Erik Della Penna | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | 2 June 1965 |
Genres | Musical theater, folk, pop, rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, banjo, mandolin, lap steel, voice |
Discography | Erik Della Penna at AllMusic |
Years active | 1992-present |
Website | erikdellapenna.com |
Erik Della Penna (born June 2, 1965) is an American composer and guitarist. He is known for co-composing the musical Dead Outlaw [1] with David Yazbek, and for being the principal guitarist for pop singer Natalie Merchant. [2] [3] In 2024 he won two Drama Desk Awards. [4]
Della Penna was born in The Bronx and grew up on Long Island, New York. He received a degree in Classical Guitar from the Mannes School of Music. [3]
In 1994, Della Penna began touring with the pop singer Joan Osborne on the Mercury record label. Later, he toured and recorded with Natalie Merchant in support of several studio albums. During this time he also toured with folk singer Joan Baez and joined the international band Hazmat Modine as a guitarist and songwriter. [5] Della Penna also has his own band called Kill Henry Sugar. [6]
In February 2024, his musical Dead Outlaw opened at the Minetta Lane Theatre. It became a New York Times critic's pick [7] and earned eleven Drama Desk Award nominations, winning three. [8]
Year | Nominated Work | Association | Category | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Dead Outlaw | Drama Desk | Outstanding Musical | Won | [9] |
Drama Desk | Outstanding Lyrics | Won | [9] | ||
Drama Desk | Outstanding Music | Nominated | [10] | ||
Drama Desk | Outstanding Orchestrations | Nominated | [10] | ||
New York Drama Critics Circle | Best Musical | Won | [11] | ||
Outer Critics Circle | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical | Won | [12] | ||
Outer Critics Circle | Outstanding Score | Nominated | [13] | ||
Outer Critics Circle | Outstanding Orchestrations | Nominated | [13] |
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