David Nehls

As a composer/lyricist, David has supplied music and lyrics for the following: THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL (Dodger Stages/ 2007 National Tour/ 2004 NYMF Festival/2008 Edinburgh Festival/ Produced Regionally), BROADWAY BARES 19 &20( Opening Numbers for both years) as well as the 2016 opening number for BROADWAY BARES FIRE ISLAND, I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (World Premiere 2016 at the Arvada Center For The Arts And Humanities), THE WATERCOOLERS (2002 Off Broadway Production/ 2007 National Tour/ Continuing Industrials) BREACH (Evolution Theatre Company), A MIDNIGHT CLEAR, PANTO SLEEPING BEAUTY (both 2009 and a special 2020 edition online), PANTO MOTHER GOOSE (All at Stages Repertory Theatre), IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1993 National Tour/Produced Regionally), KILLER WIGS FROM OUTER SPACE (2017 NYMF, Benefit concert for Denver Actor’s Fund 2018, workshop production 2016 CU Boulder and Short Animation Project, GenCon Selection- 2013, Terror Film Festival, Philadelphia-2013), THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL (Premiere at Stages Rep, Houston, Produced Regionally)and the new musical MOMMIE DEAREST which he has collaborated with Christina Crawford.  His current project is THE WIND based on the 1928 silent film starring Lillian Gish workshopped at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.  After that is a new musical entitled HOW THE NURSE FEELS with the Musical Theatre Academy in Palm Springs.  

As a Musical Director, David has conducted and MD’d  50 productions at the Arvada Center For The Arts and Humanities in Colorado, winning 9 Henry Awards, 4 for Musical Direction (2008/2009/2013/2014) and 5 for Best Musical Production of the year (2007/2008/2009/2011/2013).  He has also worked regionally as MD at such theaters as Denver Center, The Riverside Theatre, The Aurora Fox Theatre, AMT of San Jose, Theatre Aspen, ICA Boston, Theatreworks Hartford, Carousel Dinner Theatre-Akron OH.

He has also acted as Musical Director/Composer/Arranger/ Musical Supervisor for CAROLS FOR A CURE, a holiday CD benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for the years 1998-2005.

An actor for 16 years, David has appeared in the National Tours of Me And My Girl (Sir Jasper Tring), Ziegfeld, A Night At The Follies (Eddie Cantor), City Of Angels (Sonny, The Gangster) and Little Shop Of Horrors (Seymour).  From 1996 to 2000 he toured with the European Tour of The Rocky Horror Show originating the role of Riff Raff.  Regionally, David has been seen as Cosme McMoon in Souvenir, Tom Sawyer in Big River, Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar, George M. Cohan in George M! and The Top Banana in Little Rhody’s Big Burlesque opposite Gennifer Flowers.

David was Vice President of the Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre Foundation (2014-16) to restore the 125 year old Elitch Theatre in Denver, CO. He has served as Co-Chairman of the Elitch Theatre New Works Festival 2015-16. David is also a member of BMI and is represented by RwB Management. Visit DNehlsmusic.com for more information and fun videos of past productions and projects.