Gary Geld

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Gary Geld (October 18, 1935 – June 17, 2015) was an American composer known for his work creating musicals and popular songs with his lyricist partner Peter Udell.

Life and career

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Geld was born on October 18, 1935.[1] Raised in Clifton, New Jersey, he graduated from Clifton High School, where he won a songwriting competition.[2]Gary Geld is an American composer, songwriter, author, publisher, and producer. He studied composition at New York University and business at the Juilliard School. In 1959, he co-founded the Geld-Udell Music Corporation with longtime collaborator Peter Udell, followed by the formation of Geld-Udell Productions in 1962. He joined ASCAP in 1961.[3]

Throughout the 1960s, Geld wrote and produced music for popular artists including Connie Francis, Brian Hyland, Jackie Wilson, Gene Pitney, and Skeeter Davis. He is best known for co-writing the hit song "Sealed With a Kiss." Other notable compositions include "Ginny Come Lately" and "Let Me Belong to You." Geld and Udell co-created the Broadway musicals Purlie (1970, a nominee for the Tony Award for Best Musical), Shenandoah (1975), and Angel (1978).

His music for Shenandoah was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Original Score in 1975. The song "Freedom" from the musical was performed at the rededication of the Statue of Liberty in 1989.[4] Geld and Udell also contributed songs to the musical dance revue American Dance Machine (1978).[5]

Geld died in Manhattan Beach, California on June 17, 2015, at the age of 79.[6]

Stage credits

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Year Title Role Venue Ref.
1970 Purlie Composer Broadway, Broadway Theatre [7]
1971 U.S. National Tour
1972 Broadway, Billy Rose Theatre
1975 Shenandoah Broadway, Alvin Theatre
1976 Regional, Ogunquit Playhouse
1977 U.S. National Tour
Regional, Paper Mill Playhouse
1979
1978 Angel Broadway, Minskoff Theatre
American Dance Machine Songs featured Broadway, Century Theatre
1989 Shenandoah Composer Broadway, Virginia Theatre
2005 Purlie Regional, Goodman Theatre

Film credits

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Year Title Role Ref.
1972 "Hurting Each Other," The Carpenters Composer
1981 Purlie (TV Movie) Composer
1989 "Sealed With a Kiss," Jason Alexander Composer
2018 "Repeal What's Amiss," Don Caron Composer

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Category Work Result Ref.
Tony Awards 1970 Best Musical Purlie Nominated [8]
1975 Best Score Shenandoah Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Thomas S. Hischak (2008). "Gary Geld". The Oxford companion to the American musical : theatre, film, and television. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195335330.
  2. ^ Greatorex, Susan."Clifton's Geld makes beautiful music on Broadway", Herald News, May 29, 1975. Accessed October 8, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Broadway owes Clifton High School a note of thanks. On second thought, make that two notes and musical ones, please.... Geld left Clifton High School to study business administration at college."
  3. ^ "Gary Geld – Biography". IMDb. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  4. ^ "Gary Geld – Artist Bio". Goodman Theatre. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  5. ^ Thomas S. Hischak (1993). "Gary Geld (1935- )". Stage it with Music: An Encyclopedic Guide to the American Musical Theatre. Greenwood Press. p. 91. ISBN 9780313287084.
  6. ^ "The Estate of Composer Gary Geld". Again L.A. Estate Sales on Facebook. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Gary Geld – Broadway Cast & Staff". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  8. ^ "Gary Geld – Broadway Cast & Staff". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
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