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Iris Rainer Dart

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Iris Rainer Dart BIO

Iris Rainer Dart is a best-selling novelist of nine novels, notably Beaches, which was made into a film starring Bette Midler. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where her father was a social worker at the Irene Kaufman Settlement in the Hill District. Iris appeared as a child on the stage of the Curtaineers, the first inter-racial theater group at the Settlement house. She went on to attend classes at the Pittsburgh Playhouse from the time she was six, and was a child actress at both the Pittsburgh Playhouse and The White Barn Theater. Iris received her degree in theater from the drama department at Carnegie Mellon University, where she won the BMI awards for the libretto and lyrics she wrote for the varsity musical with composer Stephen Schwartz. After moving to Los Angeles, Iris was a member of the Columbia Pictures contract workshop. In the 70s, Producer George Schlatter hired her to be the first woman writer on "The Sonny and Cher Show." She went on to work in both situation comedy, and long-form television before she turned to writing novels. Iris was a Governor's appointee to the California Arts Council on which she served for eight years. She was also the commencement speaker at her alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University. It says in the Talmud that "A man is known by his laughter." Iris's own childhood, imbued with the humor of the Yiddish culture, was what inspired her to write The People in the Picture.

Iris Rainer Dart Photos

Iris Rainer Dart Productions

 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2014]
Lyrics and Book

Writing

Bookwriter
Lyricist

Iris Rainer Dart Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Iris Rainer Dart, The People in the Picture

Iris Rainer Dart Videos

Iris Rainer Dart News


Video: Go Inside First Day Of Rehearsal For BEACHES THE MUSICAL at Theatre Calgary


Go inside the first day of rehearsal for Theatre Calgary's upcoming International Premiere of Beaches the Musical in this all-new video.

Full Cast and Creative Team Set for BEACHES at Theatre Calgary


Theatre Calgary has revealed the creative team and full cast for the upcoming International Premiere of Beaches the Musical. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Kelli Barrett and Jessica Vosk Will Lead BEACHES Musical at Theatre Calgary


Kelli Barrett (FX TV's Fosse/Verdon, Broadway’s Dr. Zhivago) and Jessica Vosk (Wicked) will lead the International Premiere of Beaches the Musical at Theatre Calgary this spring.

Dramatists Guild Foundation Awards Zeniba Now With 2023 Thom Thomas Award


The Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) has announced multifaceted artist Zeniba Now as the recipient of the 2023 Thom Thomas Award, given annually to an alumnus of the DGF Fellows program who demonstrates great artistic skill. 

Whitney Bashor and Jessica Vosk to Lead BEACHES THE MUSICAL Industry Readings


Whitney Bashor (The Bridges of Madison County) and Jessica Vosk (Wicked) will lead two private industry readings of the new musical BEACHES on October 13, 2023.    

Jessica Vosk, Kara Lindsay, & Elizabeth Teeter Lead Broadway-Aimed BEACHES Private Work Session


BroadwayWorld has learned that Jessica Vosk and Kara Lindsay led a private work session for the upcoming Beaches musical this week, ahead of a run at Theatre Calgary in Canada.

Theatre Calgary Announces BEACHES THE MUSICAL For 2023-24 Season


Theatre Calgary's Artistic Director Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Broadway; Carrie, Off-Broadway revival; Ragtime - West End premiere; Altar Boyz, Off-Broadway), along with Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso (Tony & Emmy Award winner: Spring Awakening, Legally Blonde, Rock of Asges, Broadway), Douglas McJannet for Arden Entertainment & JAS Theatricals, and Alison Spiriti of Right Angle Entertainment have announced the international premiere of Beaches the Musical as the final show of Theatre Calgary's upcoming 2023-24 season.

BEACHES THE MUSICAL Will Make International Premiere at Theatre Calgary


The international premiere of Beaches the Musical as the final show of Theatre Calgary's upcoming 2023-24 season. Find out whats new about this newest version of the musical, which had previous runs in DC and Chicago.

Jill Rafson Appointed Producing Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company


Classic Stage Company announced today that Jill Rafson will succeed John Doyle as Producing Artistic Director of the company. Rafson will assume the role beginning June 21, 2022. 

Dramatists Guild Foundation Announces 2021 Award Recipients -- Brittany K. Allen, Avi Amon, Emily Gardner Xu Hall, Paulo K Tiról


Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) has announced this year's recipients of their annual Awards, honoring playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists who show promise in their writing to invest in the future of theater through their stories.

Dramatists Guild Foundation Announces 2021 Recipients Including Brittany K. Allen, Avi Amon, and More


Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) has announced this year’s recipients of their annual Awards, honoring playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists who show promise in their writing to invest in the future of theater through their stories.

Judy Kuhn, Samantha Massell and More to Take Part in THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE Virtual Event


 On Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah) next Wednesday, April 7 at 7:30pm, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan will present a virtual conversation and musical event focused on the 2011 Broadway musical The People in the Picture, which follows a grandmother recalling her life in the Yiddish Theater in pre-war Poland.

BWW Interview: Michele Brourman and Amanda McBroom Offer Online Songwriting Course


When the best in the business pass their craft down to online students, Broadway World and Stephen Mosher want to hear more.

Dramatists Guild Foundation Announces 2020 Stephen Schwartz and Thom Thomas Award Winners


a??a??a??a??a??a??a??Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) has announced this year's recipients of the Stephen Schwartz and Thom Thomas Awards. Khiyon Hursey is the recipient of the Stephen Schwartz Award. Erika Dickerson-Despenza, Julia Meinwald, and Benjamin Velez are the first multiple honorees of the Thom Thomas Award

BWW Interview: Music Composer Michele Brourman Talks Upcoming Concerts in Chicago and New York


Music composer, pianist Michele Brourman is world reknowned for her brilliant compositions and collaborations with other great songwriters like Amanda McBroom. She has a tremendous passion for performing. She will be in Chicago on the 15th and in New York in October doing what she does best. The world is a better place because of it.

Photo Coverage: Dramatists Guild Foundation Fellows Present New Works!


Last night, the 2017-2018 class of Dramatists Guild Foundation Fellows presented excerpts of full length works at Playwrights Horizons at 7:00 PM. This presentation caps off a year spent working under the tutelage of Michael Korie (War Paint), Laurence O'Keefe (Heathers), Diana Son (Stop Kiss), and Sheri Wilner (Kingdom City).

Photo Flash: Get a First Look at THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE at San Jose's 3Below Theaters


The acclaimed Broadway musical The People in The Picture is heading west! Having garnered Tony winner Donna Murphy a best actress nomination, the show will begin its run at the famed 3 Below Theater in San Jose, CA, on April 12th. The musical was also nominated for Drama Desk and Outer Critics awards in 2011 for outstanding book and music.

BWW Interview: Iris Rainer Dart of PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE at 3Below


The musical, The People in the Picture, is getting a makeover as a new production is being mounted at 3Below in San Jose, California with performances beginning April 26th. Making its west coast premiere, it's the first time the show has been back on stage since its 2011 debut on Broadway at Roundabout Theatre Company's Studio 54 starring Donna Murphy, who was nominated for a Tony Award for her role as Bubbie/Raisel.

Broadway-Bound BEACHES Musical Will Play London in 2019


According to Entertainment Tonight, the long-anticipated Broadway premiere of Beaches the Musical will have to wait until after a London run. Iris Rainer Dart, who wrote the novel on which the musical is based told ET: 'We're just listening, refining, redoing and seeing which songs work and which ones don't.' 

SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Returns To New York This Summer


The original producers of Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller, Broadway's longest running musical revue, announced today that the show will return to New York this summer following a limited engagement at Maine's Ogunquit Playhouse. Preview performances will begin at New York's Stage 42 (422 West 42nd Street) on July 6 and opening night is set for July 22. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, March 12 through telecharge.com and the box office will open on June 25. Casting is to be announced.

Iris Rainer Dart FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Iris Rainer Dart written?

Iris Rainer Dart has written 1 shows including The People in the Picture (Bookwriter).

What awards has Iris Rainer Dart been nominated for?

Iris Rainer Dart has been nominated for the Outstanding Book of a Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for "The People in the Picture."

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