NEIL BARTRAM
&
BRIAN HILL
BIOS
Music & Lyrics – NEIL BARTRAM
BRIAN HILL – Book
Neil is best known as the co-writer of Disney’s Bedknobs & Broomsticks, for which he added new songs and expanded the classic Sherman Brothers score. This new stage adaptation toured the UK and Ireland in 2021-2022.
Neil is also the composer and lyricist of Broadway’s The Story of My Life with book writer Brian Hill (4 Drama Desk Award nominations including Outstanding Music, Lyrics, and Musical). His musical The Theory of Relativity had its US premiere at Goodspeed Musicals in 2015 with its Off-West End premiere in the same year. The Theory of Relativity now has a robust life in licensing and was MTI’s most-produced title in 2021. It also generated the TikTok and YouTube viral sensation, “The End of The Line”.
Other works include an adaptation of Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, YPT Toronto), a musical adaptation of Michel Tremblay's Les Belles-Soeurs (Canadian tour), a musical based on Ray Bradbury’s classic novel Something Wicked This Way Comes (11 Barrymore Award nominations), You Are Here (Off-West End), and currently in development, Senza Luce. Neil’s new score for the stage adaptation of Shakespeare in Love was written for the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Asolo Rep productions and was nominated for a Jeff Award.
Other awards include the ASCAP Foundation’s Yellen Award, a Jonathan Larson Foundation Award, a Dramatists Guild Fellowship and a Dora Award.
The Story of My Life and The Theory of Relativity are licensed through Music Theatre International and The Adventures of Pinocchio is licensed through Concord Theatricals. Cast albums include The Story of My Life and The Theory of Relativity (both on PS Classics).
Born in the UK, raised in Canada and now based in New York City, Neil is a member of the Dramatists Guild, ASCAP and is an alumnus of the BMI Lehman Engel Music Theatre Workshop. He is published by Warner/Chappell Music.
Brian has written the book for the stage adaptation of Disney’s classic Bedknobs & Broomsticks (UK tour), Broadway’s The Story of My Life (Booth Theatre – 4 Drama Desk Award nominations including Outstanding Book and Outstanding Musical), Something Wicked This Way Comes (11 Barrymore Award nominations), the English language adaptation of Michel Tremblay’s Les Belles-Soeurs (Canadian National Tour), a solo voice musical You Are Here (Off West End), a fresh take on The Adventures of Pinocchio (Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Young People’s Theatre Toronto), a musical fable Senza Luce and the international licensing hit The Theory of Relativity, all with composer/lyricist Neil Bartram.
He wrote the new book for the Old Globe’s production of NBCUniversal’s October Sky and the revised book for the Goodman Theatre’s acclaimed production of Brigadoon.
Directing credits include new works, revisited classics and works-in-development for Disney Theatrical Productions, Mirvish Productions, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodspeed Musicals, TheatreWorks, 5th Avenue Theatre, The Segal Centre, The Shaw Festival and The Stratford Festival of Canada. He helmed the early developmental readings, workshops and production of Come From Away.
He was resident director of the Toronto and Broadway companies of The Lion King and associate director of Broadway’s The Little Mermaid.
The Story of My Life and The Theory of Relativity are licensed through Music Theatre International. The Adventures of Pinocchio is licensed through Concord Theatricals.
Brian is a member of CAEA, the SDC and the Dramatists Guild.
To view Brian's selected directing portfolio, click here.
WORK
This new musical is based on the iconic Walt Disney film with music by Richard and Robert Sherman, additional music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and book by Brian Hill.
Nominated for four Drama Desk Awards – Outstanding Musical, Book, Music and Lyrics – The Story Of My Life is a Broadway rarity: an intimate musical that candidly explores the simplicity of human need and the complexity of emotions under which it lies buried.
"The Theory of Relativity is a touching, honest, funny and endearing musical that probes the minds and hearts of today’s college students as they emerge into a world that is almost impossible to make sense of." Richard Maltby, Jr.
The hypnotic power and dark poetry of Ray Bradbury’s classic novel sings and seduces in this bold new musical thriller.
UK & Ireland tour produced by Michael Harrison Entertainment.
Vocal selections published through Warner/Chappell and available through Amazon.
Original Cast Recording available through PS Classics and Amazon.
For licensing information contact Music Theatre International.
Vocal selections published through Warner/Chappell and available through Amazon.
Cast Recording available through PS Classics and Amazon.
For licensing information contact Music Theatre International.
The Delaware Theatre Company production earned 11 Barrymore Award nominations.
This English-language musical adaptation of Michel Tremblay's groundbreaking French-Canadian play explores the profound impact on a group of desperate women in 1965 Montreal when one of them wins one million trading stamps and sudden access to the things she's never had.
July 20, 1969 ... a man walks on the moon ... and Diana, a Chicago housewife, walks out of her comfortable suburban life. Suddenly alone in a fast-changing world, she finds a series of unexpected encounters can turn one small step into a giant, life-changing leap.
"A work of real substance and adults interested in new musicals are just as much the target. When there is this level of craft involved, kids will go along for an honest ride anywhere you want to take them." - Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
For licensing information contact
UPCOMING – This charming, hilarious and timely fable tells the story of a fictional village built so deep in the Italian mountains that it never sees the light of day, until one forward-thinking young man comes up with a solution to bring light to the village, a solution that turns the entire town on its ear.
CONTACT
Agent – Chris Till – Paradigm
©2023 Neil Bartram & Brian Hill
All rights reserved