Photo: The Tony Awards · License: CC BY 3.0 · Source: Wikimedia Commons
Jeanine Tesori
Musical Theatre Performer
Born November 10, 1961 in Manhasset, New York, United States (65 years old)
Musical Theatre
1 Principal Houses
Spotlight
Career Trajectory
Beginning her professional life as a substitute assistant conductor for *Gypsy* in 1989, Tesori quickly established herself as an indispensable presence in theatrical music, serving as dance arranger and associate conductor for *The Secret Garden* on Broadway in 1991. Her compositional voice crystallized with *Violet* (1997), an Off-Broadway triumph that led to a succession of acclaimed Broadway musicals—*Thoroughly Modern Millie*, *Caroline, or Change*, and *Shrek the Musical*—each expanding her reputation as a composer of uncommon emotional intelligence and harmonic sophistication. The 2015 Tony Award for Best Original Score for *Fun Home*, shared with librettist Lisa Kron, cemented her legacy as the most honored female theatrical composer in history, while her recent operatic works *Grounded* and *Blue* have positioned her as a transformative voice in contemporary opera, culminating in her historic 2024–25 season opening at the Metropolitan Opera.
Career Highlight
Tony Award for Best Original Score for *Fun Home* (2015), shared with Lisa Kron, making them the first female writing team to win this award; first woman in the Metropolitan Opera's 139-year history to open a season with her opera *Grounded* (2024–25)
At a Glance
- Voice
- Musical Theatre Performer
- Nationality
- United States
- Born
- 1961 · Manhasset, New York, United States
- Active since
- 2015
Training & Education
Barnard College
Principal Houses
Engagements
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