Mark Saltzman Headshot

Mark Saltzman

Get Mark Saltzman Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Mark Saltzman BIO

Mark Saltzman is an American writer and composer with an impressive career in both theater and television. Born in 1951 in Los Angeles, Saltzman grew up with a love for music and theater, which led him to pursue a degree in drama at the University of California, Irvine. After graduation, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in theater.
Saltzman made his Broadway debut in 1983 as a composer and lyricist for the musical "The Song of Singapore." The show, which was a spoof of old Hollywood films, received mixed reviews but was praised for its catchy tunes and witty lyrics. Saltzman's work on the show earned him a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Lyrics.
In 1989, Saltzman wrote the book for the musical "Romance/Romance," which was based on two short stories by Arthur Schnitzler. The show received critical acclaim and was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical for Saltzman. The show's score, which was composed by Keith Herrmann, featured lyrics by Saltzman and was also well-received.
Saltzman continued to work in the theater throughout the 1990s, writing the book and lyrics for the musical "The Tin Pan Alley Rag," which premiered Off-Broadway in 1997. The show, which was about the rivalry between composers Scott Joplin and Irving Berlin, received positive reviews and was nominated for several Drama Desk Awards.
In addition to his work in the theater, Saltzman has also had a successful career in television. He began writing for the children's television show "Sesame Street" in the 1980s and has since written for several other children's shows, including "The Magic School Bus" and "The Puzzle Place." Saltzman also wrote for the popular sitcom "Murphy Brown" in the 1990s, for which he won an Emmy Award.
Saltzman's most recent work includes the musical "The Red Shoes," which premiered at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in 2019. The show, which was based on the classic fairy tale, featured music and lyrics by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn, with a book by Saltzman. The production received mixed reviews, but Saltzman's work on the show was praised for its clever adaptation of the story.

Mark Saltzman Photos

Mark Saltzman Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Mark Saltzman, Romeo and Bernadette

Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Lyrics

Mark Saltzman, Romeo and Bernadette


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Mark Saltzman, Romeo and Bernadette

Mark Saltzman Videos

Mark Saltzman News


Nikki Crawford, Claybourne Elder & More to Star in FALLING FOR MAKE BELIEVE Developmental Readings


Amas Musical Theatre and the Amas Musical Theatre Lab, will present developmental lab readings of Falling For Make Believe: The Life and Songs of Lorenz Hart, with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart.

Telly Leung & More to Star in HAS ANYONE SEEN MY MIND? Industry Readings


Private industry readings of 'Has Anyone Seen My Mind?' by Bill Russell, are scheduled for October 26 & 27.

North Coast Repertory Theatre to Present ROCKET CITY This Month


North Coast Repertory Theatre will present a staged reading of Rocket City by Mark Saltzman, directed by David Ellenstein, on October 23, 2023 at 7:30pm.

ALICE, FORMERLY OF WONDERLAND World Premiere & More Set for Ensemble Theatre Company 2023-2024 Season


Ensemble Theatre Company has announced its 2023-2024, 45th season of shows. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets!

ROMEO & BERNADETTE Plays Final Performance Off-Broadway


Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn, with book and lyrics by Mark Saltzman, music adapted from classic Italian melodies, directed and choreographed by Justin Ross Cohen announced the unexpected closing of the show due to a COVID outbreak within the company.

BWW Interview: ROMEO & BERNADETTE's Nikita Burshteyn on Originating the Role of Romeo and More!


Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn is now running off-Broadway. We chatted with Nikita Burshteyn about his experience originating the role of Romeo, his favorite memories working on the show, and much more!

ROMEO & BERNADETTE: A MUSICAL TALE OF VERONA & BROOKLYN Extends At Theatre 555


The show announced a five-week extension of the critically-acclaimed hit Off-Broadway production of Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn. 

Photos: Broadway's Ken Page Visits ROMEO & BERNADETTE


Broadway's Ken Page attended the Wednesday matinee performance of 'Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn.'  The cast and director Justin Ross Cohen were thrilled to meet and chat with him after the show.  Check out the photos!

Photo: SESAME STREET's Sonia Manzano Visits ROMEO & BERNADETTE


Sonia Manzano, who portrayed ‘Maria’ on “Sesame Street” from 1971-2015 attended the matinee performance yesterday (Sunday, 5/22) of ROMEO & BERNADETTE.  She and Mark Saltzman, the book & lyric writer of the show, worked together on the show for many years.

Sunday Morning Michael Dale: Billy Crystal, Mr. Saturday Night and The Tricky Business of When (and when not) To Be Funny


When portraying a comedian in a play, sometimes getting the laugh is not the point.

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of ROMEO & BERNADETTE


The Off-Broadway production of Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn, with book and lyrics by Mark Saltzman, music adapted from classic Italian melodies, directed and choreographed by Justin Ross Cohen, and starring the original cast,  officially opened on Monday, May 16 at Theater 555 (555 West 42nd Street - between 10th and 11th Avenues).

VIDEO: First Look at ROMEO & BERNADETTE Opening Tonight Off-Broadway


Performances of Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona began May 3, 2022, for a limited engagement through Sunday afternoon, June 26, 2022, at 3:00PM. Opening Night is TONIGHT, Monday, May 16, 2022, at 7:00PM.

Photos: First Look at ROMEO & BERNADETTE Off-Broadway


The Off-Broadway production of Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn, with book and lyrics by Mark Saltzman, music adapted from classic Italian melodies, directed and choreographed by Justin Ross Cohen, and starring the original cast, is now being presented at Theater 555.

ROMEO & BERNADETTE to Begin Performances Tomorrow at Theater 555


Producer Eric Krebs, in association with Amas Musical Theatre will present the Off-Broadway production of Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn, with book and lyrics by Mark Saltzman, music adapted from classic Italian melodies, directed and choreographed by Justin Ross Cohen.

Photos: First Look at the Cast and Creative Team of ROMEO & BERNADETTE


The Off-Broadway production of Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn, with book and lyrics by Mark Saltzman, music adapted from classic Italian melodies, directed and choreographed by Justin Ross Cohen, and starring the original cast, will open at Theater 555 for a limited engagement.

VIDEO: First Look at ROMEO & BERNADETTE Cast Photo Shoot


The star crossed lovers – Romeo (Nikita Burshteyn) and Bernadette (Anna Kostakis) were reunited this week for the first time in 2 years when they met with the show’s director/choreographer Justin Ross Cohen for a photo shoot in anticipation of the show’s return.  Check out the fun video!

ROMEO & BERNADETTE Tickets On Sale Today


TICKETS ON SALE TODAY! Love is in the air for the critically-acclaimed hit Off-Broadway production of Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn, with book and lyrics by Mark Saltzman, music adapted from classic Italian melodies, directed and choreographed by Justin Ross Cohen. 

Wake Up With BWW 2/3: MJ Opening Night Photos, ANNIE Tour, and More!


On Tuesday night, MJ the Musical officially opened. We brought you photos and video from the red carpet, and of the cast taking their first bows. Check out all of our coverage here! Plus, Annie is set to embark on a new tour this fall, Romeo & Bernadette sets off-Broadway dates, and more!

ROMEO & BERNADETTE Will Begin Performances Off-Broadway in May


The critically-acclaimed hit Off-Broadway production of Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn, with book and lyrics by Mark Saltzman, music adapted from classic Italian melodies, directed and choreographed by Justin Ross Cohen, and starring the original cast will be presented at Theater 555 for a limited engagement.

ROMEO & BERNADETTE Postpones Upcoming Off-Broadway Run


The critically-acclaimed hit Off-Broadway production of Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn will postpone its in-town out-of-town engagement at Theater 555 until further notice.

Mark Saltzman FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Mark Saltzman written?

Mark Saltzman has written 4 shows including A...My Name Is Alice (Material), Candles, Snow & Mistletoe (Composer), Romeo and Bernadette (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Tin Pan Alley Rag (Bookwriter).

What awards has Mark Saltzman been nominated for?

Mark Saltzman has been nominated for the following awards: - Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Romeo and Bernadette - Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Romeo and Bernadette - Outstanding Book of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Romeo and Bernadette.

What awards has Mark Saltzman won?

Mark Saltzman has won the Outstanding Book of a Musical award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Romeo and Bernadette."

Get Mark Saltzman Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos