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| Scott Frankel | |
|---|---|
| Name | Scott Frankel |
| Occupation | Composer |
| Notable works | The Boy From Oz; Grey Gardens; War Paint |
Scott Frankel is an American composer known for his work in musical theatre, particularly collaborations that have produced Broadway productions and celebrated Off-Broadway shows. He has collaborated with prominent librettists and lyricists to create stage works staged in venues across New York, London, and regional theaters. Frankel's compositions have been performed by leading actors and companies and have earned recognition from major theatre awards and institutions.
Frankel was raised in an environment that connected him to cultural centers such as New York City, Philadelphia, and academic institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and Princeton University. He studied music and composition in programs associated with conservatories and departments that often include faculty from Juilliard School, Yale School of Music, and Eastman School of Music. During his formative years he encountered repertory ranging from works by George Gershwin and Richard Rodgers to art song by Benjamin Britten and the orchestral tradition of Igor Stravinsky.
Frankel's professional career has woven through Off-Broadway houses such as Lincoln Center Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company, and Playwrights Horizons as well as Broadway theaters like the Brooks Atkinson Theatre and the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. He has collaborated with producers and directors associated with companies including Manhattan Theatre Club, Second Stage Theater, Huntington Theatre Company, and directors linked to Michael Greif, Mike Nichols, and Stephen Sondheim. His work has been developed at festivals and institutions such as the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Tanglewood Music Center, and New Dramatists.
Frankel's major stage works include collaborations with librettists and lyricists that brought projects to Broadway and regional stages. Notable collaborators have included Michael Korie and lyricists with ties to musicals like The Boy From Oz and Grey Gardens. Productions featuring his music have starred performers from the Broadway and film worlds such as Christine Ebersole, Christine Baranski, Linda Lavin, Jan Maxwell, and Hugh Jackman. His shows have been developed in partnership with directors and choreographers who have worked on productions by Susan Stroman, Julie Taymor, and Christopher Wheeldon.
Frankel's catalogue spans full-length musicals, song cycles, and concert works performed by orchestras and chamber ensembles associated with institutions like the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and regional symphonies. He has written material for cabaret artists and recitalists appearing at venues including 54 Below, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center.
Frankel's work has been recognized by theatre and music award bodies such as the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Obie Award. Collaborations involving his scores have received nominations and wins at ceremonies connected to Theatre World Award and organizations like the American Theatre Wing. His shows have also been honored by critics from publications including The New York Times, Variety, and The New Yorker.
Frankel's compositional voice draws on traditions linked to American musical theatre figures such as Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, and Kurt Weill, while also reflecting influences from art-song composers like Samuel Barber and modernists such as Maurice Ravel. His scores frequently integrate idioms associated with jazz performers like Duke Ellington and George Gershwin alongside harmonic language reminiscent of Claude Debussy and Leonard Bernstein. Collaborations with lyricists and librettists align him with narrative-driven composers whose work has been produced at venues tied to Broadway and Off-Broadway scenes.
Frankel's personal associations include relationships with colleagues active in companies such as Roundabout Theatre Company and philanthropic efforts connected to arts organizations like The Shubert Organization and Theatrical Rights Worldwide. He maintains professional ties with universities and conservatories where guest artists and composers often lecture, including Yale School of Drama, New York University, and Columbia University. Category:American musical theatre composers