A THOUSAND FACES

Music Book Lyrics

Rachel DeVore Fogarty Eric Lane Kevin Fogarty

Music Supervisor Choreographer Access Coordinator

Gary Adler Charlie Sutton Laura Dilling

Creative Consultant Director Executive Producer

Ron Chaney Sam Scalamoni Timothy Liam Smith

Based on the book A Century of Chaney’s by Lon Chaney Jr. and Ron Chaney

Click below to watch 90 seconds of A THOUSAND FACES….

The compelling story of the man behind the make-up, who overcomes his wife’s attempted suicide to pursue his dream and raise his son. He transforms himself, through sometimes painful techniques, giving inspired performances of humanity and the outcasts of society like The Phantom and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. 

AUDIO DEMOS

PRODUCTION STILLS

From the Encore Musical Theatre production, photos by Michele Anliker

(click to enlarge)

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

CREATIVES

SAM SCALAMONI | DIRECTOR

Sam is the director of the critically acclaimed National Tour of Elf the Musical, which has toured domestically since 2012, playing the Theatre at Madison Square Garden and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Sam has developed and directed the world premiere of the award-winning musical A Thousand Faces at the Encore Musical Theatre, based on the life of film legend Lon Chaney, the world premiere National Tour of the musical Noel with book by best-selling author of the Artemis Fowl book series, Eoin Colfer, and developed and directed the new family musical, The Elf on the Shelf; A Christmas Musical. Sam is developing a new musical, Unbelievable, about American baseball legend Jackie Mitchell and a miniseries based on her titled Jackie, baseball’s forgotten legend. Sam also developed and directed the National Tour of Storytime Live! for Nickelodeon, which broke box office records at Radio City Music Hall and a tour of The Gazillion Bubble Show.

Sam directed and collaborated with Alan Menken on two workshops of the Broadway musical Leap of Faith, he co-created and directed the developmental workshop of Mulan Jr. for Disney Theatrical Productions and Music Theatre International, a workshop presentation of Sense and Sensibility at Playwrights Horizons, workshops of the musical At the Back of the North Wind at the National Arts Club and The Village Theatre, a workshop of The New Picasso at New World Stages, Treaty 321! at the Lucille Lortel, and Fidelity Futurestage with Peter Gallagher at New World Stages.

Sam has a wonderful relationship with the classic musical Disney’s Beauty and the Beast having served as Associate Director for Disney Theatrical Group since 2001. He has supervised the show on Broadway and mounted multiple companies globally. He has also directed “Beauty” regionally for the Ogunquit Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre and The Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Sam directed a critically acclaimed production of Murder For Two at WHAT on Cape Cod and Les Miserables at Cortland Rep., winning the SALT Award for Best Director of a Musical along with Best Musical of the Year. He also won the Broadway World Award for Best Director of a Play for his direction of Agatha Christie’s An Unexpected Guest also at CRT.

Sam is a founding member and currently serves as the Artistic Director of Skyline Theatre Company, a professional non-profit theatre company in New Jersey where he lives with his family.

RON CHANEY | CREATIVE CONSULTANT

Ron Chaney is the founder of Chaney Entertainment, Inc, which was formed in 1992 to preserve and perpetuate the Chaney family history. Ron is the grandson and great grandson of legendary film stars Lon Chaney and Lon Chaney, Jr. and acts as the CEO and president of the company. He oversees the licensing of the iconic images his grandfathers created and portrayed in film. Before devoting full-time to Chaney Entertainment, Ron had been a contractor in Southern California where he has lived and raised his family.

In 1994 and 1997, he initiated two different United States Postal Service campaigns “Stars of the Silent Screen” and the “Classic Movie Monsters” postage stamps. The first featured Lon Chaney as one of the immortals of silent screen. The second honored both Lon Chaney and Lon Chaney, Jr. as their most famous characters The Phantom of the Opera and The Wolf Man. This endeavor led to a licensing agreement with Universal Studios that continues today.

In 2009, Ron followed in his grandfathers footsteps starring in the independent film “House of the Wolf Man” adding to the Chaney legacy. He occasionally does guest appearances around the country and has appeared in several television documentaries about his family’s contributions to film history. Ron aspires to continue the path of his forefathers with his love for film, acting, makeup and the creative process.

Ron also produced events at The Palm Springs International Film Festival and Beyond Fest screening the original 1925 silent The Phantom of the Opera accompanied by an orchestra along with several charitable events. In 2015 on the 90th Anniversary of the film produced another show at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood having a pianist and violinist perform live the original score composed for the film.

Currently he’s working to complete a book started by his grandfather titled A Century of Chaneys. His end goal for this project is to create and produce a new film based on the book about Lon Chaney’s true-life story. In between, he’s written three screenplays, developed a television reality talent show based on Lon Chaney titled MonStar and two comedy projects intended for all ages.

With A Thousand Faces: the Lon Chaney Musical in collaboration with Sam Scalamoni and team, hopes to reach another audience and a world yet to discover the amazing story behind “The Man of a Thousand Faces.”

“It’s only fitting after starting his incredible career in theater that Lon’s return should be on stage, his first love.”
— RonChaney

ERIC LANE | BOOK

Premieres of Eric’s award-winning plays include Ibis and Riverbed (Summer Shorts at 59E59), Ride (WHAT), Filming O’Keeffe (commission) and Times of War (both at Adirondack Theatre Festival), Heart of the City (Theater at 30th Street) and Dancing on Checkers’ Grave, which starred Jennifer Aniston. Musicals include The Accidental Caterer (book/co-lyricist) and Crunchy Apples (Symphony Space). His plays are published by Dramatists Play Service, Playscripts and in Best American Short Plays. Eric was staff writer on ABC-TV’s Ryan’s Hope (Writer’s Guild Award) and a writer on the CBS pilot Carly. He wrote and produced the short films First Breath and Cater-Waiter, which he also directed. They screened at the British Film Institute, The Public and the D.G.A. With Nina Shengold, he edited 14 play anthologies for Penguin and Vintage Books, earning a Lambda Literary Award nomination. Honors include the La MaMa Playwright Award, Berrilla Kerr Award, Jonathan Larson residency at ATF and Yaddo fellowships. Eric is an artist member at Ensemble Studio Theatre and an honors graduate of Brown University.

RACHEL DEVORE FOGARTY | MUSIC

Rachel DeVore Fogarty's works have been commissioned, awarded and performed by organizations in the U.S. and internationally, including ACDA, KMEA, IAWM, the Bryan Symphony, the Oak Ridge Symphony, St. Olaf's College, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, the Indianapolis Children's Choir, SACRA/PROFANA, Oklahoma State University, University of Kentucky, Conundrum, Tapestry Singers, Muse (Cincinnati Women's Ensemble), the Young New Yorkers' Chorus, the Concert Chorale of Nashville, Western Michigan University, the Seen/Heard Trio, the Belvedere Chamber Music Festival, the Astoria Music Project, the Luna Nova Music Ensemble, the Six Degree Singers, the Festival Singers of Atlanta, the Capital Hearings and VocalEssence. Her works have been chosen for inclusion in Vox Reflexa's New Millennium Composers project, the Cro Patria Choir Festival and in the London Contemporary Church Music Festival. She was the 2014 American Composers Forum Welcome Christmas winner in which her music was featured by VocalEssence on a national broadcast by American Public Media. Her vocal arrangement of “Silver Bells” was featured in the 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performed by Sarah McLachlan and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. She received both her M.M. in Composition and her B.M. in Piano from Belmont University and now resides in Astoria, NY, with her husband, musical theatre composer Kevin Fogarty.

KEVIN FOGARTY | LYRICS

Kevin Fogarty is a contemporary musical theatre composer and lyricist, a recognized commercial songwriter, and an experienced multi-instrumentalist. A finalist for the John Wallowitch Award, his work has been selected for both the New Voices at CUA Music Festival and the Manhattan Repertory Theatre Summerfest. His songs have been featured twice by Cutting Edge Composers, a concert series featured at the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). His musicals have been produced as readings, full productions, and workshopped by Montgomery Bell Academy and Skyline Theatre. A member of the BMI Lehman Engel Advanced Workshop, his current projects include music and lyrics for Unbelievable (with composer Rachel DeVore Fogarty and book writer John DeVore), a musical about female baseball pitcher Jackie Mitchell; The New Mrs. Nugent, a musical that tells the true story of Bernie Tiede.

GARY ADLER | Music Supervisor

Gary Adler is a conductor, pianist and composer in New York City. He served as the music director/arranger of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the world-famous Rockettes for eight years. He also music directed Avenue Q for its six year run on Broadway. As a writer, he received two 2005 Drama Desk nominations for his music and lyrics for the off-Broadway hit Altar Boyz. For Disney Channel, he created the musical world for Johnny and the Sprites, starring John Tartaglia. He co-produced and arranged two albums for Broadway’s Telly Leung, and has extensively toured with Chita Rivera. He also arranged the dance music for the Jimmy Buffett musical, Escape to Margaritaville. Other New York playing/conducting credits include The Fantasticks,  Urinetown,  Hairspray,  Kinky Boots, It Shoulda Been You, and Nunsense. 

CHARLIE SUTTON | Choreographer

Charlie Sutton is dancer, choreographer and Co-Artistic Director with almost two decades of Broadway experience. He has originated and danced in 10 Broadway shows and has worked with Tony awardwinning directors and choreographers. He has selected as the 2019 resident for the Jerome Robbins Springboard Project. Choreography Credits: NBC Up-fronts (Radio City Music Hall), SNL (Billy Eillish TikToc), The Quiet World (Springboard Project), Newsies - BroadwayWorld Award for Best Choreography (Theatre By The Sea) Evita - Broadway World Award for Best Choreography (ACT), Saturday Night Fever (Theatre By The Sea), Elf On The Shelf (Mills Entertainment), Wringer (City Center Stage II), Gregorian (Soho Rep), NOEL (VenueWorks Tour), Sherlock Holmes (development) and the Co-Artistic Director for Working Artists Theatre Project. Associate Choreographer Credits: Diana (Netflix/Broadway/La Jolla Playhouse), The Who’s Tommy (Kennedy Center), Kinky Boots (Off-Broadway), 50th anniversary performance at Kennedy Center, Clueless (OffBroadway), Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, Beatsville (Asolo), A Sign Of the Times. Broadway Credits: American in Paris, Kinky Boots (Astaire Award Nom), How to Succeed in Business, Lysistrata Jones, Catch Me If You Can, Woman On the Verge of a nervous Breakdown, The Addams Family, Crybaby, La Cage aux Follies, Wicked. Visit charliesutton.net for more information

LAURA DILLING | ACCESS COORDINATOR

Laura is a NIC Certified ASL Interpreter and has been living, serving and working with the Deaf community since the 1990’s. She enjoys working with emerging interpreters/signers. For 25+ years. Laura has worked with seniors, youth, and adults helping them build their dreams, accelerate their results, and create richer, more fulfilling lives. As a Certified Life Coach, Laura helps individuals design a life that’s in harmony with their purpose. She thrives working with individuals as well as speaking in group settings. She has 15 years of experience in the long-term care arena serving seniors, families, and the community that support senior citizens. She served in the Army National Guard for 8 years as a trumpet player, vocalist and keyboard player and was also seen behind the scenes as their photographer, media relations, productions manager and historian for the unit in Washington, DC (2008- 2017). Additionally, Laura enjoys the role as Access and Interpreter Coordinator for various projects that come across her path; the new musical A Thousand Faces; large and small conferences: Def Con, Deaf Con, USANA International convention, Elite Performance Summit; various youth and adult conferences, 200+ Deaf attendees on a cruise.

Access Coordinator/ Interpreter Coordinator;
A Thousand Faces (2016 – Present)
Def Con/DEAF Con (2018 – Present),
USANA Elite Preformance Summit (2018 – Present)
Production Manager; Adam Levowitz ROCK Orchestra – (2014-2018)

LON CHANEY

Lon Chaney was born April 1, 1883 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was the son of deaf parents, Frank and Emma Chaney, and he learned from childhood to communicate through pantomime, sign language and facial expression. In 1901, he went on the road as an actor in a play that he co-wrote with his brother titled The Little Tycoon. Later, while on tour, he met Francis Cleveland Creighton, (Cleva). When the show ended its run, she was asked to join the traveling entourage. During their travels, Lon and Cleva became “sweethearts” and while touring, Cleva became pregnant. In February of 1906, she gave birth to Creighton Tull Chaney. They arrived in California in 1910 and found consistent employment with Lon as a stage manager, choreographer and actor, while Cleva became a popular singer in Cabaret shows. Their marriage became strained due to working conditions, money and jealousy. In April of 1913 after continued disputes, Cleva entered the Majestic Theater where Lon was working and in a suicidal attempt swallowed a vial of poison. The poison damaged her vocal chords putting an end to her career and marriage to Lon. The public scandal also damaged Lon’s stage career and he was forced to seek new employment. He turned to the booming industry of silent films. This move began one of the most legendary acting careers in film history. Between 1913 and 1930 he played more the 150 widely diverse roles, frequently villainous and sometimes bizarre and macabre, almost always pathetic and moving. In 1919, Lon received critical acclaim for his role in George Loane Tuckers The Miracle Man portraying “The Frog,” a con man who pretends to be cripple and is miraculously healed. Lon often suffered to achieve the character he was portraying. In 1920, for The Penalty, he had his legs bound tightly behind him in a harness, inserting his knees into leather stumps devised as artificial legs with his feet bound at the thighs. This was a very painful ordeal that would cut circulation to his legs resulting in broken blood vessels. For The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1923 he devised a hump and harness reportedly weighing in excess of 50 pounds, twisting his torso to feel the pain of Quasimodo. In 1925, Lon created the makeup that secured him into film immortality with his portrayal as “Erik,” the tortured opera ghost in The Phantom of the Opera. His ability to portray an endless variety of characters led Lon to be called “The Man of a Thousand Faces.” Like Charlie Chaplin, he shunned the transition to talking films and was one of the last silent screen stars to holdout against speaking roles. His stock and trade as he professed “was in makeup and the art of pantomime.” In 1930 he made his one and only talking film, a remake of 1925 The Unholy Three. He played Echo, a crook ventriloquist and used five different voices in the movie, thus proving he could make the transition from silent films to the talkies. Unfortunately, less than two months after the film’s release on August 26, 1930, he died from a throat hemorrhage. MGM Studios was ordered to stop production and observe a period of silence while Lon’s remains were lowered to their final resting place. The world mourned his passing and lost one of film’s most unique and greatest actors. Over 85 years since his passing, his legacy continues to grow. He left a lasting mark on the industry and was a one of a kind actor who will never be replaced. The characters and makeup he created continue to inspire new artists of today.

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