Debra Barsha

Debra Barsha's A Taste of Things To Come (co-written with Hollye Levin) ran at the Bucks County Theatre, Broadway Playhouse (Chicago), and off-Broadway at The York Theatre (dir. Lorin Latarro) and is published by Concord Theatricals. Barsha won the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Award for the score to Radiant Baby (Public Theater), directed by George C. Wolfe. She was a composer for the song cycle Songs From an Unmade Bed (NYTW), Sophie (JRT), NBC’s Policewoman Centerfold soundtrack, and wrote book, music and lyrics for her one-woman shows Go to Your Womb and A Womb With a View (CAP21/Cherry Lane Theatre). Her holiday musical The Most Miserable Christmas Tree (co-written with Tim Sulka) got its world premiere in New York. Debra’s musicals co-written with Sheilah Rae include Every Other Thursday and Our Very Best People (both adapted from Edna Ferber short stories). The first was performed at NJ Rep in an evening called Five By Ferber (published by Smith and Krauss). Barsha and Rae also wrote the 15-minute musical From This Moment. Upcoming Barsha and Rae: The Helena Project (NAMT writer’s recipient grant).

Her songs have been recorded by Rebecca Luker, George Clinton and Mary Balin, among others. She sang on Prince’s 1-800 New Funk, George Clinton’s R&B Skeletons in the Closet and Thomas Dolby’s "May The Cube Be With You." Barsha originated roles and was the music director for the original off-Broadway companies of both Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding and Charles Busch’s Swingtime Canteen. She also served as music director for the Steven Sater/Serj Tankian world premiere of Prometheus Bound (ART - dir. Diane Paulus). She conducted Karen O’s opera Stop the Virgens! at St. Ann’s Warehouse and at the Sydney Opera House.

Barsha wrote the vocal arrangement for the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s single "Sacrilege" (conducted live on Letterman with Broadway Inspirational Voices) and Awolnation’s single "I Am" (conducted on Late Night with Seth Meyers). She arranged vocals for Orange Is the New Black star Lea DeLaria's David Bowie tribute album House of David.

She is one of the playwrights of the live-streamed Period Piece (dir. Karen Carpenter). Her song "We’re Still Here" (a tribute to our healthcare workers) can be viewed on Barsha’s YouTube channel, performed by her.

Barsha was the Associate Conductor for Broadway’s Jersey Boys and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. She is currently the pianist for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.