This week we are proud to have David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori as our guests. Their show Kimberly Akimbo has just won five Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Score (Jeanine wrote the music, David the lyrics), Best Book (by David, based on his own play from 2000), Leading Actress in a Musical (Victoria Clark) and Featured Actress in a Musical (Bonnie Milligan).

This isn’t this dynamic duo’s first collaboration — they did Shrek the Musical together, and yes, they tell us how that went down — and of course they have sterling résumés separately. David is a remarkable playwright (and yet, in Elisabeth’s opinion, still oddly underrated) whose Rabbit Hole won a Pulitzer and a Tony; you may also have seen Good People (which gave Frances McDormand a plum role), Fuddy Meers and Ripcord. As for Jeanine, what is left to say? Since Violet, she has built one of the most impressive track records of any 21st-century musical-theater composers, with shows like Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change, Fun Home and Soft Power.

We loved chatting with this pair about their work process, songwriting teams and casting Kimberly Akimbo.

Some links…

Kimberly Akimbo is still playing at the Booth Theater so get tickets!

Peter reviewed Kimberly Akimbo on Broadway and talked to leads Victoria Clark and Justin Cooley.

Elisabeth talked to Lorna Courtney from & Juliet, previewed the musical Good Vibrations at Irish Arts Center, and cannot recommend the new Catherine Cohen show enough.

Exciting times on Marks & Vincentelli!

Thanks to Christian Huygen for our theme music.

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