Book and Additional Lyrics by Lauren Kahane
Music by Tommy Barbarella
Lyrics by Mariella Elm
Ex-Prince keyboardist Tommy gives up his rock star life and takes a job writing jingles at
a music house so he can be there for his family. When the jingle writing business dries
up, Tommy finds himself a stay-at-home Dad, forced to do his music around his family’s
schedule.
Tommy wants two things: to maintain his street cred in his rock-funk-jazz world– which
means he mustn’t EVER get near a musical - and for his daughter Mariella, who lives
with a rare disability, to be happy. When Mariella tells Tommy what will make her happy
is writing a musical with him, he agrees on the condition that it remain private.
Then Mariella’s middle school decides to put on Mariella’s musical. Mariella is
overjoyed. Tommy is terrified. He’s certain that, when people hear his music, they’ll find
out he’s not good enough to deserve the career he had.
Based on the true story of Tommy Barbarella and his daughter, Mariella Elm, The Girl
Who Cried Different is the story of man forced to face his greatest fear to help heal his
daughter, and in the process, heals himself.
