David Kirshenbaum

David Kirshenbaum is an award-winning composer and lyricist whose work spans musical theatre, pop, and television. He is best known for writing the score to Vanities, A New Musical, which premiered in 2006 and went on to productions Off-Broadway and in regional theatres across the United States. With a flair for melodic storytelling and emotionally resonant lyrics, Kirshenbaum has carved out a career defined by musicals that blend humor, heart, and contemporary sensibilities.

Kirshenbaum grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and pursued his love of music and theatre through formal education and early professional experiences. He graduated from the University of Michigan, a school well known for producing leading musical theatre writers and performers. Early in his career, he participated in prestigious development programs such as the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, which honed his craft in songwriting for the stage and connected him with a community of emerging theatre artists.

Beyond Vanities, Kirshenbaum has written scores for several other musicals. Notably, his pop-infused adaptation of the film Summer of ’42 received acclaim for its heartfelt and nostalgic music, winning the Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His work has also been featured in productions such as Party Come Here, Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus, and new adaptations developed for regional stages and workshops. This versatility demonstrates his ability to write in a range of styles, from whimsical comedy to poignant drama.

In addition to composing, Kirshenbaum has collaborated with some of the theatre industry’s most notable writers, directors, and performers. His music has been performed at Lincoln Center, The Public Theater, and other prominent venues. He has also been commissioned by regional theatres and festivals, which has allowed him to continually expand his portfolio and experiment with form and subject matter. His songs often emphasize character development and narrative drive, qualities that make his scores well suited to both intimate productions and larger-scale musicals.

Kirshenbaum’s contributions to musical theatre highlight his role as part of a new generation of composers who bridge traditional Broadway writing with modern musical influences. By combining strong storytelling with contemporary pop and folk elements, he has created works that resonate with today’s audiences while honoring the legacy of classic musical theatre. With Vanities as a centerpiece of his career and a growing catalogue of acclaimed works, David Kirshenbaum continues to be recognized as a distinctive voice in American musical theatre.