you'll notice about Tim Di Pasqua's new recording is the quality of his material, which is superb. The next thing you'll notice is the high level of production values that he has insisted on. The mixing, sound and balance (by Kevin Jasper) are all terrific - a labor of love that has paid off beautifully.
-David Hurst
TIME OUT NEW YORK
Monster Under These Conditions CD review
With the release of his debut CD Monster Under These Conditions, the rest of the world can discover what cabaret-goers have know for quite some time: Di Pasqua's original songs are filled with honesty beauty and intelligence.
- H.Scott Jolley
SHOW BUSINESS WEEKLY August 2001
ASCAP Singer-Songwriter Series at the Firebird Cafe
Under the auspices of Michael Kerker, the ASCAP Singer-Songwriter Series at the Firebird has become an invaluable showcase for both established and new artists in the cabaret community. No one exemplifies this better that Tim Di Pasqua, a gifted songwriter who recently made his debut in the series and is clearly on the brink of a much higher profile as both a composer and performer. Most songwriters with a gift for melody and rhyme are usually wise to et others perform their work. In Di Pasqua's case, however, this would be a great loss-he possesses a startlingly beautiful voice. A lyric tenor, Di Pasqua's voice has a pop center with rock and country edges-think Barry Manilow wrapped inside Glen Campbell and Billy Joel (all meant as compliments). It's a sound that he wields with confidence and style. Fortunately, Di Pasqua's writing is as interesting as his voice. Musically, there is a distinctive pop structure to his writing that is augmented by a jazz sensibility evidenced in his selection of chords. There is also an R&B presence to his work that runs through his piano playing as if it was the thread holding the tapestry together. Overall, his songs have a polish and substance that should easily catch the attention of major recording labels and artists. Appearing with Di Pasqua were guests Tom Andersen and Scott Coulter. Andersen, who collaborated with Di Pasqua on the now popular "Every night I sleep with an angel" sang "You make me nuts," a catchy and funny tune that he delivered perfectly. Coulter sang "Maybe you didn't hear me" with feeling and a lightness that allowed Di Pasqua's lyric to shimmer. When the three men joined forces to sing " What do I know?" the harmonies were spine tingling and reminded me of the TRIO album that Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris recorded several years ago. They should consider doing an entire CD of Di Pasqua's work.
- David Hurst
BACKSTAGE June 2001
Don't Tell Mama
Bistro award winner Tim Di Pasqua has returned with a mixed bag. However in this case, the engaging mix offers only a few of his original tunes favoring instead, popular gems by greats like Sammy Cahn, Duke Ellington, and Stephen Sondheim. While his songs can stand on their own, Di Pasqua's show is so well executed an his talent is such that it all works on every level. This songwriter, who has an expressive, beautiful voice, has also persevered and his time has come. A gifted pianist, Di Pasqua's eclectic show proved to be an excellent showcase for his diverse talents, and there were many funny and pin-dropping moments that left everyone cheering. Di Pasqua's musical genius comes across succinctly in arrangements that wrap adagio passages in tight harmonies that are breathtaking in their sheer beauty. Debuting a new song, Scott Coulter joined him on stage in a duet on "The Possibility", a terrific ballad about uncertain commitments and the passage of time. Their voices meshed in perfect harmony on a song that's sure to have a life. Trust me, this ;guy's gonna make it to the center ring. He's on his way and you need to catch him while you can afford to.
- John Hoglund
THE VILLAGE VOICE September 2000
The Purpose of Love at The Triad
Tim Di Pasqua - One of the songwriters writing the way they used to and therefore being sung by boite singerswho know what's good for them. Joining him on pages from his songbook- the show's called "THE PURPOSE OF LOVE" - will be, among others, Alix Korey, Phillip Officer, Tom Andersen, Lina Koutrakos, and David Gurland.
- David Finkle
THEATER MANIA.COM October 10, 2000
The Song is them: Tim Di Pasqua and William Finn The Purpose of Love
Nearly two dozen Broadway and cabaret stars got together at The Triad recently to sing the songs of up-and-coming composer Tim Di Pasqua. The commitment they made, as well as their sheer number, was a testament to both the quality and variety of Di Pasqua's work. For the audience, it was an opportunity to hear some possible future standards as well as the chance to enjoy the talents of a slew of singers. The show was a win-win situation all the way around. Di Pasqua's melodies caress the ear with a seeming simplicity; they are warm, engaging, and nostalgic. But he's not a pop-tune kind of composer who writes songs with verses that endlessly repeat. His compositions, whether intended for inclusion in a show or not, are true theater songs that have character-and characters. The tension between the melodious music and the detail-heavy lyrics creates a strong dynamic in Di Pasqua's work. Love songs made up a good portion of his show at the Triad, but most of them were not what you'd call typical of the genre. Take, for instance, Tom Andersen's hilarious interpretation of Di Pasqua's You Make Me Nuts, which is among the funniest proclamations of affection you will ever hear. In addition to songs of love, some of Di Pasqua's specialty material was presented, including an item he penned for the great Alix Korey: My Favorite Note. Another special moment was composer Stephen Schwartz's willingness to show his support by singing Di Pasqua's The Best that I can Do - and Schwartz did a damned good job with it. Michael Levesque produced the show and directed it with a wonderful fluidity.
- Barbara & Scott Siegel.
TIME OUT NEW YORK August 5-12 1999
Don't Tell Mama
Tim Di Pasqua. Why this singer/songwriter's name isn't lighting up a Broadway marquee while Elton John's is remains a mystery. Di Pasqua's penning some of the most original and heartfelt music in town, so catch him now before someone wises up and signs this immensely talented performer.
THEATER REVIEWS LIMITED August 13, 1999
Don't Tell Mama
Tim Di Pasqua is flexing his "performer" muscle at Don't Tell Mama and what a work out it is! Tim is not only a first-rate songwriter and pianist; he is a performer with a voice and style to be reckoned with. With his unique sense of phrasing and an endearing personality, Tim has returned to this wonderful room to give his audience a power packe show which includes two songs from his new musical "Synchronicity". With Jerod Egan on bass, and Tim occasionally at a non-piano keyboard, and a song list of "Di Pasqua hits," live entertainment just doesnt' get much better. Tim intentionally puts his stamp of many of his songs which we know mostly through the voices of other singers for whom Tim has written. It is a joy to hear him singing his own songs and to experience the full range of his formidable talent. All the songs in this program highlight Tim Di Pasqua's masterful ability to write music and lyrics. To say that Tim Di Pasqua has his soulful finger on the heartbeat of love at the beginning of the new millennium is a true understatement. there is no one in love who will not feel welcomed and accepted and challenged by lyrics by Di Pasqua. The final songs in Tim's program might be called "I want to go home" (and it is a beautiful song); however, no one in the audience wants to go home when Tim is finished. Tim is, in a very real sense, all that "home" should mean.
- David Roberts
BACKSTAGE August 6-12 1999
CD review SYNCHRONICITY - original cast recording
In Sync Acclaimed singer-songwriter Tim Di Pasqua has released a terrific album of songs from his work in progress, Synchronicity (Easter Records). With singers like Bob Bucci, Susan Emerson, Michael Levesque, Trent Armand Kendall, and Alix Korey the story-songs reach out to the listener as the tale unfolds. A sophisticated mix of heart-wrenching and whimsical songs bring this disc to life in what promises to be a great show. Among some beautiful highlihgts, two were particularly moving in their poignant message: a duet, "You carry it with You" sung by Bucci and Korey, and "As it's meant to be" sung by Levesque. Di Pasqua remains one of Manhattan's most hidden new treasures and all singers on the disc are outstanding. Hopefully, with Synchronicity that will change. It's a New York story of tears and laughter appropriately set against a show-biz backdrop.
- John Hoglund
TIME OUT NEW YORK January 23-30 1997
97 People to watch in 97
Tim Di Pasqua. His voice is one of the sweetest sounds you'll ever hear. Whether performing standards or one of his own excellent original songs, he is a mesmerizer. Look for his original musical, Synchronicity, which is likely to be staged in '97
- Eric Meyers
More Quotes
"One of the freshest and most melodic of the contemporary cabaret writers today. "
- Stephen Schwartz
- Eric Meyers, TIME OUT NEW YORK