On October 20th Betina and her husband, Nick Russo, came out with a cd called "Gettin' Married," all originals written for each other. Go to Myspace.com/betinahersheyrusso to hear a few of the songs from the album.
1. I Do (2:33) Guitar: Nick Russo, Vocal: Betina Hershey
"Behind The Scenes" premiered May 17th, 2008, with the Garden Players. Idea by Carol Hershey. Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Denver Casaodo. Book by Hershey, Casado & Gwynne Watkins.
1. This Is Gonna Be Big (1:51) Music Tracks: Denver Casado, Vocal: Garden Player Kids
2. My Best Friend (1:58) Music Tracks: Denver Casado, Vocal: Garden Player Kids
3. It's All Part of the Magic (3:27) Music Tracks: Denver Casado, Vocal: Garden Player Kids
"Space Pirates" premiered May 19th, 2007, with the Garden Players. Book by Gwynne Watkins, Music by Denver Casaod, Lyrics by Betina Hershey & Gwynne Watkins.
"Bounce to the Wave", a jazzy swing dance/contact improv piece with a live band premiered at Wagner College in November of 2006. Choreography & concept by Betina Hershey. Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Steven Sweeting.
1. Certain (3:12) Piano: Steve Sweeting, Vocal: Betina Hershey (demo)
"Finding Home", an hour long children's musical written with composer Eddie Guttman, premiered in 2005.
1. He Loves Me (1:23) Piano: Eddie Guttman, Vocal: Emily Krohn
2. I Long For Home (2:02) Piano: Eddie Guttman, Vocal: Max Jenkins and Emily Krohn
3. Don't Trust A Human (1:34) Piano: Eddie Guttman, Vocal: Pernell
4. Take What You Need (2:59)Piano: Eddie Guttman
5. This Place Is Magic (1:51) Piano: Eddie Guttman, Vocal: Max Jenkins & Emily Krohn
6. Stop And Live Up To Your Dreams (4:02) Piano: Eddie Guttman, Vocal: Pernell
In September of 2004 Betina was accepted as a lyricist to the Lehman Engle BMI Musical Theater Program and began writing with a very talented composer, Denver Casado. In addition to the many cabaret songs they have written and seen performed, they have written three children's musicals for the Garden Players.
In 2005, Betina and Denver Casado wrote "The Big Leap",
1. On My Lonesome (2:48) Piano: Denver Casado, Vocal: Betina Hershey
2. My Perfect World Would Rhyme (3:12) Piano: Denver Casado, Vocal: Tatiana Lizcano
They also wrote a 20 minute musical, "Finding The Wonder," which won 2nd place in the 2006 BAD Musical Festival (book by Gwynne Watkins) and is having another reading done in February, 2007.
1. My Duck Jack (3:12) Piano: Denver Casado, Vocal: Ioana Preda & Betina Hershey
"Musicville", another hour long family musical, premiered in May, 2006. Book by Denver Casado & Betina Hershey. Music by Denver Casado. Lyrics by Betin Hershey.
1. Beat by Beat Piano: Denver Casado, Vocal: Betina Hershey & Denver Casado (rough demo)
2. Song of Silence Piano: Denver Casado, Vocal: Denver Casado & Betina Hershey (rough demo)
"Lemontales," Betina's first children's musical (written with help from Matt Gough) premiered in May 2004, performed by 30 kids in The Garden Players, grades K-8th grade. Book, music & lyrics by Betina Hershey.
1. Come Sit On The Porch (2:41) Guitar & Vocal: Betina Hershey
2. No Show Business (1:45) Piano: Carol Hershey, Vocals: The Garden Players of May, 2004
