History: BMI and Musical Theatre

A strong story with memorable songs is hard to resist, and the musical theatre offers countless examples of this winning combination. BMI has supported this unique American art form from the start and opened its musical theatre department in 1957. It represents some of its most successful creators, including John Kander and Fred Ebb (Chicago and Cabaret), Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me and Fiorello), Lionel Bart (Oliver), Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley (Stop The World I Want To Get Off, The Roar of the Greasepaint. The Smell of the Crowd), Roger Miller (Big River), Elton John (The Lion King), Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop Of Horrors), Mel Brookes (The Producers), and Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (2004 Tony Award for Best Score and Musical, Avenue Q)

BMI also recognizes that the musical theatre writers of tomorrow must nurture their craft under the guidance of master writers. To that end, it created the Musical Theatre Workshop in 1961. Its first director was Lehman Engel, one of the preeminent figures on Broadway whose career dated back to 1936. The workshop comprises several elements. In the first year, songwriters complete assignments with the goal of creating a ten minute musical. The second years builds upon those skills and focuses on a complete musical. An advanced group, led by two time Tony Award winner Maury Yeston (Titanic, Grand Hotel, and Nine), expands upon these skills. Finally, a librettists workshop specifically works on the creation of a book, and the members collaborate with the other songwriters.
The workshops are free but require an application form and submission of material. Finalists will be asked to audition these materials before the instructors. Students need not be BMI members.

BMI also conducts a biannual competition to select the winner of the Jerry Bock Award, for the best musical by a workshop member who is a BMI affiliate. Mr. Bock selects the final winner, and a monetary prize is given.

Among the successful members and graduates of the BMI workshop are Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (Avenue Q), Edward Kleban (A Chorus Line), Susan Birkenhead (Jelly’s Last Jam and Triumph of Love), and Gerard Allesandrini (Forbidden Broadway).

In the words of Workshop founder Lehman Engel, “It takes ten years to learn to be a good doctor or lawyer. Creative people should be given equal time and opportunity to burnish their talent. If they have responsibility and sufficient knowledge as an undercoating to their talent, they’ll come through and ultimately be marvelous.”