What the world needs now is more musicals, and two musical groups–the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and Disney–are teaming up in Chicago to teach artists how to write them.
It’s like “American Idol” for theater songwriters, except that BMG Records executive Simon Cowell and pop star Paula Abdul will be played by Stephen Schwartz and Craig Carnelia–the two guys who between them are responsible for “Godspell,” “Pippin,” “The Sweet Smell of Success” and “Working.”
Those interested in applying for critiques should send a recording of their four original songs, descriptions of their role in the musical’s plot, a synopsis of the musical, and biographical and contact information on the lyricist and composers to:
Michael Kerker, c/o ASCAP, One Lincoln Plaza 7th Floor, New York, NY 10023, attn: Chicago The ASCAP Foundation/Disney Workshop. The submission deadline is March 19: The Chicago workshop will be held April 21, 22, 28 and 29, at 7 p.m. in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
