Music Teacher Ben Krauss Works on Broadway Benefit Concert

This week, MBS Music Teacher Ben Krauss served as a music associate for a one-night-only benefit concert performance of The Pirates of Penzance at Broadway’s American Airlines Theatre. For this Roundabout Theatre Company production, Mr. Krauss worked closely with Tony Award-winner Rupert Holmes, who adapted the show’s score. The performance was headlined by Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor David Hyde Pierce as Major General.

As music associate, Mr. Krauss worked alongside the librettist, music director, orchestrator, dance arranger, copyist, and stage managers to ensure that the show’s score was accurate as it changed throughout the rehearsal process. He also contributed vocal arrangements and incidental music for the production.

Ben Krauss has collaborated with Rupert Holmes — who is widely-known for the hit single “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” — on several occasions. He co-orchestrated the 2012 Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood and subsequently worked as Mr. Holmes’ music assistant.  

In 2020, Mr. Holmes held a Zoom call with the MBS Upper School Chorus to offer advice and speak about his experience in the music industry.