Musical Director // Bruce Barnes

Bruce Barnes, Musical Director, Conductor, Arranger and Pianist makes his home in New York City where he currently serves as Musical Director for the Off-Broadway hit tribute to Ethel Merman, Everything the Traffic Will Allow, starring Klea Blackhurst.  In the fall of 2009, Bruce was the Associate Conductor for the critically acclaimed European production of Peter and the Wolf with a new prequel composed by the British composer, Phillip Feeney, at the venerable New Victory Theater. Other Off-Broadway experience includes Class Mothers '68, starring Priscilla Lopez and Nunsense.  His most recent touring experience was as Musical Director of Happy Days. Other National Tours include Kiss Me, Kate, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Camelot. and Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby.  He can be seen on television on HBO's Cathouse, The Musical, as “The Vocal Coach,” teaching prostitutes how to sing. They never did learn.  In the winter of 2007, Bruce arranged and musically directed Stormy Weather, starring Leslie Uggams. She remembered all the words. He made his Broadway debut conducting Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby, and regularly substituted as Associate Conductor of the Sam Mendes production of Cabaret at Studio 54.  Internationally, he has toured with La Scala's production of West Side Story and as a Musical Ambassador for Lincoln Center's Meet the Artist program. As a pianist, Mr. Barnes has accompanied a range of artists including Patti LuPone, Penny Fuller, Ruthie Henshall, Beverly Sills, Billy Porter and Eartha Kitt.