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Cynthia Weil

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Cynthia Weil BIO

Weil was born in New York City on October 18, 1940. She grew up on the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side of Manhattan in a Conservative Jewish family. Her father was Morris Weil, a furniture store owner and the son of Lithuanian-Jewish immigrants, and her mother was Dorothy Mendez, who grew up in a Sephardic Jewish family in Brooklyn. Weil trained as an actress and dancer, studying theater at Sarah Lawrence College, but soon demonstrated a songwriting ability that led to her collaboration with Barry Mann, whom she married in August 1961. The couple had one daughter, Jenn Mann. Weil became one of the Brill Building songwriters of the 1960s, and one of the most important writers during the emergence of rock and roll.

Weil and her husband went on to create songs for many contemporary artists, winning several Grammy Awards as well as Academy Award nominations for their compositions for film. As their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame biography put it, in part: "Mann and Weil's... [works went from] epic ballads ('On Broadway', 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'') to outright rockers ('Kicks', 'We Gotta Get Out of This Place') [and they also] placed an emphasis on meaningful lyrics in their songwriting. With Weil writing the words and Mann the music, they came up with a number of songs that addressed such serious subjects as racial and economic divides[,] 'Uptown', ...and the difficult reality of making it in the big city ('On Broadway'). 'Only in America'... tackled segregation and racism, making it rather too controversial for the Drifters, who were the intended artists. 'We Gotta Get Out of This Place' became an anthem for [the] Vietnam soldier, antiwar protesters, and young people who viewed it as an anthem of greater opportunities."

In 1987, she was inducted with her husband into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 1988, Weil won two awards at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards for co-writing "Somewhere Out There" from the animated film An American Tail: Song of the Year and Best Song Written for Visual Media.

In 2004, Mann and Weil's They Wrote That? a musical revue based on their songs, opened in New York. In it, Mann sang and Weil related stories about the songs and their personal history. Weil and Mann were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category. "From the bottom of my heart and with the greatest humility," Weil said in her acceptance, "I thought you guys would never ask." In 2011, Mann and Weil received the Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2015, Weil published her first novel, I'm Glad I Did, a mystery set in 1963.

Weil died at home in Beverly Hills, California, on June 1, 2023, at age 82.

Cynthia Weil Photos

Cynthia Weil STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Herself

Writing

Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist

Cynthia Weil Videos

Cynthia Weil News


Cast Set For BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Pitlochry Festival Theatre 


Pitlochry Festival Theatre will premiere a new production of the award-winning West End and Broadway musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. 

Review: Patti LuPone Splendidly Sings of A LIFE IN NOTES


In the past few years, Patti LuPone has resigned from Actor’s Equity Association and suspended her legendary Broadway career, but as she proved with her Celebrity Series of Boston performance at Symphony Hall on April 2, the three-time Tony Award winner can still command a concert stage.

Cast Set for BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at White Plains Performing Arts Center


The White Plains Performing Arts Center has revealed the cast for their Mainstage production of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Video: Highlights From BEAUTIFUL �" THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL At Walnut Street Theatre


Get an extended look at Walnut Street Theatre's final show of the 215th season - the highly anticipated BEAUTIFUL – THE Carole King MUSICAL.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, BEAUTIFUL, and More Set For Geva Theatre's 2024-25 Season


Geva Theatre has announced its 24/25 Season, kicking off this September. Learn more about the full lineup here!

Video: First Look At BEAUTIFUL �" THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL At Walnut Street Theatre


Get a first look at Walnut Street Theatre's final show of the 215th season - the highly anticipated BEAUTIFUL – THE Carole King MUSICAL. Check out the cast in action in all-new video.

Steppenwolf's PURPOSE & More Lead Chicago's April 2024 Top Theatre Shows


Chicago is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for April 2024 include Steppenwolf's Purpose, Lyric Opera of Chicago's AIDA and more.

JERSEY BOYS, WAITRESS, and More Set For Pioneer Theatre Company 2024-25 Season


Pioneer Theatre Company has announced its 2024-2025 season lineup, which offers PTC's signature mix of contemporary works, Utah premieres, and re-imagined classics. Learn more about the full lineup here!

INTO THE WOODS, CLUE, and DEATH OF A SALESMAN Win Big at The St. Louis Theater Circle Awards


Last evening at The Loretto-Hilton Center, the St. Louis theatre community gathered for The St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards Gala. Thirty-Four awards were handed out with three productions winning big: The New Jewish Theatre’s production of INTO THE WOODS and STAGES St. Louis production of CLUE won 5 awards each, and The Black Rep’s production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN won 4 awards. Each of the three were named the best of their category, INTO THE WOODS was named Outstanding Production of a Musical, CLUE was named Outstanding Production of a Comedy, and DEATH OF A SALESMAN was named Outstanding Production of a Drama. 

Photo: First Look At BEAUTIFUL �" THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL At Walnut Street Theatre


Get an exclusive first look at Carole King in the Broadway musical BEAUTIFUL. The sneak peek reveals King's captivating performance, stirring anticipation among fans and theatre enthusiasts.

Ken Ludwig World Premiere & More Set for Asolo Repertory Theatre 2024-25 Season


Asolo Repertory Theatre, has revealed its 2024-2025 season. See the full lineup of plays and learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Theatre Memphis


What did our critic think of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Theatre Memphis? According to Executive Producer Debbie Litch, Theatre Memphis is in the midst of its most successful season since being founded in 1920! Can you even fathom what that means? It means more people are lining up to see what TM has to offer than ever before.

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Extends Through Early April at Le Petit Theatre


With a couple of sold-out shows already, and tickets going fast for the rest of the run, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical performances have been extended. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at The Phoenix Theatre Company


The Phoenix Theatre Company's production of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSIC explodes with energy. Great production running through April 28th.

Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Desert Theatreworks


For folks of “a certain age” (which I am not telling if I do or do not fall into that category), prolific songwriter and performing artist Carole King provided what could be the official soundtrack to their adolescence.  For those who have not quite crossed that age threshold, you would be surprised how well her music has endured and firmly taken its place in the American songbook, speaking to multiple generations with songs of hope, love and all that comes after.

Review: BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres


What did our critic think of BEAUTIFUL at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres?

Cast and Creative Team Set For Algonquin's FIDDLER ON THE ROOF


Algonquin Arts Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its April musical, Fiddler on the Roof. The show will run at Algonquin Arts Theatre from April 6 through April 21.

Spotlight: ENCORE A MUSICAL REVIEW at Delta Performance Hall at Eccles Theater


Live at the Eccles presents ENCORE: A MUSICAL REVIEW on Saturday, March 9th, 2024 at the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City. ArtTix is the official source for tickets for Live at the Eccles events. 

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Comes To Le Petit Theatre


With one of the largest casts in Le Petit Theatre's long history, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes the stage in the French Quarter this March. Performances run March 7 - 31, 2024.

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL is Being Presented at Town Theatre in March


From teen songwriter Carol Kline to chart topping musical phenom, Carole King, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical will take you on a journey of the renowned musical legend's career.

Cynthia Weil FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Cynthia Weil written?

Cynthia Weil has written 5 shows including Dancin' (Composer/Lyricist), Just Once (Composer/Lyricist), They Wrote That? (Songs), Mask (Lyricist), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Composer).

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