John Kenrick
Making show biz history entertaining

- Creator of Musicals101.com
- Adjunct Faculty - Steinhardt School, NYU
- Adjunct Faculty - The New School, NYC

An internationally recognized authority on the history of musical theatre and film, author-lecturer John Kenrick combines his passion for entertainment history with the practical know-how earned working on stage productions at every level from amateur to Broadway. Dispensing with dry academic conventions, he re-examines the stories of people and landmark events with a fresh and often irreverent sense of humor that makes the past accessible and fascinating. Although never afraid to share his frank opinions, he actively encourages and welcomes opposing viewpoints.

Aside from his college courses, he gives talks on theatre and film for various adult education groups, has appeared in numerous documentaries, and is the author of Musicals101.com, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amateur Theatricals, and the textbook Musical Theatre: A History. Currently living in the Hudson Valley just north of New York City, he commutes thousands of miles every year, giving hundreds of classes and public talks to groups of all ages. What motivates him? John puts it this way:

"I think show biz history is the most fascinating subject in the world. My goal is simple: to make it as entertaining and exciting for others as it is for me.”

John's recent college courses include the History of Musical Theatre, Great Broadway Songwriters, and Rodgers & Hammerstein. He has also offered courses on Hollywood Legends, The History of Screen Musicals, and The Golden Age of MGM, among others. Along with his current work at NYU and The New School, John has also taught at Marymount Manhattan and The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Some comments from actual course evaluation forms may give you some idea of how John's students feel about him:

• "He didn't just make me laugh -- he made me care."

• "Encouraging, passionate and engaging."

• "John reminded me why I fell in love with this art form."

• "I never liked history before, but this turned out to be the most enjoyable course I've taken in any subject."

• "So honest; he's downright brave!"

• "As much as John cares about this material, he cares even more about us. I will never forget that."

• "John Kenrick ROCKS!"

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
John Kenrick with musical theatre legend Carol Channing.

John's classes and multimedia talks include PowerPoint slide shows and rare video clips, and reflect a lifetime of dedicated research into the lives and events he discusses. His speaking schedule has run the gamut from luxury liners to Pace University to the NYC Fringe Festival. He offered a three year series of "Musical Conversations" at Manhattan's York Theatre, and is currently in the sixth year of an ongoing series of "Theater Chats" at the Sutton Place Synagogue. He has appeared at New York's Jewish Museum, The 92nd Street Y, the Philadelphia Theatre Company, The Museum of the City of New York, the Queensborough NY Library system, and the Poughkeepsie Public Library. One eminent colleague describes John as:

• "Ebullient and optimistically cockeyed!" 
  - Oscar Hammerstein III, author of The Hammersteins

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