“It was one of the darkest times in my life,” says Dan Micciche, the Broadway musical director of “Wicked,” describing the COVID-19 shut down Broadway’s 41 theaters for 18 months. It left Broadway performers completely out of work. Nowadays, with Broadway opening back up, Micciche is back where he feels at home, on stage.
Micciche’s first-ever performance was in kindergarten at the Curtain Call community theater in Stamford where he believes his love for the arts started. “I was dancing and playing music before I even knew it.”
Micciche is also the producer of the Broadway in Bedford series at Bedford Playhouse. The first one was held on June 19, and he will return on July 31, August 28 and September 16 for the next three. We had the privilege of chatting with Micciche about himself, his career and the Broadway in Bedford series.
Katonah Connect: What is it like being a Broadway musical director and corralling a whole team of people? I imagine you must have some great stories to share.
Dan Micciche: You know, I get asked that question all the time and long story short, yes, I do. I keep wanting to bring one up and then I think to myself, ‘oh well maybe not that one.’ There are lots of stories I probably shouldn’t tell. Just because there are so many people, something is bound to go wrong. Maybe someone runs in for their queue with their mask on, or a musician will get lost, but it’s just something we have to push through to keep the show going.
KC: What are some of your most memorable moments on Broadway?
DM: My Broadway debut performance, which was Chicago, and my solo performance at Carnegie Hall.
KC: How did the Broadway in Bedford series start?
DM: It started during COVID-19 when Broadway was shut down. I live in Ridgefield, and I knew Micheal Hoagland, the Playhouse executive director. We started talking about what we could do together, and we decided to invite professional Broadway actors, singers and musicians to the Playhouse to perform alongside local performers. It was such a great idea because I was able to give some of my colleagues work and locals safe entertainment during COVID.
KC: What’s the vibe? Is it like going to a Broadway show?
DM: It’s really a fun, lowkey event; just bring a blanket or chair, food and drink, and watch the performance
KC: What can we see this summer?
DM: There are four shows, all with different themes. This season the themes are Let Loose, which was performed on June 19, July is Leading Ladies, August is more of the Golden Age and September is the Best of Broadway.
KC: Who picks the themes?
DM: I choose the music, the artists, the costumes, the actors and everything. It’s a really special event.
KC: What makes the Playhouse special?
DM: I really love Katonah and Bedford because of how much they support the arts. It’s a really cool upscale movie theater that brings high-class entertainment to the area. And it’s a super intimate and lowkey place with some really interesting and fun performances.
KC: What are you feeling connected to right now?
DM: That’s a difficult question! I think right now I’m feeling very connected to gratitude. I will never forget when Broadway was closed. It was so painful to leave Broadway behind during COVID, you know? It has, and always will be, my dream to be on Broadway, and when you have to leave that behind, it’s tough. I just feel so much gratitude to all those who have come out to see shows on Broadway after COVID. They’ve let me live my dream again, and I am just very grateful for that.
