MUSICAL THEATRE
Currently, Tor Ingar Jakobsen focuses primarily on musical theater. Here, you can learn about some of his work in this field, including projects in Norway and New York.
Musical Theatre
Around 2010, Jakobsen began working as a keyboard player, rehearsal pianist, and arranger in various musical theater productions. Over the following years, he contributed to shows such as Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, The Producers, Fiddler on the Roof, Which Witch, Frendelaus, Sofies Verden, Les Misérables, Hair, Cabaret, and Phantom of The Opera, to name a few.
At the same time, he began composing for musical theater. His first musical composition was for Den Magiske Julekrystallen, produced at Magnor in 2011. The following year, he composed Jakten på Bene Skinnkniv, which was produced in Fetsund in 2012. He was then commissioned by Nord-Trøndelag Teater to compose music for Jakob og Neikop, produced there in 2013. The next year, he served as musical director for a Prøysen cabaret production at the same theater.
As a member of the production company Ramp Staging, Jakobsen worked as a musical director and arranger for their productions, including Angrer Ingenting: The Story of Edith Piaf (produced at Victoria Scene, Oslo, in 2016, and Hadeland Kultursal in 2017) and Kjem Du I Kveld (produced at Hadeland Kultursal in 2019). He also served as composer and musical director for a new production of Bronsebukkene, produced by Hadeland Teaterlag in 2018 and 2021.
New York based musicals
UNDER HER HAT
In 2013, Jakobsen received his first job as a composer for a New York-based musical, Under Her Hat. The book and lyrics were written by Hana Roth Seavey, with Stephen Borsuk joining early on as musical director and serving as a consultant for the creative team. The musical explores the relationship between Sheryl, a Jewish high-end hat designer, and Justin, her Chinese boyfriend whose family has been involved in illegal counterfeiting. Under Her Hat had its first presentation at the TADA Theater in New York in 2016. Listen to a song from this show during a rehearsal here.
THE TIME OF NICK
In 2014, Jakobsen began working on the family musical The Time of Nick, with a book by Hanne Brincker and Ketil Kolstad and lyrics by Abraham Tetenbaum. The musical tells the backstory of Santa Claus and how he became Santa. After several workshops in New York, the musical had its first reading in Oslo in 2016. It was subsequently performed in North Carolina in 2016 and had Broadway showcases in 2017 and 2019. The Broadway showcase featured renowned artists such as Lillias White, Robby Clater, Paul Kreppel, Klea Blackhurst, and Jack Sippel, with musical direction by Bette Sussman. Originally set to open in 2020, the production was postponed due to COVID-19. Producers Robert Clater, Leisa Kay, and Frank Basile are currently planning for a post-COVID opening.
(Have a listen to some of the demos from this show here)
