Rick was born in Gilroy California, and raised in American Fork, Utah from the age of 6. From age 4 he studied piano, and began writing songs shortly thereafter. In his junior high and high school years, he stepped away from the piano to play the acoustic and electric basses in both classical and jazz ensembles, including the Crescent Super Band. Also at this time, he started acting on stage in musicals in plays and developed a passion for musical theatre. He finally came back to the piano in high school as an accompanist for his musical theatre classes, and found that his new-found passion for theater fused with his musical abilities. In 2005, he began his schooling at Western Wyoming college as a musical theater major, both acting and music directing productions. In Fall 2006, the production of his first musical theatre writing collaboration was produced: “First Freedom.” He served as assistant composer and vocal arranger to Emmy-award winning composer Sam Cardon and NY-based award winning playwright/lyricist Rob. Lauer. In Feb. 2007, he wrote the full musical score and additional lyrics for a new version of the musical “Little Women” (working title: “My Jo”) with lyrics and book by Rob. Lauer. The production had an extremely positive response. Rick and Robs next musical endeavor, Geeks and Gangsters, is about the two unlikely creators of what is perhaps the country’s greatest pop-culture icon—Superman. The production was produced and directed by Rob. at Western Wyoming College in March 2007.
MUSICALS AUTHORED
- First Freedom Original Cast CD (Performance rights available elsewhere)
- My Jo (See: Steel Springs Stage Rights for performance) Cast album CD
- MisFitting In