Michael Thurber

it was the joy of a lifetime 'putting together' this special performance for @colbertlateshow thank u @kateribk for inviting me and spearheading this incredible moment. when she called me to conduct and arrange this, I immediately called @andrewresnick18 (who orchestrated with me) and @sasha_bartol (who put together all of the music) and said HELPPPP! Then I crossed my fingers and sent out a dozen emails to these fabulous musicians hoping they'd all be available and they were! It takes a village to make magic, I'm very thankful for mine. Working with this legendary cast and being back at The Late Show in its final weeks was a dream come true. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen ❤️✨ -MT

ANNOUNCING: MICHAEL THURBER AS COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE We are thrilled to welcome Tony Award nominee Michael Thurber as The Public Theater’s new Composer in Residence. A longtime Public Theater collaborator behind productions like TWELFTH NIGHT, MERRY WIVES, and GODDESS, Thurber will now collaborate across The Public’s mainstage, Public Works, and Mobile Unit to help shape the future of new work. “Michael Thurber is, quite simply, one of the most extraordinary musical minds in the American theater. His work defies genre, category, and expectation. For years he has been a creative soul of this institution, and it is our profound joy to name him our Composer in Residence. We can’t wait to see what he will dream up next.” Saheem Ali, Associate Artistic Director, The Public Theater He begins this new chapter with ROMEO & JULIET at Free Shakespeare in the Park this summer.

THIS SUMMER: PUBLIC WORKS RETURNS TO THE DELACORTE This September, Public Works returns to Central Park with PUBLIC RECORD, a North American premiere. Originally commissioned and produced by the National Theatre, New Yorkers from all five boroughs come together to create a live album, on stage, in real time, capturing how our city sings, moves, and tells its story in this moment. Based on a concept by Dan Canham and Emily Lim, and written by Lisa Sanaye Dring with music by Michael Thurber, direction by Emily Lim, and co-direction and choreography by Dan Canham, PUBLIC RECORD brings a cast of over 100 community members, musicians, and dancers together in an electrifying act of collective hope, joy, and resistance. The album will be preserved by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, a lasting reminder that the true record of a city isn’t just its headlines, but the sound of neighbors standing side by side. Learn more: thepublic.nyc/PublicRecord

We’ve been reminiscing on our chat with @michaelthurber , co-orchestrator for @justintimebway , and his admiration for Jonathan Groff’s performance as the show’s star, Bobby Darin. Groff took his final bow last week, but the impact of his performance lives on. In Michael’s words: “It’s one of those things that people will talk about in the history of Broadway as one of the most electric performances.” Preserve the Broadway memories that inspire you—the matinees, intermissions, curtain calls, playbills, and beyond—at the link in our bio.

FULL SEND ‼️🚀 Dublin -> Vegas -> Macao -> Hong Kong ✨ best trip ever. best band ever. so thankful, heart is full ❤️

For composer @michaelthurber , frames should be as colorful as the music and stories told on stage. Come along as Michael gives us a tour of his recently framed posters (from @justintimebway , @publictheaterny , & @goddessmusical ) which also document his work as a composer and lyricist. The frames reflect an element of each show’s sound—rounded profiles, loud pops of red, and somber deep blues. All culminating in a collection that feels uniquely like Michael. Inspired yet? Start framing at the link in our bio.

When the homie @michaelthurber hits the bat signal, you pull up and figure it out from there. | Go stream “I Just Wanna Be (Happy)” and all platforms! Thanks @powerstationatberkleenyc @parkavenueartists for the hang | 📸 @hazznyc

whewwww, epic night 🪩✨❤️ thank u to @parkavenueartists and @powerstationatberkleenyc for having me and thank u to all who came out to party 💫 . 📸 @hazznyc

Today we release into the world 5 songs from last summer's 12th Night in the park @publictheaterny . Co-created by myself and the great @moses , this EP - more than anything else I've made - is a time capsule. It is a sonic sculpture of memories I will hold near and dear for the rest of my life. This is the musical expression of a summer filled with pure joy, artistic greatness and friendship, both new and old. . Biggest shoutout to my ride or die, my brother @saheemscene marking our 10th show together. Can't wait for 10 more my twin. To @lupitanyongo for her unworldy grace and power - and for SINGING SO BEAUTIFULLY (I know you STILL don't believe me, but you have the voice of an angel!) to @moses - one of the most talented artists (and a personal fav artist of mine for years) in the game with a spirit and warmth to match his brilliance. Truly a one of a kind human being. To @tia.ivonne for assembling the 12th Night Quartet, who will always have my heart. To @sasha_bartol for being the greatest Music Supervisor. To @ozambrano for mastering these songs beautifully. To James Yost, one of my favs to work with always, for co-engineering this album. @chrislloydart for this stunning cover art. To each and every member of the cast. To the @publictheaterny and all of the folks there that work tirelessly to make art a reality. My heart is full, I hope you enjoy this music even half as much as I enjoyed making it. -MT

When @youtube @gregtgordon and @hellojoesabia asked me to write a banger celebrating the Musical Theater community I said 'hold my playbill!' This was one of the funnest songs I've ever written - weeks of digging through YouTube comments to include and finding every possible rhyme scheme to list as many musical theater references as possible. The best part was working with some of my theater idols - @jordanfisher @mlebear @bwolfepack @calebhyles @mayte_n Incredible vision and direction from @davidcebert I love this community so much and I hope my fellow theater kid's love this bop. ❤️🔥 also, shoutout to my work Bestie @sasha_bartol for all the help on this.

what a total and complete joy. it really doesn't get better than this. wildly thankful to be on this journey ❤️ 12th Night is OPEN, come hang with us in the park until Sept 14th. @publictheaterny @saheemscene

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