Heisler and Goldrich Receive Fred Ebb Award Nov. 30

By Adam Hetrick
30 Nov 2009

Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich
Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich

Songwriters Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich are presented with the 2009 Fred Ebb Award at the American Airlines Theater Nov. 30.

The Fred Ebb Foundation, in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company, administers the honor which recognizes excellence in musical theatre songwriting by a lyricist, composer or songwriting team that has not yet achieved significant commercial success.

As part of the invitation-only evening in the penthouse lobby of the American Airlines Theater, Signature Theatre artistic director Eric Schaeffer presents Heisler and Goldrich with the award that includes a $50,000 prize.

Heisler and Goldrich have collaborated on the children's musicals Dear Edwina and Junie B. Jones. Known for their cabaret songs, including "Taylor the Latte Boy," the duo will celebrate the release of "Marcy and Zina: The Album" this month. Their Songbooks, Volumes 1 and 2, are also currently available. Additional projects include a musical version of Snow White and Rose Red, a Cyrano story set in the Brill Building Era, and a musical version of the novel "Freakin' Fabulous."

Previous Fred Ebb Award winners include John Bucchino (2005), Steve Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman (2006), Peter Mills (2007) and Adam Gwon (2008). The selection panel includes Fred Ebb Foundation trustee Mitchell S. Bernard; Tony-winning composer Sheldon Harnick; music director David Loud; Tony-winning actress Debra Monk; playwright/producer Tim Pinckney; and theatre producer Arthur Whitelaw.

Late lyricist Fred Ebb was a recipient of the Tony, Grammy, Emmy, Olivier and Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Awards. With his longtime collaborator John Kander, he first penned the song "My Coloring Book" in 1962. The team would go on to create their first musical with Hal Prince, Flora, The Red Menace, starring a young Liza Minnelli. Their works also include Cabaret, The Happy Time, Zorba, Chicago, The Act, The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Visit and Curtains.