David Spencer Resume (consolidated)
Mainstream Theatre.
THE APPRENTICESHIP OF DUDDY KRAVITZ (Entirely New, 2015 / 2017 / 2018)
Book and Lyrics by David Spencer
Music by Alan Menken
Based on the novel by Mordecai Richler
Debuted under the direction of Austin Pendleton at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts (located in Richler’s native Montreal where the story takes place), with a star-laden Canadian cast to rave reviews, sellout houses, standing ovations, a double extension—and the first English language Original Montreal Cast Album ever, released December 2016 on the Ghostlight label. Not a revision of any previously produced or workshopped version, but an entirely reconceived and newly written musical.
Subsequently produced in England at the Guildford School of Acting, under the direction of Shaun Kerrison; and as a series of concert staged readings at the York Theatre in New York City, under the direction of Evan Pappas. Future productions and licensing pending.
THE FABULIST: An epic fable of Aesop (2002, current)
Music and Lyrics by David Spencer
book by Stephen Witkin
Based on the novel by John Vornholt
Winner: 2002 Richard Rodgers Development Award (staged readings funded by this award hosted in August 2002 and February 2003 by the York Theatre, artistic director James Morgan; director Sheryl Kaller). Winner: 2002 Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Foundation Commendation Grant for Outstanding Score, plus subsequent G-GF non-award enhancement for the project.
Full musical featured in Village Theatre (WA) 2005 Festival of New Works.
Script and new full-cast demo available upon request.
WEIRD ROMANCE (1992 / 2004 Revival / London Production Pending)
Lyrics and Additional Book by David Spencer
book by Alan Brennert
music by Alan Menken
Two One-Act Musicals of Speculative Fiction (SF):
The Girl Who Was Plugged In (Act One), adapted by Brennert and Spencer from a story by James Tiptree, Jr. (the public pseudonym of Alice B. Sheldon); and Her Pilgrim Soul (Act Two), adapted by Brennert from his own story
Originally produced in 1992 by Kyle Rennick for the WPA Theatre, starring Jonathan Hadary and Ellen Greene (numerous subsequent productions, worldwide). Revised and revived, April 2004, for the York Theatre’s “Musicals in Mufti” series, with stars Karen Ziemba, John Hickok, Jill Paice and Devan May. Stock/Amateur Rights & Script published by Samuel French. Original Cast Album via Columbia Masterworks Digital on Demand.
Young Audience / Family Theatre.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA : An all-new version for Young Audiences (1996)
Music, Lyrics and Symphonic midi Orchestrations by David Spencer
Book and Direction by Rob Barron
Produced by Theatreworks/USA
1st Nat’l Tour Cast Album on the Playbill label. A recording of the Original (Mini-Tour) Cast, pending commercial release, can be made available upon professional request.
Winner: 1996 Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Foundation Commendation Grant for Outstanding Score
At its debut and through its run of five successive national tours Phantom was Theatreworks/USA’s all-time bestselling production.
LA BOHÈME (Public Theatre 1984)
English Adaptation and New Lyrics by David Spencer
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Directed by Wilford Leach
Orchestrations by Michael Starobin
Produced by Joseph Papp
for the New York Shakespeare Festival
With Linda Ronstadt, Patti Cohenour, Howard McGillin, David Carroll, Gary Morris, Cass Morgan
This highly acclaimed colloquial adaptation was David’s professional debut.
Libretto and recording available upon request.
Les Misérables: An all-new version for Young Audiences (1999)
Music, Lyrics and Symphonic midi Orchestrations by David Spencer
Book and direction by Rob Barron Produced by TheatreWorks USA
Complete original cast album, pending commercial release, can be made available upon professional request.
Books as Author.
THE NOVELIZERS: An Affectionarte History of Media Adaptations and Originals, Their Astonishing Authors—and the Art of the Craft.
Bear Manor Media (2023). For more and detailed information visit the Novelizers portal.
THE MUSICAL THEATRE WRITERS SURVIVAL GUIDE
On Productive Longevity in the Craft, chapters on art, business, presentation and politics. (Heinemann, 2005; 5th Printing, 2010). (Heinemann, 2005) An industry standard that has remained in print since its initial publication. Cover endorsements from Richard Maltby, Jr., Larry Gelbart and Alan Menken. Foreword by Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx.
THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MUSIC
Published by Cassell, Octopus Imprint (ed. Sean Egan). Principal Contributor of Historical Entries.
WEIRD ROMANCE (See Credits in “Theatre”)
Published by Samuel French, Pub. date, June 1993.
TIED IN: The Business, History and Craft of Media Tie-In Writing
ALIEN NATION: “PASSING FANCY” (An original novel)
By David Spencer, from a story by David Spencer & Bruce Peyton, based on the 20th Century Fox TV series (developed by Kenneth Johnson from the screenplay of the film by Rockne S. O’Bannon). Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books, 1994, Most popular title of the eight-book series. Digital copy on request.
Recordings.
WEIRD ROMANCE (See Credits in “Theatre”)
Original Cast Album on Columbia Masterworks digital on demand.
LES MISÉRABLES (See Credits in “Theatre”)
Original mini-tour cast, full score (on request).
GARY MORRIS: GREATEST HITS
Warner Brothers recordings. Featuring aria from La Bohème. This version included as bonus track on the live Public Theatre recording (see above).
THE APPRENTICESHIP OF DUDDY KRAVITZ
Original Cast Album on Ghostlight Records, CD and Digital.
LA BOHÈME (See Credits in “Theatre”)
Live at the Public Theatre. All-star leads. On request.
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (See Credits in “Theatre”)
Playbill 1st Nat’l CD
also:
Original Mini-tour cast (on request).
THE FABULIST (See Credits in “Theatre”)
Full-length, full-cast Demo. On request.
Teaching, Journalism & Awards.
Teaching.
BMI-LEHMAN ENGEL MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP (2001–2021)
Workshop member since 1978, Steering Committee member since 1987.
Co-moderator:
Second Year Songwriter’s Workshop
Rotation and Summer moderator:
Advanced Songwriter’s Workshop
Moderator & Producer:
Master Class Program
in which authors of selected projects present longer excerpts of work in development
for an invited panel of theatre notables. Guests have included:
Stephen Sondheim, Harold Prince, David Yazbeck, Thomas Meehan, Sheldon Harnick, John Kander,
Richard Maltby Jr & David Shire, Tom Jones, Joe Mantello, Jonathan Tunick, Terrence McNally,
Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Stephen Schwartz and Austin Pendleton
Journalism.
1996-present, webmaster & principal NYC critic for:
AISLE SAY: The Internet Magazine of Stage Reviews and Opinion (www.aislesay.com)
Free-lance articles and drama criticism in various publications, most recently (2021) features and interviews for:
ENCORE MONTHLY.
2016-2017, associate NYC critic for: