top of page

Credits

"You are an artist of the highest caliber."

                           - Patrick Page -

Director, “Romeo & Juliet”, Shakespeare Sedona Festival

Tony nominated Broadway Star

 

"When they do the movie of my life,

this is the guy I want to score it!"

Courtney Johnson - Director - Be My Baby

​

"..stunningly beautiful music."
-violinist Venus Fu

 Demos-Plays and Film

MUSICALS - Demo -
00:00 / 00:00

Much Ado
About Nothing

Demo-Mix

Demo Pop

Demo-Drama #1

Demo-Drama #2

00:00 / 04:54

Demo -Lite

Altarena Theatre

Theater Reviews

Screen Shot 2018-08-22 at 12.58.18 PM.pn

South Coast Rep in Tony form with

‘School for Scandal’

 

“Local theatergoers attending South Coast Repertory’s Main Stage production of ‘The School for Scandal’ undoubtedly have been taken with the lively transitional music between each of the play’s 14 scenes. A niftily satirical  score has a vital, upbeat quality. It’s the creation of Richard Jennings, who also composed the subtler background music for SCR’s “Romeo and Juliet” last season. A blend of direction and composition that appeals to both the eye and ear in one of the SCR theater’s most enjoyable productions.”

Space Opera II - To Catch A Comet - San Diego Production

"It's accessible to just about anyone. Its cornerstone is its strong melodies. The melodies are what people go away remembering."

FEMALE, ASHKELNAZI WITH A  SEWING MACHINE

Screenshot 2025-08-26 at 9.05.48 PM.png

Richard Jennings’ music 

adds tremendously to the piece. 

-Talkin’ Broadway

 

​​

​

Some truly affecting elements here, 

including lovely original music.

-READER

 

​

​

​

​

​

There are moments of song, dance and violin music 

weaving in and out of the narrative.

-Chicago Theater

 

​

​

​

​

 

​..the authentic/antique/Hebraic-esque score, 

moving the action through history and fantasy.

-Splash Magazine

​​

​

​

​

​​​​​​​​​

 

The musical score has its sad and compelling notes, 

and Venus Fu, the violinist, performs it very well.

-Around the Town

​​

​​

​

​

​​​

The original music by Richard Jennings is finely tuned to Greenblatt’s story. Fu’s performance enhances dramatic scenes and adds sweet undertones to Anna and Benjamin’s romance. Her music also underscores the play’s theme of “roots and wings,” suggesting the importance of both heritage and dreams.​​

-third coast review​

AAAA.png

 (Director) Jacob’s instincts are unerring in this production. Besides his casting, he has commissioned an ethereal electronic score from Richard Jennings. Only rarely do the production variables fall into place this neatly. San Diego Rep’s “Crossing Niagara” soars.

 

Whenever Richard Jennings’ thoroughly modern electronic score pipes up, the play takes off.”

Screen Shot 2018-08-22 at 8.51.05 AM.png

“When things really begin to go bad, it's gripping, subtly underscored by ominous music.” 

                 -             “Playing My hand” - Altarena Theatre   

Screen Shot 2018-08-22 at 12.21.46 PM.pn

“Kudos to Richard Jennings original music”

                -“The Miracle Worker” Altarena Theatre

Screen Shot 2018-08-22 at 8.51.05 AM.png

“Richard Jennings provides a stately original score.”

                            -“The Book of Liz”,  Altarena Theatre

Screen Shot 2018-08-22 at 12.00.03 PM.pn

“Jennings is certainly a master of his craft and has solid academic credentials. He holds music degrees from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, He served as "artist in residence" in a school district under a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for the Arts.

Space Opera I - As We Travel Through The Stars

​

The Michigan Daily

​

"Richard Jennings is an individual of considerable achievement and talent. His abilities as a musical composer are particularly noteworthy."

Space Opera I - As We Travel Through The Stars

​

Directors & A D Statements

SFSF.png

You’ve had a long and successful career. I see why. Your designs are so perfect and wonderful. What an absolute pleasure it’s been to work with you.”

   

      -Rebecca Ennals, Artistic Director, 

      San Francisco Shakespeare Festival

      Much Ado About Nothing 

​

“It turned out pretty damn good! Thanks!”

Shannon R. Davis

Director, Much Ado About Nothing 

San Francisco Shakespeare Festival 

SW Shakes.png
Screen Shot 2018-09-05 at 1.50.26 PM.png

“I have had the privilege of working with Richard Jennings for many years now, largely as a collaborator on numerous productions of the plays of William Shakespeare wherein I directed and Richard created original music that supported the production. In all of my time working with Richard I have found him to be the consummate artist combined with the most flexible and creative pragmatist with whom one could ever imagine collaborating. I believe he is an important artist and will continue to contribute at the highest possible level. 

 

To find in one man the kind of practical knowledge of the theatre as well as the brilliant musical talent that Richard possesses is exceptional.  In short, I cannot recommend an artist or composer more highly than Richard Jennings.”

    - Jared Sakren, A D. Southwest Shakespeare Co. & 

                                       Shakespeare Sedona Festival

 

​

      "You are an artist of the highest caliber."

                 - Patrick Page - Director, “Romeo & Juliet”,

                    Shakespeare Sedona Festival

PianoFight.png

“He has an unwavering ability to to create a complete piece with depth, heart and humor, time and time again.”

            -Rob Ready Artistic Director-PianoFight Productions

“Richard Jennings has the innate knowledge and perceptivity in creating scores for classical and contemporary theatre works that enhance the moments superbly; his musical compositions are always the needed oxygen of the staged work.  His instinct, graciousness and kind spirit set him above other composers.  A master collaborator,  I wholeheartedly rely on him to create perfect gems of music magic for my productions.”                                

    - Clay David - Executive Director, FOGG Theatre

Screen Shot 2018-09-05 at 2.10.19 PM.png

 It has been such a pleasure to work with you! I appreciate your professionalism. The music is wonderful! I appreciate your support and commitment to the show.  

     -John Tranchitella, Director, The Miracle Worker, Altarena 

Film/TV Producers

Screen Shot 2018-09-05 at 1.06.14 PM.png

"The whole process couldn't be more convenient.  When we're in a quick turn around mode, we need people who can deliver.  We'll come back.

                 - Melody Cavanary - Senior Producer, KAET-PBS

 

"The music was perfect, as usual.

It was great having an opportunity to collaborate with an artist who was willing to listen as well as give suggestions and just experiment. Not only was the collaboration an enjoyable and easy experience, the music Richard Jennings created added the appropriate, uplifting touch needed.  I look forward to my next opportunity to work with Richard.”                        

                                                  -Amy McSheffrey, Producer

Screen Shot 2018-09-05 at 2.22.18 PM.png

"Richard Jennings is an ideal collaborator

                                                  and creative partner."  

                    - Suzanne D. Johnson- Producer/Director

 

"His knowledge and professionalism was

                                                       a tremendous asset.”   

                     - David Jon Devoucoux - Producer/Director

 

“It’s like being a kid in a candy store, all the musical choices you’re giving me…””I’m tickled pink!   

                            - Ivan M. Henry - Producer/Director

 

“I just wanted to tell you what a spectacular job you did. I started laying your audio down and it really enhances the project. You did a super job!! I am impressed. Thank you very much."                

                          - Jack Colovin,– Editor: Stuntman’s Rodeo

Actor/Audience

“I have been lucky enough to now perform in two shows for which Richard has composed the original music and both times my experience has been greatly enhanced by his scores.”   -Shannon

​

“Your music added depth to the story, amplifying the overall production.”       - Beth  

Richard Jennings’ music has been heard by millions world wide as he has composed for documentaries, TV movies, Disney Specials, PBS affiliates, commercials and other media. He’s created music for Tony Award winning theatres, over 30 productions of Shakespeare’s plays (50+ overall) and his critically acclaimed space operas. His work has been showcased in feature stories in The Los Angeles Times. His original musical plays have enjoyed runs in San Francisco, New York and other cities. Jennings is the recipient of the Hollywood Drama Logue Critics Award for “Outstanding Achievement in Theatre” as well as grants from The NEA and various arts organizations. He studied with Pulitzer Prize winning composers and has served on the faculties of colleges and universities. A member of  The Dramatists Guild of America, he lives in Berkeley, CA.

​​

Composer of over 20 productions
of original musicals
​
Over 50 scores for plays
(including 30+ Shakespeare)
​
Credits from
Tony Award winning theatres,
film, network TV, PBS & Disney.
​
Author: MUSIC FOR PLAYS,
A STEP BY STEP GUIDE
Published by
American Theatre Magazine
​​
DRAMA LOGUE CRITICS AWARD
"Excellence In Theatre"
​
PROFESSOR OF ELECTRONIC MUSIC
Michigan State University 
Scottsdale College
​
​PROFESSOR OF VOICE
Old Globe Theatre MFA
University of San Diego
​
Musical Theatre MFA
San Diego State University
 
MASTER OF MUSIC
Applied Voice - Composition
University of Michigan School of Music
​
BACHELOR OF MUSIC
Applied Vocal Pedagogy  
Electronic Music - Conducting
Michigan State University​
​
SINGER-SONGWRITER
Years of touring clubs, coffee houses
and the college concert circuit
Also opening act for:
Anne Murray, 
Arthur "Big Boy" Cruddup,
Tim Hardin, Kenny Rankin, Dion
​
**********************************************
PLAYS
Composer-Musical Director
*Tony Award Winning Theatre
​​​​
SOUTH COAST REPERTORY*-Costa Mesa
Midsummer's Night's Dream
The School For Scandal
Romeo And Juliet
12 Dancing Princesses
​
THE MARK TAPER FORUM*-Los Angeles
Five Of Us
​
THE OLD GLOBE THEATRE* - San Diego
The American Clock
The Recruiting Officer
​
SOUTHWEST SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
-Phoenix
A Midsummer's Night's Dream
All's Well That Ends Well
Macbeth
Julius Caesar
The Merry Wives of Windsor
A Comedy Of Errors
Love's Labour's Lost
The Taming Of The Shrew
Romeo and Juliet
Cardenio
Twelfth Night
Richard III
King Lear
Henry V
Hamlet
Our Town
Cyrano de Bergrac
​
SHAKESPEARE SEDONA FESTIVAL
Romeo And Juliet
Othello
All's Well That Ends Well
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Our Town
Richard III
Love's Labour's Lost
The Taming Of The Shrew
Cardenio
Twelfth Night
​
SAN DIEGO REPERTORY
Crossing Niagara
A Christmas Carol
Death Of A Miner
Titus Andronicus
​
ARTS JUDAICA - Chicago
Female, Ashkenazi With A Sewing Machine

SAN FRANCISCO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Much Ado About Nothing
​​
INVERNESS SHAKESPEARE
The Comedy of Errors 
​
ODYSSEY THEATRE - Los Angeles
Rap Master Ronnie
​
BERKELEY REP*
SCHOOL OF THEATRE
Schoolhouse Rock
​
ALTARENA PLAYHOUSE - Alameda CA
The Miracle Worker
Come Back, Little Sheba
The Book Of Liz
The Gin Game
Playing My Hand
Be My Baby
 
THE REALLY RESOURCEFUL PLAYERS
-Tempe AZ
El Grande de Coca Cola (Director)
 
MOONLIGHT AMPHITHEATRE - Vista CA
The Wiz
 
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
Faith, Hope & Charity
 
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
The Harlot's Curse
A Midsummer Night's Dream
 
SAN DIEGUITO THEATRE - San Diego
Artichoke
​
ORIGINAL WORKS
Musical Theatre​
​
The Temptation of Tim - 10 minute Pop Opera
Music, Book & Lyrics - Richard Jennings 
-The Harvest Theatre Festival-Chain Theatre, NY 
-Dramatists Guild of America Footlight Series
-Tides Theatre, San Francisco
-Video Production-Berkeley Community Media 
​
Goin South/Chaos Rules   
Book & Lyrics  John Sanborn & Richard Jennings
Music - Richard Jennings
-PianoFight - Off Market Theatre  - S.F. 
​
.LOVE   
Music, Book & Lyrics - Richard Jennings 
Additional Lyrics-Ted Newman
-The Marsh Theatre SF
-PianoFight SF
-Berkeley Arts Festival 
-Intersection for the Arts SF
​​
Space Opera 1
(As We Travel Through The Stars) 
Multi Media opera performed in planetariums, colleges, art galleries, lofts.
​
To Catch A Comet  
Multi media opera-toured theatres, colleges, art galleries, lofts.
​
The Lost Dutchman - Two Act Musical
Music, Book - Richard Jennings 
 Lyrics -Richard Jennings & Ted Newman
-Arizona Musical Theatre Institute
-Third Street Theatre, Phoenix
​
The Shyest Witch
Book & Lyrics Alison Luterman
Music Richard Jennings
Developmental Reading-Play Cafe
​
Backslide
Music, Book and Lyrics-Richard Jennings
MUSICAL CAFE Showcase  
The Ashby Stage, Berkeley
​
NITWITS!
Book and Lyrics-Pamela Winfrey
Music-Richard Jennings
MUSICAL CAFE Showcase  
PianoFight, San Francisco
 
Lord Arthur's Crime
Adapted from Oscar Wilde short story
Book-Sandy Kasten
Lyrics-Sandy Kasten, Jerome Gentes, Paul Frantz
Music- Richard Jennings & Paul Frantz
MUSICAL CAFE Showcase
-Stagewerx Theatre, SF
​​
The Cricket On The Hearth
Adapted from from the Charles Dickens novella
Book & Lyrics - Pamela Winfrey
Music- Richard Jennings 
MUSICAL CAFE Showcase. 
 
Aesop's Fables -Childrens Fairyland-Oakland
 
Mexica - Childrens Fairyland-Oakland 
 
Ciguapas - Childrens Fairyland-Oakland
 
Red Riding Hood, Lost in Fairyland
- Childrens Fairyland-Oakland
​
Once Again - 10 Minute Rock Opera
Music, Book & Lyrics - Richard Jennings 
PianoFight - Off Market Theatre  - S.F. 
​
Round One, Two & Three Cabarets  
Featured Revue Material
Not Quite Opera Productions
Alcove Theatre, San Francisco
​​
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
(original score)
San Diego Youth Conservatory​​
​​
CONCERT MUSIC
Commissioned by
KALAMAZOO CHILDREN'S CHORUS
In This Place (An American Lyric)
Text-Amanda Gorman
Music & Setting - Richard Jennings​​
​
ART INSTALLATION
EmoChart
Visual Art, MultiMedia Social Practice Event
Viual Art - Lynne-Rachel Altman
Music - Richard Jennings
2727 Gallery - Berkeley
 
DANCE
A Courtly Affair
Choreography -  Ann Ludwig
Music - Richard Jennings
​A Ludwig Dance Theatre - Phoenix
​
FILM & TELEVISION​
CBS MOVIE OF THE WEEK
TAFT ENTERTAINMENT
Kids Like These
 
DISNEY CHANNEL/BUENA VISTA TV
Earnest Goes To Splash Mountain
 
KAET (PBS-Phoenix)
Wild Arizona - Lead composer of series
Politics And Writing
​
ODYSSEY FILM/GNOSIS LTD.
Mayme Kratz-Stand Still
Pedro Guerrero Portrait of an Image Maker
PBS (N.E.T.A)
​
GNOSIS LTD.
beadlearchitecture
​
TAKE ONE PRODUCTIONS
Asylum
Stuntman's Rodeo
 
EARTH VISION PRODUCTIONS
Hidden Treasures (for PBS)
 
SHANE PRODUCTIONS
Larry With a Cause
 
LBS ASSOCIATES
Nuclear Medicine-Destination Tomorrow
 
KELLEY PRODUCTIONS
The Food Dudes Eat The Alphabet!
 
SATO MWR PREMIER NETWORK INT.
P.I.P.E.
 
LESTER/CHARMIOUX GALIC M. LOUIS PRODUCTIONS
Maui Athletic StretchYoga I
Advanced Yoga
 
J. BARNARD PRODUCTIONS
Music Producer, Music Director, Arranger
Pandora
War Babies
The Queen
 
DEAN WHITSELL PRODUCTIONS
To Tumble
​
RECORDINGS​
KID BEAT RECORDS  
Friends
 
MACRO MUSIC 
Nocturnes  
Making Music Every Day
 
AWARDS & PUBLICATIONS​
DRAMA LOGUE CRITICS AWARD
Excellence In Theatre
​
NEA/Michigan Council for the Arts
Artist In Residence
​
POMPIDOU CENTER (IRCAM) - Paris, France -Support-Publication
​
GUADEAMUS FOUNDATION - Holland (Support)
​
LONDON UNIVERSITY PRESS- Publication
Catalogue of Extended Vocal Techniques
​
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS​
DRAMATISTS GUILD OF AMERICA
SOCIETY OF COMPOSERS & LYRICISTS
ASCAP
MUSICAL CAFE (co founder)
​
PERFORMANCE
Across North America and Europe
Network TV, radio, recordings, stage
 
Contact: rj@rjmusic.org
  • facebook-square
  • flickr-square
  • Twitter Square

© 2025 Richard Jennings Music 

bottom of page