David Kurkowski -
Music & Lyrics
“My hope is that Madame Curie’s life story will inspire and enthrall audiences, especially young girls who shy away from science and math. She is a true hero and a beacon for our time.”
Several years ago, I stumbled upon Marie Curie’s life story and felt that it would make a marvelous theatrical production. After three years of researching and outlining, I finally felt we had the makings of a show and I reached out to my good friend and writers' group colleague, Melissa Bell, to write the libretto. While Melissa tackled the libretto, I turned my attention to the music and lyrics.
In 2018, the first draft was presented at the Dramatists Guild Mary Rodgers Room in December 2018 and at the New Works Festival at the TaDa! Theatre in October 2019.
Then began the years-long process of rewriting–discarding old material and creating new–and submitting. During Covid two on-line versions suitable for Zoom were viewed by an estimated 1000 people. In April 2022, Finding Madame Curie was selected for 6 performances at Theater Row as part of CreateTheater New Works Festival. In April 2024, we were selected by MusiCoLab to present 30 minutes of the show as part its Spotlight Series at the Drake Theater.
My other works include scores for:
Sewing the Dream, book and lyrics by Judith Estrine (also presented at Theater Row)
Collodi the Musical, book and lyrics by Nino Pratticó (two readings at the Arden Theater in Philadelphia
Behind the Mask, book and lyrics by Barbara Bellman (in progress)
In 2013, I completed It’s Midnight, a CD of 9 original songs, now available on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube. The title song was incorporated into Finding Madame Curie.
I have written numerous other pieces for solo voice, chorus, and instrumental groups, including My Livin’ Will Not Be In Vain (choral work based on a sermon by Martin Luther King), The Star (a children’s Christmas song), Wake Little Child (a memorial to the children of Sandy Hook), and Follow Your Dream (an inspirational gospel inspired by Raisin in the Sun).
I was classically trained on oboe and currently play in the Lower Merion Symphony. My 2011 recording of Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin can be found on YouTube. In the early 2000's, I studied piano and harmony in earnest. My lessons focused on the Great American Songbook and the musical theater canon, which have had a profound impact on my own compositions.
Nothing moves me more than musical theater, which imbues an absorbing story with the magic of music. When it’s at its best, we laugh, we cry, we love every moment, and we walk out humming.