John Franceschina began composing and arranging music at the age of five and has written symphonies, chamber music, incidental music, and film scores. He has acted as musical director for productions in New York City and on national and international tours and the stage director of operas, musicals, and plays. As a pianist/arranger, he has accompanied Angela Lansbury, Elke Sommer, Nell Carter, Jan Peerce, Robert Merrill, Lotte Lenya, Paige O'Hara, Chita Rivera, and Gwen Verdon. An educator with thirty years of college teaching experience, he has written fifteen books about the theatre and musical theatre.