History
The evolution of Frozen River
Quequechan River, Fall River, MA - May 2000
Stephen Wallem Danny Musha
Chicago performers and writers Stephen Wallem and Danny Musha joined forces in 1989 to create the musical performance piece Off the Wallem, produced as a benefit for the Chicago Academy for the Arts where Musha worked on the music faculty. Off the Wallem moved to local performing space Cafe Voltaire followed by The Bop Shop where it enjoyed a yearlong run and unanimous critical acclaim. It was named by both New City Newspaper and Gay Chicago Magazine as one of the top five Chicago productions of 1992.
In the summer of 1993, Tony Award-winning actor Ben Vereen hired Wallem and Musha to write the book and music for Something on My Mind for Vereen’s teen performing group “Good Vibes”.
In addition to their numerous writing projects, Wallem and Musha enjoyed success as popular Chicago entertainers, having received the 1993 After Dark Award for Outstanding Cabaret Artists.
Currently New York based, they continue to develop their original musical Frozen River.
Stephen Wallem is a SAG Award-nominated television, stage and film actor and singer best known as Thor Lundgren on the Emmy-winning Showtime series “Nurse Jackie”.
Danny Musha is an accomplished music director, educator and global events coordinator, managing logistics for high-profile events including Qatar’s and Brazil’s FIFA World Cups, the London and Paris Olympics, and numerous corporate events in the US and worldwide.
Spring 1993
Stephen Wallem and Danny Musha begin work on Frozen River, envisioning their piece as a psychological chamber musical with an all-female ensemble.
Summer 1994
Renowned cabaret artist Beckie Menzie premieres "All Through the House" for composer Craig Carnelia at the Eugene O'Neill Center Cabaret Symposium in Waterford, Connecticut.
January - April 1996
Theatre BAM sponsors a series of public readings using Chicago-area actors, directors, and musicians.
June 16, 1996
A fully staged reading is mounted at the American Blues Theatre.
1997-98
Wallem and Musha produce another series of readings in Chicago.
November 22, 1999
The first New York City reading is presented by Dog Gone Writers, Inc. at Raw Space in Manhattan.
May 8, 2000
An Equity staged reading is mounted at the Lamb's Theatre in Manhattan featuring Broadway actors.
2002-2003
Songs from Frozen River are featured in two Chicago Musical Theatre Works showcases.
May 2, 2004
One of three musicals selected from 800 submissions, Frozen River receives a professionally cast reading for Manhattan’s Genesius Guild.
2024
After a lengthy break, Wallem and Musha resume work on Frozen River with four new songs and a reimagined book.
