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Susan Birkenhead

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BIO

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.

Photos

Productions

BOOP! The MusicalBOOP! The Musical
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Lyricist

Writing

Hats!
Composer/Lyricist
High Society
Lyricist
Love
Lyricist
Lyricist
Working
Lyricist

Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Susan Birkenhead, Boop! The Musical

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

Videos

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News


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Theatre Now Will Host Master Class With Rachel Sheinkin Photo
Theatre Now Will Host Master Class With Rachel Sheinkin
by Stephi Wild - Jun 16, 2025

​​​​​​​Theatre Now New York will host a Master Class with Tony Award-winning writer Rachel Sheinkin (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) next week.
Max Clayton to Star in HIGH SOCIETY at Ogunquit Playhouse Photo
Max Clayton to Star in HIGH SOCIETY at Ogunquit Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 3, 2025

Max Clayton will star as C.K. Dexter Haven in Ogunquit Playhouse’s reimagining of High Society. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Broadway Streaming Guide June 2025: Where to Watch FROZEN West End Proshot & More Photo
Broadway Streaming Guide June 2025: Where to Watch FROZEN West End Proshot & More
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 2, 2025

June is here, and with it are new streaming titles and returning theater favorites, including the official Frozen proshot, a new season of The Gilded Age, new Braodway cast recordings and more. Check out the lineup!
DEATH BECOMES HER vs. MINCEMEAT Battle For Best Ensemble In The BWW Awards; Last Chan Photo
DEATH BECOMES HER vs. MINCEMEAT Battle For Best Ensemble In The BWW Awards; Last Chance To Vote!
by BWW Awards - Jun 2, 2025

This is the final chance to vote for BroadwayWorld's 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater. There's just one week left to vote!
Video: BOOP! Composer David Foster Spotlighted on CBS SUNDAY MORNING Photo
Video: BOOP! Composer David Foster Spotlighted on CBS SUNDAY MORNING
by Josh Sharpe - May 27, 2025

Multi-Grammy Award winner and composer of Boop! The Musical David Foster was featured this past weekend on CBS Sunday Morning. During the segment, the hit-maker opened up about why he decided to tackle Broadway after a successful career working closely with the top artists of our day. Watch the interview here!
1 Week Left for the BWW Awards; MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Leading Over MINCEMEAT & DEATH BEC Photo
1 Week Left for the BWW Awards; MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Leading Over MINCEMEAT & DEATH BECOMES HER
by BWW Awards - May 27, 2025

The latest standings have been released for BroadwayWorld's 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater. There's just one week left to vote!
Two Weeks Left To Vote for the 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards Photo
Two Weeks Left To Vote for the 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards
by BWW Awards - May 19, 2025

Show your support for shows like Maybe Happy Ending, Operation Mincemeat, Death Becomes Her, BOOP! The Musical and more.
Video: Follow Jasmine Amy Rogers’ Journey to BOOP! Debut in STAGEBOUND Photo
Video: Follow Jasmine Amy Rogers’ Journey to BOOP! Debut in STAGEBOUND
by Josh Sharpe - May 14, 2025

PBS Great Performances has debuted the first episode of Stagebound, featuring Tony nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers as she takes on the title role in BOOP! The Musical. Watch it now!
First Standings Announced for the 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards Photo
First Standings Announced for the 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards
by BWW Awards - May 12, 2025

The first standings have been released for BroadwayWorld's 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.
2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards Winners- The Full List Photo
2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards Winners- The Full List
by Stephi Wild - May 12, 2025

The Outer Critics Circle has announced the winners for the 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards, honoring the 2024-2025 Broadway and Off-Broadway season. Check out the full list here!
Photos: Inside BOOP! THE MUSICAL's 'Conversations on Broadway' Panel Photo
Photos: Inside BOOP! THE MUSICAL's 'Conversations on Broadway' Panel
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 30, 2025

The company of Boop! The Musical headed to the Robin Williams Center for the Performing Arts as a part of SAG-AFTRA Foundation and BroadwayWorld's Conversations on Broadway series. The special panel featured creators Jerry Mitchell and Susan Birkenhead, along with castmembers Jasmine Amy Rogers, Ainsley Melham, Faith Prince, and Erich Bergen.
Videos: Jasmine Amy Rogers & BOOP! Cast Perform 'Where I Wanna Be' & 'The Color of Lo Photo
Videos: Jasmine Amy Rogers & BOOP! Cast Perform 'Where I Wanna Be' & 'The Color of Love'
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 30, 2025

On Wednesday morning, Jasmine Amy Rogers and her co-stars took the plaza stage to perform 'Where I Wanna Be' and 'The Color of Love' from the new musical based on the iconic cartoon character. Watch the performances here!
Interview: Westfield Native Joshua Michael Burrage Talks BOOP! The Musical Photo
Interview: Westfield Native Joshua Michael Burrage Talks BOOP! The Musical
by R. Scott Reedy - Apr 26, 2025

Few cultural icons have held the public’s attention for as long as the one and only Betty Boop. And now, the wide-eyed vixen has branched out from animated films and television to live-action Broadway in BOOP! The Musical.
Video: How BOOP! THE MUSICAL Became a Colorful Ode to Old School Broadway Photo
Video: How BOOP! THE MUSICAL Became a Colorful Ode to Old School Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 26, 2025

The Broadhurst Theatre might just be where you wanna be this spring. Boop! The Musical celebrated its opening night on April 5 and has been bringing audience to their feet ever since. Watch in this video as the cast and creative team take us inside its creation process!
2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations- The Full List Photo
2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations- The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 25, 2025

The Outer Critics Circle has announced the nominees for the 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards, honoring the 2024-2025 Broadway and Off-Broadway season. We have the full list of nominees here!
BOOP! The Musical to Release Original Broadway Cast Recording Photo
BOOP! The Musical to Release Original Broadway Cast Recording
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 24, 2025

BOOP! The Musical will release an Original Cast Recording in streaming and digital formats, including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, and more. Learn more about BOOP! The Musical.
Tune-In Alert: BOOP! THE MUSICAL To Perform On NBC's TODAY Show For 'Broadway Week' Photo
Tune-In Alert: BOOP! THE MUSICAL To Perform On NBC's TODAY Show For 'Broadway Week'
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 23, 2025

BOOP! The Musical will perform on NBC's TODAY Show on April 30 as part of Broadway Week, the breakfast broadcast's annual celebration of the best new Broadway musicals.
2025 Drama League Awards Nominations- The Full List Photo
2025 Drama League Awards Nominations- The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 22, 2025

The Drama League announced the 2025 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Play, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. We have the full list of nominees here!
Theatre Now Will Host Master Class With Lisa Lambert Photo
Theatre Now Will Host Master Class With Lisa Lambert
by Stephi Wild - Apr 22, 2025

​​​​​​​Theatre Now New York will host a Master Class with Tony Award-winning writer Lisa Lambert (The Drowsy Chaperone) next week. Learn more about the event here!
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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?

Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Boop! The Musical, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding New Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Triumph of Love, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Triumph of Love, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Jelly's Last Jam, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Jelly's Last Jam, Best Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Love and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Working.

What awards has Susan Birkenhead won?

Susan Birkenhead has won several prestigious awards, including 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, Outstanding Lyrics from the Drama Desk Awards for Jelly's Last Jam, and Best Score from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Love.

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