Music Theatre Program


Pippin 2007. Directed by Dominic Missimi.

The roots of music theatre at Northwestern University were planted 75 years ago with the debut of the famed Waa-Mu Show. Since 1929, a rich tradition of creating new musical works has been a part of the Northwestern experience. This is a tradition that still continues today with "The Greatest College Show in America."

Over the years, Northwestern's famous student show, and distinguished School of Communication, have produced many of Hollywood and Broadway's biggest stars including Warren Beatty, Ann-Margret, Charlotte Rae, the late Tony Randall, Tony Roberts, Paula Prentiss, Richard Benjamin, Penny Fuller, Cloris Leachman, Nancy Dussault, the late Paul Lynde, Carol Lawrence, Shelley Long, the late Jerry Orbach, Sherry Lansing, and Garry Marshall.

At the top of the list of illustrious music theatre alumni is Sheldon Harnick. With his partner Jerry Bock, Harnick has created lyrics for some of Broadways most enduring musicals including the classic "Fiddler on the Roof." In addition, the late New York theatre critic Walter Kerr, and Broadway composer Larry Grossman also are Northwestern alums.

In recent years, NU alums who have grabbed the spotlight in TV, Film and Theatre include: Zach Braff, David Schwimmer, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Miss America Kate Shindle, Craig Bierko, Dermott Mulrooney, Brian d'Arcy James, and Tony-Winners Heather Headley and Dennis O'Hare.

Dominic Missimi's arrival in 1981 paved the way for the establishment of the nationally recognized Music Theatre Certificate Program offered by the Schools of Communication and Music. Established in the early 1990s, this program has set a new standard for professional music theatre training.

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Waa- Mu 2006 our 75th Anniversary