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Susan Birkenhead

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Susan Birkenhead is an American lyricist.

Birkenhead made her Broadway debut as one of a team of songwriters contributing to Working (1978), for which she received her first Tony Award nomination. Her second was earned for Jelly's Last Jam (1992), which won her the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics and a Grammy Award nomination. Additional Broadway credits include Triumph of Love (Drama Desk nomination) and additional lyrics for the Cole Porter tunes in the 1998 revival of High Society.

Birkenhead's Off-Broadway and regional theatre credits include What About Luv?, a musical adaptation of the Murray Schisgal play Luv, for which she won the Outer Critics Circle Award; Pieces of Eight with Jule Styne and Michael Stewart; Fanny Hackabout Jones with Erica Jong and Lucy Simon; The Night They Raided Minsky's with Charles Strouse and Evan Hunter, the new musical Minsky's based on the same; and, in collaboration with Henry Krieger, two potentially Broadway-bound projects based on hit films, The Flamingo Kid and Moonstruck (with a book by screenwriter John Patrick Shanley).

Birkenhead is one of several lyricists who contributed to Hats!, a musical inspired by the Red Hat Society, which is enjoying an open-ended run at Harrah's New Orleans, after premiering at the New Denver Civic Theatre. The musical had a limited engagement at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago starting in April 2007.

Radio Girl, a musical based on Kate Douglas Wiggin's Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, premiered at the Goodspeed Musicals' Norma Terrace Theatre with music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Birkenhead, and a book by Daniel Goldfarb. The show ran in 2010 from July 29 to August 22.

She also wrote the lyrics for the musical version of Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, with music by Duncan Sheik and a book by Lynn Nottage. It premiered at the Off-Broadway Atlantic Theater Company on May 12, 2019.

Susan Birkenhead Photos

Susan Birkenhead Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Lyrics

Susan Birkenhead, The Secret Life of Bees


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding New Score

Susan BirkenheadThe Secret Life of Bees


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Lyrics

Susan BirkenheadTriumph of Love

Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Lyrics

Susan Birkenhead, Triumph of Love


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Lyrics

Susan Birkenhead, Jelly's Last Jam

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Susan Birkenhead, Jelly's Last Jam


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1984 - Best Score

Susan Birkenhead, Love

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Susan Birkenhead, Working

Susan Birkenhead Videos

Susan Birkenhead News


Adam Guettel, Austin Pendleton and More Will Be Honored with Dramatists Guild Awards


The Dramatists Guild previously announced that playwright Christopher Durang will receive a Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s ceremony. He will be joined by two additional recipients, George C. Wolfe and Emily Mann.

The Museum of Broadway Will Host Reunions For the Casts of THE WHO'S TOMMY and JELLY'S LAST JAM


The Museum of Broadway will host two upcoming events reunited the original Broadway casts of The Who's Tommy and Jelly's Last Jam next week. Learn more about both events here!

John Clarence Stewart, Jasmine Amy Rogers & Cress Williams to Lead JELLY'S LAST JAM in Pasadena


Pasadena Playhouse has revealed the cast for its new production of the Tony Award winning musical Jelly’s Last Jam. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Feature: BROADWAY BOUND Shares Rare Songs & Behind-the-Scenes Tales at 54 Below


Not every musical setting sails for Broadway finds a smooth trip or arrives at its destination. Some sink. But why? Was it the wrong captain or just stormy seas? Many carried marvelous musical cargo. Robert W. Schneider explores the reasons in his BROADWAY BOUND podcast. His next live edition of Broadway Bound is March 5th at 54 Below.

Bonnie Milligan and J. Harrison Ghee Will Host Maestra's AMPLIFY 2024


Maestra Music will present the much-anticipated Amplify 2024, hosted by Tony Award winners Bonnie Milligan and J. Harrison Ghee. We have all the details!

Broadway Buying Guide: February 26, 2024- See the New SWEENEY TODD Cast and More


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, February 26, 2024.

Review Roundup: JELLY'S LAST JAM Opens at New York City Center


Read the reviews for Jelly's Last Jam at New York City Center, starring Billy Porter and more.

Photos: The Cast of JELLY'S LAST JAM at City Center Encores! Meets the Press


Jelly’s Last Jam runs February 21 through March 3 at New York City Center. The company recently met the press and BroadwayWorld was on hand to chat with them about the upcoming show. Check out photos from the press event here!

Photos: Encores! JELLY'S LAST JAM Cast Poses for Portrait


Rehearsals are now underway for Encores! next show- Jelly’s Last Jam, led by director Robert O’Hara. Check out a new photo as the cast paused from rehearsals here!

Broadway Buying Guide: February 12, 2024- Get Tickets to MOULIN ROUGE!, SWEENEY TODD, and More


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, February 12, 2024.

Okieriete Onaodowan & Alaman Diadhiou Complete the Cast of Encores! JELLY'S LAST JAM


Okieriete Onaodowan (Hamilton) will join the cast of Encores! Jelly’s Last Jam as Buddy Bolden and Alaman Diadhiou will make his New York stage debut as Young Jelly. See the full cast and learn how to purchase tickets!

Maestra Music To Present the Music of Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Amanda Green and More At AMPLIFY 2024


Maestra Music has announced the much-anticipated Amplify 2024, directed by Jessica Ryan, celebrating the work of female and nonbinary composers and featuring works by Academy Award-winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez, and more!

Video: The Encores! Orchestra Rehearses JELLY'S LAST JAM


It's Jelly's first Jam! The 15-piece Encores! Orchestra, led by Guest Music Director Jason Michael Webb are jammin’ in “Jelly’s Jam,” a musical theater orchestration of Jelly Roll Morton’s iconic original jazz music, and Webb provides insight into how the music connects past and present in this video.

Black Theatre Coalition To Host Inaugural BUILDING THE CHANGE Gala On February 12


Co-founders T. Oliver Reid, Warren Adams, and Reginald “Reggie” Van Lee, along with Board Members Aaliytha Stevens and Naila McKenzie, have announced that the Black Theatre Coalition will host its Inaugural Gala on Monday, February 12, 2024 in New York City at the Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor).

Ramin Karimloo, Chuck Cooper, Judy Kuhn & More Join Encores! TITANIC


NEW YORK CITY CENTER announced additional casting for Encores! Titanic, the final production of the 30th Encores! series. Check out who has joined the star-studded line-up!

A SIGN OF THE TIMES, BROOKLYN LAUNDRY & More Lead Top Off-Broadway Shows February


What's happening off-Broadway? BroadwayWorld is helping you pick what to see next by rounding up our top recommended theatre each month. Coming up off-Broadway this February are world premieres, new musicals and more.

Nicholas Christopher, John Clay III, Tiffany Mann, and Leslie Uggams Join JELLY'S LAST JAM at Encores!


NEW YORK CITY CENTER has revealed additional casting for Jelly’s Last Jam the second production of the 30th Encores! series.

Review: WORKING at MUK Theater


There might be no better place for a university for music and arts than in the heart of Vienna, surrounded by historical buildings where the greatest composers of all time have been strolling around. Unsurprisingly, many now-famous musical actors, like the latest newcomer, Moritz Mausser (ROCK ME AMADEUS's Leading Man), were trained at this prestigious institution. Getting the chance to see future graduates perform in front of an audience is something you definitely can't miss. Seeing the (potential) future of Musical Theatre is always worth a visit.

Photos: First Look at The Mill at Sonning's Production of HIGH SOCIETY


Check out production photos from The Mill at Sonning's production of HIGH SOCIETY from 29 November, 2023 to 20 January, 2024!

Review: BOOP! THE MUSICAL Pre-Broadway World Premiere Presented By Broadway In Chicago


Betty Boop is making her stage debut...and thanks to Jasmine Amy Rogers in the role, she’s making a real star turn. I truly didn’t know what to expect when BOOP! THE MUSICAL was announced. How would a cartoon character featured primarily in animated shorts from 1930-1939 make her way into a 2023 musical? The answer ends up being a conventionally plotted, enjoyable visual wonder with some classic big musical numbers. BOOP! THE MUSICAL brings the bops and good vibes.

Susan Birkenhead FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Susan Birkenhead written?

Susan Birkenhead has written 14 shows including Working (Lyricist), King of Schnorrers (Lyricist), A...My Name Is Alice (Material), Love (Lyricist), Tatterdemalion (Lyricist), Pieces of Eight (Lyricist), High Society (Lyricist), What About Luv? (Lyricist), Jelly's Last Jam (Lyricist), Triumph of Love (Lyricist), The Night They Raided Minsky's (Lyricist), The Flamingo Kid (Lyricist), Hats! (Composer/Lyricist), Monsoon Wedding (Lyrics).

What awards has Susan Birkenhead been nominated for?

Susan Birkenhead has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Secret Life of Bees" and "Triumph of Love," as well as for "Jelly's Last Jam." She was also nominated for Outstanding New Score at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "The Secret Life of Bees" and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Jelly's Last Jam" and "Working." Additionally, she received a nomination for Best Score at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Love."

What awards has Susan Birkenhead won?

Susan Birkenhead has won the following awards: Outstanding New Score from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Lyrics from the Drama Desk Awards for Triumph of Love and Jelly's Last Jam, and Best Score from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Love.

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