Doug Besterman/Larry Blank Luncheon – June 22, 2011

Doug Besterman

Since 1992, Doug Besterman has been in-demand as an arranger/orchestrator for Broadway shows, films, and recordings – past projects include: The Producers (stage and film), Chicago (film), and Nine (film). He has been privileged to work with some of the most recognizable names in the industry, including composers Mel Brooks and Alan Menken, recording artists Barbra Streisand and Barry Manilow, and directors Rob Marshall and Susan Stroman. He has also earned some of the industry’s top honors, including 3 Tony Awards, 2 Drama Desk Awards and a Grammy Award nomination.

Current projects include: Sister Act (currently running on Broadway and in Hamburg), and How To Succeed (running on Broadway), for which Doug received his 5th Tony nomination. Upcoming: the revivals of Carrie and On a Clear Day (2nd half of 2011).

Larry Blank

Larry Blank is one of the most prolific and sought after composers, conductors, and orchestrators in the entertainment business today. His work has been presented all over the world, including some of Broadway’s most successful musicals, Carnegie Hall, and top television and film projects.

Larry was the Music Director/Conductor and/or vocal arranger for many shows on Broadway and in Los Angeles including They’re Playing Our Song, Evita, Sugar Babies, La Cage Aux Folles, Phantom Of The Opera, Onward Victoria, Copperfield, Colette, A Chorus Line and A Little Night Music. He has been nominated twice for both the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for his orchestrations in The Drowsy Chaperone and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.  He’s been nominated again this year with Marc Shaiman for Catch Me If You Can.

Having worked as personal conductor to Michael Crawford, Larry also conducted for countless others including Michael Feinstein, Bernadette Peters, Kelsey Grammar, Christine Baranski, Roberta Flack, Marc Shaiman, Jerry Herman, Davis Gaines, Bette Midler, Placido Domingo, Michael Bolton, and more.   His television work includes orchestrating and composing music for several of the Grammy Awards and Academy Award shows as well as numerous films.