The month of June represents many things, and now in 2023, it also is a month of celebration for the LGBTQ+ community in what has become known as Pride Month. Multi-hypen music savant Ken Howard has released a LGBT-themed collection of music just in time for the community’s commemoration of identity and self-expression.
On the Boulevard Original Cast Concept Album is an extensive ode to Broadway musicals consisting of 29 songs. The songs feature different lead vocalists in an uplifting serving of perfected lyrics with a backdrop of classical tunes.
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Howard developed the original concept of the album in 2015 whilst being influenced by his family’s legacy in music, such as that created by his great-aunt Esther Howard, who was a renown Broadway actress, and his great-grandfather, J. William Howard II, who worked in the capacity of music director for Blossom Time, My Marilyn, and The Student Prince. Cultural context and commentary also played a role in Howard’s mission to defy the stereotypes of LGBTQ+ and misogynistic views on women in Edwardian London as critiqued by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw in his play Pygmalion.
For six years, the self-taught producer recorded the album at a variety of Los Angeles musical staples, such as Temple Base Studios and Hollywood and Mix Recording Studios, Mid-Wilshire/LA. The opening track, “On the Boulevard,” features the work of breakout singer Michael D’Elia (Dirty Dancing in Concert, Sweeney Todd) backed by a chorus of vocals by several collaborators. It’s the perfect initiator for the mood and theme of the album, which tends to be mid-to-fast tempo with aspirational lyrics that perks the curiosity of the listener.
This is exemplified by songs such as “Dishes to Diamonds,” a song doting on the rags-to-riches story, and “Just Right” a one-minute manifesto of the idyllic leader. Then, there’s the lighthearted, satirical entries, “Everybody Hates Leg Day” and “Gringo Work Day,” which are self-explanatory by their titles.
Listen To “Everybody Hates Leg Day”
There’s added pep with the disco reminiscent “A Night That Never Ends,” featuring Company on the D’Elia track. This is in contrast to the soothing “Butterfly” which returns to a classical style of the Broadway ballad in a display of strong emotion about obtaining new heights. The longest song on the album at four minutes and forty seconds, “Butterfly” shows the incredible range of Howard and the many contributors to the concept album.
Some of those contributors include talents Lloyd Gordon, Tracy Powell, David Pevsner, Jake Novak, Rickie Gole, Teresa DeGennaro, Austen Rey, Scotty-Miguel Sandoe, Max Herzfeld, Ronen Bay, Meghan Grinczel, Kim Carlson, Chris Etscheid, Steve Goodwillie, Alex Morales, and Landon Stovall, to name a few.
The behind-the-scenes include Stuart Wood and Michael Van Bodegom-Smith, who both worked on the musical direction. Malcolm Heenman co-created the Libretto with Howard. In addition, arrangers, orchestrators, and scorers include Kristopher Gee, Stuart Wood, Alex Meade, Wayne Moore, Silvio Buchmeier, and Michael Van Bodegom-Smith, along with recording studio engineers Brandon Bustamante, Trevin Clay, Guy Baruch, the Temple Base collective, and Chris McMasters of Crystal Digital Music & Mix Recording Studio.
“This yet-another retelling of the transformative Cinderella story mixes the classic themes and styles of Broadway musicals of the past with the very current cultural context of today,” Howard said in a statement. “Making this story, libretto, score, and concept album has only been possible through the talent, skill, commitment, perseverance, and boundless energies of so many, who have given so generously, who just wanted to help bring an original musical to life.”
On the Boulevard Original Cast Concept Album originally released in Spring 2023. However, with Pride Month and an awaiting production of the concept album’s debut commercial theatrical staging, the compelling project is sure to gain more awareness and traction as it sweeps Hollywood and beyond.
On the Boulevard Original Cast Concept Album is available to stream on Spotify now.
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