Penn Alumni You Should Know About Vol. 22

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MUSIC

John Legend (C’99, Counterparts) is clearly all over the place these days.  He sang “America the Beautiful” at the Super Bowl, and performed his and Common’s now Oscar winning song “Glory” at the Grammys and the Oscars. Congrats John!

Recently, Seth Jackson’s (WG ‘83) song “X-Ray” was released as a single by German pop band Hella Donna ( helladonna.com ). The song has been on several charts, although I’m not familiar with the various charts in Europe. I know some charts are more significant. Hopefully, Seth’s song was on the more significant ones.

Hella Donna stands for powerful and groovy power-pop mixed with modern electro-pop – Hella… helladonna.com

BOOKS

Aaron Karo (W’01) is back with his fifth book GALGORITHM, to be published this summer by Simon & Schuster. GALGORITHM is a young adult novel about a high school senior who devises a mysterious formula to help his classmates find love, and it hits shelves, Kindles, and iPads worldwide on May 5th, henceforth known as Cinco De Karo. Please like Galgorithm and Aaron Karo on Facebook, and buy Galgorithm for all your single friends. Everybody’s getting laid on Cinco De Karo!

DIGITAL

(I don’t typically put myself in these newsletters, but…)

Over the past year, Penntertainment founder Matt Rosler (C’96, Mask and Wig, AEPi, Friars) launched Kickline Creative, a new business that works with a variety of entertainment brands on their digital strategy.

Most recently Matt launched the site and social media for fellow Penn alum Todd Lieberman’s (C’95, Mask and Wig, AEPi) production company: http://www.mandfilms.com.  Be sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook!

Watch Zander Adell (WG’12) try to put an end to missed deliveries on “Shark Tank” with Doorman.it.

Kelly Diamond (C’13, Penntertainment contributor) and Laura Bowes (C’12) wrote this Buzzfeed video “Hot Guys Read LaBedtime Story”.

Hot guys can read? Who knew?

THEATER

Hey, Los Angelinos, if you loved the movie Cruel Intentions and you love musicals …that also happen to be musical parodies, you’re going to love Lindsey Rosin (C’07, The Excelano Project, The Writers House, Kappa Alpha Theta) “Cruel Intentions: The Completely Unauthorized Musical Parody” playing in LA at the Rockwell.

Lindsey is directing this staged, musical version, which has been extended and is taking over as the main stage show at the Rockwell starting April 3rd. Tickets are already on sale for the extension, and they’re selling fast! Get your tickets here

Check out the shpiel below and a great clip(!) that will give us a flavor of the major talent in this show! Congrats Lindsey!

“A Concept Presentation of The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Cruel Intentions:
Roger Kumble’s relentless game of cat and mouse comes to life at the Rockwell Table & Stage in CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE COMPLETELY UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL. This cult classic tale of seduction and revenge follows despicable step-siblings Sebastian (Broadway’s Constantine Rousouli) and Kathryn (“Faking It”’s Katie Stevens) in their attempt to destroy their classmates (Molly McCook and Pitch Perfect’s Shelley Regner.) Featuring music from Placebo, The Cardigans, The Verve, and more… you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and when the stakes are this high, you might even fall in love. And, sometimes, that’s the cruelest thing of all. Also starring Garrett Clayton (Disney Channel’s Teen Beach Movie) and Tyler Scheef. Music Direction by Laura Baum. Produced by Kate Pazakis and Stephanie Lazard. Adapted by Jordan Ross. Directed by Lindsey Rosin.

Watch an awesome clip from the show here

Lindsey is also organizing with Jewish Family Services Young Leader group an evening with Penn alumni Marc and Julie Platt, on Wednesday March 4th. The evening includes dinner and an intimate conversation and Q&A with the Platts about how to balance a successful professional/personal life with a focus on philanthropy. It’s going to be great – and good networking – and it’s free, although space is limited. Please register on the eventbrite.

Event info here

Sam Goldberg (C09, Penntertainment NYC co-chair) has partnered with producer Spruce Lake Theatrical on thisNYC Off-Broadway production of “The Lion.” Sam tells us “It’s incredible and I hope you can come see it before the run ends in 6.5 weeks!” He also is working with them on the film adaptation. “Such a unique, beautiful piece of theater that I am very proud to be a part of.”

Get your tickets here

Joel Rubin (C’03, Mask and Wig) is now the Director of Content Programming and Strategy at youtube.com/funhaus, a new YouTube channel focused on video game-based comedy and featuring podcasts, gameplays, and live action sketches. Funhaus is part of Rooster Teeth, creators of the long-running online series “Red Vs. Blue” and the upcoming feature film Lazer Team.   And another thanks to Joel for providing us with our Penn Alumni You Should Know About graphic that we use in all of these articles!  Follow his awesome sketches here

JOB OPPORTUNITIES & ADVICE

• New LA jobs here
• New NYC jobs here
• Writing competition info here
• Alumni career advice in Acting, Music & TV, Film & Book writing here
• Got a question for alumni, post it in our Alumni Career Advice Forum here and we’ll get it answered!
• Have you read about Penntertainment’s new partnership with the Undergraduate Media & Entertainment club?

Got some news? Contact us here!

• Aaron Karo
• ayska
• CBS
• Chloe Castellon
• Dan Fogelman
• Danny Gabai
• Discovery Channel
• Documentary
• Donny Deutsch
• Jasmin Rosemberg
• Jay Matsueda
• John Legend
• Josh Heald
• Kelly Diamond
• Kevin Chinoy
• Laura Bowes
• Lindsey Rosin
• Mariano Gonzalez-Guerineau
• Mark Ayzenberg
• Matt Rosler
• Mike Karz
• Nicholl Felowship
• Norman Golightly
• Omar Maskati
• Paul Yarin
• photographer
• Rich Ross
• Ridgeway Wilson
• Seth Jackson
• Sundance
• Theater
• Todd Lieberman
• Vanessa Bayer
• Zander Adell