FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Rob Rokicki 917-771-5033 [email protected]

Award-winning musical theatre composer/lyricist celebrates the release of his first album:

I’M READY

THE SONGS OF ROB ROKICKI

Two sweet natured actresses up for the same part suddenly show their malevolent intentions, belting, “When all my dreams are revealed, they’ll find what’s left of her head in a field!” This is the hilarious and heartbreaking world of theater songs in I’m Ready: The Songs of Rob Rokicki (released 11/19/2012). The ambitious first album from composer/lyricist Rob Rokicki, collects songs from musicals written over the past decade. Recently his work was described by Broadway Spotted as “a soulful swirl of rock and comedy…urgent songs about neurotic girls, wild odes to ape-like creatures, and so much more.” Talkin’ Broadway praised his music and lyrics as “Intelligently composed, dramatic or funny…when he hits he scores a bullseye.”

Recorded in New York’s Tumble Dry Studios, these eighteen songs range from driving rock, like “Two Minute Warning,” putting us inside the brain of a terrified young quarterback, to alt-folk on “Footprints,” where two outcast Sasquatches find love, to the West Indian flavor of “Bigger Things,” a rousing anthem with djembe, and the country inspired “Darling,” which features fiddle and a full choir.

To celebrate the release of the album on November 19th 2012, Stage 72 hosted an all-star cast of Broadway performers and musicians, including the star of NBC’s SMASH, Megan Hilty. Other performers included Becca Ayers (Addams Family, Giant), Nick Dalton (Surf, Legally Blonde), Amanda Flynn (Mamma Mia, Wicked), Brian Gallagher (Jekyll & Hyde), Leslie Henstock (Les Miserables, Light in the Piazza), Carly Hughes (Ghost, Ragtime), Gwen Hollander (Little Women), Emma Hunton (Spring Awakening, Rent), Joe Iconis (Things to Ruin), Zach Jones (One Man, Two Guvnors), Ashley Moniz (Sister Act, Legally Blonde), Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone (Hands on a Hardbody) and Michael James Scott (Book of Mormon, Elf).

A graduate of the prestigious musical theater department at the University of Michigan, and alum of the Tony Award-winning BMI musical theatre writing workshop, Rob has written and composed (with collaborator Michael Ruby) Love, NY presented at New World Stages and Oklahoma University, and won the 2009 American Harmony Award. Strange Tails, presented at Ars Nova, swept the 2011 West Village Musical Theater Festival (Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book). Other work includes Relativity (Theatre Row, 2011), and 20 to Life (American University, 2010), Samson’s Fire (The Cell Theater, 2010), and Martha & ME (which had a sold out run at the 2004 NY Fringe). This year, Rob was featured in the prestigious monthly composer showcase, Broadway’s Future at Lincoln Center.

Rob has music directed and arranged shows Off-Broadway and regional theatres across the country, as well as for award-winning writer Joe Iconis. He also plays with country singer Harold Allen, opening for the likes of LeAnn Rimes. Rob is currently scoring a musical film for the New York Film Academy.

In addition to his composing and songwriting work, Rob is also a seasoned performer. Nominated for a Carbonell Award, he has appeared at Carnegie Hall and regionally across the country, and performed in the Evita 25th Anniversary National Tour directed by Larry Fuller and Hal Prince.

I’m Ready: the Songs of Rob Rokicki Produced by Great White Wax, Inc., 2012 Available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon www.robertrokicki.com

PRAISE FOR ROB ROKICKI

"Rob's songs live at that perfect intersection of musical theater and radio rock -- these are characters that get you in the gut, and that you want to listen to over and over again." —Adam Gwon, Fred Ebb, Frederick Loewe Award Winner & composer of “Ordinary Days”

Robert Rokicki is an exciting, passionate, specific new voice in musical theater. His is the theater of real human beings. Regular, every-day people who are stuck and not sure how to get themselves out of the mess they've made. I find his writing intelligent, inspired, and incredibly relatable. The songs are catchy without being obvious and smart without a hint of pretension. Sturdy, satisfying, thrilling stuff. This is meat and potatoes rock and roll musical theater. I am honored to be included on the album and look forward to screaming the songs at the top of my lungs while hanging with my friends in my parent's basement... wondering where the good times went and trying to figure out how we get them back. —Joe Iconis, Larson and Kleban Award Winner & composer of “Things to Ruin”

PRAISE FOR HIS SHOW, “MARTHA & ME”

“Rokicki's given everyone plenty to sing. His songs recall an eclectic mix of William Finn and Jerry Herman, intelligently composed, dramatic or funny as necessary, and strongly integrated into Turner's book…when he hits, he scores a bull's-eye: The exquisitely operatic first act finale, and the song he's written for the otherwise minor Missy, an hilarious paean to the man she can't stand, but can't stand to be without, are both brilliant creations. The performances all gleam with professionalism…but Allen drives the show with her commanding performance; she's meticulously concocted a character as you're likely to find in a Broadway musical today…her knockout voice is equally as suited to raising the rafters with a "Rose's Turn"-style 11-o'clock number…it has all the potential makings of a very, very good thing.” —Matthew Murray, Talkin’ Broadway

“…(Rokicki’s) songs are good and often hilarious. The cast—made up of Broadway veterans and hopefuls—is the highlight of the show. In particular, Jennifer Allen, with her rich, booming voice and superb comic timing, is wonderful as Betsey. Martha would definitely approve. —Ellen Carpenter, NY Metro

“show features a talented cast, witty songs…each song is tuneful and well sung. Allen provides a comic powerhouse finish in which she wails “Where are you now, Martha?’” —John LaRue, NY Theatre.com

“.…Gay subplot sparkles…It also doesn’t hurt that Peter’s solo “I Love a Boy” is one of the more simple and affecting numbers in Robert Rokicki’s score, gorgeously sung by Millegan. -Jonathan Warman, HX Magazine