Sara Wordsworth

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Sara Wordsworth is a Broadway lyricist-librettist. [1] She is a co-writer on Broadway's first a capella musical, In Transit, [2] and a co-producer of the Broadway cast recording. [3] Additionally, she has worked for many years as a show creator with Disney. [4]

Contents

Career

In Transit was partially inspired by Wordsworth's involvement in a semi-professional a capella group. [5] In connection with her collaboration with Kristen Anderson-Lopez on In Transit, Wordsworth commented, "I think that our collaboration on this project is a really unique one, but it’s a very natural one. We try not to dictate the borders of our collaboration, and in a lot of ways, we function a little bit like the model of a Hollywood writer’s room and it’s like the best joke wins. I think that we have a really seamless collaboration because we respect each other’s work so much. There are no egos." [6]

Wordsworth has worked extensively with Disney. She adapted Beauty and the Beast into a cruise show [7] for Disney Dream. [8] and adapted The Little Mermaid for the Disney Wish. [9] She wrote "Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" for Walt Disney Theatre on the Disney Wonder. [10] She has co-written two musicals for the New York City Children's Theater: Dory Fantasmagory, in 2021, and Dear Albert Einstein, in 2014. [11]

She worked with the Alliances of Resident Theatres/New York who co-wrote mini musicals to honor the nominees at the Spring Gala in 2016. [12]

Wordsworth was the show writer for Phish at The Garden in 2022. [13] [14] Of her involvement, Trey Anastasio said, "Everyday, we would think up something else we needed to include. We were blessed to be able to quickly assemble the most astounding team of NYC theater talent to bring all these wacky ideas to life." [15] She co-wrote the "Elf on the Shelf Christmas Musical" which went on tour in 2021, [16] after initially opening in 2019 [17] (but stopping due to the pandemic). [18] The show was inspired by her daughter. Wordsworth "wanted to write about a family that experienced love and loss and felt the magic of Christmas." [19]

She has also adapted shoes for children for Disney Theatrical, including Frozen Jr. [20] She joked her then six-year-old daughter was her assistant writer. [5]

Wordsworth has been a member of the BMI Workshop since 2008 [21] and now sits on their Steering Committee. [22]

Awards

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
2011 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical [23] In Transit Won
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Musical for In Transit [23] Won
Drama Desk Award Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical for In Transit [24] Nominated
Drama League Award Distinguished Production of a Musical Award for In Transit [25] Nominated
2014 BMI's Jerry Harrington Musical Theatre Award [26] --Won
Off-Broadway AllianceBest Family Musical [11] Dear Albert EinsteinNominated
2024New York City Children's TheaterFamily of Artists Award [27] [28] --Won

Personal life

She's a "Jersey girl", [4] born in Atlantic City. [29] She's also an avid runner. [29] She has a daughter who was born in 2013. [18] She has a degree in theatre from Fordham University. [5] She is half-Jewish (on her fathers side). [5]

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References

  1. ↑ Rizzo, Frank (2016-12-12). "Broadway Review: A Cappella Musical 'In Transit'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  2. ↑ "First Look at In Transit Broadway's New A Cappella Musical". Playbill.
  3. ↑ "In Transit Broadway's First A Cappella Musical : Original Broadway Cast Recording Cappella Musical". Discogs.
  4. 1 2 Sanders, Scott (2022-07-09). "Entertainment on the Disney Wish Panel Discussion • The Disney Cruise Line Blog". The Disney Cruise Line Blog. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "The Jewish Connections to "The Elf on the Shelf" Musical – Southern Jewish Life Magazine". 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  6. ↑ Myers, Victoria (2016-12-12). "An Interview with Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Sara Wordsworth". The Interval. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  7. ↑ Darling, Rebecca (2017-07-25). "A Sneak Peek of Disney Cruise Line's Beauty & the Beast Coming to Disney Dream". R We There Yet Mom?. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  8. ↑ jmcmullen (2017-11-14). "All-New Beauty and the Beast Show Enchants Aboard the Disney Dream". D23. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  9. ↑ Jelski, Christina. "Showstoppers abound on the Disney Wish". Travel Weekly.
  10. ↑ "On with the Show: Disney Fantasy Offers World-Class Entertainment". Disney Cruise Line News. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  11. 1 2 Theater, New York City Children's. "Light The Lights: Broadway Celebrates New York City Children's Theater Honoring Drama Desk Nominees Musical Theater Writers Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth with Performances from Arielle Jacobs and Shelley Thomas". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  12. ↑ "ART/New York 2016 Gala program" (PDF). ART/New York 2016 Gala program.
  13. ↑ Phish (2023-01-05). Phish - 12/31/2022 - New Year's Eve 2022: 40 Years of Phish (4K HDR) . Retrieved 2024-06-10– via YouTube.
  14. ↑ "PHISH | NEW YEARS EVE GAG (MSG)". JASON ARDIZZONE-WEST | SET DESIGNER. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  15. ↑ Krinsky, Alex (2023-01-03). "Trey Anastasio Shares Sincere Reflection and Thanks Over New Year's Eve Show". Relix Media. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  16. ↑ "'Elf on the Shelf' musical hits the stage". 2 News Oklahoma KJRH Tulsa. 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  17. ↑ Alleman, Annie (2019-12-11). "'Elf on the Shelf' comes to life at the Genesee in new play". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  18. 1 2 VanAsdalan, Lindsay (2021-11-11). "'The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical' Tour Stops in Baltimore". Baltimore's Child. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  19. ↑ Mathew, Shrishti. "Elf on a Shelf from store shelf to theater stage". Times Union. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  20. ↑ "FROZEN JR". Desert Stages Theatre. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  21. ↑ "There's Music Everywhere, and Sara Wordsworth Wants You to Hear It". BMI.com. 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  22. ↑ Cristi, A. A. "BMI Announces Musical Theatre Workshop Showcase". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  23. 1 2 "Looking Back at In Transit's First Stop". Playbill.
  24. ↑ "Drama Desk Award Winners Announced - TheaterMania.com". 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  25. ↑ "Drama League 2011 nominations". New York Theatre Guide. 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  26. ↑ "BMI Foundation Names Harrington and Jean Banks Award Winners". BMI Foundation. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  27. ↑ Roshkovsky, Joe (2024-04-29). "New York City Children's Theater Presents the "Light the Lights" Gala". Bit Perfect Solutions. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  28. ↑ "Light The Lights: Broadway Celebrates New York City Children's Theater Honoring Drama Desk Nominees Musical Theater Writers Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth with Performances from Arielle Jacobs and Shelley Thomas". Morningstar, Inc. 2024-04-29. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  29. 1 2 Will, Gotta Run with (2012-05-06). Sara Wordsworth, Performer, Dramatist and co-creator of 'In Transit' . Retrieved 2024-06-09– via Vimeo.
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