mendelstyx

Looks very interesting (and thank you Kathy in advance). Love that he has gotten himself to such a good place these days. Hats off to him. Liz

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/13094...s_Will_Play_NYC 01 Dalmatians: The Musical Tour to Launch in Minneapolis; Will Play NYC By Adam Hetrick and Kenneth Jones 09 Jul 2009 Jerry Zaks Jerry Zaks photo by Aubrey Reuben Tour dates have been announced for the new Jerry Zaks-helmed family production 101 Dalmatians: The Musical, which is set to launch in Minneapolis Oct. 13. Featuring a score by STYX rocker Dennis DeYoung and a book by Zaks' protégé and Billy Elliot resident director BT McNicholl, 101 Dalmatians: The Musical is a fresh take on the 1957 novel by British author Dodie Smith. The production, which will incorporate actors dressed as dogs in addition to 15 actual spotted pooches, is told from the Dalmatians' point of view. Casting for the tour will be announced shortly. The touring schedule for 101 Dalmatians: The Musical follows: Minneapolis, MN (Oct. 13-18 at the Orpheum Theatre) Appleton, WI (Oct. 20-25 at the Fox Cities PAC) Atlanta, GA (Oct. 28-Nov. 1 at the Cobb Center) Washington, DC (Nov. 3-15 at the Warner Theater) Detroit, MI (Nov. 17-22 at the Fox Theatre) Austin, TX (Nov. 24-29 at the Long Center) Dallas, TX (Dec. 1-20 at the Music Hall) Boston, MA (Dec. 23-27 at the Citi Center) Miami, FL (Dec. 30, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010 at the Arsht Center) Birmingham, AL (Jan. 12-17, 2010 at the BJCC) Nashville, TN (Jan. 19-24, 2010 at the TPAC) East Lansing, MI (Jan. 26-31, 2010 at the Wharton Center) Toronto, ON (Feb. 2-14, 2010 at the Princess of Wales Theatre) Chicago, IL (Feb. 16-28, 2010 at the Oriental Theatre) Columbus, OH (March 2-7, 2010 at the Palace Theatre) Indianapolis, IN (March 9-14, 2010 at Clowes Hall) Providence, RI (March 16-21, 2010 at the PPAC) Wallingford, CT (March 23-28, 2010 at the Chevrolet Theatre) New York, NY (April 6-25, 2010 at the WaMu Theatre) Tulsa, OK (April 27-May 2, 2010 at the Brady Theatre) San Antonio, TX (May 4-9, 2010 at the Majestic Theatre) Kansas City, MO (May 11-16, 2010 at the Music Hall) Pittsburgh, PA (May 18-23, 2010 at Heinz Hall) San Diego, CA (June 1-6, 2010 at the Civic Theatre) Los Angeles, CA (June 8-20, 2010 at the Pantages Theatre) 101 Dalmatians: The Musical, according to press notes, "follows Dalmatians spouses Pongo and Missis Pongo who are living the good life in London with their 'pets' Charles and Catherine Dearly. When their 10 puppies are suddenly 'dognapped' by the villainous Cruella de Vil, they summon the help of a vast network of dogs and set off to rescue their pups. There’s a happy ending for all with laughter, mayhem and music along the way." The production will have choreography by Warren Carlyle (Tale of Two Cities, Finian's Rainbow), lighting design by Paul Gallo, costume design by Robert Morgan, scenic design by Heidi Ettinger, orchestrations by Danny Troob, with dance arrangements by Mark Hummel. Joel Slaven is the dog trainer for 101 Dalmatians. McNicholl said in a previous statement, "Here is an enchanting, upside-down vision of the world: seeing life from the dogs' point of view. Embracing this wonderfully daft proposition, we are instantly transported to a slightly topsy-turvy, exciting, and altogether fantastic reality that gives grand license for song, dance and spectacle." Humans will be "in a heightened form of dress and scale so as to appear larger than life — as they would seem from a dog's point of view," stated Zaks. The Dalmatians will have "no ears, no paws — but, rather, a clever use of costumes in the black-and-white palette that will immediately set them apart from the human characters. This represents a technical solution to the question, 'How do we present dogs and humans on stage simultaneously?'" BT McNicholl is a BMI Award-winning librettist and lyricist, whose work includes the musical The It Girl (published by Samuel French and Hal Leonard Publishing). He is also a respected director. DeYoung is best known as keyboardist, songwriter and a founding member of the rock group Styx. He was the lead singer and composer of Styx hits, "Lady," "Come Sail Away," "Best of Times," "Mr. Roboto," and more. His musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame was an extended hit in Chicago in 2008. (The first production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, was staged in Nashville, by the Tennessee Repertory Theater.) For more information, visit Dennis DeYoung.com. Zaks won Tony Awards for Direction of Six Degrees of Separation, Lend Me a Tenor, The House of Blue Leaves and Guys and Dolls. He also directed the popular Smokey Joe's Café and the revivals of Anything Goes and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (he was Tony-nominated for all three). The musical is produced by Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Productions, Troika Entertainment, and international producer Luis Alvarez. For tickets, visit The101DalmatiansMusical.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/THE_1...622810_20090709 THE 101 DALMATIONS MUSICAL Plays The Ford Center For The Performing Arts 2/16-2/28/10 Feedback Printer-Friendly E-Mail Article Enter Your E-Mail Address: Thursday, July 9, 2009; Posted: 02:07 PM - by BWW News Desk Presented by Broadway In Chicago, THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL is one of the world's greatest classic tales and will come to life on stage at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre for a limited engagement February 16 to 28, 2010. Based on the beloved book by Dodie Smith, THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL is a one-of-a-kind adventure for the entire family about what it means to be a family, canine and courageous. The musical is led by an award-winning creative team including four-time Tony Award winning director Jerry Zaks (A Bronx Tale, Smokey Joe's Café, Guys and Dolls), acclaimed bookwriter and co-lyricist BT McNicholl (Billy Elliot, Spamalot, The IT Girl), and Dennis DeYoung, founding member of the legendary rock band STYX, on board as composer and co-lyricist. The musical is produced by Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Productions, Troika Entertainment, and international producer Luis Alvarez. Tour and ticket information is available at www.The101DalmatiansMusical.com. "We are thrilled to be bringing the beloved classic story of 101 Dalmatians to life and to audiences across the country this fall," said Lee D. Marshall, Co-Founder of Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Productions. "The inspiration for the production's unique and delightful concept came directly from re-discovering the original 1957 novel. Now over 50 years later, the 101 Dalmatians tale continues to bring joy to families and we are confident our talented creative team will inspire theatergoers of all ages through THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL's unique story-telling, amazing new music and tremendous performances." In keeping with the spirit of the beloved original story, THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL promises a quirky, upside-down view of the world, where the audience is allowed to see life from a dog's point of view. The stage musical will transport theatergoers into an exciting and altogether fantastic reality that gives grand license for song, dance and spectacle. In addition to the bevy of talented human actors, THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL will showcase fifteen talented Dalmatians, many of which were rescued from animal shelters across the country and given a new lease on life with this starring role, making this an even more, truly inspiring rags to riches story. THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL follows Dalmatians spouses Pongo and Missis Pongo who are living the good life in London with their "pets" Charles and Catherine Dearly. When their 10 puppies are suddenly "dognapped" by the villainous Cruella de Vil, they summon the help of a vast network of dogs and set off to rescue their pups. There's a happy ending for all with laughter, mayhem and music along the way. Director Jerry Zaks added, "We felt it was very important to accurately portray the look and feel of the original book, -- which tells the story from the dog's point-of-view -- in a way that translates to the stage. Humans will be presented in a heightened form of dress and scale so as to appear larger than life, and the actors who play the animals will thus seem more human than their humans. As for the lovable Dalmatians, they will have no ears, no paws - but rather a clever use of costumes in a black-and-white palette that will immediately set them apart from the human characters. THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL is a universal tale about a parent's love for their children and how they must band together during a difficult time." The show's lively contemporary score and soundtrack was composed by Grammy nominated and People's Choice Award winner Dennis DeYoung. As former singer of the legendary rock band STYX, DeYoung composed such unforgettable, timeless hits as "Babe," "Come Sail Away," "The Best of Times" and "Mr. Roboto." With THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL, he brings his pop rock flair to an array of original songs destined to become popular material to kids and adults alike. These include: "One-Hundred-and-One Dalmatians," "Twilight Barking," "One True Love," "Cruella Always Gets Her Way" and "Be A Little Braver." "I love having the opportunity to give musical life to the outrageous Cruella De Vil, what composer wouldn't? (Mozart perhaps, but I digress). But more importantly to try and create a score that will stay with the audience long after they have left the theater. As in days of old, musical theater music should aspire to be relevant both in and out of dramatic context. With that in mind, it might be time to start teaching your dogs to sing," said Dennis DeYoung, composer and co-lyricist for THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL. THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL also features a surprise grand finale showcasing the tremendous talents of the professional and rescued Dalmatians that will leave audiences cheering. The dogs were all trained by one of the world's foremost animal trainers, Joel Slaven, who has worked extensively with Jack Hanna on such features films as Ace Ventura Pet Detective and That Darn Cat. Purina® Dog Chow®, the brand that celebrates millions of rascally dogs around the country, has signed on as the title sponsor for THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL. Purina Dog Chow will support the musical with an extensive national print, retail and online campaign. The individual tickets on-sale date will be announced at a later date. Tickets are currently available as part of the 2009-2010 Broadway In Chicago Series at 312-977-1717 and to groups of 20 or more by calling (312) 977-1710.

http://www.broadway.com/101-Dalmatians-Mus...ay_news/5030324 Headlines: 101 Dalmatians Musical, Composed by STYX vet Dennis DeYoung, Set to Tour by Broadway.com Staff The classic children’s tale 101 Dalmatians is coming to the stage, with 15 real Dalmatians in the cast. The 101 Dalmatians Musical (which apparently has no connection to the Disney movies) will begin a national tour in Minneapolis on October 13, including a three-week engagement from April 6 through April 25, 2010, at New York’s WaMu Theater. Featuring music by STYX founding member Dennis DeYoung, a book by B.T. McNicholl and lyrics by DeYoung and McNicholl, the show will be directed by four-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks. Inspired by Dodie Smith’s 1957 novel, The 101 Dalmatians Musical follows canine spouses Pongo and Missis Pongo who are living the good life in London with their “pets” Charles and Catherine Dearly. When their 10 puppies are suddenly “dognapped” by the villainous Cruella de Vil, the Dalmatian parents summon the help of a vast network of dogs and set off to rescue their pups. Zaks explains in a statement that the musical will be told from a dog’s point of view. “Humans will be presented in a heightened form of dress and scale so as to appear larger than life, and the actors who play the animals will thus seem more human than their humans. As for the lovable Dalmatians, they will have no ears, no paws—but rather a clever use of costumes in a black-and-white palette that will immediately set them apart from the human characters.” Grammy nominee DeYoung, composer of hits such as “Babe,” “Come Sail Away,” “The Best of Times” and “Mr. Roboto,” has written a score with a pop rock flavor. The grand finale of The 101 Dalmatians Musical will feature 15 Dalmatians, including many rescued from animal shelters across the country. The dogs and two trainers will travel in a customized tour bus equipped with a grooming station and portable playground. All canine performers will be placed in loving homes or at trainer Joel Slaven’s Florida ranch after the tour. No human cast members have been announced. The musical is being produced by Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Productions, Troika Entertainment, and Luis Alvarez.

http://www.cantonrep.com/entertainment/x13...perform-July-17 The best of times at Clay's Park: DeYoung to perform July 17 By Dan Kane CantonRep.com staff writer Posted Jul 09, 2009 @ 04:38 PM Dennis DeYoung was working on the score for a stage-musical version of “101 Dalmations” when he phoned the other day. It’s not so surprising when you think about it. Theatrics long have been a part of DeYoung’s musical style, from Mr. Roboto to Cruella DeVille. About half the songs on his new solo album, “One Hundred Years From Now,” could fit into a Broadway show. But other tunes, such as “Private Jones” and “Turn Off CNN,” rock with authority. DeYoung used to be the vocalist for the rock band Styx, after all. Launched with the hit single “Lady” in 1975, Styx has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide, and scored nine top-10 singles. DeYoung wrote eight of them including “Lady,” “Come Sail Away,” “Mr. Roboto,” “The Best of Times” and “Babe.” Styx split up in 1984, then reunited for tours in 1996, ’97 and ’98. DeYoung left permanently in 1999. Today, he and Styx continue to tour separately playing Styx music. On July 17, DeYoung will take his soaring vocals to the stage of the Rock N Resort Festival at Clay’s Park. His wife of 38 years, Suzanne, is a backing vocalist in his band. In conversation, DeYoung, 62, was energetic, candid and witty. Excerpts follow. Q. I was just listening to your new CD. Will you be playing much of it at your show here? A. No. I will mix in two or three new songs, but the majority are the big ones. They are paying to come hear them and relive their memories of a time when music and youth and freedom all mixed together to give them the illusion of no responsibility. That’s what this music means to people. I know that’s what it does to me. Q. How has your voice held up through the years? You sound strong on the new CD. A. I’ve gotten better. That album has no pitch correction. Every note was played and sung as is. Q. How many concerts are you doing this year? A. Forty shows. I did 65 or 70 last year, did a tour of Germany. At some point you’ve got to be aware of your age. Q. Which song gets the biggest crowd reaction at your shows? A. Usually it’s “Come Sail Away.” That song, of everything I’ve written, is the one where people can sing every word, including both verses from start to finish. I’m in awe of that. A close second would be “Roboto” and “Lady.” They get the same response. People love to sing “The Best of Times.” Q. How about “Babe”? A. “Babe” is where people seem to exhale. That’s a song that’s very reflective of who they were with when the song was popular and who they had sex with. (Chuckles) People tell me these things, and that’s knowledge I don’t need! Q. Are you in touch with the other guys from Styx? A. We haven’t been in touch for almost 10 years. Q. But you’ll be standing next to them when Styx gets inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, right? A. Well yes, but I’m not so sure that is likely to happen. All I have to say about the Rock Hall of Fame is, would I like to? Yes. Do we deserve to? Well, I see a lot of people in there who meant less. Last year, they inducted Leonard Cohen. I respect him for his achievements, but the Rock Hall of Fame? On what possible criteria? The songwriter hall of fame, certainly, but the rock hall? Q. Styx is one of many bands that scored a string of big hits but never got a lick of critical respect. A. Styx, Foreigner, Boston, REO Speedwagon, Journey were all staples, bands whose music continues to please people, but they were of an era that was deemed either too mainstream or corporate, whatever that meant. It was the label put on us by critics who loved the Ramones. Q. When Styx was hugely popular, did it ever get overwhelming? A. It was never overwhelming because it happened to us gradually. It wasn’t like Hootie & the Blowfish or Alanis Morissette, where one day you woke up and you’d sold 12 million albums. I fully expected what happened to us would happen — that’s what dreams are about. I didn’t dream of playing the Elks Club Friday night at the fish fry. Q. You guys were pretty huge. A. I guess for us what was overwhelming was that from 1972 through 1983, we released on average an album every 12 months, and in between that we were on the road. It’s still the greatest job in the world, but think about people who go on vacation maybe one or two weeks a year, and even that can be exhausting. Traveling musicians are constantly facing the disconnectedness of being away from home. It comes down to the essentials of “Where’s my food, bed and toilet?” Q. Let’s talk about the Volkswagen commercial that used “Mr. Roboto.” That had to inspire some new fans. A. That commercial ran for two years! What it did was allow that song to become part of popular culture. “Domo Arigato, Mister Roboto” has become part of the vernacular. I’d been offered lots of commercials using my music, a fast-food chain and an oil company to name two, and I turned them all down. But when I got offered a Roboto commercial for a car stereo, how do you not do that? I re-recorded the song for it. Q. The music industry is so fragmented nowadays. Any thoughts on that? A. I lived at the greatest time in the history of mankind to be a musician, from the end of the ’60s through the middle of the ’80s. There was still a common culture, and the audience was not distracted by new technological inventions. Music was the sole outlet for young people’s lives. Q. You sound like a fulfilled man, Dennis. A. You know how lucky I am? I play a few notes of a song I wrote 35 years ago and people scream! If you don’t enjoy that, you may have made a poor career choice.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/news/...al_N.htm?csp=34 15 lucky dogs will be spotted on '101 Dalmatians' stage The 101 Dalmatians Musical , featuring live dogs, begins a national tour Oct. 13 in Minneapolis. Enlarge image Enlarge The 101 Dalmatians Musical , featuring live dogs, begins a national tour Oct. 13 in Minneapolis. By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY Musical theater is going to the dogs — a whole chorus line of them. Fifteen canine performers will kick up their paws in The 101 Dalmatians Musical, a show based on the children's novel by Dodie Smith, which also inspired the classic animated Disney film. In the stage version, which begins a national tour Oct. 13 at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre, live pooches will figure prominently both at the end of Act One and in the closing number. "The finale is going to bring the house down," promises lead producer Lee Marshall. Dog trainer Joel Slaven, whose credits include the movies Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and That Darn Cat, will choreograph the four-legged troupers. A majority will be rescue dogs, and they will make their showbiz debuts in comfort and style. FIND MORE STORIES IN: Dennis DeYoung | Dodie Smith "They'll travel (by) bus, with a trainer for every four animals, who will always be with them," Marshall says. "Dalmatians are pack animals by nature, so they like to live as a family." Since dogs, however gifted, cannot sing lyrics or recite dialogue, principal characters will be played by humans. That includes canine couple Pongo and Missus and their puppies, who are dog-napped by Cruella De Vil. "It's a great story," says director Jerry Zaks, a four-time Tony Award winner. "It's about a family being ripped apart and put back together. It's going to have kids and adults weeping, and then happy." The actors playing humans "will be moving about 15 inches off the ground, so that they seem larger than life. The humans playing dogs will move around like adults, only costumed. The whole idea is that we see things from their point of view." Zaks is working with a libretto adapted by B.T. McNicholl and a score by Styx frontman Dennis DeYoung, who co-wrote lyrics with McNicholl and had previously written a musical version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. "The dogs will have songs with a contemporary pop sensibility," DeYoung says. "The adults will seem ensconced in a different time" with songs that pay homage to traditional Broadway music. There aren't yet plans to bring Dalmatians to Broadway — instead, there's an extended New York engagement at Madison Square Garden in 2010 — but "it will be marketed as a Broadway musical," Marshall says. Whatever happens, the rescue dogs needn't worry: A happy ending awaits after the final curtain. "Either we'll find fabulous homes for them, or Joel will take them to live on his farm," Marshall says. "They won't be going back to the shelters."

http://gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../NEWS/707059986 REVIEW: DeYoung sticks his hits in fine form By Diana Nollen The Gazette diana.nollen@gazettecommunications.com CORALVILLE — Under some rain, some shine, Dennis DeYoung whipped up the best of times Friday night at Coralville’s 4thFEST. Thousands turned out to hear the voice of Styx create his magic during a 90-minute free concert in S.T. Morrison Park. They danced the robot, they cheered, they sang those familiar lyrics and some dined in style with elaborate homemade picnics and barbecues. Even Miss Iowa, Anne Michael Langguth of Iowa City, whipped out her fiddle for a rousing “Orange Blossom Special” to kick off the concert. It doesn’t get more Americana than that for a Fourth of July celebration. Chicago native DeYoung, 62, is in fine form. He sounds just as fabulous today as in his former band’s heyday in the ’70s and ’80s. The years aren’t always kind to rock ’n’ roll tenors, but his pure, high tones shot like a rocket through the layers of funky electronics. Although he’s parted company with his former bandmates, he’s assembled a groovy new group with dual guitars, bass, percussion, keyboards and two backup vocalists. Something tells me DeYoung sounds better without Styx than Styx sounds without DeYoung. (We’ll find out when Styx plays an outdoor show at the Riverside Casino at 8 p.m. Aug. 29.) He is so personable, so comfortable in his own skin, that watching him in action is a delight. He kicks and punches the air with gusto, chats often with the audience, teases the crowd, mugs with tongue in cheek and makes wisecracks about growing older. He knows how to play his fans and, I suspect, reel in some new ones, including some Goth teen headbangers in front of me. He launched the evening with “Grand Illusion,” his tenor soaring through the air, promising great things to come. As the song wound down, he stepped behind his synthesizer and laid out a delicate, tinkling piano line that segued into one of his biggest hits, “Lady.” Things didn’t stay gentle for long, as DeYoung and the band blasted into all out rocker mode. Blistering guitar licks continued through “Lorelei,” as well as other quintessential hits, from “Rockin’ the Paradise” to the sublime encore, “Come Sail Away.” DeYoung obviously knows guitarists don’t get much better than Tommy Dziallo and Jimmy Leahey, with each having extended solo turns in addition to their crunching duels. The audience had the most fun with “Mr. Roboto.” It was a real kick to watch the boomers around me bust their best herky-jerky moves. The concert showcased lovely moments, as well, with an extended guitar solo shining through “Desert Moon,” and DeYoung’s signature ballad, “Babe,” the first song he wrote for Suzanne, his wife of nearly 40 years. Not one to rest on his laurels, DeYoung also broke out the title track from his new CD, “100 Years From Now.” It begins softly, like a French folk song, then churns into anthem mode, chock full of emotion. Recorded as a duet with Quebec rocker Eric Lapointe, the single powered its way to the top of Canadian radio charts. Amazed at this latest success, DeYoung quipped to the crowd, “People my age don’t even get on the radio!” Maybe not, but there’s plenty of firepower left in the man who sounds forever young.

Happy birthday to a great lady. Liz =D>

Now see, I'm with Kathy here. I like the new version with the inclusion of Mountain King, but it to me is one of the few symphonic songs that doesn't blend as well. I prefer the more simplistic original version. As for set lists and wishes...way too hard for me to make a list, and I'm content enough just to hear him sing whatever he wishes. I figure he's earned the right. But, I am enjoying your lists. Liz

Well I know you loved it...I mean come on...Dennis nearly stepped on your hand. But for those of us in the middle of the floor, seriously the sound was extremely muddied. I think having the sound man off to the side contributed to this, though I understand the logistics of it. Personal favorite for me...Chicago Theater show (where the double live was created and we got a snippet of Pontius Pilate and the absolute best version he has done of Summertime...wish that had made the cut for the double live). Festa with the moon over the water was great. Milwaukee and the excitement of being the first set of fans to get the double live...along with scary lady trying to get backstage...oh that's right...you were backstage and missed her...LOL. And let's not forget our adventures just getting to that concert. Because...there was no stop sign right???? LOL. There are so many concerts of his I have had the great fortune to go to. Each had moments I loved. Here's to him continuing for as long as he wants. Liz The

Off to see this latest incarnation of my prom song.... Liz

Hey...don't forget to punch your chest as you sing this song. One must emulate the great Dionne. And ya know...they didn't actually drown. That icy water...they actually suffocated (no joke). How horrid. And just why didn't Leo go and grab a life vest from one of the many dead bodies around him? Just something to ponder. Because...we'll stay...forever this way.... Liz

I think any artist that attempts to showcase themselves in a different light is subject to the kind of review given above. Personally, I applaud the attempt to be diverse. Something Dennis has always been. Liz

I was there. And while it was a good concert, from where we were, the sound was rather muddied. I could have lived without Unfinished Song (though it was done for Chuck Lofrano...and how wonderful that with his health situation he was there to see it). Loved Best Thing and Borrowed Time. The show was great, the crowd was into it, but it wouldn't land in my top 3 concert faves from him. Liz

I was firmly under the impression they only performed Babe one time since Dennis left. For a show in Japan where they were specifically asked to include it in the set list. I'm fairly certain it wasn't Babe, more likely it was Lady that was heard at the concert being talked about here. And please....no reunions for Dennis and company. I'd so rather leave them apart at this point. Just not worth it. Liz

I saw from another site that this kind of show was also taped for an upcoming episode of A & E's Private Sessions to air on July 12th. If so, awesome news. Liz

From Canoe.ca.com http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/D/DeYoun...659551-sun.html De Young still sings Styx hits By DENIS ARMSTRONG - Sun Media The transition to musical theatre from Styx's grandiose rock was easier than Dennis De Young expected. The prime creative force behind 13 elaborate fantasy albums including Man of Miracles, The Grand Illusion and Paradise Theatre, De Young's latest and most surprising musical project was a recent musical based on The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The show was a hit during its run at Chicago's Baileywick Theatre, enough so that De Young is already writing a new musical based on Disney's 101 Dalmations, which is scheduled to open in Minneapolis this fall. "But we're calling it 78 Dalmations because that's all we can afford with the recession," a giddy De Young says with a laugh from his home in the Windy City. "Musicals are risky ventures because they cost so much and are so sensitive. Anything can go wrong, or right. That's what makes them so exciting when they work." De Young was first bitten by the Broadway bug in 1993. When relations with Styx started to strain, De Young, a devout Catholic, temporarily quit the band to join a national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, playing the role of Pontius Pilate. Click here to find out more! As much as he enjoyed the experience, eventually the novelty of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical wore thin. "I don't think that it's a great musical, but it's got a compelling story and Jesus is a popular guy," he says. The experience gave De Young's post-Styx career a new direction, and shortly after the tour commitment, he recorded 10 On Broadway, a compilation of covers of classics from the Great American Songbook. Since leaving the band in 1999, which he blamed on chronic fatigue, De Young has focused on musical theatre, and Styx redux concerts, including his latest Canadian tour of acoustic Styx hits with former Styx guitarist Glen Burtnik. Falling as close as it does to the Lawrence Gowan-led Styx gig at Bluesfest on July 16 shows just how enduring the band, and progressive rock in general, is in the Ottawa Valley and Quebec. De Young claims it's the biggest market for his music in the world, and why he included a duet with Quebec singer Eric Lapointe on his 2007 album One Hundred Years From Now, which went to No. 1 in Quebec, and led to an appearance on hit TV talent series Star Academie. "I should move there," he jokes. Despite his busy solo career, De Young admits after 10 years he's still not used to not being a part of the band he started in 1970. "Styx is like my middle name. It's weird that I'm not attached to it anymore. I had to go through a long identification process after I left Styx because brand names count for a lot."

http://www.dennisdeyoung.com/index.php?src...e&refno=237 CHICAGO - DENNIS DEYOUNG:THE MUSIC OF STYX (click for more info) Date: July 12, 2009 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Show map Great Performers of Illinois Jay Pritzker Pavilion Millennium Park Chicago, IL DENNIS DEYOUNG TO RECEIVE THE 2009 GREAT PERFORMER OF ILLINOIS AWARD CELEBRATING HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO MUSIC AND THE CULTURE OF CHICAGO AND STATE OF ILLINOIS. THE AWARD PRESENTATION IS FOLLOWED BY A LIVE PERFORMANCE AT THE FRANK GEHRY DESIGNED JAY PRITZKER PAVILION IN MILLENNIUM PARK. DEYOUNG FOLLOWS BUDDY GUY AS THE SECOND RECIPIENT OF THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD. DENNIS DEYOUNG recreates 30 years of musical history featuring all the music he wrote and sang spanning his remarkable career. All your favorite classics including 8 top 10 hits such as LADY, BABE, COME SAIL AWAY, BEST OF TIMES, MR. ROBOTO, DON'T LET IT END, SHOW ME THE WAY, DESERT MOON plus Rock Anthems SUITE MADAME BLUE, GRAND ILLUSION, LORELEI, ROCKIN' THE PARADISE, plus many more including music from his new rock cd 100 YEARS FROM NOW. This live concert showcases the talents of legendary singer/songwriter/keyboardist/record producer DENNIS DEYOUNG with his 7 piece rock band. DEYOUNG'S voice is one of the most recognizable in the music world today and continues to inspire new generations of fans. SUN JULY 12......ALL THE CLASSIC HITS....ALL THE MEMORIES.....ONE SPECIAL NIGHT....ONE ORIGINAL VOICE More info at: http://www.greatperformersofillinois.com/

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/c...,0,663564.story Aging rockers settling into suburban groove Midwest vibe suits many musicians as they roll toward senior tour status By Megan Twohey | Tribune reporter May 30, 2009 Frankie Sullivan Frankie Sullivan of the group Survivor at his home in Palatine. (E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune / May 21, 2009) For Frankie Sullivan, "Eye of the Tiger" was the ticket to a new world. The 1982 Grammy Award-winning theme song of "Rocky III," which he co-wrote as a guitarist in Survivor, catapulted the band to cult status and introduced Sullivan to all the glitz of rock stardom. Now in his 50s, the only original member still with the group might be expected to be "hangin' tough," as the song instructs, in New York City or Los Angeles , home to many of the industry's movers and shakers. Instead, the Northlake native is settled on a quiet street in Palatine -- one of a number of aging rockers from the '70s and '80s who are rooted in Chicago's suburbs, where they can be found shopping at the neighborhood Jewel, cruising the malls or burning off calories at local gyms. For many of these still hustling musicians, being away from the bright lights is the point. Related links * Are they too old to rock? Are they too old to rock? Photos * Rockers living in Chicagoland Photos * MUSIC VIDEOS: Check out these classic cuts from Chicago-area rockers "I like to have a good time, but I also want to maintain a sane lifestyle," said Sullivan, a blond, shaggy haired father of three, as he sat in his spacious living room wearing leopard-print boots and a pink scarf peppered with peace signs. "For me, you come back to the Midwest, and it's sane." Sullivan lived in Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village before moving to his Frank Lloyd Wright home in Palatine. Dennis DeYoung, former frontman of Styx and a synthesizer pioneer, lives in a southwest suburb close to where he grew up. It's nice to be away from crowds and slaves to fashion, said DeYoung, who wrote a song about the area's pull, "Southbound Ryan." After a decade in L.A., singer Richard Marx, whose hits include "Right Here Waiting," resettled on the North Shore -- not far from the Highland Park home where he was raised. Marx said he and wife Cynthia Rhodes, who acted and sang in "Staying Alive" and "Flashdance," were tired of the West Coast and wanted to raise their three sons in a "more healthy" environment. "I always say, 'The bad news about Chicago is there's no music business here, and the good news about Chicago is there's no music business here,' " said Marx, 45. With their graying hair, up-and-down careers and low-key suburban lifestyles, these musicians may not stand out as much as younger Chicago stars such as Kanye West, Jennifer Hudson and Billy Corgan. But look closely, and you can spot them. "Since Dennis DeYoung and I both live in Burr Ridge, I always expect to bump into him at the Moondance cafe," said Jim Peterik, 58, lead singer in the Ides of March and an ex-member of Survivor, who loves to roller blade area bike paths. "It's kind of like my second office." Sullivan often can be found at Schaumburg's Lifetime Fitness, sweating in one of his favorite cycling classes or working with weights. Marx likes to check out movies at Northbrook Court. Sometimes, the rockers are noticed. When Sullivan walked into his son's Catholic high school for parent-teacher conferences, he didn't look like other fathers in their suits and ties. And after he moved into his new home last year, the Palatine neighborhood buzzed with the news, said Janis Dunning, who lives across the street. One neighbor asked Sullivan to play guitar at a birthday gathering. (He agreed.) Others stop to chat when he's out sweeping the front step. But for the most part, they leave him alone. "We're not over there gawking," Dunning said. "We're a nice, quiet community." Marx said he has encountered some "stalkers" since his return and asked that his specific town not be named. "When you live in L.A., locating you is like finding a needle in a haystack," he said. "Here, I've had more than a few problems with people showing up." The stars who visit him also draw attention. When he popped into a Starbucks in Lake Forest with Keith Urban, fans swarmed the country artist. Out-of-town celebrities are often drawn to Marx's North Shore residence because it's equipped with a recording studio. Peterik has two studios: one above his garage, another in his basement. He spends much of his day there, working on Ides of March songs and other projects, sometimes making way for his teenage son's prog rock band Lobster Newberg. Sullivan has been laying down tracks for a new Survivor album at a friend's home studio in Willowbrook. As he jammed on a recent evening, the sound of his 1956 gold Les Paul filled the room. Peterik halts all recording at 9 p.m, but at the Willowbrook studio, music is often played into the morning. A friend asked Sullivan how neighbors deal with the noise. "They're deaf," he said. The friend looked confused until Sullivan explained that the people living next door to the studio literally were unable to hear. "Seriously," Sullivan said. "The neighbors are deaf." At such moments, it's strikingly clear how un-L.A. the rocker experience can be in Chicago's suburbs. Sullivan, who has lived on the West Coast for months, even years, at a time, knows this. Sometimes he wonders if his decision to remain here has hindered his career. But the pull always proved too great, said his 75-year-old mother, Rosalyn Sullivan, who lives close to his Palatine home and often pops over for a visit. "There was a time -- especially after 'Eye of the Tiger' -- when we thought he'd put roots down in L.A.," she said. "But like most grounded Midwesterners, he always wanted to come back." mtwohey@tribune.com

I have respect for Gowan for not addressing the comparison to Dennis. He took on a thankless role. I do wonder if it is has fulfilled his own expectations. I'm sure he had hoped it would give him greater exposure in the states. That being said, I wonder if he still finds it a good role, or a job he needs to do to pay his bills. I don't think it went entirely as he thought it would, but 10 years in, I suppose he has the right to being a member of the band. As for the band singing/performing Dennis penned/sung material...I'd state they have the right. The songs were written and performed as Styx songs. The band is damned if they do, damned if they don't. For certain fans, it's wrong of them to perform the songs, for others, if they don't perform the songs they are accused of not catering to the fans and omitting Dennis further. Now don't get me wrong, I tend to believe they've not handled this whole debacle as well as they should have. Egos and resentment have a way of clouding decision making. Years of being surrounded by people (at their biggest heights) telling them they are the main reason for the success of the band, years of pent up resentment as perceived slights by other band members, these are going to play a role in the decision process going on now. Their set list doesn't vary much, and they seem to rotate Grand Illusion, Suite Madame Blue, and Lady I believe. They will always include Come Sail Away. I believe they do the bare minimum inclusion of "Dennis" material. Does it work? As I said above, they're stuck. So, they do the majority of songs that Tommy did, since he's the main draw. Now, all of that said, I have seen them in concert. I found it lacking and a great sense of just going through the motions. But I am also a realist enough to know that I've had days where I felt the same way doing my job. They are a nostalgia act. I will always gravitate towards Dennis and his material. I relate better to it. I enjoy his shows. I think he has done remarkably well without them and I hope it continues. And I would never want to be put under the scrutiny that all of these men have been subjected to. Peace to all, Liz

I've been fortunate to be at a few meet and greets and a few occasions that were less formal. The DeYoungs are gracious to the fans as a rule. I've seen fans be overly aggressive and abusive and intrusive. I've seen them get all tongue tied as well. I've found structured meet and greets tiring if you are the celebrity and many fans come away feeling somehow cheated. I guess they feel entitled to something more from the celebrity. I will always cherish the occasions where I got to meet and converse with Dennis. But were they not to have occurred, I would be just as happy. Seriously. Liz

Depends on many variables. Having had the fortunate (and I do mean fortunate) experience of seeing Dennis perform with something far worse than a cold, I am relieved that he is taking the necessary precautions to get himself healthy. There are rumors that perhaps the venue didn't sell well. Either way, I hope those who bought tickets will be able to see him again in the future. Liz

http://www.nhmagazine.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...RTS03/905269984 An intimate evening with Dennis DeYoung May 27, 2009 Article Tools print talk ShareThis enlarge Dennis DeYoung, former frontman of the Styx, performs in concert. Courtesy Photo Dennis DeYoung, former frontman of the Styx, performs in concert. Check it out! WHERE: Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28. COST: $45-$65. MORE INFORMATION: www.palacetheatre.org. For anyone who grew up in the late ’70s or early ’80s, Chicago-based band Styx owned rock radio, with anthems such as “Come Sail Away,” “Lady” and “Too Much Time On My Hands.” Fronted by Dennis DeYoung, the “prog rock” band has sold more than 30 million records worldwide. Today, DeYoung is still bringing the music of Styx to fans. And on May 28, DeYoung will perform an acoustic set at the Palace Theatre, to benefit Hudson Heat, a Junior Olympic-level softball team. DeYoung is excited about the show and explained the more atmospheric sound. “What we’re doing is stripping down these songs,” he said from his home in Chicago. “No drums, just acoustic guitars and piano. When you’re singing in a band and you’re playing electric, you really have to sing over everything.” Joining DeYoung in this acoustic performance is Glen Burtnik on acoustic guitars and vocals, Jeff Watson on lead acoustic guitar and Hank Horton on bass and vocals. “When you’re playing in a setting like this, you recognize whether you have a good song or not,” said DeYoung. “I’m playing piano, and this is how these songs were constructed in the first place.” But, he added, “If you start with a guitar riff and the song is primarily driven by drums and guitar, it’s less facile and less evenly translated.” Another project that DeYoung is promoting is his latest solo CD, “One Hundred Years from Now,” which went to No. 1 in Canada (“The French really like me!” he said). The disc is now available in the U.S. When asked about his inspiration for the new CD, he quipped, “My mortgage payments.” The album follows DeYoung’s unique talent for creating “concept” albums in the same vein of Styx’s 1977 “The Grand Illusion” and 1981’s “Paradise Theatre.” “After doing Styx and other things, I was encouraged to go back and recreate certain sounds. And then I went into my bag of tricks to find some new ones.” Although DeYoung has recorded a number of solo discs, he said, “I didn’t think I should do another Styx album. I haven’t done that in 10 years. If the disc sounds intentional, in that direction, it’s not. In my opinion, that would be arrested development.” (For the record, with regard to the future of Styx, DeYoung was stoic. “Ten years ago, Styx decided to proceed without me.”) DeYoung added, “Artists should be challenging themselves and not necessarily return to their past glories. I think most are resistant to that.” However, he does recognize that fans still want to hear Styx hits. “I’m always desperate for something different. And I have to support my drug habit – which is making new music,” he pranked. “By and large, though, my future is my past.” And after pausing for another minute, DeYoung said, “I think for some of my fans, it makes them feel good. Like most of us, they associate a song with a particular time in their life.” He cited the Styx track, “The Best of Times.” Sample lyric: “The best of times are when I can be alone with you/ Some rain, some shine/ We’ll make this a world for two.” If ever there were a quintessential prom song, DeYoung probably wrote it. “For me,” he said, “If I hear certain songs from my youth, that will take me back.” He listed the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club” record. “I remember getting the album and playing it on the Hi-Fi stereo that we had in my mother’s living room. I can still smell the humidity in that summer room. It had just rained. That’s how powerful music is to me.” Getting back to his new disc, DeYoung said, “I’ve become really popular in Quebec, but I think albums like this have limited exposure here in the states. There is no way to reach a wide audience.” However, a single may be released here. The song, “Save Me,” is one possibility. “Radio promotion is not much different than it ever was,” DeYoung said. “It’s always been about spending money.” DeYoung also noted the technological advances in today’s society. “In our era, there were no video games, no VCRs, no Internet. Music was a focal point of baby-boomers’ lives. In the sense, it will never be that way again.” Next up: The subject of record companies. “Yeah, I’d say I’ve been screwed by record companies,” said DeYoung. “Record labels will crowd the market with certain acts until it’s over-saturated. Then the next question is ‘Where is the next big thing?’ ” And the cult classic “Mr. Roboto”? For pop culturists out there, the song is quoted by Mike Myers in “Goldmember.” And at this year’s Academy Awards, Japanese filmmaker Kunio Kata ended his acceptance speech by saying, “Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto,” since his company’s name is Robot Communications. Replied DeYoung, “Man, who knew? It baffles me. That said, I’d do it again.” discussion by DISQUS Add New Comment

While I am not a fan of Cyclorama, I do think it has some decent material. I'm not of the opinion that the material was cohesively put together and I find the production not as solid as "classic Styx". I think, as is almost always the case with this band, they have a fractured fan base, and much of the material can (and is by many) be viewed as a slam at Dennis. While the band has denied this, I tend to think there is some truth to it. Not out of conspiracy theory thinking, but because of the timing of it. They had all gone through...well...a nasty divorce. While I'm not an advocate of publicly displaying your anger and frustration, I do also recognize that's my take and not necessarily for everyone. I dislike comparing 100 Years to Cyclorama, simply because they are not the same. Given the length of time and distance, I think 100 Years allowed Dennis some perspective and is some of his best material. Cyclorama doesn't seem to make it to my play list. It just doesn't have enough material that I do enjoy. And, I want to delude myself that it is the material, and not my own bias that has me saying that. This band, in all its incarnations, has never marketed itself well. I just don't see that changing in my lifetime. Liz

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.d...ORE01/905219961 An intimate evening with Dennis DeYoung Dennis DeYoung in concert WHERE: Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28. COST: $45-$65. MORE INFORMATION: www.palacetheatre.org. For anyone who grew up in the late ’70s or early ’80s, Chicago-based band Styx owned rock radio, with anthems such as “Come Sail Away,” “Lady” and “Too Much Time On My Hands.” Fronted by Dennis DeYoung, the “prog rock” band has sold more than 30 million records worldwide. Today, DeYoung is still bringing the music of Styx to fans. And on May 28, DeYoung will perform an acoustic set at the Palace Theatre, to benefit Hudson Heat, a Junior Olympic-level softball team. DeYoung is excited about the show and explained the more atmospheric sound. “What we’re doing is stripping down these songs,” he said from his home in Chicago. “No drums, just acoustic guitars and piano. When you’re singing in a band and you’re playing electric, you really have to sing over everything.” Joining DeYoung in this acoustic performance is Glen Burtnik on acoustic guitars and vocals, Jeff Watson on lead acoustic guitar and Hank Horton on bass and vocals. “When you’re playing in a setting like this, you recognize whether you have a good song or not,” said DeYoung. “I’m playing piano, and this is how these songs were constructed in the first place.” But, he added, “If you start with a guitar riff and the song is primarily driven by drums and guitar, it’s less facile and less evenly translated.” Another project that DeYoung is promoting is his latest solo CD, “One Hundred Years from Now,” which went to No. 1 in Canada (“The French really like me!” he said). The disc is now available in the U.S. When asked about his inspiration for the new CD, he quipped, “My mortgage payments.” The album follows DeYoung’s unique talent for creating “concept” albums in the same vein of Styx’s 1977 “The Grand Illusion” and 1981’s “Paradise Theatre.” “After doing Styx and other things, I was encouraged to go back and recreate certain sounds. And then I went into my bag of tricks to find some new ones.” Although DeYoung has recorded a number of solo discs, he said, “I didn’t think I should do another Styx album. I haven’t done that in 10 years. If the disc sounds intentional, in that direction, it’s not. In my opinion, that would be arrested development.” (For the record, with regard to the future of Styx, DeYoung was stoic. “Ten years ago, Styx decided to proceed without me.”) DeYoung added, “Artists should be challenging themselves and not necessarily return to their past glories. I think most are resistant to that.” However, he does recognize that fans still want to hear Styx hits. “I’m always desperate for something different. And I have to support my drug habit – which is making new music,” he pranked. “By and large, though, my future is my past.” enlarge Dennis DeYoung, former frontman of the Styx, performs in concert. Courtesy photos Dennis DeYoung, former frontman of the Styx, performs in concert. And after pausing for another minute, DeYoung said, “I think for some of my fans, it makes them feel good. Like most of us, they associate a song with a particular time in their life.” He cited the Styx track, “The Best of Times.” Sample lyric: “The best of times are when I can be alone with you/ Some rain, some shine/ We’ll make this a world for two.” If ever there were a quintessential prom song, DeYoung probably wrote it. “For me,” he said, “If I hear certain songs from my youth, that will take me back.” He listed the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club” record. “I remember getting the album and playing it on the Hi-Fi stereo that we had in my mother’s living room. I can still smell the humidity in that summer room. It had just rained. That’s how powerful music is to me.” Getting back to his new disc, DeYoung said, “I’ve become really popular in Quebec, but I think albums like this have limited exposure here in the states. There is no way to reach a wide audience.” However, a single may be released here. The song, “Save Me,” is one possibility. “Radio promotion is not much different than it ever was,” DeYoung said. “It’s always been about spending money.” DeYoung also noted the technological advances in today’s society. “In our era, there were no video games, no VCRs, no Internet. Music was a focal point of baby-boomers’ lives. In the sense, it will never be that way again.” Next up: The subject of record companies. “Yeah, I’d say I’ve been screwed by record companies,” said DeYoung. “Record labels will crowd the market with certain acts until it’s over-saturated. Then the next question is ‘Where is the next big thing?’ ” And the cult classic “Mr. Roboto”? For pop culturists out there, the song is quoted by Mike Myers in “Goldmember.” And at this year’s Academy Awards, Japanese filmmaker Kunio Kata ended his acceptance speech by saying, “Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto,” since his company’s name is Robot Communications. Replied DeYoung, “Man, who knew? It baffles me. That said, I’d do it again.”