Russ Kaplan

Composer Librettist Playwright
he/him/his

Russ Kaplan is one of the creators of In Transit, the first a cappella musical ever to run on Broadway (Circle in the Square, 2016-17).  In Transit's 2010 Off-Broadway production (Primary Stages) received eleven nominations for Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle awards. His other work with lyricist Sara Wordsworth includes Dear Albert Einstein (NYC Children's Theater; Off Broadway Alliance nominee “Best Family Show”), the comedic one-act collection Shortstack (York Theatre’s 4@15 series), the rock musical Minnesota, and songs for the play High School Confidential (Dramatic Publishing).  He has composed instrumental music for West Moon Street (Prospect Theatre) and projects by the dance-theatre company Third Rail Projects.  Russ is also the host and bandleader of the concert series "Russ Kaplan's Broadway Jazz Session," which re-interprets current and classic Broadway songs as modern jazz tunes.  His debut album as a jazz composer/keyboardist The Ulysses Cycle – a 20-song suite based on The Odyssey – is currently available on Ropeadope Records.  He holds a BFA in Directing from Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama.  He lives in New Jersey with his wife, daughter and cat.