About McGuire & Simon

Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon, an award-winning musical theatre writing and producing team based in New York City, are dedicated to creating musicals that explore urgent, relevant themes, offering fresh, honest storytelling that resonates with today's audiences.

They met in 2012 at the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, the premier training ground for emerging musical theatre writers, where numerous historic collaborations have been forged. Paired up on the first assignment of the first year of the program, they have since created a body of work with “a deep and reflective sensitivity to the tradition of American musical theatre and at the same time a forward-looking energy and determination to present [their] own voice” (Rick Freyer, Co-Moderator, BMI Workshop).

Committed to impeccable craftsmanship, the team consistently delivers memorable melodies and explores adventurous subject matter.

Their Musicals

The Bubble
A bold and poignant love story between two men who fall in love across the Israeli-Palestinian divide, adapted from the groundbreaking film by Eytan Fox & Gal Uchovsky

Express
An original ensemble-driven musical that unfolds entirely within the New York City subway across several eras of American history

Kibby The Space Dog
A “Theatre For Young Audiences” musical about a spirited labradoodle who learns about acceptance and diversity after being ostracized for wearing a cone on his head, based on the children’s book by Andrea Cassell

Visit the Projects tab for details.

Style and Mission

McGuire & Simon pride themselves on authentically evoking different styles, settings, and time periods while maintaining their unique voice. Collaboratively writing music, lyrics, and book, they focus on excellent craft, putting story first.

Their work often centers on disparate communities pursuing peace or consensus, inspired by their experiences as members of historically marginalized communities. They tell stories that highlight shared humanity, addressing themes of love, hope, and resilience, embedded in specific cultural and historical contexts. Themes of identity and personal growth permeate their work, focusing on personal connections and the quest for self-understanding.

Described as “urgent,” “vibrant,” and “fresh,” their music and lyrics “fuse character, situation, and melody in ways that are rich, real, and moving”, aiming to be both emotionally complex and accessible. They strive to write lyrics that are character-driven and specific, married with music that is melodically and harmonically rich.

As writers and producers, they envision a Broadway unafraid of brave, high-quality storytelling that is representative of and accessible to diverse audiences.

Development

Their musicals have been developed and supported by some of the most prestigious institutions in theatre, including:

  • The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop

  • Dramatists Guild Foundation Fellowship

  • Fire Island Pines Arts Project

  • Goodspeed Musicals

  • The Johnny Mercer Writers Grove

  • New York Theatre Barn

  • The Phoenix Theatre Company

  • Rhinebeck Writers Retreat

  • The York Theatre Company

Additionally, they’ve contributed original songs The Rainbow Lullaby album on Broadway Records, The Broadway Star Project, and The Lotte Lenya Songbook. Their songs have been performed all over the country and world, at venues including 54 Below, Birdland, Green Room 42, and The Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Education and Outreach

Janine and Arri believe in the power of music to educate and inspire. They have led workshops on songwriting, collaboration, performance, and producing at various educational levels, from middle school to university, and in corporate and nonprofit professional settings.

They both serve on the BMI Workshop Steering Committee and are active members and guest moderators of the BMI Advanced Composer-Lyricist Workshop and Librettists Workshop.

Each year, they produce a salon of new holiday music to benefit a worthy cause, reflecting their commitment to giving back to the community.

Meet Janine and Arri / Meet The Creatives / Team

Janine McGuire
Originally from Bergen County, New Jersey, Janine earned her B.A. in Music from Barnard College of Columbia University, where she founded NOMADS, a club for new student-led theatrical works. She has worked at Disney Theatrical Group and produced independent theatre in NYC. Janine is a mentor for Maestra, which provides visibility and community to women and nonbinary people in musical theatre, and a dramaturgical and producing consultant on a variety of projects. In 2023, she received the Jerry Harrington Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Musical Theatre for Libretto.

Arri Lawton Simon
Hailing from Wichita, Kansas, Arri began studying music, dance and theatre at a young age, going on to earn his B.M. in Composition/Vocal Performance from Indiana University. Beyond musicals, he composes for film, dance, and opera. As a performer, Arri has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and recently originated a role in Bill T. Jones' Watch Night. He maintains an active private voice studio in NYC. He received the Jerry Harrington Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Musical Theatre for Composition in 2014.