Revitalising your repertoire: celebrating composers from diverse backgrounds
After a century of music theatre being dominated by white men, at long last producers, creatives and industry leaders are openly discussing what a truly diverse music theatre industry could look like. This is a wonderful thing. We’d like to highlight the work of some composers and lyricists who have unique viewpoints and new things to say. Some you’ll know and others we hope become your new favourites!
Lin-Manuel Miranda
You may possibly have been living under a rock if you haven’t heard of Lin-Manuel, writer of Hamilton and In The Heights. He has become a spokesperson and an activist, lobbying for Puerto Rico in particular amongst other causes. Whilst the songs from Hamilton are truly extraordinary, here’s a couple of his other songs you might not know yet.
Cheering For Me Now
This lyrics for this song were written for Hamilton, but never used. Miranda teamed up with legendary composer John Kander to complete the song and release it.
Delivery
Miranda was invited by Stephen Schwartz to contribute songs to a new version of the musical Working. This is super catchy and works really well out of context as a stand alone song.
You can get the sheet music here
Robert Lopez & Kristen Anderson-Lopez
This powerhouse couple have won multiple awards and are probably best known for their work on the Frozen movies.
Getting There
This song was written by Anderson-Lopez for In Transit (an acapella musical). The show is described as a ‘love letter to New York’ and you can almost imagine yourself walking down Broadway as you hear it.
And here's the sheet music.
Please Like Me
Here’s a gorgeous number from the couple from their musical Up Here, performed by the effervescent Betsy Wolfe.
Kirsten Childs
Kirsten is a Broadway actress - she appeared in Chicago, Sweet Charity and Jerry’s Girls. She has also gone to to become a playwright, librettist and composer. Bella: An American Tale won the Western Playhouse new musical award. From that musical, here’s Kenita Miller singing What I Want
Timothy Huang
Timothy was frustrated with the lack of performing opportunities for Asian performers. “You could only do Miss Saigon or the King and I. Or be labelled an amateur. So this amateur got his MFA and started writing shows that employed people who looked like me”. He has a number of musicals to his name, and also acts as a coach and mentor to other writers. His songs are really interesting, and catchy - here’s a few, all of which you can purchase sheet music for here.
Dying To Know
This is such a fun song about a very curious person
Yolanda
A song for the inner theatre nerd in us all.
Rules of Engagement
A song about love, marriage…. And bed bugs
Rona Siddiqui
Rona won the 2020 Jonathan Larson Grant and as well as being an accomplished Musical Director, has written multiple musicals including The Tin, Treasure in NYC and One Good Day. She’s also been writing really interesting songs during Quarantine and their found with all her other work on her website.
Om Shanti Om
for all of us that have tried to get into yoga…. And failed
Every Time It Ends
a moving ballad about relationships that end, and then don’t.
Adam Gwon
Gwon has been a recipient of both the Fred Ebb and Richard Rogers awards. His Off-Broadway debut with Ordinary Days in 2009 has a host of songs worth exploring. His work has been performed and recorded the world over. Here’s a few songs to know:
I’ll Be Here
a stunning song sung beautifully by Audra McDonald:
Sheet music is here.
Masi Asare
Masi is a playwright, composer, lyricist and scholar and has written a number of musicals including The Family Resemblance, Rishvor, the lyrics for the adaptation of Monsoon Wedding, and interestingly, a one act play for Marvel Comics. Her writing isn’t afraid to shy away from the big issues: recent songs include From Then which is written in honour of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and Soon which was inspired by the testimony of a young girl in a US detention camp.
Charles Vincent Burwell
Finalists for the Jonathan Larson prize, with writing partner James D Sasser, Burwell has written Cubamor, an adaptation of Sundance award winning film. A demo of the show with some of their other work is showcased on their website here.
Ursula Yovich
Yovich and writing partner Alana Valentine created a show called Barbara and the Camp Dogs that won four Helpmann Awards in 2019 (the Helpmanns are the Australian equivalent of the Tony or Olivier Awards). It’s had numerous seasons, and has found its way into Australia’s hearts. You can read more about the show and see some clips here.
Melissa Li & Kit Yan
Li and Yan wrote a show called Interstate which was lauded at the New York Musical Festival. The songs are really accessible and fun, you should check it out here.
Tidtaya Sinutoke
Sinutoke is originally from Thailand, and is now NYC based after completing studies at Berklee College. Her songs have been performed at 54 Below, Joe’s Pub, Goodspeed and Playwright’s Horizons. You can see a collection of four of her songs on her website.
But wait - there’s more! Here’s some other lyricists and composers we recommend checking out too:
Sukari Jones - https://sukarijones.com
Min Kahng - https://www.minkahng.com
Cheeyang Ng - https://www.cheeyang.com
Jillian Walker - https://www.thisisjillianwalker.com
Cassie Kinoshi - http://www.cassiekinoshi.com