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Mertzlufft wrote the first full [[TikTok]] musical, "For You, Paige," in 2019, starring [[Andy Cohen]],<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> which was commissioned by Tiktok and simultaneously broadcast on TikTok and at a "secret" Broadway theater.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYz1wvHjlb8 |title=For You, Paige: A TikTok Musical {{!}} TikTok |date=2022-05-18 |last=TikTok |access-date=2024-06-09 |via=YouTube}}</ref><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><ref name=Sung>{{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'.<ref name=Sung/>
Mertzlufft wrote the first full [[TikTok]] musical, "For You, Paige," in 2019, starring [[Andy Cohen]],<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> which was commissioned by Tiktok and simultaneously broadcast on TikTok and at a "secret" Broadway theater.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYz1wvHjlb8 |title=For You, Paige: A TikTok Musical {{!}} TikTok |date=2022-05-18 |last=TikTok |access-date=2024-06-09 |via=YouTube}}</ref><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><ref name=Sung>{{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'.<ref name=Sung/>


[[Variety (magazine)|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."<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> Kelly McCarthy of ''[[Good Morning America]]'' called Mertzlufft a "creative genius".<ref name=McCarthy>{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Kelly |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> [[NPR]]<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> Mertzlufft's TikTok video ''Grocery Story'' has received over 4.6 million views,<ref name=McCarthy/> and has prompted other users 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> ''[[BuzzFeed]]'' 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 |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7wp3k5 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Dailymotion}}</ref>
[[Variety (magazine)|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."<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>
Kelly McCarthy of ''[[Good Morning America]]'' called Mertzlufft a "creative genius".<ref name="McCarthy">{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Kelly |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> [[NPR]]<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> Mertzlufft's TikTok video ''Grocery Story'' has received over 4.6 million views,<ref name="McCarthy" /> and has prompted other users 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> ''[[BuzzFeed]]'' 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 |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7wp3k5 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Dailymotion}}</ref>


In early 2020, [[James Corden]] called Mertzlufft "brilliant."<ref name=":2">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7IBOK7R2Uw |title=Thanksgiving: The TikTok Musical -- Full Segment |date=2020-11-24 |last=The Late Late Show with James Corden |access-date=2024-06-11 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and asked him to write a song for the ''[[The Late Late Show with James Corden|The Late Late Show]]''. Corden then invited Mertzlufft on The Late, Late Show where Corden suprised him, having [[Josh Gad]], [[Kristin Chenoweth]], [[Patti LuPone]], [[Audra McDonald]], and [[Josh Groban]] perform 'Thanksgiving the Musical' that Mertzlufft had written.<ref name=":2" /><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>
In early 2020, [[James Corden]] called Mertzlufft "brilliant."<ref name=":2">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7IBOK7R2Uw |title=Thanksgiving: The TikTok Musical -- Full Segment |date=2020-11-24 |last=The Late Late Show with James Corden |access-date=2024-06-11 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and asked him to write a song for the ''[[The Late Late Show with James Corden|The Late Late Show]]''. Corden then invited Mertzlufft on The Late, Late Show where Corden suprised him, having [[Josh Gad]], [[Kristin Chenoweth]], [[Patti LuPone]], [[Audra McDonald]], and [[Josh Groban]] perform 'Thanksgiving the Musical' that Mertzlufft had written.<ref name=":2" /><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>
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He was one of the creators of ''[[Ratatouille the Musical]]'', which debuted in January 2021 online during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|2020 Covid Pandemic]],<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 [[Tituss Burgess|Titus Burgess]], [[Wayne Brady]] and [[Adam Lambert]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Portwood |first=Jerry |date=2020-12-30 |title=Listen to 'Remember My Name' from ''Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/ratatouille-tiktok-musical-cast-remy-tituss-burgess-adam-lambert-1108000/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Rolling Stone}}</ref> Mertzlufft served as music supervisor, as well as an 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 name=Nguyen>{{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> The musical raised 2 million dollars<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-01-12 |title=The Actors Fund Announces that ''Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical'' Has Raised $2 Million |url=https://entertainmentcommunity.org/about-us/news/actors-fund-announces-ratatouille-tiktok-musical-has-raised-2-million |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Entertainment Community Fund}}</ref> for 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> making it the most successful fundraiser in Actors Fund history.<ref name=":1" />
He was one of the creators of ''[[Ratatouille the Musical]]'', which debuted in January 2021 online during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|2020 Covid Pandemic]],<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 [[Tituss Burgess|Titus Burgess]], [[Wayne Brady]] and [[Adam Lambert]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Portwood |first=Jerry |date=2020-12-30 |title=Listen to 'Remember My Name' from ''Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/ratatouille-tiktok-musical-cast-remy-tituss-burgess-adam-lambert-1108000/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Rolling Stone}}</ref> Mertzlufft served as music supervisor, as well as an 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 name=Nguyen>{{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> The musical raised 2 million dollars<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-01-12 |title=The Actors Fund Announces that ''Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical'' Has Raised $2 Million |url=https://entertainmentcommunity.org/about-us/news/actors-fund-announces-ratatouille-tiktok-musical-has-raised-2-million |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Entertainment Community Fund}}</ref> for 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> making it the most successful fundraiser in Actors Fund history.<ref name=":1" />


Mertzlufft identifies as gay and, in 2021 wrote ''The Meaning of Pride'' in celebration of [[Pride Month]] with a music video featuring [[Nina West]].<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>
Mertzlufft identifies as gay and, in 2021 wrote ''The Meaning of Pride'' in celebration of [[Pride Month]] with a music video featuring [[Nina West]].<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>

Mertzlufft, alongside writers [[Tom Kitt (musician)|Tom Kitt]] and [[Andrew Lippa]], judged the Write Out Loud contest for emerging musical theater writers in 2023.<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 [[Museum of Broadway]].<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 [[54 Below]] in New York City.<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> His ''Construction Site on Christmas Night,'' commissioned by the Bay Area Children's Theatre,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel Mertzlufft |url=https://www.mtishows.com/user/1197009 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Music Theatre International}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cristi |first=A. A. |title=TikTok Star & Musical Composer Daniel J. Mertzlufft Signs With CAA, Kraft-Engel Management |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/TikTok-Star-Musical-Composer-Daniel-J-Mertzlufft-Signs-With-CAA-Kraft-Engel-Management-20210112 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=BroadwayWorld.com}}</ref> was performed in Sunnyvale, California, during the Christmas holiday season of 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cristi |first=A. A. |title=Construction Site on Christmas Night Plays Sunnyvale for the Holidays |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/san-francisco/article/CONSTRUCTION-SITE-ON-CHRISTMAS-NIGHT-Plays-Sunnyvale-For-The-Holidays-20191023 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=BroadwayWorld.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-02 |title=''Construction Site on Christmas Night'' Plays Sunnyvale for the Holiday Season |url=https://www.svvoice.com/construction-site-on-christmas-night-plays-sunnyvale-for-the-holiday-season/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=The Silicon Valley Voice}}</ref> [[Julie Benko]] performed a song by Mertzlufft in 2023.<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> Mertzlufft wrote the show ''Grumpy Monkey'', which was performed at the [[Pasadena Playhouse]] in 2024.<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 is featured in the [[Museum of Broadway]].<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 [[54 Below]] in New York City.<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> His ''Construction Site on Christmas Night,'' commissioned by the Bay Area Children's Theatre,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel Mertzlufft |url=https://www.mtishows.com/user/1197009 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Music Theatre International}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cristi |first=A. A. |title=TikTok Star & Musical Composer Daniel J. Mertzlufft Signs With CAA, Kraft-Engel Management |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/TikTok-Star-Musical-Composer-Daniel-J-Mertzlufft-Signs-With-CAA-Kraft-Engel-Management-20210112 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=BroadwayWorld.com}}</ref> was performed in Sunnyvale, California, during the Christmas holiday season of 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cristi |first=A. A. |title=Construction Site on Christmas Night Plays Sunnyvale for the Holidays |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/san-francisco/article/CONSTRUCTION-SITE-ON-CHRISTMAS-NIGHT-Plays-Sunnyvale-For-The-Holidays-20191023 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=BroadwayWorld.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-02 |title=''Construction Site on Christmas Night'' Plays Sunnyvale for the Holiday Season |url=https://www.svvoice.com/construction-site-on-christmas-night-plays-sunnyvale-for-the-holiday-season/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=The Silicon Valley Voice}}</ref> [[Julie Benko]] performed a song by Mertzlufft in 2023.<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> Mertzlufft, alongside writers [[Tom Kitt (musician)|Tom Kitt]] and [[Andrew Lippa]], judged the Write Out Loud contest for emerging musical theater writers in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Culwell-Block |first=Logan |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 wrote the show ''Grumpy Monkey'', which was performed at the [[Pasadena Playhouse]] in 2024.<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>


Mertzlufft is a member of the [[BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop|BMI advanced workshop]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel Mertzlufft |url=https://www.mtishows.com/user/1197009 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Music Theatre International}}</ref> It was there that he met lyricist [[Kate Leonard]], frequent collaborator and a co-writer on ''For You, Paige'' and ''Ratatouille the Musical.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mertzlufft & Leonard |url=https://www.mertzlufftandleonard.com/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Mertzlufft & Leonard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Castillo |first=Michelle |date=2022-04-22 |title=From Theater to TikTok, ''For You, Paige'' Was Made for the Vertical Stage |url=https://www.cheddar.com/media/from-theater-to-tiktok-for-you-paige-was-made-for-the-vertical-stage/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Cheddar}}</ref>
Mertzlufft is a member of the [[BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop|BMI advanced workshop]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel Mertzlufft |url=https://www.mtishows.com/user/1197009 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Music Theatre International}}</ref> It was there that he met lyricist [[Kate Leonard]], frequent collaborator and a co-writer on ''For You, Paige'' and ''Ratatouille the Musical.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mertzlufft & Leonard |url=https://www.mertzlufftandleonard.com/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Mertzlufft & Leonard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Castillo |first=Michelle |date=2022-04-22 |title=From Theater to TikTok, ''For You, Paige'' Was Made for the Vertical Stage |url=https://www.cheddar.com/media/from-theater-to-tiktok-for-you-paige-was-made-for-the-vertical-stage/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Cheddar}}</ref>

Revision as of 03:33, 12 June 2024


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

Career

Mertzlufft wrote the first full TikTok musical, "For You, Paige," in 2019, starring Andy Cohen,[1] which was commissioned by Tiktok and simultaneously broadcast on TikTok and at a "secret" Broadway theater.[2][3][4] 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'.[4]

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."[5]

Kelly McCarthy of Good Morning America called Mertzlufft a "creative genius".[6] NPR[7] said he "breaks the internet with his Tik Tok Broadway sendups." His debut single was called "In My Head."[8] Mertzlufft's TikTok video Grocery Story has received over 4.6 million views,[6] and has prompted other users to create hundreds of duets of it.[9] BuzzFeed wrote of the latter, "not to oversell this story, but it is epic."[10][11]

In early 2020, James Corden called Mertzlufft "brilliant."[12] and asked him to write a song for the The Late Late Show. Corden then invited Mertzlufft on The Late, Late Show where Corden suprised him, having Josh Gad, Kristin Chenoweth, Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, and Josh Groban perform 'Thanksgiving the Musical' that Mertzlufft had written.[12][13]

He was one of the creators of Ratatouille the Musical, which debuted in January 2021 online during the 2020 Covid Pandemic,[14] starring Titus Burgess, Wayne Brady and Adam Lambert.[15] Mertzlufft served as music supervisor, as well as an arranger and songwriter.[16][17] The musical raised 2 million dollars[18] for The Actors Fund,[19] making it the most successful fundraiser in Actors Fund history.[18]

Mertzlufft identifies as gay and, in 2021 wrote The Meaning of Pride in celebration of Pride Month with a music video featuring Nina West.[20]

He is featured in the Museum of Broadway.[21] He has had works performed at 54 Below in New York City.[22] His Construction Site on Christmas Night, commissioned by the Bay Area Children's Theatre,[23][24] was performed in Sunnyvale, California, during the Christmas holiday season of 2019.[25][26] Julie Benko performed a song by Mertzlufft in 2023.[27] Mertzlufft, alongside writers Tom Kitt and Andrew Lippa, judged the Write Out Loud contest for emerging musical theater writers in 2023.[28] Mertzlufft wrote the show Grumpy Monkey, which was performed at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2024.[29]

Mertzlufft is a member of the BMI advanced workshop.[30] It was there that he met lyricist Kate Leonard, frequent collaborator and a co-writer on For You, Paige and Ratatouille the Musical.[31][32]

Education

Mertzlufft graduated summa cum laude from SUNY in 2015 with a double major in music education and composition.[33]

Awards

  • SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association Rising Star Award, 2021[33]
  • ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Lyric Awards for musical theatre[34].
  • Webby Awards, Honoree for Social Experimental & Innovation 2023 for the Musical "For You, Paige[35]."

References

  1. ^ Burton, Byron (2022-06-09). "TikTok Creator Daniel Mertzlufft on For You, Paige". Awards Focus. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  2. ^ TikTok (2022-05-18). For You, Paige: A TikTok Musical | TikTok. Retrieved 2024-06-09 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ "Raising the Curtain on For You, Paige: a TikTok musical written by TikTok, for TikTok". Newsroom | TikTok. 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  4. ^ a b Sung, Morgan (2022-04-14). "Ratatouille the Musical' creator back with TikTok-themed For You, Paige". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  5. ^ Spangler, Todd (2022-04-06). "TikTok Is Funding Its First Musical, From Creative Lead Behind 'Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  6. ^ a b McCarthy, Kelly. "Even Broadway stars love this viral grocery store musical on TikTok". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  7. ^ Chase, Anthony (2020-12-11). "Theater Talk: Lancaster's Daniel Mertzlufft 'breaks the internet' with Tik Tok Broadway sendups". WBFO. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  8. ^ Moore, Deanna. "Watch a Preview of Daniel Mertzlufft & Jacob Ryan Smith's Debut Single". iHeartRadio Broadway. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  9. ^ Moore, Sian. "Young composer sings a TikTok ballad for the ages, inspires entire musical in a grocery store". Classic FM. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Lalwani, Andy (2020-10-08). "TikTok's "Grocery Store" Parody Musical is Going Viral". Dailymotion. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  12. ^ a b The Late Late Show with James Corden (2020-11-24). Thanksgiving: The TikTok Musical -- Full Segment. Retrieved 2024-06-11 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ "Composer Daniel J. Mertzlufft Talks TikTok Fame And James Corden Surprise". iHeartRadio Broadway. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Portwood, Jerry (2020-12-30). "Listen to 'Remember My Name' from Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  16. ^ "Daniel Mertzlufft". Music Theatre International. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  17. ^ Nguyen, Jennimai (2020-12-30). "How Daniel Mertzlufft helped jumpstart the Ratatouille musical that raised $1 million". Mashable. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  18. ^ a b "The Actors Fund Announces that Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical Has Raised $2 Million". Entertainment Community Fund. 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ Patterson, Denny (2021-06-30). "Composer Daniel Mertzlufft On Latest Musical Projects". OUT FRONT. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  21. ^ "The Museum of Broadway". www.themuseumofbroadway.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  22. ^ "Feinstein's/54 Below 10th Anniversary Celebration: The Next 10 Years of Talent, feat. Marlow & Moss & more!". 54 Below. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  23. ^ "Daniel Mertzlufft". Music Theatre International. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  24. ^ Cristi, A. A. "TikTok Star & Musical Composer Daniel J. Mertzlufft Signs With CAA, Kraft-Engel Management". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  25. ^ Cristi, A. A. "Construction Site on Christmas Night Plays Sunnyvale for the Holidays". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  26. ^ "Construction Site on Christmas Night Plays Sunnyvale for the Holiday Season". The Silicon Valley Voice. 2019-11-02. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  27. ^ Harms, Talaura. "Watch Julie Benko and the Broadway Sinfonietta 'Start With a Bang'". Playbill.com.
  28. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan. "Tom Kitt, Joriah Kwamé, Daniel Mertzlufft, More to Judge 2023 Write Out Loud Contest". Playbill.com.
  29. ^ Adamek, Pauline. "Pasadena Playhouse extends "Grumpy Monkey, The Musical" – ArtsBeatLA". Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  30. ^ "Daniel Mertzlufft". Music Theatre International. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  31. ^ "Mertzlufft & Leonard". Mertzlufft & Leonard. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  32. ^ Castillo, Michelle (2022-04-22). "From Theater to TikTok, For You, Paige Was Made for the Vertical Stage". Cheddar. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  33. ^ a b Wilke, Alexandra Jacobs. "SUNY Potsdam Alumni Name Daniel Mertzlufft '15 a 'Rising Star' | SUNY Potsdam". www.potsdam.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  34. ^ "The ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Lyric Awards". ASCAP Foundation.
  35. ^ "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index. Retrieved 2024-05-27.


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