RYAN THOMAS JOHNSON


THEATER



DEADLY



Book and lyrics by Vanessa Claire Stewart

Music by Ryan Thomas Johnson

1893 – A time of hope and optimism as the World’s Fair turns the globe’s eyes toward Chicago. But within this cultural explosion of art and technology, a demon lurks beneath. Taking advantage of the modern woman’s adventuresome spirit, H.H. Holmes builds a hotel, a “murder castle,” to entrap and kill unsuspecting ladies new to the big city.

Premiered at Sacred Fools Theater in Los Angeles in 2019.

Now published through Broadway Publishing


CLICK HERE TO HEAR AUDIO SAMPLES AND PERUSE SCORE

STONEFACE



by Vanessa Claire Stewart

In 1929, Buster Keaton was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood he had a beautiful wife, two young sons, a mansion, and complete creative control over his films. But by the early 1930s, it was nearly all gone: his family, his money, and his career. STONEFACE is a play with music that integrates comedy, silent film vignettes, and theatricality to tell the story of Keaton’s rise to fame, his struggles with alcoholism, and his battle to rebuild his life, and his career.

I provided a live piano score for this production, premiering at Sacred Fools Theater in Hollywood in 2012. Subsequently peformed at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2014.

Now available through Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Licensing for production of the play includes my original score.

2013 Ovation Award winner for Original Music for a Play

2013 LA Weekly Theater Award winner for Best Production.



WATSON



The Last Great Tale of the Legendary Sherlock Holmes



BY JAIME ROBLEDO

Watson tells the story of a good man trapped in the shadow of a great man. Funny, moving, and theatrically inventive, this high-energy play balances witty comedy and dramatic mystery to recount the last great tale of the legendary Sherlock Holmes as seen through the eyes of his trusted friend and colleague, Dr. John H. Watson.

This was the first music I wrote for string quartet.

Now available through Stage Rights.

Licensing of the play for performance includes an option to use my pre-recorded music.



HITRECORD FALL FORMAL



I led the band for this 2011 live event produced by actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt to celebrate the work developed with his interactive web community HitRECord. Gave me a chance to collaborate with Sia Furler, Kid Koala, Anne Hathaway, and Joe himself.





RYAN THOMAS JOHNSON