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Picture this: Your local theater packed with audience members, all swept away by stunning musical arrangements and fascinating stories behind America's greatest songs. Not just in major cities, but everywhere—from small-town stages to regional theaters. That's not just a dream—it's exactly what we're making possible with The Songbook Series.
I'll never forget the moment this idea clicked. After decades in theater—from performing on Broadway to directing nationwide—I realized something: extraordinary musical entertainment shouldn't be limited to big-budget productions. That's why I developed The Songbook Series at Thirty Saints Productions.
The Magic Behind the Music
Think of The Songbook Series as your backstage pass to American music history. We take beloved classics and transform them through fresh arrangements, weaving in the fascinating stories that brought these songs to life.
Take Irving Berlin, for example. Here's a Russian immigrant who couldn't read music and only played piano on the black keys, yet he wrote "White Christmas," "God Bless America," and countless other American classics. Each song in our series carries stories just as remarkable—stories that transform familiar tunes into unforgettable experiences.
As one audience member put it, "I thought I knew these songs, but hearing their stories opened up a whole new world."
A Lifetime of Musical Moments
My relationship with music started before I could even walk—I was that kid glued to American Bandstand, memorizing every song title and songwriter. Fast forward through performing as The Rum Tum Tugger in Cats on Broadway, touring with Herbie Hancock's Super Sounds, and directing countless productions—each experience shaped my understanding of music's incredible power to connect people.
Three decades ago, I turned this passion into purpose. Instead of just performing songs, I started crafting concerts that revealed the stories behind the music. These weren't just performances; they were musical journeys through time.
At The Ordway, where I served as Producing Artistic Director, The Songbook Series transformed from two standalone performances to a subscription package with nearly 3,000 subscribers annually. We would do 3 editions each year for audiences of all ages, from the nostalgia-driven adults to an intrigued 12-year-old who was excited by the idea of a story about a Show Boat.
The Holiday Songbook: Where Magic Meets Tradition
Ready to bring some magic to your stage? “The Holiday Songbook”, our first licensed concert, reimagines seasonal favorites in ways your audience has never experienced. We're talking about holiday music from medieval wassailing traditions right up to today's chart-toppers. Here's a taste of what makes it special:
- A multilingual "Silent Night Suite" that starts in German and builds into something extraordinary
- "Up on the Housetop" channeling pure Andrews Sisters charm
- A playful spin on Tchaikovsky's "Sugar Plums" that'll make everyone smile
- A roof-raising mashup of "All I Want for Christmas is You" and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
- Barbra Streisand's legendary take on "Jingle Bells"
Making Theater Magic Accessible
Let's talk the practical benefits. Running a theater today isn't easy—budgets are tight, audiences want fresh content, and production costs keep rising. We designed The Songbook Series to solve these challenges:
Smart Production Design
No elaborate sets or technical headaches here. Just bring your musical director and favorite performers—we'll provide everything else, from scripts to arrangements, even our logo.
Flexible Casting and Accompaniment
One of the most appealing elements of how I have structured The Songbook Series is in its flexibility. You can have a cast of 20 or a cast of 3 – all depending on your needs.
What’s more, you can produce a fantastic evening of entertainment with a 4 piece band or the beautiful simplicity of a baby grand piano.
I’ve designed The Songbook Series format to be flexible for theatres everywhere.
Community Builder
This isn't just entertainment—it's cultural education wrapped in pure joy. As Lucas Chase from Mabel Tainter Theatre puts it, "The Songbook Series is a masterwork... audiences are transported."
The Dream Team Behind the Magic
When you partner with Thirty Saints Productions, you're working with some of theater's finest:
- Yours truly (James A. Rocco): Broadway veteran bringing decades of Songbook expertise as writer, director, host and performer
- Albert Evans: The brilliant composer behind musicals like Pageant
- Raymond Berg: Master arranger who makes classic songs feel brand new
Coming Soon to Your Stage
Beyond “The Holiday Songbook”, we've got some incredible editions in development:
- "Broadway In Love": A romantic journey through theater's greatest love songs
- "The Women Who Wrote The Songs": Celebrating groundbreaking female songwriters
- "Yankee Doodle Boy": George M. Cohan's greatest hits perfect for patriotic celebrations
Ready to Transform Your Holiday Programming?
Theater has always been about bringing people together, sharing stories, and creating moments of pure magic. The Songbook Series lets you do all that while keeping your budget intact and your audiences coming back for more.
Why wait? Let's talk about bringing these unforgettable experiences to your community. Your audience is waiting for something special—and The Songbook Series delivers exactly that.
Want to learn more? We'd love to help you create something extraordinary. Reach out today, and let's start planning your next musical success story.
Email us at info@thirtysaintsproductions.com.
