Mel Marvin

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Mel Marvin BIO

Mel's long career as a composer includes scores for 30 musicals, 47 plays, and 3 operas. His musical Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas returned in 2019 for its yearly national tour, with two companies playing 11 cities in the U.S. and the U.K. Canceled for 2020 by the pandemic, The Grinch, which appeared on Broadway during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, was last seen in New York for a month-long run at Madison Square Garden Theater in 2018. It has also been running for 21 consecutive sold-out seasons at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Mel received two Tony nominations as a co-author of Tintypes and wrote the music for the Broadway productions of Yentl and Chris Durang’s A History of the American Film. He has had 11 shows produced Off-Broadway, including The Portable Pioneer and Prairie Show, (originally commissioned by the Guthrie Theater) at The Melting Pot, Sybille Pearson's True History and Real Adventures at The Vineyard, Marvin’s Garden and Prizewinning Plays at MTC, Chris Durang’s Das Lusitania Songspiel, Polly, The Prince of Homburg and Lincoln at Chelsea Theatre Center, etc. He has served as composer or director of scores of productions in most of America’s major regional theatres, including Lincoln Center Theater (Cymbeline in 2007), Arena Stage, The Guthrie Theater (where he most recently wrote a new incidental score for Hamlet), ART, La Jolla Playhouse and L.A.’s Mark Taper Forum (where he was an associate artist and wrote the original music for the world premiere production of both parts of Angels in America, directed by Oskar Eustis.) His work as a director includes both classical and contemporary plays, as well as a focus on new opera, including Different Fields, by Mike Reid and Sarah Schlesinger developed for the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Other work includes Great Expectations, written with author John Jakes, produced by Goodspeed Musicals, Gold with Timothy Mason, commissioned and produced by England’s National Theatre. Two operas. Guest from the Future, with libretto by Jonathan Levi, premiered at Bard Summerscape Festival in August, 2004; and Buwalsky, A Road Opera, commissioned by Holland’s Opera Spanga, premiered in The Netherlands then toured in the U.S. the same year, including performances at NYU's Skirball Center. His musical, Eden, received a developmental workshop at the Eugene O'Neill Musical Theater Conference in July, 2010, and was seen in concert at Joe's Pub in 2011. Joan of Arc, a music/theatre work written with Laura Harrington, received a new production by Nautilus Chamber Theatre in the Fall of 2011 and was revived in 2012. His current work: Truth and Reconciliation, an opera for baritone and 4 musicians, was developed at the O’Neill Theater Center and was produced at Opera America in January of 2020. Perfect 36, planned for Nashville and a tour in 2020, was canceled by the pandemic. Instead, music videos of the songs have been used in the National Convention of the League of Women Voters and by committees and chapters of that organization to promote GOTV in November. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Theatre Communications Group, as well as the recipient of grants and awards, including three from the National Endowment for the Arts, and he has been a member of many grants panels. He began at the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program as a guest mentor in l989, became an adjunct composer and director in 1991, joined the full-time faculty in 1995, became Head Faculty Composer in 1998, Associate Arts Professor in 2004, and Arts Professor in 2014. In 2012, Mel received Tisch's David Payne Carter Award for Teaching Excellence.

Mel Marvin STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1981
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1980
Piano

Mel Marvin Productions

 
[Broadway, 2007]
Composer
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Music Arranger
Musical/Vocal Arrangements
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Composer
 
[Broadway, 1980]
Vocal Music Arranger
Pianist
Music Arranger
Conductor
Music Arrangements
 
[Off-Broadway, 1980]
Music Arrangements
Musical Director
 
[Broadway, 1975]
Composer
 
[West End, 1972]
Dance/Incidental Arrangements
 
[Broadway, 1972]
Composer
Dance Music Arranger
Musical Supervisor
Vocal Music Arranger
 
[Broadway, 1970]
Dance Music Arranger
Dance/Incidental Music

Writing

Composer/Lyricist
Conceiver
Bookwriter

Mel Marvin Awards and Nominations

Mel Marvin Videos

Mel Marvin News


Review: THE GRINCH Stage Musical Slithers Back into OC's Segerstrom Center

The touring stage adaptation of Dr. Seuss' cheeky holiday tale returns to the OC's Segerstrom Center with a non-equity cast. While the show itself is still a charmer—especially for young audiences—the bad audio mix at Costa Mesa's largest theater leaves most of the show's lyrics and dialogue indecipherable.

Review: DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL at DPAC

It doesn’t get much more classic Christmas story than Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, whether you’re reading the book or watching one of the several film adaptations. So seeing the story brought to life onstage is the perfect night out this holiday season for the whole family.

Review: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at Broadway San Jose

What did our critic think of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at Broadway San Jose?

Photos: Children's Theatre Company Presents DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!

Children’s Theatre Company has released production photos for the hotly-anticipated return engagement of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, which will run from November 7, 2023-January 7, 2024 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL is Coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Segerstrom Center for the Arts will present Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical for 9 performances at Segerstrom Hall from December 19-24, 2023 as part of the 2023/2024 Broadway season.

Segerstrom Center For The Arts Announces 2023 Holiday Concerts Featuring Megan Hilty and More

Segerstrom Center for the Arts will present an incredible lineup of festive performances to make this season merry and bright, including international music sensations, timeless dance, esteemed recording artists, lively outdoor activities, and a Christmas Broadway classic. Find out about the upcoming concerts here!

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL is Coming to San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts This Holiday Season

The Grinch is set to take over San Jose this Thanksgiving weekend! Get ready for a festive and heartwarming holiday show.

Tis The Season For Holiday Fun At Segerstrom Center For The Arts!

Celebrate the holiday season at Segerstrom Center for the Arts with a lineup of festive shows including The Nutcracker, Silent Night Silent Disco, and more!

Interview: Reed Sigmund of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at Children's Theatre Company

A miserly and miserable, ever-so-cantankerous Grinch has observed the despicable Christmas joy of the Whos with disdain, from a distance, for decades. Enough! In this CTC holiday favorite, filled with music and Seussian rhymes, he plots the greatest heist imaginable—stealing the very thing they love the most! Until, that is, the smallest of the Whos, tiny Cindy Lou, extends a hand.

Riverside Native Peter Brosius To Direct DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! For Children's Theatre Company

Riverside native Peter Brosius is the director of 'Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!' at Children's Theatre Company. Learn more about his distinguished career and this production.

THE GRINCH Is Coming To Steal Christmas In San Jose!

THE GRINCH is coming to San Jose to steal Christmas! Don't miss this holiday classic brought to life on stage.

The Old Globe Cast And Creative Team Of DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!

The Old Globe announces the full cast and creative team of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Directed by James Vásquez and featuring Andrew Polec as The Grinch.

DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS Returns To Children's Theatre Company This Holiday Season

Children’s Theatre Company has announced the complete cast and creative team for the hotly-anticipated return engagement of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, which will run from November 7, 2023-January 7, 2024. Learn more about the show here!

Contra Costa Civic Theatre to Present TINTYPES This Fall

Join Contra Costa Civic Theatre for their production of Tintypes, a charming musical revue that takes you back to America's last great Age of Innocence. Featuring patriotic songs, romantic tunes, and ragtime by the musical masters of the era, this show is a must-see. Get your tickets now!

The Grinch and Scrooge Will Return to the Old Globe This Holiday Season

The Old Globe will celebrate the holidays with two popular San Diego yuletide traditions: the annual production of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and the comedic Dickens send-up Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show.

THE GRINCH Comes to Costa Mesa This Holiday Season

Tickets for the beloved holiday tale, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical will go on sale July 25 at 10 AM for its engagement at Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts from December 19–24, 2023.

THE GRINCH is Coming to Steal Christmas in Providence at PPAC This Holiday Season

The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) will present Dr. Seuss’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! The Musical for 10 performances at PPAC from Tuesday, November 28 to Sunday, December 3, 2023.

Children's Theatre Company 2023-2024 Single Tickets Now On Sale

Children’s Theatre Company has announced that single tickets for all 2023-2024 Season productions are now on sale.

Children's Theatre Company Announces 2023 �" 2024 Season

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) has announced the 2023-2024 Season of seven productions! Learn more about the full lineup here!

Andrew Polec Will Reprise Role in HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at the Old Globe

The Old Globe has announced the full cast and creative team for its 25th annual production of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Globe Resident Artist James Vásquez (Hair) directs San Diego’s yuletide favorite musical once again with Andrew Polec reprising his role as The Grinch.

Mel Marvin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Mel Marvin has written 6 shows including Polly (Composer/Lyricist), A History of the American Film (Composer), Tintypes (Conceiver), Constance and the Musician (Composer), The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm (Conceiver), Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Composer).

Mel Marvin has been nominated for the Outstanding New Play award at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Elmer Gantry."

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