Something In The Gamel - Creative Team

Win one for the Gipper!

DAVID BELL

For the last thirty years, David H. Bell's career has spanned a wide range of International and National projects as a director, choreographer, and author. As Artistic Director of the historic Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., David inaugurated such World Premiere musicals as ELMER GANTRY, A CHRISTMAS CAROL (adapter), and HOT MIKADO (author-winner Helen Hayes Award, BEST DIRECTOR). His work at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, the Marriott Theatre, and Drury Lane Oakbrook in Chicago has earned him 46 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations (winning the award 12 times). In New York City, David has directed both on and off Broadway, including the DIFFA TRIBUTE TO EDITH HEAD (Michael Douglas, Lauren Bacall, Julianne Moore, etc.), HEARTSTRINGS (Sandy Duncan, Patti LuPone, Salt N' Peppa, Sara Gilbert), and GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY at Carnegie Hall (Richard Kiley, Jule Styne, Carol Channing, Jerry Orback, Chita Rivera, Jerry Herman, George Abbott, etc.). Internationally, David has worked on London's West End on HOT MIKADO (author- Laurence Olivier Award Nominee), Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, Berlin, Barcelona (for the 1992 Olympic Closing Ceremonies), the HARLEM GOSPEL SINGERS, and the DIRTY DANCING CONCERT TOUR. As associate director to Kenny Leon at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre, David directed over twenty productions. David was the book writer with Craig Carnelia for ACTOR, LAWYER, INDIAN CHIEF and Studs Terkel's THE GOOD WAR. David served as Director of the Music Theatre Program at Northwestern (2006-2023) and his musical ,SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS CAROL (written by Dolly Parton) has played Boston, London, Vancouver (Jessie Award for Best Musical) and is currently touring the U.S. He has two new musicals, MAKING MARILYN MILLER and MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS optioned for production.
davidhbell.com

MICHAEL MAHLER

Michael Mahler is the award-winning Chicago-based composer/lyricist of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID; OCTOBER SKY; HERO (Jeff Award); THE MAN WHO MURDERED SHERLOCK HOLMES (Jeff Award); WONDERLAND: ALICE’S ROCK & ROLL ADVENTURE; SOMETHING IN THE GAME; PAINTED ALICE; HOW CAN YOU RUN WITH A SHELL ON YOUR BACK? and others. He contributed additional lyrics to Cameron Mackintosh's London and Broadway revivals of MISS SAIGON and served as the original English lyricist of Boublil and Schönberg's LA REVOLUTION FRANCAISE. Projects in development include SECRET OF MY SUCCESS and GRAVEDIGGERS’ HAMLET. Visit www.michaelmahler.com

BUDDY FARMER

Buddy is originally from Alabama. His first play, COACHES, received critical acclaim in Los Angeles and toured to Notre Dame, Milwaukee, San Francisco and Phoenix. He wrote the book for the musical, KNUTE ROCKNE- ALL-AMERICAN, which received several Chicago Theatre Jefferson Award nominations and has had several Equity productions including the 2018 AMTP (American Musical Theatre Project) at Northwestern under the new title of SOMETHING IN THE GAME. It is currently streaming on BROADWAY ON DEMAND and BROADWAY MUSICALS. His play, JOEY & MARE, was the 2018 winner of the Show-Off International Playwriting Festival in California receiving a productions at The Camino Real Playhouse, Chapman University in California and the 2021 William Inge Festival in Kansas. His award winning play, THE BARBECUE, was produced at the 13th Street Repertory Company in New York in 2013. Other plays include the award winning, ALABAMA BAGGAGE, THE VIAGRA MONOLOGUES, FORE and the short plays, HELP, PULL OVER, KICKIN’ IT OLD STYLE and BIG G & THE KID. Buddy is a member of The Dramatists Guild, The Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights and The Orange County Playwrights Association. He recently directed the award winning documentary film, “JAILHOUSE TO MILHOUSE, and is currently working on a live action/animated film about rescuing dogs, titled “DREAMER.” He resides in Laguna Beach with his wonderful wife Pamela and their two rescue pups, Lilly and Max.

GREG SCHAFFERT

Greg Schaffert is a theatrical Producer who has spent the last 40 years working in every facet of the theatre. In the last 15 years he has produced: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Broadway (5 Tony Awards) plus Tour & Off-Broadway; NEXT TO NORMAL (Pulitzer); BURN THE FLOOR; ALL SHOOK UP. Off-Broadway: BAT BOY THE MUSICAL (Drama Desk); STRIKING 12 (Lortel Award); MAGNETIC NORTH; GREAT WALL; HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD & FIND TRUE LOVE in 90 minutes. Regional: Paul Gordon’s ANALOG & VINYL (Weston Playhouse); George Stiles’ THREE MUSKETEERS (Chicago Shakes, North Shore); HOMESTEAD CROSSING (Berkshire, Merrimac Rep, Portland Stage); NO WAKE (Berkshire); THE GIRL IN THE FRAME (Goodspeed, Adirondack Theatre Festival); ACE (Signature). In the future he is producing, "KARATE KID," the musical, (UK Tour and Toronto - 2026) He is also producer of "SOUTHERN GOTHIC," at the Chicago Goodman Theatre. Greg has also written a novel titled "I-80," a memoir, 5 screenplays , 2 pilots and a 6 part mini-series. Visit gregschaffert.com

JOHN A. GIRARDI

In 1999, John A Girardi (Jack) saw a performance of Buddy Farmer’s stage play COACHES. This led Jack to become the hands on Executive Producer of the musical through workshops in Southern California, Chicago and the production of KNUTE ROCKNE: ALL AMERICAN at Theatre in the Center in Muncie, Indiana. As the show has developed to become SOMETHING IN THE GAME, Jack, and his production company, Coaches LLC, has guided the show through its development lab at the American Musical Theatre Project at Northwestern University, its presentations in Chicago and the University of Notre Dame, and its future productions in theatres around the country. When he is not listening to the SOMETHING IN THE GAME soundtrack, Girardi is a civil trial attorney with the firm of Girardi & Keese in Los Angeles. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has a civil trial law practice at the Law Offices of John Girardi in Southern California.