I'll add Christine Lavin and Michael McKean. The latter is currently working on one with his wife, Annette O'Toole (they played a song from it at Standing Ovations 2)
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
i have to pick up the new book by Rupert Holmes which has some jazz music enclosed with it. His music for Drood was pretty amazing. I'd like to see what (after a very long haitus) can do next.
Michael Daugherty and Randall Woolf are two of the most interesting and gifted composers around right now. It would be fascinating to see what either of them might come up with in the musical theatre form.
William Bolcom is another composer whom I'd like to see cross over and do a full-fledged Broadway/Off-Broadway musical. His "Casino Paradise" comes close.
Ben, Ben, Ben Folds. Years ago, on Fresh Air, the Five played and the interviewer mentioned he could write a good musical. Ben proceeded to play a song he wrote one night for this "musical." It was absolutely hysterical. I have no doubt he'd write a fantastic pop score that would actually work!
Ben Folds is great. I saw him last summer, and he puts on a great show. His lyrics are really honest. He'd write a great musical if he had the right source.
