< Previous68 COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2025 COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2025 69 CURRENTS | MUSIC SIDEWALK SERENDIPITY After chance encounter, an in-demand Broadway music director and island artist team up story by LAURA PENNINO | photos by JENNIFER REYNOLDS A chance encounter for Galveston musician boo Schaaf led to working with Henry Aronson, an acclaimed broadway music director. (right) Aronson sits at the piano in his home office in Galveston. Aronson served as music director for more than 15 broadway shows, including The Who’s “Tommy,” “rock of Ages,” “rent,” and “The rocky Horror Show.” A downtown Galveston gig in 2024 at the Summer Concert Series on the Sidewalk hosted by Maceo Spice & Import Co. led to a productive artistic collaboration and friendship between Galveston Island resident singer-song- writer Stephen “Boo” Schaaf and Broadway musician/conductor/composer Henry Aronson. When Schaaf’s acoustic guitar performance wrapped that memorable night at Maceo’s, Aronson walked up and introduced himself. “Henry didn’t say much,” Schaaf said. “He explained that he played piano. He said, ‘I am from New York. Maybe you will consider hav- ing me play on a few of your songs.’ So, we met up, and we worked on some songs together.” Schaaf describes his musical style as Americana, a genre that blends country, folk, blues, bluegrass, gospel, soul and rock influences. Schaaf and Aronson laid down some tracks for new songs in the kitch- en of Schaaf’s West End Galveston Island home with the help of an acoustic guitar, 70 COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2025 CURRENTS | MUSIC a keyboard, a laptop computer and recording software. Schaaf said he didn’t know much about Aron- son or his background until one of his recording industry colleagues, Andy Bradley of Andy Bradley Productions, suggested he “Google” Aronson. Bradley makes songs “radio ready,” and Bradley felt that Schaaf’s new songs had been elevated to a whole new level, Schaaf said. Schaaf recalled a conversation with Bradley that led to a big reveal about Aronson. “I didn’t realize who Henry was,” Schaaf said. “Andy had called me out of the blue, and he asked me, ‘Who is this guy doing your producing? This guy is out of New York, and he is retired? I can realize the quality of what you are doing now is top shelf.’ So, I Googled Henry. He didn’t tell me he was the most in-demand musical director on Broadway. He is very humble.” Aronson co-produced his latest CD, “The Quaran- A poster for The Who’s rock opera “Tommy” hangs in Henry Aronson’s hallway. Aronson served as the music director for the Broadway production of the show and worked with the band’s lead guitarist, Pete Townshend. Henry Aronson plays a few bars from a broadway show at his home in Galveston. COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2025 71 Compassionate Guidance in Your Time of Need. E. R. Johnson Family Mortuary has been serving Galveston County and surrounding areas with empathy and reverence for several decades. Our roots are deeply ingrained in the community by standing side by side with families as they take their first steps towards healing. During this time, you will seek guidance from someone who understands the needs of families in celebrating the life of their loved one with dignity. Making sure that we take all precautions in maintaining a safe environment to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of everyone. E. R. Johnson Family Mortuary has always been at the forefront of making sure the families we serve receive our utmost attention and care. We look forward to being your source for compassionate care and exemplary service. We stand ready to help you honor your loved one by keeping the tradition of offering “Quality, Distinctive and Professional Service”. 3828 Ave O | Galveston, TX 77550 409.762.8470 E. R. Johnson Family Mortuary Bay Area Kitchens Our Showroom is Open BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 17306 Highway 3, Webster, TX 77598 281.338.2737 We Begin With Thoughtful Design. MINDFUL KITCHEN DESIGN | GOURMET APPLIANCES | LUXURY CUSTOM CABINETRY SCAN TO VIEW OUR WORK tine Sessions,” which they released in Novem- ber 2024. “The Quarantine Sessions” is stream- ing on Apple Music and other platforms. “Henry is also producing my newest musi- cal project that is slated to be released some- time after the first of the year,” Schaaf said. Aronson has impressive credentials and an approachable, understated demeanor. He hails from Brooklyn and earned a Bache- lor of Arts degree in music from Columbia University. Aronson, a conductor, composer and keyboardist, served as the music director for more than 15 Broadway shows, including “Rock of Ages,” “Rocky Horror Show,” which was later adapted into the “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Rent,” “Grease,” “Parade” and The Who’s “Tommy.” He moved to Galveston from New York with his Born-on-the Island — BOI — wife, Cailín Heffernan, in May 2023. The Hef- fernan family has a long Galveston history dating back to the late 1800s. Heffernan lived for many years in New York, where she and Aronson met. She has worked as a performer, director and chore- ographer off-Broadway as well as with inde- pendent, regional theaters and universities such as New York University, Pace University and Hofstra University. Heffernan wanted to return to her Galveston roots, and Aronson gladly joined her. “We felt that New York had run its course for us,” he said. “Cailín has a lot of family here, and as you get older, it is good to be near family.” When he moved to Galveston, Aronson thought he would be retiring from compos- ing, conducting, performing and producing. That isn’t the case. For the past two years, he has been and continues to be actively involved in many projects on the island, in Houston and surrounding areas, including “Loveless Texas,” an ACT 3 Galveston musical performance he and his wife created together and presented in July 2025 with the support of Kathy and Bud Kulesza, Texas Coastal Re- alty and The Bryan Museum. Heffernan wrote the book upon which the musical was based, and she also served as the director. Aronson wrote the music and the lyrics. Aronson also has enjoyed being involved in productions at The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston College Theatre, Island ETC: East-End Theatre Company and in Boo Schaaf’s kitchen. 72 COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2025 “I love the vintage style of this faux fur peacoat from Dillard’s. It is the JouJou brand and I got it 10 years ago but you can’t tell because we don’t get to wear coats too often here.” “This T-shirt is 20 years old from a shop in New Orleans. I liked it has roxy Music on it and it’s off the shoulder. I usually custom cut my T-shirts because I don’t like anything near my neck and I think it helps elongate your look to have a lower neckline.” “I found this tulle skirt at the vintage store Leopard Lounge up in Houston. I love you can dress it up or down. It can be grunge or dressy, depending on how you style it.” “My Docs are at least 8 years old. I’m on my feet cutting hair all day so I like to be comfortable.” “As soon as I saw these Adidas trainers at Academy on the seawall, I had to have them. I love the baby blue and orange colors, they really grabbed my attention.” “These are just some of my eyeglass collection. While they look vintage, they are actually all new. Optometrists won’t put prescription lens in vintage frames, so I stick with new frames.” “These vooglam brand glasses are my favorites right now. I love the ‘70s vibe and how oversized they are, they really cover your face.” “This elastic and faux snakeskin wide belt has a corset effect on your waistline. I got it from Amazon, which is great for basics. I found a skirt I loved on Amazon and bought three of them.” “I love how worn this vintage jacket is, I’ve had it at least 20 years. The pins are for bands I like or know and the vintage ray gun, rockets and lightening bolts are references to Flash the robot. That’s the DJ name for me and my husband. We play ‘80s and ‘90s music, including new wave and industrial.” “I love vintage and costume jewelry and have collected pieces from local and online stores.” “My friend becky gave me the bat bracelet because she knows I’m obsessed with bats. They are cute sky puppies. The diamante bracelet was one of my mother’s. It always makes me think of Marilyn Monroe in ‘Gentlemen Prefer blondes’ when I wear it.” COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2025 73 12000 Sportsman Rd., Galveston jeansummers55@gmail.com www.har.com/jeansummers (713) 497-6691 Jean Summers Realtor, ABR Luxury Waterfront Property Stepintoaseasonofsparkle,joy,andhands-on holidayfun! StartingNovember19ththroughJanuary9th,our museumwilltransformsintoamagicalWinter Wonderlandfilledwithfestiveexhibits,holiday themedcrafts,creativeplay,andcozyfamilyfun. Santawillbestoppingbyforweeklycheck-ins! FollowusonFacebook&Instagram(@GalvestonCM) forSanta’sscheduleandspecialeventupdates. Makememoriesthatlastbeyondtheseason GALVESTONCHILDREN’SMUSEUM WinterWonderland iscoming CHECK USOUT! 2618BroadwaySt. Galveston,TX 409-572-2544 galvestoncm.org YOU WEAR IT WELL GRAND SLAM GLAM Inspired by fashion icons, islander creates her own eclectic style story by SHANNON CALDWELL | photos by STUART VILLANUEVA E clectic, punky and a little bit glam, Galveston’s Kathy DeVries gets her fashion inspiration from 1950s movie stars, women who rock and a centenarian style queen. “I really love Debbie Harry’s style — she can look beau- tiful in a T-shirt and leather jacket,” DeVries said. “Band T-shirts and my denim jacket decorated with pins are a go-to look but I can wear sequins and be fancy, too.” In her wardrobe, vintage coats, tailored 1950s dresses and tulle skirts sit alongside black band T-shirts she has custom cut, tennis shoes and punky Dr. Martens boots. As a follower of fashion cycles, she loves how “put together” 1950s and 1960s fashion was and finds it amusing that 1990s grunge fashion is back. “The stores are filled with looks from my high school closet,” she said. For accessories, DeVries loves sparkly vintage brooches and brace- lets, and she likes to make a statement with bold and vibrant eyeglass- es — she owns at least 14 pairs. Her passion for eyeglasses is inspired by Iris Apfel, a New York designer known for her flamboyant style and oversized glasses who became a fashion model age 97 and died last year at age 102. A hairstylist at Lulu’s the Salon & Spa in Galveston for more than 20 years, DeVries stands out thanks to her colorful tattoos and her rock and roll hairstyle — a long shag with teal and purple bangs. “I love jewel tones so that’s what I have now, but my hair has been every color you can imagine — red, pink, purple, blue everything but blond, which doesn’t suit the Hispanic in me.” Each month, Coast Monthly puts the spotlight on some of the most stylish people on the upper Texas coast. “Band T-shirts and my denim jacket decorated with pins are a go-to look but I can wear sequins and be fancy, too.” KATHY DEVRIES74 COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2025 FEATURE MOMENT IN TIME Former O’Connell football players and family re-create a fond memory story by SAGE SCOTT T ra Tramonte was on a summer drive along Seawall Boulevard when a wave of memo- ries washed over him. He was remembering his former teammates on the O’Connell High School football team 1976 district and co-state champions. Memories flooded back, perhaps sparked by a photo he’d recently seen of the team’s biggest supporters — their fathers and brothers. “For some reason, that photo popped into my mind,” Tramonte said. “When I’m in Galveston, I think about old Galveston stuff.” The photo, recently rediscovered by one of the boys’ mothers and circulated around the friend group, shows eight people — fathers and sons — watching Tramonte and his teammates at an O’Connell football practice on a fall day in 1976. Practice was always hot and sticky, he recalled. They’d get out on the school’s field every weekday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. during football season. All that work, all that sweat, so they could shine on Friday nights at what is now Kermit Courville Stadium, he said. “That’s when the big lights came on and we hit the field,” he said. PHOTO: L e SLI e PLAZA JOHNSON O’Connell alumni, from left, Harry Forester, Tra Tramonte, Joe Giusti, Kelly Forester (front), Duke Giusti, John Williamson, Jay Roach and Jeff Giusti gather on the back steps of O’Connell College Preparatory School in Galveston to re-create a mid-1970s group photo. COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2025 75 Their fathers watched every practice they could, often leaving straight from work to sit and watch their sons, he said. “They enjoyed that time together, and they passed those values and ways of life onto their sons,” he said. Tramonte’s thoughtful drive inspired him to get the gang back together and re-create the photograph, he said. But 49 years later, four of the boys’ fathers in the picture had passed away. So, Tramonte reached out to their sons — his former teammates — who he had played with all those years ago, to sit on the steps by the football field in their place. They looked so much like their fathers, he said. They’d grown up to be business owners, sales managers, law firm partners, war veterans, engineers, law enforcement, administration, firefighters and medical professionals, Tra- monte said. Now grown, the eight men turned back to laugh, put their arms around each other and smiled, re-creating the camara- derie evident in the original photo. The group has stayed in touch since their high school days, calling and meeting up for reunions and smaller get-togethers when they can, he said. Tramonte considers them some of his best friends. He made a Father’s Day post on Facebook, calling them all to the island once again. “Everybody who ever graduated from O’Connell High School has commented,” Tramonte said. Classmates and friends spoke of the “legends” on the steps. Some teared up. Many talked about the good old days. Although Tramonte lives in League City now and some members live hours away, everyone made the time to get together on June 19 for a photo re-creation. “They were from all different walks of life,” Tramonte said. “All these different people came back together. The only thing they really had in common was their Catholic faith, which is what that high school was about.” In keeping with Galveston tradition, Tramonte plans to hang copies of the original photo and the newer ones on the walls of some of the island’s storied restaurants. There, the men will live on. Pictured, top row, from left, are Joseph J. Tramonte, Frank (Duke) Giusti Jr.; middle row, Harry Forester III, Frank Giusti, Richard P. (Dickie) Williamson, JD Roach; front row, Kelly P. Forester and Jeff D. Giusti. PHOTO: COU r T e SY76 COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2025 Animal lovers celebrated The Gold- en Age of Pawllywood at the 23rd annual Paws Gala on Sept. 27 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. benefiting the Galveston Island Humane Society, this year’s event honored Frances Moody buz- bee for her contributions to the ani- mal community and helping to raise funds for the island shelter. Guests were transported back to the glitz and glamour of classic Hollywood and enjoyed vintage cocktails, a seated dinner, live entertainment and silent and live auctions. elite Pet Owner Lindsey Serrette and her pooches Georgia and Dolly took home top honors and will ride in the Krewe of barkus & Meoux Mardi Gras Parade next year. Photos by Carla Peoples PAWS GALA PICTURED: 1. Elite Pet Owner of the Year Lindsey Serrette with her dogs, Georgia and Dolly. 2. Tony Buzbee and Frances Moody Buzbee, the 2025 Paws Gala honoree. 3. Paws gala co-chair Michelle Beckwith and Elite Pet Owner Jennifer Ott with her dog, Mister Benjamin. 4. Kari Young, Alec Young, Elite Pet Owner Cynthia Corder and her dog, Cash. 5. Elite Pet Owners Joe and Donna Giusti, Savannah King with dog Jerry, Kyle Giusti, Michelle Hatmaker and Jim Somerville. 6. Elite Pet Owners Chris- topher and Marie Robb with dogs Rosie and Lindy. 7. Lance and Kristi McLeod with Kevin Gilliard and Frank Billingsley, event emcee. 8. Meryln Osbourne and Alejandra Corona Osbourne. 9. Eddie Walsh, Veronica Hugger, Melody and Doug Van Kay. 10. The Daily News Editor Michael A. Smith, Coast Monthly Editor Laura Elder and Marty Fluke. 11. Maryrine and Leonard Woolsey, publisher of The Daily News and president of Southern Newspapers Inc. 12. Stacey Weber-Rubio, Jesse Rubio and Michelle Robinson, general manager and chief revenue officer for The Daily News. PARTY PICS 123 654 789 121110 COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2025 77 The Galveston regional Chamber of Commerce produced the 18th annual Galveston Women’s Conference on Sept. 12 at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. The conference featured keynote speaker Amy Purdy, three-time Paralympic medalist and New York Times best-selling author; inspirational talks; shopping expo and vIP lounge. The luncheon featured a presentation of the Ann McLeod Moody Women of the Year honorees: Leslie Fortenberry, Concetta Maceo-Sims, Maria Luisa Mercado, Magen Moore Ortiz, Jill reason and Jocelyn Sullivan. Joy Fertitta received the Mary ellen Doyle Legacy Woman of the Year Award. Photos by Carla Peoples GALVESTON WOMEN’S CONFERENCE PICTURED: 1. Amy Purdy, three- time Paralympic medalist and keynote speaker. 2. Brenda Weber, Congressman Randy Weber, thee-time Paralympic gold medalist Bethany Zummo, Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Gina Spagnola and Rebecca Lilley, Clear Creek Independent School District board trustee. 3. Mary Ellen Doyle and Joy Fertitta, 2025 Mary Ellen Doyle Legacy Woman of the Year. 4. Danielle Cotton and Nikki Johnson Kunz. 5. Kim Bonnen and Craig Kovacevich. 6. Geri Empey, Debra Burkley and Sara Hawkes. 7. Kelly Williams, singer and host of “The Kelly Williams Show.” 8. Kara Wuellner, Coral Beach and Susan Walker. 9. Wendy Drapela, Lisa Holbrook, Sarah Ferguson and Kristi Koncaba. 10. Dulcianna Jonak, Janna Miller, Jill Reason, Abbey Lee, Sophia Shaw and Serra Sanders. PARTY PICS 12 345 678 109Next >