Krok alum Stuart Malina ’84 has heard that riddle a lot lately — and he knows the answer, having practiced, practiced, practiced his way to the pinnacle of the conducting world. On February 9th, Maestro Malina made his Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops, to a sold-out hall.

Malina thrilled the audience with an all-Gershwin evening, which elicited rapturous responses from the local crowd (including a swelling shout of “Stuuuuu” that just may have come from the Krok alums in attendance). His interpretation of “Rhapsody in Blue,” conducted from the piano keyboard, brought the packed house to its feet.

In 2003 Malina received the coveted Tony Award for Best Orchestration, for his work on Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out. Currently he is Music Director for the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. We like to think all this success grew naturally out of his experience as Music Director for the Krokodiloes in 1984 — and not, as some have claimed, in spite of it.

Read more about Stu at his website.

David Liang ’00 has been receiving critical and commercial praise for his debut album The Shanghai Restoration Project. His music blends traditional Chinese instruments with modern hip-hop beats and hooks. Tracks from The Shanghai Restoration Project have been heard on ABC’s “The Evidence” and will be featured in an upcoming commercial for Kenzo Perfume, a division of Louis Vuitton. The album is available for sale on iTunes. If you listen carefully, you might hear some familiar Krok voices, namely Jason McNeely ’00 and Morgan Wolbe ’03.

Dave has also created “The Shanghai Restoration Project: Reinterpretations” and is hard at work on his next album. See www.shanghairestorationproject.com for more details.

Krok alums have been taking Hollywood by storm recently.  Members from the 1970s through today have been busy both in front of and behind the camera.

Howard Cohen ’81 and his partner, Eric D’Arbeloff, are the founders of Roadside Attractions, a company that acquires and distributes independent films.  Some of their properties include Super Size Me and Amazing Grace, which opened in theaters on February 23, 2007.  Howard and Eric were recently profiled in the Hollywood Reporter’s annual list of the most influential people in independent film (read the article here).

Paris Barclay ’79 is an Emmy-winning television director and producer, having directed episodes of “The West Wing,” “NYPD Blue,” “ER,” “House M.D.,” and “Lost,” among others.  He has also served as co-executive producer for the programs “Cold Case” and “City of Angels.”  Paris has even appeared in front of the camera on episodes of “Will and Grace” and “Dirt.”  On February 4, 2007, Paris and Ray director Taylor Hackford were honored by the Director’s Guild of America with the prestigious Robert B. Aldrich Service Award, which recognizes “extraordinary service to the Director’s Guild of America and its Membership.”

Alex Schemmer ’04 moved out to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, and met with almost immediate success.  He appeared in the pilot of the Showtime series “Dexter” and has performed in numerous music videos.  Most recently, Alex could be seen singing “That brand new Chevy is mine!” while driving and pounding on the steering wheel in a Chevrolet commercial that has already aired during the Superbowl and 2007 Grammy Awards. (View it here — Alex is about 35 seconds in.)

Now on Broadway! Tony Award co-nominees Larry O’Keefe ’91 and his partner/wife, Nell Benjamin ’93, have a bona fide Broadway hit, as the writers of the music and lyrics to Legally Blonde, The Musical. The show opened on April 29, 2007, at the fabled Palace Theater, has been playing to packed houses ever since. The show was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Score, and ten Drama Desk Awards, including Best Lyrics, Best Music and Best Musical. Brendan Lemon of the Financial Times raved that it was “Far and away, the most enjoyable new show on Broadway.” Clive Barnes of the New York Post gushed, “An awesome wattage of girl power!” Word, Clive. Of course, Larry is no stranger to the musical theater scene; his show Bat Boy: The Musical received rave reviews during its Off-Broadway run a few years ago.

Ryan Leslie ’98 was recently profiled in New York Magazine as one of hip-hop’s rising stars (read the article here).  In the past few years he has produced songs for New Edition, Britney Spears, and up-and-coming singer Cassie.  Ryan has also toured Europe as a solo artist, though we don’t know if he performed “Too Darn Hot,” one of his solos while in the Kroks of ’96.  (For more, check out Ryan's website.)