ART = Collaboration
It's hard to make art, especially musical theatre, in a vacuum. Though an artist can work independently, no project- be it album, straight play or full musical presentation- can come together without a team of dedicated and inspired individuals. This page is dedicated to that collaborative spirit, and showcases not only Kerestan, but the fellow artists who have come together to bring their ideas to life, from the hometown base of Greensburg, Pennsylvania to the Off-Broadway scene in New York City and beyond.
Greg Kerestan (music, lyrics, libretti)
Greg Kerestan began his theatrical career as a performer, acting and playing keyboards, guitars and percussion for Pittsburgh-area theatre companies Stage Right!, Split Stage and AAFC. In 2011, while pursuing dual majors in Theatre Arts and English at Seton Hill University, Kerestan collaborated with longtime associates David Mahokey and Tony Marino to develop a new works program at Stage Right!, premiering "In Control," "Mermaid!" and "Snow White." After Mahokey moved to New York to study at NYU, Kerestan began his Master's at Duquesne University, while teaming up with traveling composer and songwriter Lena Gabrielle to create "Little Red," "Sleeping Beauty" and "Tink," again with Marino.
In addition to writing and performing, Kerestan has served as dramaturg for Stage Right!, sound designer and season consultant for Seton Hill University, and music director for Split Stage.
In addition to writing and performing, Kerestan has served as dramaturg for Stage Right!, sound designer and season consultant for Seton Hill University, and music director for Split Stage.
frequent collaborators
DAVID M. MAhokey
David Mahokey, a graduate of Point Park University and a current NYU graduate student, was an actor from an early age, appearing in leading child roles in "Peter Pan" and "Sweeney Todd" during his early years. During his time in college, Mahokey began experimenting with the role of composer, contributing music to the world premiere production of "A Child's Christmas In Wales," as well as writing songs for independent films in Pittsburgh. When childhood friend Greg Kerestan approached him about collaborating on a musical based on Mahokey's autobiographical monologues about growing up with cancer, the seeds of a long collaborative partnership were born. Between 2011 and 2013, the duo of Mahokey and Kerestan premiered "In Control," "Mermaid!" and "Snow White" before pausing their collaborations while Mahokey studied in New York.
Mahokey continues to write and perform music, both as a musical theatre performer and as singer-songwriter. He is currently in development of a new musical based on the legend of Robin Hood.
Mahokey continues to write and perform music, both as a musical theatre performer and as singer-songwriter. He is currently in development of a new musical based on the legend of Robin Hood.
LENA GABRIELLE
Lena Gabrielle may be a Rochester, NY native, but she has called the road home for years, working in Pittsburgh, Portland, and everywhere in between. With nine albums as a singer-songwriter, eight musicals and four film scores, plus a variety of other projects under her belt, Gabrielle has served as composer, orchestrator, arranger, music director and featured performer throughout her career thus far.
In addition to composing and orchestrating the scores to "Little Red," "Sleeping Beauty" and "Tink" (sharing lyric duties on the last with Greg Kerestan), Gabrielle has arranged music for Steven Sater and Burt Bacharach's "New York Animals" during its Off-Broadway run, and has worked with Broadway legends including Lenora Nemetz, Stephen Schwartz and others. She is currently attached to "A Taste of Things To Come," playing at Bucks County Playhouse in February 2016.
In addition to composing and orchestrating the scores to "Little Red," "Sleeping Beauty" and "Tink" (sharing lyric duties on the last with Greg Kerestan), Gabrielle has arranged music for Steven Sater and Burt Bacharach's "New York Animals" during its Off-Broadway run, and has worked with Broadway legends including Lenora Nemetz, Stephen Schwartz and others. She is currently attached to "A Taste of Things To Come," playing at Bucks County Playhouse in February 2016.
TONY MARINO
Co-founder and artistic director of Stage Right! Professional Theatre and School for the Performing Arts in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Anthony "Tony" Marino began an initiative to foster new musical theatre in 2011. Marino not only served as director of the premieres of "In Control," "Mermaid!," "Snow White," "Little Red," "Sleeping Beauty" and "Tink," he contributed book and story elements to "Snow White," co-wrote the libretti to "Little Red" and "Sleeping Beauty," and wrote the libretti to "Mermaid!" and "Tink." Marino continues to promote the Stage Right! Theatricals brand, workshopping and premiering a new musical once every professional season..
As a professional Equity actor, Marino continues to appear both in Greensburg and Pittsburgh, well-known for his appearances as Old Deuteronomy in "Cats," various roles in "A Christmas Carol," and Judas Iscariot in productions of both "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Godspell" with various companies, as well as annual appearances as Eddie and Dr. Everett Scott in "The Rocky Horror Show." Additionally, he is the writer and director behind the "Books Come Alive" outreach program, promoting literacy and a love for the arts among elementary and middle schoolers with a variety of entertaining and educational performances at parks, schools, libraries and civic centers throughout Western Pennsylvania.
As a professional Equity actor, Marino continues to appear both in Greensburg and Pittsburgh, well-known for his appearances as Old Deuteronomy in "Cats," various roles in "A Christmas Carol," and Judas Iscariot in productions of both "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Godspell" with various companies, as well as annual appearances as Eddie and Dr. Everett Scott in "The Rocky Horror Show." Additionally, he is the writer and director behind the "Books Come Alive" outreach program, promoting literacy and a love for the arts among elementary and middle schoolers with a variety of entertaining and educational performances at parks, schools, libraries and civic centers throughout Western Pennsylvania.