Mark Bramble
Encyclopedia
Mark Bramble is a theatre director, author and producer. He has been nominated for the Tony Award
three times, for the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical
for Barnum
and 42nd Street
(1981) and Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical
, 42nd Street (2001).
's office in 1971, and for whom he worked on many Broadway
productions. As author, his work includes the 1980 musical Barnum, which introduced Glenn Close
as a musical theatre actress, with songs by Cy Coleman
and Michael Stewart. He wrote the book for The Three Musketeers
(1984) with music of Rudolph Friml.
He directed and was co-librettist for the 2001 revival of 42nd Street
with songs by Harry Warren
and Al Dubin
, and was the co-author of the book for the original 42nd Street in 1980, which was produced by David Merrick.He directed many productions of 42nd Street, in London, Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, Amsterdam and Vienna.
He has collaborated with Michael Stewart on many shows, including The Grand Tour
(1978) with songs by Jerry Herman
, Pieces of Eight, a musical adaptation of Treasure Island
with songs by Jule Styne
,
and the off Broadway opera Elizabeth & Essex based on Maxwell Anderson
’s Elizabeth The Queen,
and was an assistant on the 1974 musical Mack and Mabel.
Bramble wrote the libretto and directed, with music by Henry Krieger
, for the musical Fat Pig, which premiered at the Haymarket Theatre, in Leicester
, England, in November 1987. The musical is a rock and roll extravaganza about health, based on the Colin McNaughton
book about farmyard life and dangers. He adapted and staged Notre Dame (1991) at The Lillian Bayliss Theatre at Saddler's Wells, London.
He is a member of The Dramatist’s Guild, The Society Of Stage Directors and Choreographers and The Association Of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers.
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
three times, for the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical
Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical
The Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical is awarded to librettists of the spoken, non-sung dialogue, and storyline of a musical play. Eligibility is restricted to works with original narrative framework; plotless revues and revivals are ineligible...
for Barnum
Barnum (musical)
Barnum is a musical with a book by Mark Bramble, lyrics by Michael Stewart, and music by Cy Coleman. It is based on the life of showman P. T. Barnum, covering the period from 1835 through 1880 in America and major cities of the world where Barnum took his performing companies. The production...
and 42nd Street
42nd Street (musical)
42nd Street is a musical with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, lyrics by Al Dubin, and music by Harry Warren. The 1980 Broadway production, directed by an ailing Gower Champion and orchestrated by Philip J. Lang, won the Tony Award for Best Musical and became a long-running hit...
(1981) and Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical
Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical
This is a list of winners and nominations for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical. Prior to 1960, category for direction included plays and musicals.-1950s:Note: this category was for both dramatic and musical productions...
, 42nd Street (2001).
Biography
Mark Bramble has been involved in the writing, directing and producing of stage musicals all over the world. He began his theatrical career working as an apprentice in David MerrickDavid Merrick
David Merrick was a prolific Tony Award-winning American theatrical producer.-Life and career:Born David Lee Margulois to Jewish parents in St. Louis, Missouri, Merrick graduated from Washington University, then studied law at the Jesuit-run Saint Louis University School of Law...
's office in 1971, and for whom he worked on many Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
productions. As author, his work includes the 1980 musical Barnum, which introduced Glenn Close
Glenn Close
Glenn Close is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and...
as a musical theatre actress, with songs by Cy Coleman
Cy Coleman
Cy Coleman was an American composer, songwriter, and jazz pianist.-Life and career:He was born Seymour Kaufman on June 14, 1929, in New York City to Eastern European Jewish parents, and was raised in the Bronx. His mother, Ida was an apartment landlady and his father was a brickmason...
and Michael Stewart. He wrote the book for The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers (musical)
The Three Musketeers is a musical with a book by William Anthony McGuire, lyrics by Clifford Grey and P. G. Wodehouse, and music by Rudolf Friml. It is based on the classic 1844 novel by Alexandre Dumas, père....
(1984) with music of Rudolph Friml.
He directed and was co-librettist for the 2001 revival of 42nd Street
42nd Street (musical)
42nd Street is a musical with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, lyrics by Al Dubin, and music by Harry Warren. The 1980 Broadway production, directed by an ailing Gower Champion and orchestrated by Philip J. Lang, won the Tony Award for Best Musical and became a long-running hit...
with songs by Harry Warren
Harry Warren
Harry Warren was an American composer and lyricist. Warren was the first major American songwriter to write primarily for film. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song eleven times and won three Oscars for composing "Lullaby of Broadway", "You'll Never Know" and "On the Atchison,...
and Al Dubin
Al Dubin
Alexander "Al" Dubin was an American lyricist. He became known through his collaborations with the composer Harry Warren.-Life and works:...
, and was the co-author of the book for the original 42nd Street in 1980, which was produced by David Merrick.He directed many productions of 42nd Street, in London, Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, Amsterdam and Vienna.
He has collaborated with Michael Stewart on many shows, including The Grand Tour
The Grand Tour (musical)
The Grand Tour is a musical with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman.Based on S. N. Behrman's play Jacobowsky and the Colonel, the story concerns an unlikely pair. S.L. Jacobowsky, a Polish-Jewish intellectual, has purchased a car he cannot drive....
(1978) with songs by Jerry Herman
Jerry Herman
Jerry Herman is an American composer and lyricist, known for his work in Broadway musical theater. He composed the scores for the hit Broadway musicals Hello, Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage aux Folles. He has been nominated for the Tony Award five times, and won twice, for Hello, Dolly! and La Cage...
, Pieces of Eight, a musical adaptation of Treasure Island
Treasure Island
Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "pirates and buried gold". First published as a book on May 23, 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881–82 under the title Treasure Island; or, the...
with songs by Jule Styne
Jule Styne
Jule Styne was a British-born American songwriter especially famous for a series of Broadway musicals, which included several very well known and frequently revived shows.-Early life:...
,
and the off Broadway opera Elizabeth & Essex based on Maxwell Anderson
Maxwell Anderson
James Maxwell Anderson was an American playwright, author, poet, journalist and lyricist.-Early years:Anderson was born in Atlantic, Pennsylvania, the second of eight children to William Lincoln "Link" Anderson, a Baptist minister, and Charlotte Perrimela Stephenson, both of Scots and Irish descent...
’s Elizabeth The Queen,
and was an assistant on the 1974 musical Mack and Mabel.
Bramble wrote the libretto and directed, with music by Henry Krieger
Henry Krieger
Henry Krieger is an American composer.Krieger wrote the music for the Broadway shows Dreamgirls , The Tap Dance Kid , and Side Show , as well as other works of musical theatre.He was nominated for the Tony Awards for Best Score for both Dreamgirls and Side Show, won a Grammy...
, for the musical Fat Pig, which premiered at the Haymarket Theatre, in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, England, in November 1987. The musical is a rock and roll extravaganza about health, based on the Colin McNaughton
Colin McNaughton
Colin McNaughton is a writer and illustrator of over 70 children's books. He is also a poet, focusing mainly on humorous children's poetry. He trained in graphic design at the Central School of Art and Design in London followed by an M.A. in illustration at the Royal College of Art...
book about farmyard life and dangers. He adapted and staged Notre Dame (1991) at The Lillian Bayliss Theatre at Saddler's Wells, London.
He is a member of The Dramatist’s Guild, The Society Of Stage Directors and Choreographers and The Association Of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers.
Awards and nominations
- 1980 Tony Award Best Book of a Musical Barnum (nominee)
- 1981 Tony Award Best Book of a Musical 42nd Street (nominee)
- 2001 Tony Award Best Direction of a Musical 42nd Street (revival) (nominee)