Galileo Composers Discuss Crafting Rock Score for Broadway Musical
Zoe Sarnak and Michael Weiner wrote the music and lyrics for Galileo, a new musical about astronomer Galileo Galilei coming to the Shubert Theatre. The songwriting duo tailored the show's rock score to the voices of stars including Raúl Esparza, Joy Woods and Jeremy Kushnier. Danny Strong wrote the book.
The musical Galileo dramatizes Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei and is set for Broadway’s Shubert Theatre this fall. Its cast includes Raúl Esparza, Joy Woods, Jeremy Kushnier, Bradley Dean, Jordon Lee Garcia and Javier Muñoz; Danny Strong wrote the book, while Zoe Sarnak and Michael Weiner wrote music and lyrics. The score was tailored to the cast’s voices.
Sarnak and Weiner met through the show’s producers and bonded over musicals, rock, science and Galileo’s story. They tested their collaboration by writing a song about Galileo’s telescope discovery, completing a first draft that day. Sarnak, whose father is a mathematician, studied science and music in college. Weiner likens Galileo to a rock star who challenged authority.
This production could draw Broadway audiences who favor rock music and historical drama, while possibly attracting science-minded viewers curious about Galileo’s story. Its emphasis on writing for specific performers may encourage discussions about how contemporary musicals blend genre and character. For theater artists, the project may serve as a visible example of collaboration across music, lyrics and book writing. Its reception could shape interest in future science-themed stage works, though its actual cultural reach may depend on