“a gifted performer and arranger”
Co-creator · Arranger
Off Broadway · Music Box Theatre, Hollywood
Co-created with Kathy Najimy, with arrangements by Steve. The critically acclaimed Off Broadway tribute was revived at the Music Box in Hollywood in April 2009 with the participation of Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Co-conceiver · Musical Arranger
San Diego Repertory Theatre
A world-premiere musical built from the Harry Nilsson songbook at San Diego Rep, starring Tony Award winners Gregory Jbara and Alice Ripley.
Musical Arranger
San Diego Repertory Theatre · New York workshop
A new musical staged at San Diego Rep, with arrangements by Steve. A major New York City development workshop followed in 2023 at New 42 Studios, backed by Broadway producer Barry Weissler and NAMCO. A Broadway production is in the works.
Co-writer (book) · Musical Arranger
Off Broadway · Actors Theatre of Louisville · The Old Globe Theatre
Steve co-wrote the book and arranged the music for the Off Broadway hit, which broke box office records at Actors Theatre of Louisville and The Old Globe Theatre and has had over a dozen productions in the United States and Canada.
Musical Director
San Diego Repertory Theatre
Steve led a 19-piece band for San Diego Rep's staging.
Dixie Highway
A Christmas Carol
San Diego Repertory Theatre
The Brontes
San Diego Ballet
“it succeeds on the strength of Gunderson's brilliant and intricate arrangements”
If a jukebox musical is a show that adapts familiar old songs to tell a fresh story, think of "Everybody's Talkin': The Music of Harry Nilsson" as a jewel-box musical. This enchanting world-premiere work at San Diego Rep dusts off diamonds from every last drawer of an underappreciated singer-songwriter's treasure chest, and strings them together on a wispy filament of modern-day fable...And while "Everybody's Talkin'" gives little context for the impetus to celebrate Nilsson, it succeeds on the strength of Gunderson's brilliant and intricate arrangements, along with the lead trio's appealing, very human performances and crisp renditions by music director-pianist Korrie Paliotto and her onstage band...But maybe the show's most sly and satisfying achievement is that it actually resembles a Nilsson song: A deceptively playful tale told with a great sense of melody, impish humor and flashes of searing passion. In short, "One" of a kind.
“Steve Gunderson, a gifted performer and arranger, has stitched about 30 of these songs into a spirited musical tribute that has the added charm of not taking itself too seriously.”
“the 19-piece band under Steve Gunderson's expert direction”
Unlike the original, toned-down version, which premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse, the Rep's staging is rambunctious, cocky, and kick ass, whether dancing to Javier Velasco's inventive choreography, singing the familiar hits, or playing in the 19-piece band under Steve Gunderson's expert direction.
“It’s filled with music, a wonderful Christmas conglomeration composed by Steve Gunderson”
Back to Bacharach & David promo, Music Box Theatre, Hollywood, 2009
Back to Bacharach & David
Burt Bacharach and Hal David talk about Steve's musical arrangements
Co-creator · Arranger
House of Dreams promo
Musical Arranger
Steve’s transition into composing new works comes after decades of work as an actor and musical arranger.
Composer
Original scores for Dixie Highway (Robby Critics New Composer Award), A Christmas Carol (San Diego Repertory Theatre), The Brontes (San Diego Ballet).
Musical Arranger
House of Dreams (San Diego Rep and NYC workshop), Everybody’s Talkin’ (San Diego Rep) starring Tony Award winners Gregory Jbara and Alice Ripley. Steve co-wrote the book and was the musical arranger for Off Broadway’s Suds, which broke box office records at Actors Theatre of Louisville and The Old Globe Theatre, with over a dozen productions in the United States and Canada. He co-created (with Kathy Najimy) and did the arrangements for Off Broadway’s critically acclaimed Back To Bacharach & David, which was revived in Los Angeles with the participation of Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
As an actor he has had major roles in productions at La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, Colony Theatre, La Mirada Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Off Broadway and National Tours.
Awards
To talk about a production, a commission, or a new collaboration, write to Steve here.