Musical Theatre Writer
Emily Rose Simons is a composer-lyricist and bookwriter. Themes that run through her work include female-centred stories, religion, faith and spirituality, queerness from a female perspective, connection and isolation.
She is known for strong melodies, intelligent song writing and being able to weave humour and emotional drama seamlessly.
Becoming Nigella
Book, Music and Lyrics by Emily Rose Simons
Elevator Pitch:
When Anna inherits Nigella Lawson's seminal cookbook, 'How to Eat', she is surprised to find it accompanied by the spirit of Nigella Lawson.
Creatives Involved:
Tanya Truman Productions (producer)
Tanya Truman (performer)
Natasha Karp (performer)
Grace Taylor (Director)
David Merriman (Music Director)
Cast Size: 2
Development Stage:
With the support of Arts Council England, Stage One and JW3, the show has complete it's first phase of R&D. The show presented at BEAM 2023 and then at The Other Palace's Musical Bites.
The Funeral Lady
Book, Music and Lyrics by Emily Rose Simons
Elevator Pitch:
Fiona, after losing her mother, becomes Public Health Funerals Officer for Tachem Council.
Cast Size: 3
Development Stage:
"Everything to Me" reached the final of the Styles and Drewe Songwriting Contest. Working towards completed first draft.
Confessions of a Rabbi's Daughter
Book, Music and Lyrics by Emily Rose Simons
Elevator Pitch:
Rachel Wiseman has always wanted to make her father, Rabbi Wiseman, proud by becoming a Rabbitzen (a Rabbi’s Wife). As her parents plan their daughter’s forthcoming nuptials, her friendship with Sarah blossoms into love. Rachel’s turbulent emotional struggle to decide between her heart and her father’s dreams is presented through songs that promise to pluck the heartstrings and make you smile.
Creatives involved:
UK team: Tanya Truman (Performer & Producer), Grace Taylor (Director), David Merriman (Music Director)
NY team: Lori Steinberg (Director), Andrew Drannon (Music Director)
Cast Size: 1
Development Stage:
After a workshop production at Mountview Theatre School, the show will be performed in concert by Tanya Truman at The Other Palace.
Selected Press:
Confessions of a Musical Theatre Writer - An interview with The Jewish Chronicle - The Jewish Chronicle
Review of the 2014 production of Confessions of a Rabbi's Daughter by Sophie Eastaugh - The London Jewish News
The Inconvenient Miracle
Book & Original Play by Emily Claire Schmitt,
Music & Lyrics by Emily Rose Simons,
Additional Story by Ria T. DiLullo
Elevator Pitch:
Vanessa is simply minding her own business when the strange girl from school who claims to be a mystic declares her the next Virgin Mary. After punching said mystic in the face, an act of self-defense obviously, she lands herself in weekly detention with Sister Florence, the last remaining nun on campus. Both women get more than they bargained for as miracles begin popping up at highly inconvenient times. Is it possible that Vanessa is the sign from Heaven that Florence is waiting for? Faith, fantasy, and farce collide in this irreverent comedy.
Creatives Involved
Ria T. DiLullo (Director), Simon Brouke (Music Director)
Cast Size: 8+
Development History:
March 2018: Presented at BEAM, Stratford East, London, UK
April 2018: Workshop at The TANK NYC
June 2018: Songs presented at Signal Concert, The Hospital Club, London, UK
September 2018: Selected for New York New Works, Acorn Theatre, New York
Selected Press:
"the songs are all well-written, with catch tunes and refined lyrics" - Opplaud Magazine
"The music rises to beautiful melody and exciting complexity... the lyrics were uniformly stunning." - William J. Capaldi
"By intermission, I was enchanted--it was by far the most fun I’d had watching a play all year." - Rebecca Russavage
"“The Inconvenient Miracle: A Mysterious Birth Musical” is on it’s way to becoming a refreshing coming-of-age for a modern audience, unafraid to wear its heart on its sleeve and believe in the miracle of each of us." - Natalie Vine
Broadway World - Sunday Morning: Michael Dale
A weekly column
"a sweet and tuneful musical that ponders over significant questions, performed with gusto by an exuberant company."
Conversation between Emily Claire Schmitt, Emily Rose Simons and Ria T. DiLullo on The Inconvenient Miracle
Interview with Emily Claire Schmitt, Emily Rose Simons and Ria T. DiLullo on The Inconvenient Miracle
...The F.ck Am I Doing?
Book & Original Play by Ali Keller,
Music & Lyrics by Emily Rose Simons,
Elevator Pitch:
A song cycle about that feeling you gwt when you all of a sudden realize you ARE the adult in the room, but you haven't figured out how to adult yet.
Creatives Involved
COW Productions (producers of UK premier)
Cast Size: 5+
Development History:
June 2019: Performed in concert at New York Musical Festival
May 2021: Online Premier from COW Productions
June 2021: Part of the virtual Brighton Fringe
Selected Press:
The Repatriot
Book, Music & Lyrics by Emily Rose Simons
Elevator Pitch:
The Repatriot is about a strong, fiercely independent, extremely successful New York tech developer who suddenly finds herself without a job, a visa and back home with her parents in High Barnet. It's a show about getting out of bed, because sometimes that is hardest thing to do.
Creatives Involved:
Adam Lenson (Director), Natasha Karp (performer), Tanya Truman (performer), Guy Woolf (performer)
Cast Size: 5-13
Development Stage:
Between the 3rd and 4th table read/full draft. An excerpt selected for a scratch night at JW3, various songs performed at Adam Lenson's Signal Concerts.
Rebecca & Lily
Book, Music & Lyrics by Emily Rose Simons
Elevator Pitch:
The school nerd and the school bully end up in the waiting room of a Family Planning clinic
Creatives Involved:
Grace Taylor (Director)
Cast Size: 2
Development Stage:
First Reading performed on zoom (recording available on request)