Sean Hartley - Music of the Sixties
Program Date: October 15, 2025
Sean Hartley returns to the College Endowment Association to again share his vast knowledge of theater. Milwaukee Rep's audiences may recall his lyrics in Little Women as well as the World Premiere of Prelude to a Kiss at the Wilson Center for the Arts.
The 1960s were a time of great social, political, racial and sexual unrest and upheaval, and the music of the great singers and songwriters of that time and beyond reflected the spirit of the time. Hartley focuses on the work of such artists as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor Carol King and Paul Simon. In the process he illuminates a fascinating chapter in our cultural history.
Sean Hartley is the director of Theater Kaufman, the musical theater division of the Kaufman Music Center in New York City, where he curates, produces and hosts the concert series Broadway Close Up and Broadway Playhouse. His musicals include Cupid And Psyche (composer Jihan Kim - Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Lyrics); Little Women (songs by Kim Oler and Alison Hubbard) which has had several regional productions, including Syracuse Stage; Love and Real Estate (with composer Sam Davis) ; Snow, for which he wrote book, music and lyrics and which won the ASCAP Harold Arlen Award for Best New Musical; Number The Stars (adapted from the book by Lois Lowry), Sunshine (based on a book by Ludwig Bemelmans, music by John O'Neill) and Holy Moses! (book by Bob Kolsby.) His television work includes Disney Channel's The Book of Pooh and Bear In the Big Blue
His theater works for children include Number The Stars (adapted from the Newbury Medal book by Lois Lowry), Sunshine (based on a book by Ludwig Bemelmans, music by John O'Neill) and Vashti!, and Holy Moses! (both with books by Bob Kolsby.) He is a proud member of the faculties of Special Music School, One Day University and Lucy Moses School.