About this episode
An interview with Tony-nominated composer Laurence O'Keefe discussing his career and insights into musical theater.
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-nominated composer, lyricist, and librettist Laurence O’Keefe, author of the musical HEATHERS, which is currently playing at New World Stages. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including developing BAT BOY at the Actors’ Gang, revising the show for productions at Harvard and Encores!, deconstructing the title song of LEGALLY BLONDE, what he learned from the Hasty Pudding Show, what Lorne Michaels says about high school musicals, why he initially said no to HEATHERS, doing musical research for the show, making the film effective for modern audiences, what he learned from Annie Tippe, crafting a uniquely American story with HUZZAH!, why musical theater is inherently preachy, writing harmony for “Seventeen,” looking for moments to musicalize, performing cut songs at Birdland, casting the role of Elle Woods, working with Hal Prince on THE MICE, premiering THE LIFE OF THE PARTY at LaGuardia, why he cut “Blue,” his favorite compositional principles, working with David Shiner and Cirque Du Soleil, his new project involving Fado music, and so much more. Don’t miss this masterclass in musical theater writing…
People in this episode
Guest: Laurence O'Keefe
Topics covered
- musical theater
- composition
- interview
- career stories
- theatrical productions
- songwriting
Keywords
- musical theater
- Laurence O'Keefe
- HEATHERS
- composition
- songwriting
- BAT BOY
- LEGALLY BLONDE
- Cirque Du Soleil
- musical research
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Hasty Pudding Show, Cirque Du Soleil
Books & works: HEATHERS, BAT BOY, LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MICE, THE LIFE OF THE PARTY, HUZZAH!
Places: LaGuardia, Birdland, New World Stages
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