Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

December 22, 1964 in Leeds, England

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Andrew Lippa is a renowned American composer, lyricist, and performer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on December 22, 1964, in Leeds, Massachusetts, Lippa grew up in a musical family and started playing the piano at a young age. His father was a music teacher, and his mother was a singer, which exposed him to various genres of music from an early age. Lippa attended the University of Michigan, where he studied music composition and theater. During his time at the university, he wrote his first musical, "John and Jen," which premiered in 1995. The musical was a critical success and earned Lippa a nomination for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music. In 1999, Lippa wrote the music and lyrics for the off-Broadway musical "The Wild Party," which was based on the 1928 poem of the same name by Joseph Moncure March. The musical was a commercial and critical success and earned Lippa several awards, including the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music. Lippa's next major work was the musical "A Little Princess," which premiered in 2004. The musical was based on the novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett and was a critical success. Lippa's music and lyrics were praised for their emotional depth and complexity, and the musical earned him a nomination for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music. In 2005, Lippa wrote the music and lyrics for the musical "The Addams Family," which was based on the characters created by Charles Addams. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2010 and was a commercial success, running for over 700 performances. Lippa's music and lyrics were praised for their humor and wit, and the musical earned him a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Original Score. Lippa's most recent work is the musical "I Am Harvey Milk," which premiered in 2013. The musical is a tribute to the life and legacy of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California. Lippa wrote the music and lyrics for the musical and also performed the role of Harvey Milk in the premiere production. The musical was a critical success and earned Lippa several awards, including the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for Best Original Score. Throughout his career, Lippa has also written music for various films and television shows, including "The Addams Family" animated series and the film "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou." He has also performed in various productions, including the Broadway revival of "The Farnsworth Invention" and the off-Broadway production of "The Wild Party." Lippa's music is known for its emotional depth, humor, and complexity. He often explores themes of love, loss, and identity in his work, and his music is characterized by its use of intricate harmonies and melodic lines. Lippa's work has been praised for its ability to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level and for its ability to capture the essence of the human experience. In addition to his work as a composer and performer, Lippa is also a dedicated educator. He has taught at various universities and conservatories, including the University of Southern California and the University of Michigan. He is also a frequent guest lecturer and has given masterclasses and workshops around the world.

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