Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy That the History Books Left Out

The first-ever book to tell the stories of over 300 inspiring women who wrote Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals that Publishers Weekly calls "an exhaustive tribute to women whose contributions to Broadway musical history have often been overlooked." Library Journal praises the book, saying, "Tepper has fashioned a winning book on the unsung heroines of Broadway musicals that will be appreciated by readers of women's studies and theater lore." Kirkus Reviews says it's an "encyclopedic reference" and a "long-overdue tribute to female lyricists and composers."
From the composers who pounded the pavement selling their music in Tin Pan Alley at the turn of the twentieth century; to the lyricists who broke new ground writing shows during the Great Depression; to the book writers who penned protest musicals fighting for social justice during the 1970s; to those who are revitalizing the landscape of American theatre today, Women Writing Musicals tells the stories of over 300 inspiring women who wrote Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals.
Jennifer Ashley Tepper's definitive book covers prolific and celebrated Broadway writers like Betty Comden and Jeanine Tesori, women who have written musicals but gained fame elsewhere like Dolly Parton and Sara Bareilles, and dramatists you've never heard of-but definitely should have. Among the gems shared here are the stories of Clara Driscoll, who saved the Alamo and also wrote a Broadway musical; Micki Grant, whose mega-hit musical about the Black experience made her the first woman to write book, music, and lyrics for a Broadway show; María Grever, who made her Broadway debut at age 56 and who was the first Mexican female composer to achieve international success; and the first all-female writing team for a Broadway musical, in 1922: Annelu Burns, Anna Wynne O'Ryan, Madelyn Sheppard, and Helen S. Woodruff. This book is a treasure trove for theatre-loving readers that Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor and singer Kristin Chenoweth praises as "a wonderful resource for actors, and an important read for anyone interested in theatre."

Author: Jennifer Ashley Tepper
Publisher: Applause Books
Published: 11/19/2024
Pages: 408
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.57lbs
Size: 9.31h x 6.48w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781493080311


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 08/05/2024
Library Journal 10/01/2024 pg. 116
Kirkus Reviews 11/01/2024
Choice 07/01/2025

About the Author
Jennifer Ashley Tepper is the author of four volumes of "The Untold Stories of Broadway" book series. She is the Creative and Programming Director at 54 Below, a position she has held for over a decade, curating or producing over 7,000 shows. In addition, she was the producer of the musicals Be More Chill, Broadway Bounty Hunter, and Love In Hate Nation, projects that are part of a decade-long collaboration with Joe Iconis & Family. Her other Broadway credits include [title of show] and Godspell. Tepper is co-creator of the Bistro Award-winning concert series "If It Only Even Runs A Minute," celebrating underappreciated musicals, and conceiver of The Jonathan Larson Project. She was the historian consultant on the film, tick, tick... BOOM!