Theater Pizzazz’ Mark Ryan Anderson had the opportunity to speak with Tom Kitt at recent press previews about Tom’s upcoming show at 54 Below scheduled for February 9 and 11 at 9:30 pm.

In 1996, upon graduating from college, Tom did two things – applied to the BMI Lehman-Engel Musical Theater Workshop (with Brian Yorkey) and formed a rock band.

In June of 1998, Brian came up with an idea for their final project at BMI which was to write a 10 minute musical. And that is how, Feeling Electric (later to become Next to Normal) was performed for the first time. Also in June, The Tom Kitt Band performed at a club called The Elbow Room (now a Duane Reade) to a few loyal, die-hard fans. But over the course of the next year, both projects began to pick up speed. Feeling Electric was gaining supportive voices in the workshop, while The Tom Kitt Band was expanding its fan base.

In 2001, the band reached its apex when the record label Gold Circle signed them to a demo deal. But at the same time, Feeling Electric was gathering more momentum, culminating in a concert at the Cutting Room in 2002. At that concert, 17 songs from Feeling Electric (Next to Normal) were performed with the Tom Kitt Band accompanying the performers.

Tom is thrilled to be back performing with the band featuring new songs he and Brian have written (who he now refers to as the 5th TKB-er), both for the band, and for future theatrical projects .

Dreams do come true!!

www.Feinstein’s/54Below.com