Graduated from Hunter College, New York (1965)
Graduate studies at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York (1965-66)

WORKS:

MUSICAL THEATRE

The Meehans (1977) A new musical
Book and Lyrics by Charles Choset
Music by Sam Pottle
Directed by Peter Napolitano
Choreographed by Ronald Dabney
Settings by Ellen Marie Jervey
Costumes by Ira Barber
Lighting by Joe Ray
Musical Direction/Sound Design by Ernest Lehrer
Arrangements by Richard Fiocca
Produced at Theater for the New City, New York (1981)

The Writer's Opera (1979)
Words by Rosalyn Drexler (1978)
Music by Charles Choset
May have been performed as a reading or workshop at Theater for the New City, New York (c.1980)

Letters to Ben (1982) A new musical by Charles Choset
Dedicated to Sam Pottle
"'Letters to Ben' is about a 40-year-old high school teacher in Manhattan who, for two years, has been a widow. The show is about how she deals with her grief, and the possibility of falling in love again." (1982 press release)
Book, Music and Lyrics by Charles Choset
Directed by Lisa Simon
Choreographed by Sharon Kinney
Scenery and Lighting by Joe Ray
Costumes by Don Sheffield
Musical Direction/Vocal Arrangements/Sound Design by Curtis Blaine
Arrangements/Orchestrations by Richard Fiocca
Produced at Theater for the New City, New York (1982)
Songs:
    Me So Far
    My Empty Bed
    Another Spring
    Thank You
    Joe Sanchez
    Lonely Is
    Love Essay
    Personals
    School Rap
    Hope
    Favorite Words
    Love Is A Sickness (lyrics by Samuel Daniel)
    Simple Principles
    Catullus Song
    Hey, World
    Tsuris
    If Only, Ben
    Live And Be Well

Iris (1983?) A new musical by Charles Choset
Directed by Lee Alan Morrow
Choreography by Karen Azenberg
Musical Direction/Vocal Arrangements/Sound Design by Curtis Blaine
Arrangements/Orchestrations by Richard Fiocca
Set Design by Frank Shifreen
Lighting Design by Joe Ray
Costume Design by Scott Brooks
Produced at Theater for the New City, New York (1983)

ORATORIO

Messiah (1982) A new oratorio by Charles Choset
for: 11 voices, guitar, bass, drums, two synthesizers
duration: ca. 90:00
Staging Consultant: Ariel Lucas
Costumes: Scott Brooks
Lighting: Joe Ray
Musical Director/Sound Design/Vocal Arrangements: Curtis Blaine
Additional Musical Direction: Mark Lebowitz, Robert Wendel, Russell Daisey
Arrangements/Orchestrations: Richard Fiocca
notes: "This production uses the same passages from the Bible as Handel's. By and large, however, the translation is new." "Dedicated to Sam Pottle."
Produced at Theater for the New City, New York (1982)

Walden (1985) A new oratorio
for: 14 voices, cello, electric guitar, electric bass, drums, piano, two synthesizers
Music by Charles Choset
Text by Henry David Thoreau
Production conceived & directed by Roger Sullivan
Sets by Frank Shifreen
Art by Sean Scully
Music Direction by Dick Start
Lighting by Harry Rubeck
Produced at Theater for the New City, New York (1985)

FILM/TELEVISION

Como Estas (Samuel Pottle/Charles Choset)
Song recorded and produced in 1977 for children'stelevision program Sesame Street
duration: 2:46
publisher: Sesame Street, Inc.

OTHER WORKS:

Mother Ann's Gifts
Letters to Ben program bio (1982): "He [Choset] is currently writing book, music and lyrics for two new musicals, Mother Ann's Gifts, about the early days of the Shakers, and Iris, about a contemporary woman's "spiritual quest."
note: Not clear whether Mother Ann's Gifts was ever completed or produced.

Starstruck
Book and lyrics by ?
Music by Charles Choset
note: Starstruck was never produced.

UNCOMPLETED WORKS:
Unknown

WRITINGS:
"Notes on the Walden Oratorio," Thoreau Society Bulletin #178 (Winter 1987).

DISCOGRAPHY:
No professionally released recordings

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• "The Meehans, 'Singing in the Station House'" by Mel Gussow, The New York Times, June 5, 1981.
• "'Walden,' by Choset" by Stephen Holden, The New York Times, June 3, 1985.

PERFORMING RIGHTS AFFILIATION:
Unknown

RESOURCES:
Crystal Field
Executive Director
Theater for the New City
155 First Avenue
New York, New York 10003
(212) 254-1109

Jeffrey S. Cramer
Curator of Collections
The Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods
44 Baker Farm
Lincoln, MA 01773-3004
Tel/Fax: (781) 259-4730
Jeff.Cramer@walden.org
www.walden.org/collections

MUSICAL EXECUTOR:
Unknown

OTHER CONTACTS:
Ernest Lehrer (collaborator)
30-31 Hobart Street #1P
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 545-7634

Frank Shifreen (collaborator and friend)
290 Elizabeth Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 677-4825