We all know that the vast majority of musical theatre composers out there are men - and they have some amazing things to offer! But let's take a moment to explore and celebrate the breadth of work by female composers and lyricists gracing the world with their stories and melodies.
First up?
Lucy Simon: The Secret Garden, (with Marsha Norman), Doctor Zhivago
Strangely enough, I found myself sitting next to Lucy Simon while watching The Secret Garden and to say it was a very, very cool experience would be an understatement. I was the swing for the show at Shakespeare Theatre Company in DC and she and Marsha were tweaking the show quite a bit. I was in the audience since I was required to come in and see next tracks once a week and she was still tweaking the orchestration.
Written in a semi-classical style (but also with a pop flair perhaps influenced by her sister Carly) - there area plethora of beautiful songs to choose from in The Secret Garden and Doctor Zhivago but my top Lucy Simon pick for an audition is for those beltresses out there:
"Hold On" from The Secret Garden
Jeanine Tesori: Violet, Shrek, Caroline or Change, Fun Home, Throughly Modern Millie, Blue
Of course we can’t talk about female composers without exploring Jeanine Tesori! Her contemporary style is accessible to all audiences but more musically interesting and complex than you’d expect. Really you can’t go wrong with anything by Jeanine but what can be more heart warming that our favorite green ogre at his most vulnerable:
“Who I’d Be” from Shrek
Lynn Ahrens: Ragtime, Seussical, Anastasia, Once on this Island (lyricist)
In my travels, I’ve also had the opportunity to have dinner with Lynn Ahrens and as you might expect, she is delightful with an air of a childlike innocence and sincerity. This comes across in her music that is reminiscent of your favorite Disney tune or lullaby. Most epic pick?
“Make Them Hear You” from Ragtime
Sara Bareilles: Waitress, Spongebob Squarepants
Well of course we love Sara! Crossing over from pop singer-songwriter to Tony-award-nominated composer and star of her own show! And then working on a musical about Spongebob? Pretty awesome. We all know “She Used to Be Mine” but I prefer a slightly more comedic choice from Waitress:
“When He Sees Me” from Waitress
Anyone else a HUGE fan of anything Little Women related? Don’t we all want to somehow be the perfect combination of the women in this show - to be as ambitious and intelligent as Jo, sweet as Beth, kind as Meg, confident as Amy, and generous and strong as Marmee. You could always whip out “Astonishing” but if you want something short and sweet try this out.
“Better” from Little Women
Betty Comden: On the Town, Singing in the Rain, Bells Are Ringing, On the 20th Century, Wonderful Town (lyricist)
Cheers for a female Golden Age musical theatre librettist! Betty collaborated with some of the most famous composers of her time (Bernstein and Jule Styne to name a few) with her long-time partner Adolph Greene. Opposite sides of the coin to choose from with my favorites from Betty:
“A Little Bit in Love” from Wonderful Town
“A New Town is a Blue Town” from On the Town
Richard’s Rodgers daughter? Adam Guettel’s mom??? I mean this has musical talent in her blood like no other. Mary isn’y nearly as prolific as her father or son, but she has some very solid tunes out there - my favorite being from Hot Spot - a collaboration with Stephen Sondheim. If you’ve ever accidentally stepped into a manhole on the street and made it come off as quirky and endearing - this is the song for you.
“Don’t Laugh” from Hot Spot
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