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Cynthia Weil

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BIO

Weil was born in New York City on October 18, 1940. She grew up on the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side of Manhattan in a Conservative Jewish family. Her father was Morris Weil, a furniture store owner and the son of Lithuanian-Jewish immigrants, and her mother was Dorothy Mendez, who grew up in a Sephardic Jewish family in Brooklyn. Weil trained as an actress and dancer, studying theater at Sarah Lawrence College, but soon demonstrated a songwriting ability that led to her collaboration with Barry Mann, whom she married in August 1961. The couple had one daughter, Jenn Mann. Weil became one of the Brill Building songwriters of the 1960s, and one of the most important writers during the emergence of rock and roll.



Weil and her husband went on to create songs for many contemporary artists, winning several Grammy Awards as well as Academy Award nominations for their compositions for film. As their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame biography put it, in part: "Mann and Weil's... [works went from] epic ballads ('On Broadway', 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'') to outright rockers ('Kicks', 'We Gotta Get Out of This Place') [and they also] placed an emphasis on meaningful lyrics in their songwriting. With Weil writing the words and Mann the music, they came up with a number of songs that addressed such serious subjects as racial and economic divides[,] 'Uptown', ...and the difficult reality of making it in the big city ('On Broadway'). 'Only in America'... tackled segregation and racism, making it rather too controversial for the Drifters, who were the intended artists. 'We Gotta Get Out of This Place' became an anthem for [the] Vietnam soldier, antiwar protesters, and young people who viewed it as an anthem of greater opportunities."

In 1987, she was inducted with her husband into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 1988, Weil won two awards at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards for co-writing "Somewhere Out There" from the animated film An American Tail: Song of the Year and Best Song Written for Visual Media.

In 2004, Mann and Weil's They Wrote That? a musical revue based on their songs, opened in New York. In it, Mann sang and Weil related stories about the songs and their personal history. Weil and Mann were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category. "From the bottom of my heart and with the greatest humility," Weil said in her acceptance, "I thought you guys would never ask." In 2011, Mann and Weil received the Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2015, Weil published her first novel, I'm Glad I Did, a mystery set in 1963.

Weil died at home in Beverly Hills, California, on June 1, 2023, at age 82.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Herself


Writing

Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist

Videos

News


ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE is Coming to The Carnegie in July
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 14, 2025

Get lost in Patsy Cline’s music all over again in ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE this summer. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets here!
Video: BEAUTIFUL THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Farmers Alley Theatre
by Emmy Rice - Jul 12, 2025

Farmers Alley Theatre will present Beautiful, the Carole King Musical from July 10-20 at the Nelda K. Balch Festival Playhouse on the campus of Kalamazoo College. See the trailer video here! 
Video: Inside Rehearsals for BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Farmers Alley Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 28, 2025

Farmers Alley Theatre will bring Season 17 to a close as they present BEAUTIFUL, the Carole King Musical at the Nelda K. Balch Festival Playhouse on the campus of Kalamazoo College. Check out rehearsal footage here! 
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Comes to Farmers Alley Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 18, 2025

Farmers Alley Theatre will bring Season 17 to a close as they present BEAUTIFUL, the Carole King Musical at the Nelda K. Balch Festival Playhouse on the campus of Kalamazoo College. 
Review: Reagle Music Theatre's BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Lives Up to its Name
by R. Scott Reedy - Jun 15, 2025

When it comes to jukebox musicals, “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” is one of the very best – a veritable Wurlitzer 1015.
Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Menken, & More Set for 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 9, 2025

Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Menken, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, and more will either present and/or perform at the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner slated for Thursday, June 12th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. 
Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Sets Fifth Anniversary Awards Gala
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 4, 2025

The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame will celebrate its milestone fifth anniversary with a two-day awards gala at the Mead Center for American Theatre in Washington, DC Friday and Saturday, June 20-21, 2025.
Review: BEAUTIFUL Absolutely Stuns at City Springs Theatre Company
by Caroline Powell - May 3, 2025

What did our critic think of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at City Springs Theatre Company? City Springs Theatre Company closes out its seventh season with BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Directed by Shane Delancey and choreographed by Jordan Pretorius, this production is the perfect kickoff to summer, great for all ages.
BEAUTIFUL, THE 39 STEPS, and More Set For Bergen County Players' 2025-26 Season
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2025

The Bergen County Players has announced its 2025/26 season with an ambitious, joyous, and playful year of audience-pleasing musicals and innovative plays for its 93rd season.
SISTER ACT, ANNIE and More Set for Argyle Theatre 2025-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 30, 2025

The Argyle Theatre has unveiled its 2025-2026 Main Stage season—featuring a soul-stirring, dance-filled, and family-friendly lineup of musical theatre hits. Learn more!
Bergen County Players To Hold Open Auditions For BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 21, 2025

Bergen County Players will hold open auditions for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. BCP is seeking a multicultural cast of men and women with fantastic singing, acting, and dancing abilities to play main and supporting roles. Learn more!
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Closes CSTC's 7th Season
by Caroline Powell - Apr 17, 2025

CSTC is closing it's seventh season with the iconic Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, bringing together Broadway and local talent for an unforgettable show.
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Comes to Riverside Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Mar 25, 2025

 Riverside Theatre has announced the final production of the 2024-2025 season, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Learn more about this upcoming performance here!
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL is Coming to The Alhambra Theatre & Dining
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 21, 2025

The Alhambra Theatre & Dining will present Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. This Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical tells the inspiring true story of Carole King's remarkable rise to stardom. Learn more!
Stephen Schwartz To Receive The Songwriters Hall Of Fame Prestigious Johnny Mercer Award
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 13, 2025

Stephen Schwartz will be the 2025 recipient of the esteemed Johnny Mercer Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala slated for Thursday, June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Stephen Schwartz to Receive Johnny Mercer Award at the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 12, 2025

Stephen Schwartz will be the 2025 recipient of the esteemed Johnny Mercer Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala slated for Thursday, June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Video: Anika Larsen is Advocating for a Better Tomorrow with THE POCKET PARK KIDS
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - Mar 7, 2025

New York City Children’s Theater is now presenting the world premiere of The Pocket Park Kids, the story of neighborhood kids coming together to save a neglected city park. With original music, puppetry, and an inspiring message about sustainability, the play highlights how 'small people can get big things done.' Watch the full interview in this video.
Cast Set for BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Axelrod PAC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 6, 2025

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park, NJ has revealed the full cast for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
FROZEN, HAIRSPRAY, and More Set For Broward Center's Slow Burn Theatre Company 2025/2026 Season
by Stephi Wild - Feb 27, 2025

Slow Burn Theatre Company has announced its upcoming season of five shows, Frozen, Hairspray, Alanis Morisette’s Jagged Little Pill, and more. Check out the full season lineup here!
Video: Watch a Preview of BEAUTIFUL at Pioneer Theatre Company
by Michael Major - Feb 25, 2025

Pioneer Theatre Company, Utah’s premier professional theatre company in residence at the University of Utah, has revealed a new preview of their feel-good, beloved bio-musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Watch the video!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Cynthia Weil written?

Cynthia Weil has written 5 shows including Dancin' (Composer/Lyricist), Just Once (Composer/Lyricist), They Wrote That? (Songs), Mask (Lyricist), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Composer).

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