During his 20 years as artistic director, Chapel introduced a new season model that included multiple large-scale musicals every summer. With this came a plethora of star-studded additions to the team. During Chapel’s second summer with Heritage, future Broadway composer Andrew Lippa served as the music director of “I Do! I Do!”
“I gave Andrew his first job,” Chapel said of the now Tony Award-nominated Lippa.
Lippa isn’t the only notable Heritage alum.
Every year, young and upcoming artists perform alongside industry professionals on the Heritage stage. According to Chapel, who also mentored powerhouse comedy star Tina Fey, that’s what makes Heritage unique.
“It’s so special because of all of the amazing young people I was able to work with, many of whom have gone onto professional careers,” said Chapel. “I’m proud to say that we were a real steppingstone.”
Beside Swallow, some of these stars include Wayne Knight (Newman in “Seinfeld”), Jean Stapleton (Edith Bunker in “All in the Family”, Daniel Watts (“Tina” on Broadway), Fergie L. Philippe (“Hamilton” on Broadway) and Jared Bradshaw (“Jersey Boys” on Broadway).