Steve Withers

Steven Withers (born April 16, 1961) is an American pianist.

Withers, a native of San Diego, California, graduated from Point Loma High School in 1978. He studied composition and piano performance at the University of Cincinnati’s College/Conservatory of Music (CCM) for five years before beginning his professional career. For several years in the 1990’s Mr. Withers could be found at the piano on stage with the stellar cast of "Forever Plaid" in their record-breaking run at the Theater in Old Town. During this same time he served at the Principal Accompanist of the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego under the baton of Gary Holt, one of the founders of the GMCSD. In 1998 he toured extensively with Michael Crawford [ [http://www.mcifa.com/ MCIFA] ] in Mr. Crawford’s solo show, playing keyboards with the on-stage orchestra. Performances included dates at Radio City Music Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and an appearance on The View with Barbara Walters. Steven can be heard on the live CD recorded that summer, "In Concert: Michael Crawford" [ [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000DD2G Amazon.com products] ] . After playing in the bands for both "Jane Eyre" (La Jolla Playhouse) [ [http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=113012 IBDB profile] ] and "The Full Monty" (Old Globe) Mr. Withers moved to Manhattan (2000-2004) where he played keyboards for both those Tony nominated shows and recorded the Jane Eyre Original Broadway Cast album. He played piano for the workshop of Ragtime creators Flaherty and Ahrens’ "A Man Of No Importance" with Richard Thomas and Faith Prince, which later opened at Lincoln Center. Steven music-directed workshops in London and New York of "Daddy-Long-Legs", a new show by "Jane Eyre" creators Paul Gordon and John Caird, and continues to work as scribe for Paul Gordon’s work, including three new shows in development: "Emma", "The Circle", and "The Front". He recently accompanied "When Pigs Fly" at San Diego’s Diversionary Theatre [ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20060725-9999-1c25theater.html SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Features - 'Pigs Fly' gaily soars to humorous new heights ] ] , the third oldest LGBT theatre in the United States, and will be the Music Director for Diversionary’s upcoming Christmas show "It’s A Fabulous Life!" in November 2006. Steven is thrilled to be back in San Diego with his (nearly) life-long love (13 years and counting,) Marc d’Hondt, Executive Director of Stepping Stone of San Diego, Inc., the award winning addiction recovery facility for Gays and Lesbians, and to be accompanying the glorious singing of the Gay Men's Chorus of San Diego.

Recordings

* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000051Y31 Jane Eyre's Original Broadway Cast album]
* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000DD2G Live with Michael Crawford]

References

* [http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=113012 Internet Broadway Database entry]
* [http://www.mcifa.com/ Michael Crawford]
* [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20060725-9999-1c25theater.html Sign on San Diego, July 25th 2006]

External links

* [http://www.diversionary.org/ Diversionary Theatre]
* [http://www.gmcsd.com/ Gay Men's Chorus of San Diego]
* [http://www.lajollaplayhouse.com/ La Jolla Playhouse]
* [http://oldglobe.org/index.html Old Globe Theatre]