Amanda Green
Reading Jennifer Ashley Tepper’s remarkable book, I was gobsmacked at the breadth and depth of women composing and writing musicals in America and found myself wondering, why didn't I know about so many of them before? Well, thanks to her, now we do. It is galvanizing and humbling to learn that women have always found a way to create and get their work produced and forged incredible careers for themselves, even when there was no way. In concise, fascinating and illuminating histories, we learn about each woman's work and career and, in the aggregate, we get to see how many of us there are and how long we've been part of the landscape of the American musical. Thanks to Tepper, our stories are unsung no more.”
Tim Federle
"Nobody knows the history of Broadway - or the women who make it sing - like Jennifer Ashley Tepper. At once reverent, dishy, and passionately researched, this is an essential book for any fan of the Great White Way."
Kristin Chenoweth
The stories about these amazing women are so inspiring! This book is a wonderful resource for actors, and an important read for anyone interested in theatre. How meaningful it is to put girl power where it belongs: in the spotlight. I loved it!”
Ted Chapin
Who better than Jennifer Ashley Tepper to dive into an examination of the unsung women of Broadway? She has become this generation’s chief cheerleader and chronicler of Broadway, examining both the bricks and mortar of the street and the ethereal nature of the shows and people who have brought that street to life. This book is a gem - some of these women were known to me, some unknown, and some completely surprising. Once again, Tepper takes us on a glorious ride.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Jennifer Ashley Tepper has dedicated her life to telling stories that might otherwise fade away around this brilliant, live, ephemeral art form we call musical theatre. With Women Writing Musicals, she is putting the women back in the narrative where they belong, and highlighting generations of unsung innovators and theatre makers that have shaped the musicals we love."
Lynn Ahrens
As a woman with a career in the rarified world of musical theatre, I really appreciate Jennifer Ashley Tepper’s thrilling deep dive into the history and meaning of our work. This book is a rich and timely addition to our canon of musical theatre literature."
Kirsten Childs
This book is a miracle. Jennifer Ashley Tepper’s painstaking research, attention to detail, and deep love of theatre has yielded a long overdue treasure trove of information about women who write musicals."
Joe Iconis
Any new work from the incomparable Jennifer Ashley Tepper is cause for celebration. This book feels especially essential in the way it celebrates and amplifies female writers who history has embarrassingly ignored. It does more than shine a light on under-appreciated artists, it gives them a stage and puts their talents on full display. Tepper has the singular ability to make history feel alive, legacy feel active, and art feel like the lifeblood of the human race. The book provides the electric thrills of a live performance and I am so grateful to be in the audience for this particular show.”
Liz Callaway
How wonderful that Jennifer Ashley Tepper has written such a loving and informative book about this fabulous collection of female theatre songwriters. Whether from today or years ago, the beautifully detailed stories highlight the highs and lows of the mysterious craft of musical theatre, and the women who created it.”
Jenn Colella
This book set my heart and head aflame!! I cannot believe how many of these women I'd never heard of. What a tremendous gift Jennifer Ashley Tepper has bestowed upon us - a delicious coup d'œil into the kaleidoscope of badass women who, for decades, have been shaping American Musical Theatre as we know it.”
Seth Rudetsky
Where are all the female musical theatre writers? Turns out, they’ve always been there, but they’ve been hidden away behind a mist, like Brigadoon! However, an intrepid explorer named Jennifer Ashley Tepper has found them and is finally giving us their amazing herstories in this gem of a book!! Let’s give these creative and groundbreaking women their long overdue bravas!”
