Arts & Entertainment

Port Composer's New Musical Getting Noticed at NYC Festival

'Lydia & Tom,' composed by Solomon Hoffman, showing at the Fringe Festival this month.

Lydia & Tom, a new musical composed by talented local artist, Solomon Hoffman, has been playing to sold out audiences this month at the 2013 International New York's Fringe Festival, the largest multi-arts festival in North America.
 
Written by Nick Parker and directed by Alex Hare, the play is a slice-of-life musical meets contemporary dance piece, Lydia & Tom traces the titular duo’s friendship from adolescence to adulthood, tested by physical distance, professional disappointment, competition and unrequited longing. The show wrestles with the joy and anguish of our formative relationships. 

"We are so pleased to announce that after three extremely successful performances, the fourth Fringe showing of Lydia & Tom was sold out and had a stand-by line," according to the show's producers.

A Columbia University senior studying music and psychology, Hoffman composed the musicals The 118th Varsity Show, XMAS!6 and Lydia & Tom a and recently performed in and composed for a production of Twelfth Night in Juilliard's Drama division, according to the Lydia and Tom website. His music has been featured on young composers concerts at the New York All-State festival and the National Music Educators Conference, held at the Kennedy Center. Highlights include the New York Philharmonic (School Day Concert), Vancouver Chamber Choir, Counter) induction, ICE (Walden CMR), C.W. Post University Orchestra, Post Chamber Festival, and the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra.

For seven consecutive years, Hoffman has conducted the Port Summer Show, including this year's Shrek show. He is also the founder/curator of a free weekly music series in Port Washington, Café Music at Dolphin.

Hoffman recently founded LyricLion, a new ensemble of Columbia and Juilliard musicians dedicated to performing the works of student composers. He has conducted LyricLion in thirteen world premiere performances, including his own compositions.

FringeNYC brings together more than 200 companies from all over the world performing for 16 days in more than 20 venues.  The festival  runs until Aug. 25 in downtown Manhattan. 

The final Lydia & Tom performance at the Fringe Festival will be Saturday at Venue No. 8: The Theater at the 14th Street Y. Complete venue list here.

Find more Lydia & Tom information here.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here