MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM
or say hello to our most recent cast here.
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JAMES SCULLY
Composer / Co-Author
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JENNIFER PAULSON-LEE
Co-Author
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FRANK EVANS
Lyrics
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CHAD GORN
Additional Lyrics
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DOUG BESTERMAN
Orchestration
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Scott Cady
Musical Direction and Arrangements
JAMES SCULLY
Co-Book / Music
James Scully was introduced to his first piano teacher at age six. His musical education was informal, although he did study composition, harmony and counterpoint. He also studied voice at the Bryn Mawr Conservatory of Music outside of Philadelphia. Mr. Scully holds an undergraduate degree from the Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania and has been in the field of real estate for most of his life. Mr. Scully also served as an active duty officer in the US Navy for two years. A pilot himself, and having a lifetime fascination with airplanes, it was natural that Howard Hughes be the subject of a musical he wanted to write. Under the previous title Flight, the musical, now entitled Truly, Howard Hughes, received the prestigious Stanley Drama Award from Wagner College and the Appalachian Playwright's Award in Asheville, NC.
JENNIFER PAULSON-LEE
Co-Author / Director/Choreographer
Writing credits include Co-author of Frank Wildhorn's revised Wonderland, which is available for license through MTI; and a short film entitled, The Gift, soon to start production which she will also direct.
Directing credits include: Flyer, the musical (with producer Jim Kierstead); A Time To Be Born; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Amanda Green at the WestBank, Beyond Measure and 2Life.
Choreography credits include: The Scarlet Pimpernel at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall. Princess Cruises Magic To Do with Stephen Schwartz; Freaky Friday (North Shore); Seussical, A Rockin’ Midsummer Night’s Dream, and others (NewArts.org); Susannah (St. Petersburg Opera); Camelot (Casa Manana); At Goodspeed Opera House: Dear World (alongside Jerry Herman); A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, Finian’s Rainbow (nominated –Best Choreography – CT Critics Circle), Just So, Houdini, Sweeney Todd, and City of Angels (Dir. Darko Tresnjak); Enter Laughing, the musical (Ass. Dir./Choreographer with Stuart Ross– York Theatre NYC, Bay Street, and the Mark Taper); The Rink, HMS Pinafore, The Consul (Dir. Michael Unger). Pre—B’way workshop of Little Women: the musical; Annie Get Your Gun and The Four Seasons: Vivaldi Concert tour (Lincoln Center). Off B’way: Stars in Your Eyes, The Last Starfighter; Lola, the musical (Composer Craig Safan). Ms. Lee has danced for some of the most celebrated director/choreographers of our time including Jerome Robbins, and Susan Stroman among others. She has worked extensively at universities including Indiana University, Syracuse University, Shenandoah University, Michigan State University, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, as well as NYU's Steinhardt School of Vocal Performance. Ms. Lee is a Meisner trained actress and holds a BFA in Dance from East Carolina University.
“I am thrilled to be working with the entire Howard team including Composer and Co-author James Scully, Music Supervisor Scott Cady and Lyricist Chad Gorn and our dear friend and colleague, the late Frank Evans. As I narrow in on a 40 year career in musical theatre, working often on developing new works, Truly, Howard Hughes has been yet another incredible journey, this time into the mind of a fascinating biographical and "real-life" person offering inherent challenges not only as a director but also as a writer. With a strong dance, choreography/movement and storytelling background, the excitement to uncover the approach for this larger-than-life, complex human being has been daunting and exhilarating. One of the unexpected benefits has been learning so much about airplane design, aeronautics, engineering and aviation. I am always astonished by what the theatre has to teach us, and all of what we, as creative team members, learn about history and the human condition along the way.”
FRANK EVANS
Co-Lyrics
Frank Evans (1946-2016) was the lyricist on many musicals. Back Home: The War Brides Musical (music by Christopher Berg, book by Ron Sproat), Dinner at Eight (music by Ben Schaechter, book by Julie Gilbert, based on the play by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman), and earlier versions of According to Howard (also librettist music by James Scully) all had readings at The York Theatre. He was a longtime member of the steering committee of the BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and the Artistic Director of the Musical Mondays Theatre Lab.
CHAD GORN
Co-Lyrics
Chad Gorn (lyrics) has been putting lyrics and music together for as long as he can remember. Credits include: Saving Wonderland (Braving the Bard) and Stone Brew (Neighborhood House Play Festival). His latest project is Call Me Velma, the "true" story behind the characters who inspired Chicago. He thanks Jim Scully and the Truly, Howard Hughes team for this opportunity and for all of their support and encouragement. Chad also thanks his family and friends who have taken this journey with him, especially his daughter, Rosie.
DOUG BESTERMAN
Orchestration
A four-time Tony Award winner (seven nominations), Doug’s Broadway orchestration credits include: Schmigadoon!,BOOP!,SMASH, Death Becomes Her,Anastasia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, A Bronx Tale, It Shoulda Been You, Bullets Over Broadway (2014 Tony Award nomination), Rocky, On a Clear Day, Sister Act, How To Succeed… (2011 Tony Award nomination), Elf, Young Frankenstein (Drama Desk Award nomination), Tarzan, Dracula, Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002 Tony Award / Drama Desk Awards), The Producers (2001 Tony and Drama Desk Awards), Seussical, Music Man (Drama Desk and Tony Award nominations), King David, Fosse(1999 Tony Award), Big (Drama Desk nomination), Damn Yankees (Drama Desk nomination), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; also, additional orchestrations for Aladdin, Annie, Cinderella, and The People In the Picture. International: Crazy For You (London), Young Frankenstein (London), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (London), Rocky (Hamburg), Sister Act (London, Hamburg),Guys and Dolls (London), Der Schuh Des Manitu (Berlin). Off- Broadway: Carrie, Weird Romance, Jack's Holiday, Johnny Pye and the Foolkiller, The Gifts of the Magi, Godspell; also in New York: King David, A Christmas Carol, and the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Regional credits: Damn Yankees (Arena Stage), Midnight In the Garden Of Good and Evil (Goodman Theater), Summer Stock (a.k.a. Get Happy) (Goodspeed), AD 16 (a.k.a. Sweet Jesus) (Olney Theater), Little Dancer (Kennedy Center, 5th Avenue), Ever After [Alliance Theater, Phoenix Theater Company], The Sting (Paper Mill Playhouse), The Honeymooners (Paper Mill Playhouse), Anastasia (Hartford Stage), Girlstar (Signature Theater), Roman Holiday (Guthrie Theater), Calvin Berger (George Street Playhouse), Minsky’s (Ahmanson Theater), An American In Paris, Captains Courageous, I Sent A Letter To My Love, Paramour, Lawnchair Man, Jeanne La Pucelle, Opal; also, the ballets Frankie and Johnnie… and Rose, Take Five - More Or Less, But Not For Me and Double Feature for choreographer Susan Stroman. Film/television (partial list): Kiss Of the Spider Woman, Spellbound,, Schmigadoon [2021 & 2023], Little Mermaid [2023], Aladdin [2019], Mary Poppins Returns (2018), Beauty and the Beast (2017), Hail, Caesar! (2016), American Housewife [2019], Crazy Ex Girlfriend (2016), Galavant (2015), Peter PanLive (2014) The Sound Of Music Live (2013), Frozen (2013), Winnie the Pooh (2010), Hawkeye, Captain America, Nine, The Producers(also music producer), Chicago, Mulan, Anastasia, Pocahontas, Lincoln, Cinderella, Annie, Geppetto, South Pacific, Superstar, Scrubs, and Smash - also, many awards shows including the Oscars, the Tonys, the Emmys and the Kennedy Center Honors. Doug has also arranged for many vocalists, including Christine Andreas, Toni Braxton, Sutton Foster, Erika Henningsen, Jane Krakowski, Beyonce Knowles, Barry Manilow, Patti Murin and Colin Donnely, Mandy Patinkin, Barbra Streisand - and written many arrangements for the Boston Pops Orchestra. As a composer, Doug penned the scores for the musicals Breathe, Little Did I Know and The Big One-Oh - currently in development HER MAJESTY THE MUSICAL, and Crumbs.. His music has also been recorded by singer Christian Bautista, heard in the films The Punisher, Out of Step and Exit Speed, TV shows Summerland and One Life To Live, in concert with the United States Military Academy Concert Band, and in the musical Hats. More info at: dougbesterman.com
SCOTT CADY
Musical Direction and Arrangements
Scott Cady is fortunate to be a part of this production after years of assisting in its development. As a pianist, music director and arranger, Scott has been lucky to have worked and become friends with the finest composers, lyricists, musicians, directors, choreographers and performing artists and actors of our time. He has worked within the fields of recording, film, television, and the theater. He is most proud of being a part of the team at Monumental Women that erected the first statue of real women in Central Park, the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument, celebrating three prominent suffragettes including his ancestor Elizabeth Cady Stanton. It is a talking monument and Scott is grateful to Meryl Streep for contributing her voice as the voice of Cady Stanton, and for her gracious assistance in creating this “talking statue” during the Pandemic. Thanks to John Kander and Steve Sondheim for your love, encouragement and your unwavering support for many years, and thank you to Jim Scully for your guidance, belief in me, and for this beautiful flight.