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Erik Della Penna

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Erik Della Penna
Background information
Born (1965-06-02) 2 June 1965 (age 59)
GenresMusical theater, folk, pop, rock
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, lyricist, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, banjo, mandolin, lap steel, voice
DiscographyErik Della Penna at AllMusic
Years active1992-present
Websiteerikdellapenna.com

Erik Della Penna (born June 2, 1965) is an American musician, composer, and lyricist. He is known for co-composing the musical Dead Outlaw[1] with David Yazbek, and for being the principal guitarist for pop singer Natalie Merchant.[2][3] In 2024 he was nominated for three Drama Desk Awards, winning one, for Outstanding Lyrics.[4]

Early life

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Della Penna was born in The Bronx and grew up on Long Island, New York. He received a degree in Classical Guitar from the Mannes School of Music.[3]

Career

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In 1994, Della Penna began touring with the pop singer Joan Osborne on the Mercury Records label. Later, he toured and recorded with American singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant in support of several studio albums. During this time he also toured with folk singer Joan Baez and joined the international band Hazmat Modine as a guitarist and songwriter.[5] Della Penna also has his own band called Kill Henry Sugar.[6]

In February 2024, his musical Dead Outlaw opened at the Minetta Lane Theatre. It became a New York Times critic's pick[7] and earned eleven Drama Desk Award nominations, winning three.[8]

Awards and Nominations

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Year Nominated Work Association Category Result Ref
2024 Dead Outlaw
Drama Desk Outstanding Lyrics Won [9]
Drama Desk Outstanding Music Nominated [10]
Drama Desk Outstanding Orchestrations Nominated [10]
New York Drama Critics Circle Best Musical Won [11]
Outer Critics Circle Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical Won [12]
Outer Critics Circle Outstanding Score Nominated [13]
Outer Critics Circle Outstanding Orchestrations Nominated [13]

References

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  1. ^ Bahr, Sarah (March 20, 2024). "'Dead Outlaw,' a Mummy Musical, Is So Strange It Can Only Be True". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "Natalie Merchant (2014)".
  3. ^ a b Vellucci, Justin (November 13, 2018). "The "Antique-Garde" Songwriters Of New York City". American Songwriter.
  4. ^ Russo, Gilllian (June 10, 2024). "2024 Drama Desk Award winners announced". New York Theater Guide.
  5. ^ Smullen, Sharon (April 13, 2023). "At Spencertown Academy, Rachelle Garniez and Erik Della Penna to play old and new music of New York City". The Berkshire Eagle. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Joyce, Mike (July 3, 2003). "KILL HENRY SUGAR "Sell This ..." The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024.
  7. ^ Collins-Hughes, Laura (March 11, 2024). "'Dead Outlaw' Review: Not Much of a Bandit, but What a Corpse". The New York Times.
  8. ^ Cullwell-Block, Logan (June 10, 2024). "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Drama Desk Awards With 7 Wins Including Outstanding PlayStereophonic Leads 2024 Drama Desk Awards With 7 Wins Including Outstanding Play". Playbill.
  9. ^ "2024 WINNERS". 2024 Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Rosky, Nicole. "2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  11. ^ Miller, Deb (May 14, 2024). "Winners of the 2024 New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards". DC Theater Arts. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  12. ^ Miller, Deb (May 13, 2024). "Winners of the 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards for Broadway and Off-Broadway". DC Theater Arts. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Eckmann, Sam (April 23, 2024). "2024 Outer Critics Circle nominations: 'Stereophonic' and 'Suffs' receive an end-season boost". GoldDerby. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
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