Deniz Cordell

Deniz Cordell, a graduate of Brandeis University, comes from a diverse background in theatre and music – working extensively as a performer, vocalist, pianist,  accordionist, arranger, conductor, and stage and musical director. While at Brandeis, he served as stage, musical director and conductor for the University premieres of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, and Leonard Bernstein's Peter Pan, for which Mr. Bernstein's daughter Nina crafted a special narration (now available from Boosey & Hawkes).  In October, Deniz served as the musical director for a workshop of Timothy Frey's rock musical, Robin Hood - which he also crafted several vocal arrangements for - in Manhattan, as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

He also writes and performs as a voice actor with the award-winning Colonial Radio Theatre on the Air. Among his many collaborations with Colonial Radio are scripts for Moonfleet, as well as the adaptation of Buck Alice and the Actor-Robot, based on the novel by Star Trek's Walter Koenig. He co-wrote the script with Mr. Koenig, and also performs the role of Buck Alice.

He has written the music and additional lyrics for Wash Your Linen (which recently had a workshop presentation in New York), and is currently at work on book, music, and lyrics for two new musicals - including one based upon Gene Deitch's comic strip The Real Great Adventures of Terr'ble Thompson - Hero of Hist'ry!

He has worked under theatrical luminaries including Sheldon Harnick and Charles Strouse, and spends much of his musical life involved with 20th century American music - particularly works for the musical theatre and cinema.  He has spent the last several years championing the work of American composer Leonard Rosenman, and provided liner notes to the release of Mr. Rosenman's Academy-Award nominated score Cross Creek for Intrada Records.

Most recently, Deniz began collaborating with 5th Floor Productions – a new theatre company based in Manhattan – as their musical advisor.

In his bountiful spare time, Deniz works as a script and continuity supervisor for the internet series: "Star Trek: Phase II," and tries to find as much time to work and write as possible.  He does his best to keep busy in the theatre and music worlds.

Deniz's first collaborations with NEYT were as musical director for the summer musical theatre camps.  Since then, he has served as one of the musical directors for A Night at the Opera, worked as vocal & musical director for Guys & Dolls, and helped devise and musically direct Happy Faces and Hard-Knock Lives, a specially assembled revue celebrating Charles Strouse's 80th Birthday.  He also makes regular appearances as both a pianist and performer during the theatre's seasonal cabarets.