Billy Butler (Book, Music and Lyrics) Born into a musical family, Billy grew up in NH around back-wood jamborees, living room concerts and Paganini concertos. His mother is a classically trained pianist and his brother is a virtuoso jazz violinist. He is an award winning actor and director and a 20 year member of Actor's Equity Association. In 2007 he was awarded the Excellence in American Theatre by the New England Theatre Council along with his colleagues President of the Dramatists Guild, Gary Garrison and Oscar winning screen writer, Ernest Thompson.
He produced the Gay Bride of Frankenstein original workshop recording which was chosen as a top cast album of 2009 by TalkinBroadway.com and his band The Monster Makers have been a played a popular Gay Bride "In Concert" series at the Public Theatre's, Joe's Pub in NYC since 2010. Other writing credits include: Weapons of Mass Construction (a performance art piece created in the classroom by his students at Portsmouth High School), The Jungle Book (a children's musical), and his first album, The Lot 20 Sessions.
He is an award-winning actor and director and a 17-year member of Actors' Equity Association. In 2007, Billy was recognized for Outstanding Achievement in American Theatre by the New England Theatre Council. Some regional theatre directing credits include: Death of A Salesman, Odd Couple, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Footloose, Warmth of the Cold, The Last Five Years, Funny Thing..., Late Night Series and Fences.
He has worked with Sarah Silverman, Constantine Maroulis, Philip McKinley, David Shepherd, the Brooklyn Concert Series, Jim Jones, Avner the Eccentric, Ernest Thompson, The Edwards Twins, Gunther Gabel, Mark Oliver Gabel, Christopher Tierney, Rachel Potter, Tim McCoy and the Papercuts, Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Rebels Without Applauze, Barnstormers Theatre, The Players' Ring Theatre, The Music Hall, The Palace Theatre, Interborough Repertory Theater, Abraxas Stage Company, the subways under Manhattan, New England Light Opera, New York Musical Theatre Festival, Catch a Rising Star in Boston and New York, Improv Boston, Ogunquit Playhouse, Ringling Brother's Barnumand Bailey Circus, Joe's Pub and Stand Up NY.
Billy is currently working on his new album and writing a new musical. He splits his time between NYC and New Hampshire with his wife, Paula and their two cats Jack and Purl.
Dane Leeman (Book) graduated from Ithaca College in 1995 with a BFA in Theatrical Production Arts and a minor in Writing. He is currently technical director and resident scenic designer for the Barnstormers Theatre and production manager for New Theatre Works. As a designer some of his favorites include, A Midsummer Night's Dream, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Odd Couple, Of Mice and Men, Bat Boy and Ragtime. Gay Bride of Frankenstein is Dane's second full length play.
Dan Drew (Comic Book Artist) is an artist from Dover, NH. He does a weekly editorial comic for the "Bay State Banner" in Massachusetts and is on staff at Severed Head Comics. He is also writes his own comic "Dig Up Her Bones."
The Monster Makers (Band) Formed in 2008 as a part of RPMchallenge.com. A worldwide community of musicians across the world who were challenged to write 10 songs or 35 minutes of original material and record it during the month of February. Guitarist Jon McCormack has worked as a producer, singer, songwriter and bandleader in Southern New Hampshire for the last 20 years, having written and recorded over 100 original songs and played countless live shows. Jon has been with Gay Bride of Frankenstein since its very first production run at the Player’s Ring in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 2008.
Bassist Tim McCoy is a veteran of 2500 live shows, has toured the country in a pink school bus and has produced 10 albums of original music. Also a 20+ year veteran of the Southern, New Hampshire music scene and “lifer” musician, Tim is proud to have been part of Gay Bride of Frankenstein since its inception.
Drummer Dan McGary joined the Monster Makers in 2010 bringing his considerable experience as a drummer, touring musician and marching band instructor to the show.
All three members have played in various bands together since their early 20’s bringing a special chemistry and ‘tightness’ to the Monster Makers.
Tim McCoy - Bass
Dan McGary - Drums
Billy Butler - Piano/Vocals
Jon McCormack - Guitar
