Flambé Dreams
Book and Lyrics by Matthew Hardy
Music by Randy Klein
to be a Maitre d’
Flambé Dreams tells the story of a young man from Preston, Idaho who comes to New York City to pursue his dream of becoming a great Maitre d’ like his father who was killed in a freak flaming bananas foster accident.
Synopsis
Flambé Dreams is a unique theatrical experience that can be performed in a restaurant, cabaret or theater space.
Joseph Christiansen wants to be a great Maitre d' like his father who was tragically killed in a freak flaming Bananas Foster accident. Against the wishes and warnings of his pill-pushing psychiatrist mother, young Joe leaves the safety of his small hometown and journeys to New York City to pursue his dream. But nothing is easy in the big city and Joe struggles to work his way up in the competitive world of Food and Beverage service. Along the way he takes on several mentors, each wackier than the last, who help and hinder him on his quest. Joe must also navigate romantic entanglements with Gloria, his off-kilter pharmacist and Didi, a self serving temptress with a fetish for Maitre d's. Will Joe be a Maitre d'? Will he fall for his pharmacist? Or will he end up flambéd like his father? It's a quirky tale of drugs, dreams and flaming desserts!
Flambé Dreams began in 2004 as a cabaret act called Songs for the Dysfunctional that played at Danny's Skylight Room and Judy's Chelsea. It then became a one man show, a four person show, and a six person show under the title The Thing About Joe. Readings of TTAJ were produced by BMI Musical Monday's at The Jerry Orbach Theater (Snapple Theatre Complex), Ground-Up Productions at The 14th St. Theatre Lab, Theatre Resources Unlimites and Apples and Oranges Productions at the Player's Theatre and The York Theatre Company at the Theatre at St. Peters produced a reading as part of their Developmental Reading series. In Nov & Dec of 2010 a successful developmental production of Flambé Dreams was produced at the Iguana Restaurant in which the show took place in the restaurant around the audience as they dined. In July of 2012Flambé Dreams had a sold out run at The New York Musical Theatre Festival that garnered raves from critics and theater goers alike. Songs from the show have been presented at many a BMI Smoker and Showcase and the song Everything You Long For is included on the BMI compilation CD No More Revivals sung by the inimitable Nancy Opel.
Recipient of 3 Honorable Mentions from the 2012 New York Musial Theatre Festival for Excellence in Music Writing (Randy Klein) Excellence in Lyric Writing (Matthew Hardy) and Excellence in Direction (West Hyler).
Flambé Dreams won 2 Oustanding Performance awards at the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival.
Flambé Dreams (The Thing About Joe) was one of three finalists for the 2009 BMI Jerry Bock Excellence in Musical Theatre Award.
Composer Randy Klein received the 2009 BMI Jerry Harrington award for his work on Flambé Dreams.
"A silly soufflé of a musical comedy that most of the time stays airily afloat. The script has the breezy insouciance of those turned out by Betty Comden and Adolph Green for their New York–based classics... It's studded with genuinely funny jokes in Matthew Hardy's dialogue and lyrics. Randy Klein's vigorous, traditional-sounding music is most notable for the way it helps set up the gags in Hardy's words. "
- NY Theatre
Flambé Dreams receives 3 Honorable Mentions and 2 Awards for the NYMF 2012 Awards for Excellence
07/30/2012
Congratulations to Randy Klein (Honorable Mention for Excellence in Music Writing), Matthew Hardy (Honorable Mention for Excellence in Lyric Writing), West Hyler (Honorable Mention for Excellence in Direction), and Jillian Louis and Kevin B McGlynn for their Outstanding Individual Performance Awards!
Read more:
TheaterMania.com. PHOTO FLASH: Winners of NYMF Awards Announced at Closing Night Ceremony
TheaterMania
"A very charming, funny, and surprisingly touching new musical, that can best be defined for jaded theatergoers by what it does not do: it doesn't reference or parody other musicals (well, only once), it doesn't prize style over content, and it doesn't try to be the next Sondheim musical. It is, in a word, refreshing."
"A silly soufflé of a musical comedy that most of the time stays airily afloat. The script has the breezy insouciance of those turned out by Betty Comden and Adolph Green for their New York –based classics... It's studded with genuinely funny jokes in Matthew Hardy's dialogue and lyrics. Randy Klein's vigorous, traditional-sounding music is most notable for the way it helps set up the gags in Hardy's words. "
NY THEATRE
"An artful, lovely piece of theatre...a ton of humor and heart."
"Book and very clever lyrics by Matthew Hardy are backed up by some catchy melodies by Randy Klein. The score is light and witty and certainly has you rooting for Joe and Gloria all the way."
WOMAN AROUND TOWN
"An adorable cast accompanied by even more adorable lyrics made for an enjoyable musical...If you like quirky tales of self-discovery, you’ll love Flambé Dreams."
NITE LIFE EXCHANGE
"It’s a sweetheart of a show with lots of talent and an old-fashioned, life-affirming sensibility spiced with references to modern life and witty lines. It’s the kind of a show you want to hug."
CALL ME ADAM
"Songs really stuck out for me because they were either written with much wit or they really gave some insight to the character...Flambe Dreams is fun, humorous, and enjoyable."
EXAMINER
"A farce of flaming proportions...clever lyrical/musical moments."
EVERYTHING MUSICALS
"Both quirky and endearing...The show provides strong and memorable characters for these able performers to embody, and gives them a number of genuine laughs and appealing songs."
Flambé Dreams is Extended!
07/18/2012
"The New York Musical Theatre Festival, which is running July 9-29, has announced extensions for four of its productions. Flambe Dreams will add an additional performance July 20 at 11 pm."
Read more:
TheaterMania. NYMF Announces Extensions for Flambe Dreams, The Two Month Rule and More
Jarrod Spetor featured in Broadwayworld's "The Leading Men of NYMF"!
07/13/2012
"Philadelphia native Jarrod Spector normally stars as Frankie Valli in the long-running JERSEY BOYS. Taking a short leave from that show, he will be seen in a leading role in the NYMF musical FLAMBE DREAMS in which he plays a young man determined to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a maitre d’, even though the elder man lost his life in a tragic accident while preparing bananas foster tableside. “It’s a crazy plot but I love it!” he says."
Read more:
30 Days of NYMF: Day 4 Flambé Dreams!
07/12/2012
Director West Hyler talks about his experience working on Flambé Dreams.
"As I write this we are less than 24 hours away from premiering "Flambé Dreams" in NYMF 2012. My journey with the show began two and a half years ago when my wife and I were asked to co-direct a reading of a new musical by Matthew Hardy and Randy Klein. She was visibly pregnant at the time and this is partly how I know the timing so well - I simply take our son's age and add a couple months. We fell in love with Matthew and Randy’s utterly ridiculous show about a man who dreams of becoming a great Maitre D'… like his father who was killed in a freak flaming bananas foster accident. Two years of reading, rewrites, workshops, rewrites, more readings, and more rewrites have finally culminated in tomorrow’s production. During that time great new songs have been written and beloved songs have been cut. Characters have been born, and characters have died and “Flambé Dreams” has worked its way into my heart. Two years ago I loved how funny the show was. And now, though it’s still a hilarious show, the hero's dream of becoming a great Maitre d' doesn't seem so ridiculous to me anymore. I don't think it's any more ridiculous than a dream to be a director. Or an actor. Or a writer with a show premiering in the New York Musical Theater Festival. Every dream, no matter how ridiculous it may sound to someone else, is deeply serious to the dreamer. That's what I love about "Flambé Dreams", that at its core it believes that every dream is important and every dreamer deserving. Tomorrow, for us, that dream becomes a reality."
Read more:
Broadwayworld.com. 30 DAYS OF NYMF: Day 4 Flambe Dreams
Jarrod Spector is featured in Playbill!
07/12/2012
Playbill.com's series features brief chats with actors commenting on their recent theatregoing experiences, what productions they are looking forward to, and more. Here, via email, we hear from singing actor Jarrod Spector, who is currently appearing in the New York Music Theatre Festival production of Flambe Dreams; for more information visit nymf.org.
Flambé Dreams in Playbill!
07/09/2012
"Flambé Dreams, a tale of drugs, dreams and flaming desserts starring Jersey Boys' Jarrod Spector, is presented as part of the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) beginning July 9 at the 45th Street Theatre."
Catherine Cox and J. Elaine Marcos on Playbill's DIVA TALK!
07/06/2012
CATHERINE COX
How would you describe the character you're playing?
CC: Well-meaning, neurotic, beyond sweet, beyond controlling. In a word… a mother.
Why do you think audiences should attend this particular production?
CC: Because it's incredibly funny and touching and the cast and the material is really, really fabulous.
J. ELAINE MARCOS
How would you describe the character you're playing?
JEM: Desiree is a prostitute. A lovely... prostitute. A great friend with good advice but nevertheless a prostitute. And DiDi is a woman who is desperately looking to date a man of her dreams. And by that she means a maître d'. That's her main requirement. Everything else is optional.
Why do you think audiences should attend this particular production?
JEM: I think audiences should attend Flambé Dreams because it's a fun show with heart and hilarious songs and scenes.
Hopes Soar at NYC Musical Theatre Festival
Associated Press
07/05/2012
"One of the more delightful offerings will be "Flambe Dreams," the story of a young man from Idaho who comes to New York City to pursue his dream of becoming a great maitre d' like his father, who was tragically killed in a freak flaming bananas foster dessert accident.
"Flambe Dreams" began life in 2004 as a cabaret act and was even once staged at a real restaurant as the audience ate dinner. It's currently led by Jarrod Spector, who has played Frankie Valli on Broadway in "Jersey Boys," J. Elaine Marcos, fresh off "Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Musical" and Catherine Cox, whose Broadway credits include leading roles in "Footloose" and "Oh, Coward!"
One thing the team had to work around is the lack of a live flame — a strict no-no at the 45th Street Theatre where the musical will be shown. "We can't even turn on a lighter. I mean, nothing. We found this out and thought, 'Well, that's tough for a show called 'Flambe Dreams,'" says West Hyler, the director.
Hyler, inspired by the pop-up books he reads to his 2-year-old son, found a way around it: He and the creative team now use paper flames that shoot up or fold out. It's that kind of makeshift creativity that many participants say keeps the festival so exciting.
Though "Flambe Dreams" has been changed and rearranged and worked on for seven years, its debut at the festival is really just the beginning of the line for its creators. It has just five characters playing a dozen roles and can be produced with just a piano — all positives for a life beyond the festival.
"We're hoping from here to have other opportunities, whether it's in a restaurant, whether it's at regional theaters, whether it's off-Broadway," says Matthew Hardy, the book writer and lyricist. "This is a really great opportunity to grow our audience and hopefully have it have a life.""
New York Musical Theatre Preview
07/04/2012
"Jarrod Spector, best known for portraying Frankie Valli in Broadway's Jersey Boys, is a first-time participant in the festival, having been recruited by director West Hyler to star in Flambe Dreams, Matthew Hardy and Randy Klein's musical, which involves an aspiring maitre d' whose father was tragically killed in a freak flaming Bananas Foster accident.
"I have great respect for West, so of course when he approached me about being in his show I was open to it," says Spector. "Then he told me the title and gave me a quick synopsis and I thought… well maybe I should read it first."
Spector soon became enchanted by the story. "The juxtaposition of seemingly earnest music with silly lyrics -- or vice versa -- make it very funny," says Spector. "You laugh at the absurdity, and then before you know it you actually find yourself wrapped up in the humanity of the characters.""
Read more:
TheaterMania. SPECIAL REPORT: 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival Preview
Photo Flash: Jarrod Spector, Catherine Cox et al. in Rehearsal for NYMF's FLAMBÉ DREAMS
07/03/2012
Jersey Boys’ Jarrod Spector, Tony Award nominee Catherine Cox, Priscilla Queen of the Desert’s J. Elaine Marcos, The Game of Love’s Jillian Louis and Kiss Me, Kate’s Kevin B. McGlynn join the cast of FLAMBÉ DREAMS, a new musical comedy with book and lyrics by Matthew Hardy and music by Randy Klein. FLAMBE DREAMS is now in rehearsal for its 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival debut. Check out photos of Spector, Cox, Marcos, Louis and McGlynn with director West Hyler and the creative team in rehearsal below!
See the photos:
Call Me Adam Interviews J. Elaine Marcos!
07/01/2012
This summer you will be in the NYMF show "Flambe Dreams." What attracted you this show?
JEM I heard one of the songs from the show that my character would sing, and it sounded like something I could really get to "play" with. I'll do almost anything for a laugh, that's my motto.
Flambé Dreams performs at World Wide Plaza
06/28/2012
World Wide Plaza 50th Street between 8th and 9th Aves. 1:15 PM Jillian Louis, Jarrod Spector, J. Elaine Maros and Matthew Hardy perform "Table for One" and "Everything You Long For".
Flambé Dreams performs at the Opening of the NYMF Hub
06/18/2012
330 West 42nd Street 12:15 PM Catherine Cox, Jillian Louis, Jarrod Spector and Kevin B McGlynn perform "Mr. Christiansen" and "Everything You Long For" at the grand opening of the NYMF Hub.
"THE PITCH" REVIEWS!
06/20/2012
SYRACUSE NEWS TIMES
"The Pitch’s first weekend included the comedy Flambe Dreams, featuring actor-writer Matthew Hardy... composer-pianist Randy Klein ... sparkling soprano Jillian Louis."
"Hardy swapped accents several times over, from Manhattan prostitute to French to stoner. In the latter voice, he sang the virtues of dating a blow-up doll to a steady flow of chuckles. Louis took a fantastic turn "chatting" with Hardy online, coaxing kitchen talk from him in a voice that sounds like a valley girl phone sex operator, then launching into another roaring song."
"Zooms along at a sustained high level of outrageous wit and is both funny and touching."
Photo Flash: Catherine Cox, J. Elaine Marcos et al. at FLAMBE DREAMS Launch Party
06/04/2012
See the photos:
Broadwayworld.com. Photo Flash: Catherine Cox, J. Elaine Marcos et al. at FLAMBE DREAMS Launch Party
Jillian Louis performs "Everything You Long For (is in New Jersey" from Flambé Dreams at the NYMF "Meet the Artists" Salon.
04/25/2012
Flambé dreams will be the first show at "THE PITCH" for The Fingerlakes Musical Theatre festival!
04/24/2012
Come see the next generation of playwrights and composers show off their work in Auburn, NY! It’s a chance to be behind the scenes and a part of the creative process. Before the glamorous costumes and elaborate sets are even built or designed, there are just a few people in a room, writing and dreaming. You will get to meet them up close and personal.
Flambé Dreams is a Next Link Selection for the New York Musical Theatre Festival!
02/21/2012
Read about it on Playbill
NYMF to Stage A Letter to Harvey Milk, Prison Dancer, Flambé Dreams, Rio and More
Theatermania
New York Musical Theatre Festival Announces Next Link Project Selections
Broadwayworld.com
MY OHIO, RIO, et al. Included in NYMF's 2012 Next Link Project
Flambé Dreams included in BMI Showcase!
11/03/2011
"Everything You Long For" (aka New Jersey) will be included in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop Biannual Showcase at the Marjorie S. Dean Theatre. 10 W 64th Stree. NY NY
Flambé Dreams promotional packages!
09/29/2011
Check out our new Promotional Packages! Email Matt to request one!
Flambé Dreams demo tracks!
08/07/2011
We finished mixing 6 new demo tracks for Flambé Dreams. Please visit the Media page to listen! Special Thanks to Russell Fischer, Ashley Fox Linton, Kevin B. McGlynn, Trisha Rapier and everyone who gave of their time and talents to produce these amazing demos!
Flambé Dreams at the York Developmental Reading Series!
02/24/2011
The York Theatre Company James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director as part of its Developmental Reading Series Jeff Landsman, Series Coordinator Presents
Flambé Dreams!
1 SHOW ONLY!
Thurs, Feb 24, 2011, at 3 PM
The York Theatre Company -Theatre at Saint Peter's
54th Street just East of Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10022
TO MAKE A RESERVATION
call 212.935.5824 x524
Cast Announced for Flambé Dreams Developmental Reading!
01/28/2011
CAST ANNOUNCED for the upcoming reading of Flambé Dreams at The York Theatre Company's developmental reading series. Mark Emerson will star as Joe Christiansen. Ashley Fox Linton will return to the role of Gloria the Duane Reade Pharmacist. Mary Liz McNamara will step into the role of Joe's mother Elaine Christiansen and Kevin B. McGlynn and Jennifer Rias will round out the company playing multiple characters.
The reading will be directed by West Hyler with musical direction by Kat Sherrell.
Closing night of Flambé Dreams at the Iguana Restaurant!
12/06/2010
CLOSING NIGHT at the Iguana! Sold out! Thanks to everyone who attended our short run of Flambé Dreams.
Opening night of Flambé Dreams at the Iguana Restaurant!
11/22/2010
OPENING NIGHT! Great audience great show!
Press Release for Flambé Dreams at the Iguana Restaurant!
11/9/2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 9, 2010
New Musical Flambé Dreams Receives Developmental Production Nov 22 – Dec 6
New York, NY – The new musical Flambé Dreams opens Nov 22, 2010 at The Iguana Restaurant and Dance Lounge (240 West 54th St.) and plays Mondays for three weeks. Flambé Dreams has book and lyrics by Matthew Hardy and music by Randy Klein.
West Hyler directs a cast that includes Kevin B. McGlynn (Forbidden Broadway); Jenna Coker-Jones (Evil Dead the Musical); Kate Kearney-Patch (Trails, NYMF); Matthew Hardy (Fosse, Nat. Tour); and Jillian Louis (Popart, NYMF).
This quirky new musical comedy tells the story of Joe Christiansen from Preston, Idaho, who rebels against his pill-pushing psychiatrist mother and journeys to New York to pursue his dream of becoming a great Maitre d' like his father who was killed in a freak flaming bananas foster accident. Flambé Dreams is an unusual theatrical experience that takes place in an actual restaurant around the audience as they dine.
Matthew Hardy and Randy Klein are advanced members of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. Mr. Klein is the recipient of the 2009 Jerry Harrington award. Flambé Dreams was a finalist for the 2009 BMI Jerry Bock Award and has a song New Jersey featured on the upcoming BMI Musical Theatre Workshop compilation CD No More Revivals.
West Hyler is the associate director of Jersey Boys and has staged companies in Las Vegas, Chicago, London, Toronto and Australia. He has directed over 40 plays and worked at theaters such as The Guthrie, La Jolla Playhouse, and Actors Theater of Louisville. Upcoming projects include the 2012 Big Apple Circus.
The production team includes Antionette Dipietropolo (choreography), Paloma Young (costume design), Caleb Levengood (set design) and Christian DeAngelis (lighting design).
There are only 4 performances of Flambé Dreams: Monday nights at 7:00 pm for three weeks (Nov 22, 29, Dec 6) with an industry matinee on Dec 6 at 3:00 pm. No cover / No food and drink minimum. Reservations can be made by emailing flambedreams@gmail.com or calling 917-902-5581.
A silly soufflé of a musical comedy…It's studded with genuinely funny jokes
- NY Theatre-
A very charming, funny, and surprisingly touching new musical…in a word, refreshing.
— TheaterMania -
An artful, lovely piece of theatre...a ton of humor and heart.
— NY THEATRE 
It’s a sweetheart of a show with lots of talent and an old-fashioned, life-affirming sensibility spiced with references to modern life and witty lines. It’s the kind of a show you want to hug.
Write your caption here— NITE LIFE EXCHANGE
Randy Klein. All Rights Reserved.