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Between The Lines - Sam Wisman

Sam Wisman’s setup for the World Premiere and regional tryout of Between The Lines at the Kansas City Repertory Theater, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Read Sam's write-up about the show, below the photos.

Sam Wisman’s setup for the World Premiere and regional tryout of Between The Lines at the Kansas City Repertory Theater, in Kansas City, Missouri.Sam Wisman’s setup for the World Premiere and regional tryout of Between The Lines at the Kansas City Repertory Theater, in Kansas City, Missouri.Sam Wisman’s setup for the World Premiere and regional tryout of Between The Lines at the Kansas City Repertory Theater, in Kansas City, Missouri.Sam Wisman’s setup for the World Premiere and regional tryout of Between The Lines at the Kansas City Repertory Theater, in Kansas City, Missouri.Sam Wisman’s setup for the World Premiere and regional tryout of Between The Lines at the Kansas City Repertory Theater, in Kansas City, Missouri.

“Produced by Daryl Roth (Kinky Boots, Groundhog Day) and directed by Jeff Calhoun (Newsies), Between the Lines is based on the novel by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer, with music by the amazing songwriting team of Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson and libretto by Tim McDonald.

The story swings back and forth from an all American teenage experience to a fantasy fairytale world within a book, and the music swings back and forth as well. The styles and sounds required range from classic Broadway to swing, vaudeville, orchestral, rock and disco.

Orchestrator Greg Anthony Rassen (Bandstand, An American in Paris) created a very demanding and fun book. It was fascinating being included in this process and learning what’s possible as the orchestrations and percussion book developed. The Miller Machine is indispensable as always.

There is a lot of simultaneous mallet and drumset playing including vibraphone that necessitates this particular setup. This allows me to play the vibes while sitting and swing my left leg off the hi-hat and to the vibes pedal (Yamaha model with adjustable pedal swung towards the hi-hat pedal). There is also extensive use of the Roland SPD Pad (including a remote trigger and pedal) for click, samples, loops and sequences. Special thanks to fellow Miller Machine devotee Adam Wolfe (Bandstand) for helping Greg create the book.”

Between The Lines - Regional - Sam Wisman
September 2017

Sam Wisman’s setup for the World Premiere and regional tryout of Between The Lines at the Kansas City Repertory Theater, in Kansas City, Missouri.

"Conducting a National Tour is incredibly challenging, but so rewarding. Stepping on to the podium with a new orchestra every few weeks really keeps you on your toes. Every player responds differently so you are constantly adjusting to get the desired result. I would compare it to playing a multi-percussion piece where the instruments are constantly moving."
"After a grueling four years at SUNY I still had one theory class left to finish. I was really depressed. A classmate of mine recommended me for a tour of a Broadway show. This completely changed the course of my life."
"When I first got the call to start working on Ain’t Too Proud - The Life And Times Of The Temptations, I was curious about which era the show was going to focus on. Their career began in the early 1960’s and they’re still releasing albums today."

Ron Grassi's drum set setup for Mean Girls at Archbishop Performing Arts, in Warminster, Pennsylvania.

"The main challenge that I found with this show was the very quick instrument and stick changes. Having a good pair of swizzle sticks is necessary to go from tambourine to timpani and sometimes rolls on the concert bass drum."
"The real impetus of this book is the timpani. It is definitely the driving force for the percussion inBack to the Future and it requires a big articulate sound and once again Yamaha with the Evans Orchestral White Opaque Heads just deliver."

Gene Krupa's drum solo from "Gene's Blues" from the album Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich released November 1955.

Steve Jordan's drum solo from the title track of the album Casa Loco.
Robbie Ameen's drum solo from the track "Spring Fling".

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