ASTAIRE

A musical review based on the work of Fred Astaire.It premiered in April of 1992 through MusicalFare Theatre as part of Jeffry's college thesis at the University of Buffalo. The reviews were great and he graduated cum laude.

DANCING IN THE DARK

A musical play about a choreographer who rents a studio where Fred Astaire used to rehearse.

It was first presented at MusicalFare Theatre in Buffalo as part of their 1997-98 season. Randall Kramer, the Artistic Director had been a strong supporter and collaborator of Jeffry's during the first Astaire project. Together they brought Dancing in ther Dark to Buffalo and ran it to sold out houses in downtown Buffalo's historic Pfeiffer Theatre.

Across the street from the Pfeiffer, Gavin Cameron-Webb, Artistic Director of Studio Arena Theatre, noticed the crowds. After seeing the show, he offered Jeffry and Randall the opportunity to do Dancing in the Dark in the 1998-99 season. The first time a Buffalo born musical had ever been presented at Studio Arena.

A cast of Broadway notables came to Studio Arena. Tony nominees Joel Blum (Steel Pier, Show Boat, Music Man) and Crista Moore, (Gypsy, Big), starred with Jeffry and Teddy Levy (Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk, Jelly's Last Jam, Black and Blue), Nancy Lemenager (Never Gonna Dance, Kiss Me Kate, Guys and Dolls, How To Succeed...) Susan Misner (Chicago: the movie, How To Succeed..., Dream, Forum), Julie Connors (Thoroughly Modern Millie) Robertson Carricart and Norman Sham rounding out the cast. The show ran successfully with new changes at Studio Arena and rounded up a number of Buffalo investors hoping that the show's futrure would lead to New York.

A four week workshop with a brand new (and reduced) cast at the Lamb's Theatre on West 44th Street followed in the Spring of 1999. The cast: Sean Martin Hingston (Contact) and Joan Hess (Bells are Ringing) along with Jeffry, Nancy Lemenager, Dennis Stowe (Wonderful Town, Man of LaMancha), Susan Misner, Anne Biancofiore and Norman Sham.

CHANGE PARTNERS

In the Fall of 2003, Jeffry re-imagined the concept of Dancing in the Dark and created a brand new show entitled Change Partners. Randy Kramer at MusicalFare Theatre again came to the rescue and put it immediately into his 2004-5 season for Curtain Up! Buffalo's own celebration of the opening of the theatre season.

Jeffry starred as Fred Astaire alongside Buffalo's top talent: Michelle Maier, Matthew Clark, Kelly Meg Brennan, Kelly Cammarata, Christian Donnelly, and Terri George. The show opened to raves and sold out houses. When Jeffry had to leave the show to begin rehearsals for White Christmas, Buffalo's actor/singer/dancer extraordinaire, John Fredo, took up the reigns and extended the show an extra week.

Jeffry is working to bring Change Partners to New York.