"A STUNNING PIECE OF THEATER" WITH "MUSIC THAT SOARS"
AND"CHARACTERS THAT DEMAND OUR ATTENTION"
- Broadway Radio
"RIVETING" AND "BEYOND SIMPLE BIOGRAPHY"
WITH "SOARING ARIAS AND ANTHEMS"
- New York Theater
"IMPRESSIVELY REALIZED" AND "REMARKABLY LUSH"
- Times Square Chronicles
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SCORE SAMPLES
DEVELOPED BY DUMASTAR
Score Excerpts:
SHE BUILT THE BRIDGE
BROOKLYN'S BRIDGE is inspired by the extraordinary life of Emily Roebling, wife of Brooklyn Bridge Chief Engineer Washington Roebling. While working in the caissons under the East River, Washington had a debilitating attack of “the bends” and became bedridden. For the next eleven years, only Emily was seen on the worksite, delivering plans, handling both engineering and political issues. The New York Times recently revised their obituary for Emily Roebling, acknowledging that, “She built the bridge.”
As the Brooklyn Bridge grows stronger, foundations to towers, cables to roadway...so does this extraordinary couple's love for one another, as Emily fearlessly navigates uncharted waters; a Victorian woman in a man’s world.
“We deeply believe this incredible story must be told now,” the production team said. “Audiences are craving original, engaging entertainment that lifts them up. Emily’s resilience, intellect, and quiet leadership changed the skyline of New York forever. It’s time her story takes center stage.”
"Brooklyn's Bridge is also a tribute to the thousands of immigrants who worked shoulder to shoulder with Emily to build the 8th Wonder of the World - the people who made New York City great then, and continue to, to this day."
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Ray Roderick
Director/ Book & Lyrics
Joe Baker
Composer / Arranger
Kelli Barclay
Choreographer
Michael Simon Hall
Producer / General Manager
Ray Roderick (Director/Book & Lyrics) is privileged to be creating a musical that celebrates the American spirit and the remarkable Emily Roebling through the story of building the Brooklyn Bridge. Ray recently directed La Bamba! A New Dance Musical in London’s West End and UK tour. He adapted the Broadway script and directed Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang for US national tour, the UK and Australian tour. He was associate director for A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden for six years, working alongside director Mike Ockrent. Ray was Susan Stroman's associate director for the Broadway revival of The Music Man, and directed the successful three-year National Tour. As a Broadway performer, Ray was seen in many shows, including Barnum, starring Jim Dale and Glenn Close, and originated roles in Grind, Cats, The Wind in the Willows, Crazy for You, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum starring Nathan Lane and Whoopi Goldberg. In addition to directing and choreographing at many of the top regional theaters and internationally, Ray has been Creative Director for The US OPEN for 27 years. As a writer and director, some of his original musicals include I Love a Piano, S'Wonderful, The Bikini's, and The Rat Pack Lounge, which have had commerically successful productions and tours across the US and internationally.
Joseph Baker (Composer/Arranger) is thrilled to be a part of BROOKLYN’S BRIDGE - A New Musical. He has been performing as a Keyboardist/Conductor/Music Director on and around Broadway for over 35 years. His credits include WICKED, SHREK, THE LION KING, BLOOD BROTHERS, THE LIFE, GRAND HOTEL, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, THE TAP DANCE KID, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, CATSKILLS ON BROADWAY, FOOTLOOSE, BELLS ARE RINGING, and LAUGHING ROOM ONLY. He has served as Orchestrator, Vocal Arranger, or Dance Arranger on BUBBLY BLACK GIRL, THE GREEN HEART, PLAY IT COOL, and FOOTLOOSE. He has conducted for artists including Carole King, Petula Clark, Art Garfunkel, David and Shaun Cassidy, Helen Reddy, Chita Rivera, Leslie Uggams, and other Broadway notables. As a theater composer, Baker created the arrangements and original material for the hit show THE BIKINIS and is currently developing a musical about the rivalry between Sarah Bernhardt and Eleanora Duse. He composed and arranged the score for the documentary MAD HOT BALLROOM and was Composer/Arranger/Producer for DITTYDOODLE WORKS, a children’s TV series on Public Television WLIW.
Kelli Barclay (Choreographer) is a celebrated NYC director and choreographer whose work spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional theatre, and international stages..NYC: Jonathan Brielle’s Himself and Nora, Encores’ Pipe Dream, 20 Years of Encores, Camelot in Concert starring Jeremy Irons, The Oscar Hammerstein Awards featuring Carol Channing. Four Tony-nominated Broadway productions, including Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. International: 42nd Street (UK West End production getting to work with HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales), she was featured in the PBS Great Performances documentary 42nd Street: The Musical. Film: Made for Each Other. Regional:Goodspeed Opera House’s How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; My One and Only; Hello My Baby, both collaborating with director Ray Roderick ; Hello, Dolly!; Damn Yankees; Anything Goes; The Will Rogers Follies; White Christmas and their current hit production of Crazy for You Original Work: Angels Among Us (featuring Reverend Alma Daniel, co-author of NY Times award winning Ask Your Angels), Jonathan Brielle’s Monkey and Me starring Tovah Feldshuh. Teaching: worldwide including American Ballet Theatre’s NYC Dance Intensive; Mark Morris Dance Company’s acclaimed Dance for PD program.
Michael Simon Hall (Producer and General Manager) is honored to be working alongside Ray, Joe and Kelli, creating the path for this stunning property to fulfill its potential. Michael is passionate storyteller whose work as creative producer, actor, writer, and director spans from La Mama to Lincoln Center, from HBO prestige television to the first ever live immersive theatre for Warner Brothers. Current producing credits include Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike Live New York opening in early 2027 in Times Square, and the long anticipated revival of the iconic Dreamgirls, returning to Broadway in 2027. As an indie theater producing artist, his work has received support from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, HERE Arts Center, IndieSpaceNYC, and the Brooklyn Community Foundation. Michael is lead producer, director, and creator of the new immersive musical comedy The Ironworkers’ Hayride, with music by six-time Emmy Award winner Lanny Meyer, and book & lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Olen Butler.