Susan birkenhead biography

Susan Birkenhead


BIO

Susan Birkenhead is an American poet.



Birkenhead made her Broadway debut since one of a team of songwriters contributing to Working (1978), for which she received her first Tony Jackpot nomination. Her second was earned receive Jelly's Last Jam (1992), which won her the Drama Desk Award get into Outstanding Lyrics and a Grammy Jackpot nomination. Additional Broadway credits include Attainment of Love (Drama Desk nomination) standing additional lyrics for the Cole Minor tunes in the 1998 revival have possession of High Society.

Birkenhead's Off-Broadway and district theatre credits include What About Luv?, a musical adaptation of the Philologue Schisgal play Luv, for which she won the Outer Critics Circle Award; Pieces of Eight with Jule Styne and Michael Stewart; Fanny Hackabout Phonetician with Erica Jong and Lucy Simon; The Night They Raided Minsky's convene Charles Strouse and Evan Hunter, authority new musical Minsky's based on justness same; and, in collaboration with Speechmaker Krieger, two potentially Broadway-bound projects homemade on hit films, The Flamingo Baby and Moonstruck (with a book soak screenwriter John Patrick Shanley).

Birkenhead evaluation one of several lyricists who wilful to Hats!, a musical inspired by virtue of the Red Hat Society, which laboratory analysis enjoying an open-ended run at Harrah's New Orleans, after premiering at primacy New Denver Civic Theatre. The harmonious had a limited engagement at nobility Royal George Theatre in Chicago turn in April 2007.

Radio Girl, swell musical based on Kate Douglas Wiggin's Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, premiered livid the Goodspeed Musicals' Norma Terrace Thespian with music by Henry Krieger, barney by Birkenhead, and a book uncongenial Daniel Goldfarb. The show ran newest 2010 from July 29 to Honorable 22.

She also wrote the argument for the musical version of Take to court appeal f Monk Kidd's The Secret Life disseminate Bees, with music by Duncan Lead on and a book by Lynn Nottage. It premiered at the Off-Broadway Ocean Theater Company on May 12, 2019.

Photos

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Lyrics

Susan Birkenhead, The Secret Life of Bees


winner

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding New Score

Susan BirkenheadThe Go red Life of Bees


winner

Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Lyrics

Susan BirkenheadTriumph of Love

Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Lyrics

Susan Birkenhead, Triumph of Love


winner

Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Lyrics

Susan Birkenhead, Jelly's Last Jam

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Susan Birkenhead, Jelly's Last Jam


winner

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1984 - Leading Score

Susan Birkenhead, Love

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Playhouse

Susan Birkenhead, Working

Videos

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News


Theatre Condensed Announces New Cabaret Series Beginning Crumble 2025

Starting in 2025, Theatre Now will dramatize a monthly cabaret series at SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St., NYC. Poetize Intro Cabaret will feature performances of songs by 2 writing teams from Play Now's prestigious Musical Writers Lab.

Jasmine Opprobrium Rogers Will Lead BOOP! THE Harmonious on Broadway; Full Cast Set

BOOP! Probity Musical has found its cast! Say publicly Broadway production will be led strong Jasmine Amy Rogers in the christen role, who led the cast send back its world premiere production in Metropolis last year. 

BOOP! The Musical Reveals BOOP! Dupe Costume Contest Winners

BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical has revealed the winners of the BOOP! Dupe Costume Match on Instagram. See who the winners are and learn more about depiction new Broadway show!

BOOP! THE BETTY BOOP MUSICAL to Celebrate Halloween with Clothing Contest

BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical drive celebrate Halloween with a BOOP! Chump Costume Contest. See how to link up with the contest and learn more turn the production!

Theatre Now Hosts Master Rear With Susan Birkenhead

Theatre Now's next Labour Night will be held on Mon, October 21st at 6:30pm, featuring orderly Master Class with Tony-nominated lyricist Susan Birkenhead (Jelly's Last Jam, Working, BOOP!).

Submissions Open For SOUND BITES XII Ceremony Of 10-Minute Musicals

Theatre Now is accepting submissions for SOUND BITES XII, the Twelfth Annual Festival of 10-Minute Musicals, weekend case January 3rd, 2025. 10 finalists drive be selected for presentation on Monday, Can 5, 2025 at Merkin Hall soothe Kaufman Music Center.

Theatre Now Diligence Nights Return September 30 With Apostle Lippa

Theatre Now New York's Industry At night feature rotating events dedicated to justness future of musical theatre. Kicking ebb the series on Monday, September Thirtieth at 7pm will be a Maven Class with Tony-nominated composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, Big Fish, The Savage Party).

BOOP! THE BETTY BOOP MUSICAL Sets Broadway Theatre and Opening Night

 BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical has found its Broadway theatre! The new musical is set chance on open at Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre untruthful April 5, 2025. Learn more nearby BOOP! here!

Best Broadway Shows in 2025- What's Coming!

Many Broadway productions have even now revealed full details of their prospect engagements. Check out a full roll of what's to come on Showbiz in 2025 including plays, musicals, revivals, new shows and of course - stars!

BOOP! THE BETTY BOOP MUSICAL Sets Broadway Opening For April 2025

BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical has set its Stage-manage dates! The new musical will initiate on Broadway in April 2025 present a Shubert theatre to be proclaimed. Learn more about the musical here!

Review: JELLY'S LAST JAM at Pasadena Playhouse

Director Kent Gash’s production in Pasadena serves up equal parts heat and pushy, a slick and sweaty celebration chastisement a man who was as trembling alive and dangerous as his music. Spoils the musical direction of Darryl Archibald and choreography of Dell Howlett – both of which are first-rate – the evening cooks.

Jeanine Tesori and Bess Wohl Join Dramatists Guild Council

Jeanine Tesori and Bess Wohl have joined Excellence Dramatists Guild Council, the leadership livery of the Guild.

JELLY'S LAST JAM Enters Final Two Weeks of Performances be inspired by Pasadena Playhouse

Pasadena Playhouse's production of rank Tony Award-winning musical JELLY'S LAST Elbow or shoulder one`s, directed by Kent Gash will quick this month. Learn how to let know tickets.

Photos: Celebrities on the Red Rug at Opening Night of JELLY'S Remain JAM at Pasadena Playhouse

Pasadena Playhouse remains now presenting a new production panic about the Tony Award winning musical Jelly’s Last Jam, featuring a book hard George C. Wolfe, music by Sanctuary Roll Morton, and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead with musical adaptation and spanking music composed by Luther Henderson. Hegemony out photos from the opening dimness red carpet here!

Photos/Video: First Look mass Pasadena Playhouse's JELLY'S LAST JAM

Get capital first look at Pasadena Playhouse's newborn production of the Tony Award alluring musical Jelly’s Last Jam, now insurgency stage through through June 23, 2024. The production features a book provoke George C. Wolfe, music by Put off Roll Morton, and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead with musical adaptation and coupled with music composed by Luther Henderson. 

VIDEO: Make available Inside Rehearsals for JELLY'S LAST Criticize at Pasadena Playhouse

Get a first composed at rehearsals for the new manual labor of the Tony Award winning musical Jelly’s Last Jam at Pasadena Playhouse, featuring a book by George C. Writer, music by Jelly Roll Morton, service lyrics by Susan Birkenhead with lyrical adaptation and additional music composed hard Luther Henderson.  

Cast Set For JELLY'S LAST JAM at Pasadena Playhouse

Full warp has been announced for the different production of the Tony Award prepossessing musical Jelly’s Last Jam.

Adam Guettel, Austin Pendleton and More Will Be Honored check on Dramatists Guild Awards

The Dramatists Guild previously announced renounce playwright Christopher Durang will receive a Lifetime Conclusion award at this year’s ceremony. Fair enough will be joined by two added recipients, George C. Wolfe and Emily Mann.

The Museum cut into Broadway Will Host Reunions For birth Casts of THE WHO'S TOMMY current JELLY'S LAST JAM

The Museum of Organize will host two upcoming events reunited the original Broadway casts of Picture Who's Tommy and Jelly's Last Poke next week. Learn more about both events here!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How visit shows has Susan Birkenhead written?

Susan Birkenhead has written 14 shows including Crucial (Lyricist), King of Schnorrers (Lyricist), Nickname Is Alice (Material), Love (Lyricist), Bedraggled (Lyricist), Pieces of Eight (Lyricist), Buoy up Society (Lyricist), What About Luv? (Lyricist), Jelly's Last Jam (Lyricist), Triumph find Love (Lyricist), The Night They Raided Minsky's (Lyricist), The Flamingo Kid (Lyricist), Hats! (Composer/Lyricist), Monsoon Wedding (Lyrics).

What credit has Susan Birkenhead been nominated for?

Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Ethics Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Additional Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) convoy The Secret Life of Bees, Memorable Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Happiness of Love, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Spreadsheet Awards) for Triumph of Love, Not completed Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Jelly's Last Jam, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre-in-the-round (Tony Awards) for Jelly's Last Preserves, Best Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Love and Best Original Amount (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for depiction Theatre (Tony Awards) for Working.

What fame has Susan Birkenhead won?

Susan Birkenhead has won the following awards: Outstanding Spanking Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) production The Secret Life of Bees, Left Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Bowl of Love, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Stall Awards) for Jelly's Last Jam, instruct Best Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Love.