Metrostage at the lyceum in Conjunction with The George Mason University School of Theater Presents:

Broadway’s Prince: The Musicals of Hal Prince

Conceived and Co-directed by Erin and James Gardiner

Music Direction by Joseph Walsh

February 4, 2025 7pm

Featuring the exceptional talent of the musical theatre students at GMU, Mason Cabaret shines the spotlight on the work of legendary Broadway director and producer Hal Prince. A devoted collaborator of Stephen Sondheim’s, the treasure trove of Prince’s work includes Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, She Loves Me, West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Merrily We Roll Along, and many more. Mason Cabaret performances range from stunning solos, electric duets, and glorious full-scale ensemble numbers, celebrating the wonderful talent of the vocal students in the School of Theatre at George Mason University.

The Lyceum, 201 S Washington Street, Alexandria, Virginia

Street Parking And The Closest Parking Garage At 111 S. Pitt St. (2 ½ Blocks From The Lyceum)

Bios

Joe Walsh (Music Director) is an accomplished conductor, music director and pianist. His past work at MetroStage includes, most recently, Memories of A Child’s Christmas in Wales, and Master Class and Christmas at the Old Bull and Bush. He has been music director for Mason’s Annual Cabaret since 2016. Joe has worked with the In Series in Washington D.C. as well as the Amalfi Coast Music Festival in Italy for five summers and has been involved in the musical preparation of more than 65 productions at Virginia Opera, where he served for 17 years. He is Associate Professor of Music and Theater at George Mason University where he serves as music director for Broadway musicals and opera productions. Joe has been music director at Riverside Dinner Theater, The Delaware Children’s Theatre and Three Little Bakers Dinner Theater in Wilmington, Delaware.  He is an active recitalist, accompanying classical voice recitals and Broadway cabarets. He is thrilled to be back at MetroStage bringing this special performance of George Mason University’s Annual Cabaret Broadway’s Prince: The Musicals of Hal Prince to MetroStage at the Lyceum.  

James Gardiner (Co-Director) is a Helen Hayes Award-winning actor, playwright, teacher, and filmmaker based in the Washington, DC area. He is currently a musical theatre performance instructor at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, where he founded and co-directs the Mason Cabaret, now in its 13th year. As a playwright, James wrote the book for Glory Days (music and lyrics by Nick Blaemire), which premiered on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre in 2008. At just 23 years old, he became the youngest librettist to have his work produced on Broadway. His writing has since been produced commercially in Tokyo, London, and Sydney, and has been performed regionally across the U.S. and Canada. James currently serves as the Director of Creative Content at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. He was the Producer and Editor for the 2021 Signature Features Season, praised by The New York Times as "one of the most artistically successful endeavors" of the pandemic. As an actor, James has performed at esteemed venues including the Williamstown Theatre Festival, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Signature Theatre, Ford's Theatre, Studio Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Round House Theatre, Folger Theatre, and others nationwide.

Erin Gardiner (Co-Director) is an assistant professor of Musical Theater at George Mason University. She has directed both the Fall and Spring musicals and co-directed Mason Cabaret as part of Mason’s Musical Theater program for several years. Mrs. Gardiner is an award-winning professional actress, singer and teacher. She received her Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Musical Theater from James Madison University. For over a decade, Erin has worked professionally as an actress and singer in the DC area, performing at Signature Theatre, Arena Stage, Ford’s Theater, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Olney Theatre Center and Round House Theatre. Recognitions include a Helen Hayes Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical and the Roger Sturtevant Award for Outstanding Ability in Musical Theater. She is a proud member of Actor’s Equity. In addition to her work in theater, Mrs. Gardiner also performs in solo cabarets and concerts, and teaches private voice.