Todd Moeller, Pianist, Composer Of `There's A Slug In My Latte'

Only a few weeks ago, Todd Moeller was busy at his trade, playing keyboards at the 5th Avenue Theatre for the touring production of "The Will Rogers Follies."

But last Tuesday night Moeller, a popular Seattle theater composer and pianist, lost his long, hard-fought battle with AIDS. Moeller, a native of Ritzville, Adams County, died in his sleep, a week after his 37th birthday, due to complications from the disease.

Moeller, a graduate of Washington State University in Pullman, is perhaps best known to local audiences as the composer of "Waiter, There's a Slug in My Latte," an affectionate musical spoof of Seattle fads and foibles, which he created with lyricist Lauren Marshall. The show, with Moeller on piano, had several successful engagements (including one earlier this year) at the Cabaret de Paris in Rainier Square.

Moeller also composed the musical horror-movie spoof "Evil Reba" for Cabaret de Paris, and he worked as a musical director and keyboard player for shows at Seattle Repertory Theatre, A Contemporary Theatre, the Bathhouse Theatre and other local venues.

"Todd was a very exuberant person with a great love of life and a lot of energy," said David Koch, artistic director of Cabaret de Paris. "He wasn't just a sit-around accompanist, but someone who really took part in the creative process of every show he worked on.

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