Barry Harman's career began shortly after graduating from Harvard University, where he served as President of Hasty Pudding Show #124 and as an editor for Harvard's humor magazine, The Lampoon. He directed and choreographed a critically acclaimed production of THE MOST HAPPY FELLA on the main stage at the Loeb Drama Center.
Mr. Harman's first professional job was as a staff writer for THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW, which he landed by writing and sending in sample sketches. He shared in the honors won by the writing staff, winning his first Emmy Award and a Writers Guild Award.
He also began writing for several half-hour sitcoms, most notably for the number one program on TV, ALL IN THE FAMILY. He and his writing partner Harve Brosten shared an Emmy for "Cousin Liz," an episode credited with the first-ever depiction of a devoted same-sex couple.
After a few years in Los Angeles, he returned to New York, where he pursued his dream of writing book and lyrics for musical theater. He wrote for a new educational puppet show, THE GREAT SPACE COASTER, and later contributed lyrics to animated series like MY LITTLE PONY and JEM.
Barry's first theatrical effort was TELECAST, an original musical about the children and co-workers of a deceased temperamental variety show star. He also worked as a Creative Consultant/Writer for a series of revues at NYC'S St. Regis Hotel, saluting first Broadway producers, then Broadway songwriters.
His next theatrical production was OLYMPUS ON MY MIND, presented off-off Broadway at the Actor's Outlet, for which he provided book, lyrics and direction. The show received stellar reviews and sent the show moving off-Broadway to the Lamb's Theater, where it enjoyed a six-month run.
Barry collaborated with composer Burton Lane and book writer Joseph Stein on a revised version of their short-lived Broadway show CARMELINA. He also wrote six new numbers for the show. The London production never materialized, but the show has had three different incarnations at the York Theater in its Musicals in Mufti presentations.
His next project, ROMANCE/ROMANCE, written with composer Keith Herrmann, transferred after an off-off Broadway debut to Broadway's Helen Hayes Theater, where it ran for 297 performances and was nominated for five Tony Awards. The show continues to be produced world-wide.
Barry began working as a head writer for children's educational TV, writing for shows like ALLEGRA'S WINDOW, BIG BAG, and ONCE UPON A TREE. He also contributed scripts and lyrics to CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, OUT OF THE BOX, and THE WONDER PETS.
He wrote the Emmy Award winning HBO Family Special, HOW DO YOU SPELL GOD?, and the PBS Great Performances SOME ENCHANTED EVENINGS: A Salute to Oscar Hammerstein. His latest projects include a musical version of BLACK BEAUTY and INCREDIBLE HIGH, a musical comedy about Victorian author Wilkie Collins.
