Hal Hackady

Hal Hackady (born Harold Clayton MacHackady; February 10, 1922 – October 12, 2015) was an American lyricist, librettist, and screenwriter, whose versatility spanned Broadway, television, film, and popular song. He was born in Middletown, Connecticut, and later attended Wesleyan University before making his way into the theatrical and entertainment world in New York City during the 1950s.

Hackady’s early career combined television and film writing. He contributed teleplays to anthology series such as General Electric Theater and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and later worked on feature films tapping into the rock-and-roll craze, such as Senior Prom, Let’s Rock, and Hey, Let’s Twist. His work in film earned him recognition, including a Writers Guild of America nomination for Hey, Let’s Twist.

In theatre, Hackady established himself as a gifted lyricist and librettist. His earliest Broadway credit was the 1955 revue Almost Crazy, for which he provided sketches and songs. Over the years, he lent his lyrical talents to works like Ambassador, Teddy & Alice, and Goodtime Charley. He also wrote the lyrics for Divorce, of course!, translated from a French source, and several off-Broadway and regional projects, including a musical adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and the revue Little by Little.

Among his more celebrated credits are the musicals Minnie’s Boys (1970), Goodtime Charley (1975), and Snoopy!!! The Musical. In Minnie’s Boys, Hackady provided the lyrics that helped bring to life the story of the Marx Brothers’ early years. In Goodtime Charley, the story of Joan of Arc and King Charles VII, he again applied his lyrical voice to a historical and emotional narrative. With Snoopy!!! The Musical, a continuation of the Peanuts legacy, Hackady’s lyrics helped present the beloved cartoon world in musical form—in time the show enjoyed productions in New York and London.

Beyond the stage and screen, Hackady also made contributions to popular music. He co-wrote songs such as “Without You,” “Shake Me I Rattle,” and “Kites,” which saw success in charts and multiple recordings. Later in his life, he even penned the lyrics to “Let’s Go, Mets,” the theme song of the New York Mets, which became a gold-certified recording. Hackady died in the Bronx, New York, in October 2015, at the age of 93. His legacy endures in the many shows, songs, and stories he helped animate with his lyrical gifts.