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'''Dan Mertzlufft''' is an American musical theatre composer. '''Dan Mertzlufft''' is an American musical theatre composer and arranger best known as a creator of '']'' on ].


== Career == == Career ==
⚫ Mertzlufft has written songs for ] with ], sung by Josh Gad and ], ] ], and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Composer Daniel J. Mertzlufft Talks TikTok Fame And James Corden Surprise |url=https://www.iheartradiobroadway.com/content/2020-12-03-composer-daniel-j-mertzlufft-talks-tiktok-fame-and-james-corden-surprise/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=iHeartRadio Broadway}}</ref>


He was one of the creators of '']'', which debuted in January 2021 online during the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=2021-01-01 |title='Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical': How Broadway Cooked Up The Perfect Appetizer For A New Year That Can't Start Soon Enough |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/ratatouille-tiktok-musical-benefit-disney-seaview-emily-jacobsen-tituss-burgess-actors-fund-1234663746/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Deadline}}</ref> starring ], ], ] and more. Dan served as Music Supervisor, Arranger, and Songwriter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel Mertzlufft |url=https://www.mtishows.com/user/1197009 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Music Theatre International}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Jennimai |date=2020-12-30 |title=How Daniel Mertzlufft helped jumpstart the Ratatouille musical that raised $1 million |url=https://mashable.com/article/daniel-mertzlufft-ratatouille-musical |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Mashable }}</ref> He spoke on Deadline's Virtual House Panel about the show, with all proceeds going to The Actors Fund.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Matthew |date=2021-06-15 |title="Absolutely Wild": Stars And Creators On How They Transformed Disney Animated Film Into 'Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical' – Deadline Virtual House |url=https://deadline.com/video/ratatouille-the-tiktok-musical-composer-daniel-mertzlufft-actors-andrew-barth-feldman-kevin-chamberlin-virtual-house-interview/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Deadline}}</ref> It raised 1 million dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Jennimai |date=2020-12-30 |title=How Daniel Mertzlufft helped jumpstart the Ratatouille musical that raised $1 million |url=https://mashable.com/article/daniel-mertzlufft-ratatouille-musical |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Mashable |language=en}}</ref>
⚫ He's written songs for ] with ], sung by Josh Gad and ], ] ], and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Composer Daniel J. Mertzlufft Talks TikTok Fame And James Corden Surprise |url=https://www.iheartradiobroadway.com/content/2020-12-03-composer-daniel-j-mertzlufft-talks-tiktok-fame-and-james-corden-surprise/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=iHeartRadio Broadway |language=en}}</ref>


He was also the creative force behind ], debuting online during the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=2021-01-01 |title='Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical': How Broadway Cooked Up The Perfect Appetizer For A New Year That Can't Start Soon Enough |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/ratatouille-tiktok-musical-benefit-disney-seaview-emily-jacobsen-tituss-burgess-actors-fund-1234663746/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> starring ], ], ] and more. Dan served as Music Supervisor, Arranger, and Songwriter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel Mertzlufft |url=https://www.mtishows.com/user/1197009 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Music Theatre International |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Jennimai |date=2020-12-30 |title=How Daniel Mertzlufft helped jumpstart the Ratatouille musical that raised $1 million |url=https://mashable.com/article/daniel-mertzlufft-ratatouille-musical |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Mashable |language=en}}</ref> He spoke on Deadline's Virtual House Panel about the show, with all proceeds going to The Actors Fund.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Matthew |date=2021-06-15 |title="Absolutely Wild": Stars And Creators On How They Transformed Disney Animated Film Into 'Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical' – Deadline Virtual House |url=https://deadline.com/video/ratatouille-the-tiktok-musical-composer-daniel-mertzlufft-actors-andrew-barth-feldman-kevin-chamberlin-virtual-house-interview/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> It raised 1 million dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Jennimai |date=2020-12-30 |title=How Daniel Mertzlufft helped jumpstart the Ratatouille musical that raised $1 million |url=https://mashable.com/article/daniel-mertzlufft-ratatouille-musical |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Mashable |language=en}}</ref> Mertzlufft's TikTok video, ''Summer in New York'', was viewed more than 6 million, and ''Grocery Story'' <ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Kelly |title=Even Broadway stars love this viral grocery store musical on TikTok |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/broadway-stars-love-viral-grocery-store-musical-tiktok/story?id=73495797 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=ABC News}}</ref> has received <!-- how many? --> million views and prompted other uses to create hundreds of duets of it.<ref>{{Cite web | last=Moore |first=Sian |title=Young composer sings a TikTok ballad for the ages, inspires entire musical in a grocery store |url=https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/videos/grocery-store-musical-theatre-tiktok-duet/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Classic FM}}</ref> '']'' wrote of the latter, "not to oversell this story, but it is epic."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Tanya |date=2020-10-07 |title=A 27-Year-Old Composer Has Inspired One Of The Most Epic And Delightful Duet Chains On TikTok |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tanyachen/epic-tiktok-chain-musical-fighting-in-a-grocery-store |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=BuzzFeed News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-08 |last=Lalwani first= Andy |title=TikTok’s “Grocery Store” Parody Musical is Going Viral - video Dailymotion |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7wp3k5 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Dailymotion}}</ref>


⚫ He also wrote the first full TikTok musical, "For You, Paige," starring ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Byron |date=2022-06-09 |title=TikTok Creator Daniel Mertzlufft on For You, Paige |url=https://awardsfocus.com/interviews/tiktok-creator-daniel-mertzlufft-on-for-you-paige/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Awards Focus}}</ref> (commissioned by ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-16 |title=Raising the Curtain on For You, Paige: a TikTok musical written by TikTok, for TikTok |url=https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/for-you-paige |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Newsroom {{!}} TikTok}}</ref>), which was simultaneously performed on Broadway and Broadcast on TikTok.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |last=Sung | first= Morgan |title='Ratatouille the Musical' creator back with TikTok-themed 'For You, Paige' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/tiktok-musical-for-you-paige-livestream-ratatouille-rcna23676 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=NBC News}}</ref> Mertzlufft talked with NBC news about the difficulties in 'preserving the evergreen aspects of making a musical while also being conscious of how quickly trends move'. ] explains the plot of For You, Paige; "In “For You, Paige” (a pun on TikTok’s For You page), teen music nerd Landon (played by Roman Banks) collaborates with his best friend, Paige (played by Sri Ramesh) on a TikTok song inspired by her favorite book series. Landon’s TikTok goes viral, thrusting him into the spotlight – and leaving Paige behind. When a producer offers Landon the opportunity to adapt the book series into a musical, Landon discovers that the glory of doing it all himself isn’t worth the stress and enlists the help of Paige (and the TikTok community) to turn the show into a success."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2022-04-06 |title=TikTok Is Funding Its First Musical, From Creative Lead Behind 'Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical' |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/tiktok-first-musical-ratatouille-daniel-mertzlufft-1235226497/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Variety}}</ref>
Mertzlufft's has gone viral on TikTok multiple times, including ''Summer in New York'' which had over 6 million views and ''Grocery Story'' <ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Kelly |title=Even Broadway stars love this viral grocery store musical on TikTok |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/broadway-stars-love-viral-grocery-store-musical-tiktok/story?id=73495797 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> which had million of views an hundreds of duets from other users<ref>{{Cite web | last=Moore |first=Sian |title=Young composer sings a TikTok ballad for the ages, inspires entire musical in a grocery store |url=https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/videos/grocery-store-musical-theatre-tiktok-duet/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Classic FM |language=en}}</ref>. Of ''Grocery Story'', ] said of Mertzlufft's writing, "not to oversell this story, but it is epic."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Tanya |date=2020-10-07 |title=A 27-Year-Old Composer Has Inspired One Of The Most Epic And Delightful Duet Chains On TikTok |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tanyachen/epic-tiktok-chain-musical-fighting-in-a-grocery-store |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=BuzzFeed News |language=en}}</ref> DailyMotion covered him on "What's Trending," and called ''Grocery Story'' a "masterpiece."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-08 |last=Lalwani first= Andy |title=TikTok’s “Grocery Store” Parody Musical is Going Viral - video Dailymotion |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7wp3k5 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Dailymotion |language=en}}</ref>


⚫ ] called him a "creative genius".<ref>{{Cite web |last=America |first=Good Morning |title=Even Broadway stars love this viral grocery store musical on TikTok |url=https://goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/broadway-stars-love-viral-grocery-store-musical-tiktok-73495797 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Good Morning America}}</ref> ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-11 |last=Chase | first=Anthony |title=Theater Talk: Lancaster's Daniel Mertzlufft 'breaks the internet' with Tik Tok Broadway sendups |url=https://www.wbfo.org/arts-culture/2020-12-11/theater-talk-lancasters-daniel-mertzlufft-breaks-the-internet-with-tik-tok-broadway-sendups |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=WBFO}}</ref> said he "breaks the internet with his Tik Tok Broadway sendups." His debut single was called "In My Head."<ref>{{Cite web |last= Moore | first=Deanna |title=Watch a Preview of Daniel Mertzlufft & Jacob Ryan Smith's Debut Single |url=https://www.iheartradiobroadway.com/content/2022-09-21-watch-a-preview-of-daniel-mertzlufft-jacob-ryan-smiths-debut-single/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=iHeartRadio Broadway}}</ref>
⚫ He also wrote the first full TikTok musical, "For You, Paige," starring ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Byron |date=2022-06-09 |title=TikTok Creator Daniel Mertzlufft on For You, Paige |url=https://awardsfocus.com/interviews/tiktok-creator-daniel-mertzlufft-on-for-you-paige/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Awards Focus |language=en-US}}</ref> (commissioned by ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-16 |title=Raising the Curtain on For You, Paige: a TikTok musical written by TikTok, for TikTok |url=https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/for-you-paige |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Newsroom {{!}} TikTok |language=en-us}}</ref>), which was simultaneously performed on Broadway and Broadcast on TikTok.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |last=Sung | first= Morgan |title='Ratatouille the Musical' creator back with TikTok-themed 'For You, Paige' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/tiktok-musical-for-you-paige-livestream-ratatouille-rcna23676 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Mertzlufft talked with NBC news about the difficulties in 'preserving the evergreen aspects of making a musical while also being conscious of how quickly trends move'. ] explains the plot of For You, Paige; "In “For You, Paige” (a pun on TikTok’s For You page), teen music nerd Landon (played by Roman Banks) collaborates with his best friend, Paige (played by Sri Ramesh) on a TikTok song inspired by her favorite book series. Landon’s TikTok goes viral, thrusting him into the spotlight — and leaving Paige behind. When a producer offers Landon the opportunity to adapt the book series into a musical, Landon discovers that the glory of doing it all himself isn’t worth the stress and enlists the help of Paige (and the TikTok community) to turn the show into a success."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2022-04-06 |title=TikTok Is Funding Its First Musical, From Creative Lead Behind 'Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical' |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/tiktok-first-musical-ratatouille-daniel-mertzlufft-1235226497/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

⚫ ] called him a "creative genius".<ref>{{Cite web |last=America |first=Good Morning |title=Even Broadway stars love this viral grocery store musical on TikTok |url=https://goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/broadway-stars-love-viral-grocery-store-musical-tiktok-73495797 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Good Morning America |language=en}}</ref> ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-11 |last=Chase | first=Anthony |title=Theater Talk: Lancaster's Daniel Mertzlufft 'breaks the internet' with Tik Tok Broadway sendups |url=https://www.wbfo.org/arts-culture/2020-12-11/theater-talk-lancasters-daniel-mertzlufft-breaks-the-internet-with-tik-tok-broadway-sendups |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=WBFO |language=en}}</ref> said he "breaks the internet with his Tik Tok Broadway sendups." His debut single was called "In My Head."<ref>{{Cite web |last= Moore | first=Deanna |title=Watch A Preview Of Daniel Mertzlufft & Jacob Ryan Smith's Debut Single |url=https://www.iheartradiobroadway.com/content/2022-09-21-watch-a-preview-of-daniel-mertzlufft-jacob-ryan-smiths-debut-single/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=iHeartRadio Broadway |language=en}}</ref>


Mertzlufft, alongside ] writers ] and ], judged the Write Out Loud contest for emerging musical theater writers<ref>{{Cite web |first = Logan |last = Culwell-Block |title=Tom Kitt, Joriah Kwamé, Daniel Mertzlufft, More to Judge 2023 Write Out Loud Contest |url=https://playbill.com/article/tom-kitt-joriah-kwame-daniel-mertzlufft-more-to-judge-2023-write-out-loud-contest |website=Playbill.com}}</ref>. Mertzlufft, alongside ] writers ] and ], judged the Write Out Loud contest for emerging musical theater writers<ref>{{Cite web |first = Logan |last = Culwell-Block |title=Tom Kitt, Joriah Kwamé, Daniel Mertzlufft, More to Judge 2023 Write Out Loud Contest |url=https://playbill.com/article/tom-kitt-joriah-kwame-daniel-mertzlufft-more-to-judge-2023-write-out-loud-contest |website=Playbill.com}}</ref>.


He is featured in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Museum of Broadway |url=https://www.themuseumofbroadway.com/designers/daniel-mertzlufft |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=www.themuseumofbroadway.com}}</ref> He has had works performed at ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Feinstein's/54 Below 10th Anniversary Celebration: The Next 10 Years of Talent, feat. Marlow & Moss & more! |url=https://54below.org/events/10th-anniversary-celebration-of-feinsteins-54-below-the-next-10-years-of-talent/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=54 Below |language=en-US}}</ref> He was commissioned by the Bay Area Children's Theatre to write "Construction Sight on Christmas Night." He's written songs performed by Broadway performer ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harms |first=Talaura |title=Watch Julie Benko and the Broadway Sinfonietta 'Start With a Bang' |url=https://playbill.com/article/watch-julie-benko-and-the-broadway-sinfonietta-start-with-a-bang |website=Playbill.com}}</ref>, and wrote the show Grumpy Monkey, which was performed at the ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adamek |first=Pauline |title=Pasadena Playhouse extends "Grumpy Monkey, The Musical" – ArtsBeatLA |url=https://www.artsbeatla.com/2024/02/grumpy-monkey-the-musical/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |language=en-US}}</ref>. He is featured in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Museum of Broadway |url=https://www.themuseumofbroadway.com/designers/daniel-mertzlufft |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=www.themuseumofbroadway.com}}</ref> He has had works performed at ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Feinstein's/54 Below 10th Anniversary Celebration: The Next 10 Years of Talent, feat. Marlow & Moss & more! |url=https://54below.org/events/10th-anniversary-celebration-of-feinsteins-54-below-the-next-10-years-of-talent/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=54 Below}}</ref> He was commissioned by the Bay Area Children's Theatre to write "Construction Sight on Christmas Night." He has written songs performed by Broadway performer ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harms |first=Talaura |title=Watch Julie Benko and the Broadway Sinfonietta 'Start With a Bang' |url=https://playbill.com/article/watch-julie-benko-and-the-broadway-sinfonietta-start-with-a-bang |website=Playbill.com}}</ref>, and wrote the show Grumpy Monkey, which was performed at the ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adamek |first=Pauline |title=Pasadena Playhouse extends "Grumpy Monkey, The Musical" – ArtsBeatLA |url=https://www.artsbeatla.com/2024/02/grumpy-monkey-the-musical/ |access-date=2024-05-27}}</ref>.


He's a member of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel Mertzlufft |url=https://www.mtishows.com/user/1197009 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Music Theatre International |language=en}}</ref> He often works with lyricist ], whom he met there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mertzlufft & Leonard |url=https://www.mertzlufftandleonard.com/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Mertzlufft & Leonard |language=en-US}}</ref> Mertzlufft is signed with ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=2021-01-12 |title=Daniel J. Mertzlufft, TikTok Musical Star, Signs With CAA, Kraft-Engel Management (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/daniel-j-mertzlufft-tiktok-caa-kraft-engel-management-1234883925/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Mertzlufft is a member of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel Mertzlufft |url=https://www.mtishows.com/user/1197009 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Music Theatre International}}</ref> He often works with lyricist ], whom he met there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mertzlufft & Leonard |url=https://www.mertzlufftandleonard.com/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Mertzlufft & Leonard}}</ref> Mertzlufft is signed with ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=2021-01-12 |title=Daniel J. Mertzlufft, TikTok Musical Star, Signs With CAA, Kraft-Engel Management (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/daniel-j-mertzlufft-tiktok-caa-kraft-engel-management-1234883925/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Variety}}</ref>


Mertzlufft identifies as gay and wrote ''The Meaning of Pride'' in celebration of ], with a music video featuring ''RuPaul’s Drag Race's'' ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Denny |date=2021-06-30 |title=Composer Daniel Mertzlufft On Latest Musical Projects |url=https://www.outfrontmagazine.com/composer-daniel-mertzlufft-on-latest-musical-projects/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=OUT FRONT |language=en-US}}</ref>. Mertzlufft identifies as gay and wrote ''The Meaning of Pride'' in celebration of ], with a music video featuring ''RuPaul’s Drag Race's'' ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Denny |date=2021-06-30 |title=Composer Daniel Mertzlufft On Latest Musical Projects |url=https://www.outfrontmagazine.com/composer-daniel-mertzlufft-on-latest-musical-projects/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=OUT FRONT}}</ref>.


== Education == == Education ==
⚫ Mertzlufft graduated ''summa cum laude'' from SUNY in 2015 with a double major in music education and composition.<ref name=":0" />

⚫ Mertzlufft graduated summa cum laude from SUNY in 2015 with a double major in music education and composition.<ref name=":0" />


== Awards == == Awards ==
*] Potsdam Alumni Association Rising Star Award, 2021<ref name=":0">{{Cite web | last=Wilke| first=Alexandra Jacobs | title=SUNY Potsdam Alumni Name Daniel Mertzlufft '15 a 'Rising Star' {{!}} SUNY Potsdam |url=https://www.potsdam.edu/news/DanielMertzlufft |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=www.potsdam.edu}}</ref>

] Potsdam Alumni Association Rising Star Award, 2021<ref name=":0">{{Cite web | last=Wilke| first=Alexandra Jacobs | title=SUNY Potsdam Alumni Name Daniel Mertzlufft '15 a 'Rising Star' {{!}} SUNY Potsdam |url=https://www.potsdam.edu/news/DanielMertzlufft |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=www.potsdam.edu}}</ref> *] Foundation Harold Adamson Lyric Awards for musical theatre<ref>{{Cite web |title=The ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Lyric Awards |url=https://www.ascapfoundation.org/programs/awards/award-recipients/adamson.aspx |website=ASCAP Foundation}}</ref>.
⚫ *], Honoree for Social Experimental & Innovation 2023 for the Musical "For You, Paige<ref>{{Cite web |title=NEW Webby Gallery + Index |url=http://winners.webbyawards.com/2023/social/features/experimental-innovation/246411/for-you-paige-a-tiktok-musical |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=NEW Webby Gallery + Index}}</ref>."

] Foundation Harold Adamson Lyric Awards for musical theatre<ref>{{Cite web |title=The ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Lyric Awards |url=https://www.ascapfoundation.org/programs/awards/award-recipients/adamson.aspx |website=ASCAP Foundation}}</ref>.

⚫ ], Honoree for Social Experimental & Innovation 2023 for the Musical "For You, Paige<ref>{{Cite web |title=NEW Webby Gallery + Index |url=http://winners.webbyawards.com/2023/social/features/experimental-innovation/246411/for-you-paige-a-tiktok-musical |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=NEW Webby Gallery + Index |language=en}}</ref>."


== References == == References ==
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{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


== External Links == == External Links ==
⚫ *


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Dan Merzlufft


⚫

Revision as of 18:31, 7 June 2024

American musical theatre composer
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Dan Mertzlufft is an American musical theatre composer and arranger best known as a creator of Ratatouille the Musical on TikTok.

Career

Mertzlufft has written songs for The Late Late Show with James Corden, sung by Josh Gad and Kristin Chenoweth, Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, and Josh Groban.

He was one of the creators of Ratatouille the Musical, which debuted in January 2021 online during the 2020 Covid Pandemic. starring Titus Burgess, Wayne Brady, Adam Lambert and more. Dan served as Music Supervisor, Arranger, and Songwriter. He spoke on Deadline's Virtual House Panel about the show, with all proceeds going to The Actors Fund. It raised 1 million dollars.

Mertzlufft's TikTok video, Summer in New York, was viewed more than 6 million, and Grocery Story has received million views and prompted other uses to create hundreds of duets of it. BuzzFeed wrote of the latter, "not to oversell this story, but it is epic."

He also wrote the first full TikTok musical, "For You, Paige," starring Andy Cohen (commissioned by TikTok), which was simultaneously performed on Broadway and Broadcast on TikTok. Mertzlufft talked with NBC news about the difficulties in 'preserving the evergreen aspects of making a musical while also being conscious of how quickly trends move'. Variety explains the plot of For You, Paige; "In “For You, Paige” (a pun on TikTok’s For You page), teen music nerd Landon (played by Roman Banks) collaborates with his best friend, Paige (played by Sri Ramesh) on a TikTok song inspired by her favorite book series. Landon’s TikTok goes viral, thrusting him into the spotlight – and leaving Paige behind. When a producer offers Landon the opportunity to adapt the book series into a musical, Landon discovers that the glory of doing it all himself isn’t worth the stress and enlists the help of Paige (and the TikTok community) to turn the show into a success."

Good Morning America called him a "creative genius". NPR said he "breaks the internet with his Tik Tok Broadway sendups." His debut single was called "In My Head."

Mertzlufft, alongside Broadway writers Tom Kitt and Andrew Lippa, judged the Write Out Loud contest for emerging musical theater writers.

He is featured in the Museum of Broadway. He has had works performed at 54 Below. He was commissioned by the Bay Area Children's Theatre to write "Construction Sight on Christmas Night." He has written songs performed by Broadway performer Julie Benko, and wrote the show Grumpy Monkey, which was performed at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Mertzlufft is a member of the BMI Workshop. He often works with lyricist Kate Leonard, whom he met there. Mertzlufft is signed with CAA.

Mertzlufft identifies as gay and wrote The Meaning of Pride in celebration of Pride Month, with a music video featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race's Nina West.

Education

Mertzlufft graduated summa cum laude from SUNY in 2015 with a double major in music education and composition.

Awards

  • SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association Rising Star Award, 2021
  • ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Lyric Awards for musical theatre.
  • Webby Awards, Honoree for Social Experimental & Innovation 2023 for the Musical "For You, Paige."

References

  1. "Composer Daniel J. Mertzlufft Talks TikTok Fame And James Corden Surprise". iHeartRadio Broadway. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  2. Evans, Greg (2021-01-01). "'Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical': How Broadway Cooked Up The Perfect Appetizer For A New Year That Can't Start Soon Enough". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  3. "Daniel Mertzlufft". Music Theatre International. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  4. Nguyen, Jennimai (2020-12-30). "How Daniel Mertzlufft helped jumpstart the Ratatouille musical that raised $1 million". Mashable. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  5. Carey, Matthew (2021-06-15). ""Absolutely Wild": Stars And Creators On How They Transformed Disney Animated Film Into 'Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical' – Deadline Virtual House". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  6. Nguyen, Jennimai (2020-12-30). "How Daniel Mertzlufft helped jumpstart the Ratatouille musical that raised $1 million". Mashable. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  7. McCarthy, Kelly. "Even Broadway stars love this viral grocery store musical on TikTok". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  8. Moore, Sian. "Young composer sings a TikTok ballad for the ages, inspires entire musical in a grocery store". Classic FM. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  9. Chen, Tanya (2020-10-07). "A 27-Year-Old Composer Has Inspired One Of The Most Epic And Delightful Duet Chains On TikTok". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  10. Lalwani first= Andy (2020-10-08). "TikTok's "Grocery Store" Parody Musical is Going Viral - video Dailymotion". Dailymotion. Retrieved 2024-06-07. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |last= (help)
  11. Burton, Byron (2022-06-09). "TikTok Creator Daniel Mertzlufft on For You, Paige". Awards Focus. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  12. "Raising the Curtain on For You, Paige: a TikTok musical written by TikTok, for TikTok". Newsroom | TikTok. 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  13. Sung, Morgan (2022-04-14). "'Ratatouille the Musical' creator back with TikTok-themed 'For You, Paige'". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  14. Spangler, Todd (2022-04-06). "TikTok Is Funding Its First Musical, From Creative Lead Behind 'Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  15. America, Good Morning. "Even Broadway stars love this viral grocery store musical on TikTok". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  16. Chase, Anthony (2020-12-11). "Theater Talk: Lancaster's Daniel Mertzlufft 'breaks the internet' with Tik Tok Broadway sendups". WBFO. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  17. Moore, Deanna. "Watch a Preview of Daniel Mertzlufft & Jacob Ryan Smith's Debut Single". iHeartRadio Broadway. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  18. Culwell-Block, Logan. "Tom Kitt, Joriah Kwamé, Daniel Mertzlufft, More to Judge 2023 Write Out Loud Contest". Playbill.com.
  19. "The Museum of Broadway". www.themuseumofbroadway.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  20. "Feinstein's/54 Below 10th Anniversary Celebration: The Next 10 Years of Talent, feat. Marlow & Moss & more!". 54 Below. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  21. Harms, Talaura. "Watch Julie Benko and the Broadway Sinfonietta 'Start With a Bang'". Playbill.com.
  22. Adamek, Pauline. "Pasadena Playhouse extends "Grumpy Monkey, The Musical" – ArtsBeatLA". Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  23. "Daniel Mertzlufft". Music Theatre International. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  24. "Mertzlufft & Leonard". Mertzlufft & Leonard. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  25. Lang, Brent (2021-01-12). "Daniel J. Mertzlufft, TikTok Musical Star, Signs With CAA, Kraft-Engel Management (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  26. Patterson, Denny (2021-06-30). "Composer Daniel Mertzlufft On Latest Musical Projects". OUT FRONT. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  27. ^ Wilke, Alexandra Jacobs. "SUNY Potsdam Alumni Name Daniel Mertzlufft '15 a 'Rising Star' | SUNY Potsdam". www.potsdam.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  28. "The ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Lyric Awards". ASCAP Foundation.
  29. "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index. Retrieved 2024-05-27.

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