Greta Gertler Gold

Biography

GRETA GERTLER GOLD is a composer, lyricist, performer and producer. She splits her time between NYC and Australia.

Current projects include:

* A musical adaptation of Joan Lindsay's novel PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK (notably adapted as a film in 1975 by Peter Weir and a recent Netflix series) in collaboration with playwright HILARY BELL and director JO BONNEY ('Cost of Living').

* Greta is collaborating with playwright SUSAN BERNFIELD (New Georges) and director PORTIA KRIEGER on a new musical theater project.

* Greta is composing music for CAT IN THE HAT, THE LORAX, HORTON and other DR. SEUSS characters for Tonies (US) toy company, in collaboration with LA-based actor, producer BILL KATES.

A recent Jonathan Larson Grant & NYFA Women's Fund Finalist and Yaddo Fellow, Greta composed music for psychedelic rock musical THE RED TREE (based on filmmaker, author and artist, SHAUN TAN's book) in collaboration with HILARY BELL for seasons at SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE & ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE (2019) and National Theatre of Parramatta (2017).

In 2022, after receiving development grants from THE CITY OF SYDNEY and CREATE NSW GRANT, Critical Stages (producers) premiered a musical adaptation of Hilary Bell & Antonia Pesenti’s best-selling children’s book ALPHABETICAL SYDNEY: ALL ABOARD! featuring music by Greta. In 2023, ALL ABOARD! will have a season at the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE and a regional tour.

In 2019, Greta and playwright ALEXANDRA COLLIER presented six nights of concert performances of their rock musical TRIPLIGHT at JOE'S PUB at THE PUBLIC THEATER, NYC (2019), starring Kristen Sieh (THE BAND'S VISIT) after being awarded residencies and workshops to develop it at UCROSS FOUNDATION (Wyoming), RHINEBECK WRITERS RETREAT, SPACE at RYDER FARM, NEW MUSICALS AUSTRALIA and THE TANK (NYC).

Greta was a composer in ARS NOVA'S UNCHARTERED PROGRAM (2015-6) and POLYPHONE FESTIVAL (Philadelphia, 2017), where she developed the ghost-rock musical THE REAL WHISPER with playwright AKIN SALAWU. She and STEW (TONY Award winning creator of PASSING STRANGE) were granted a residence at The Orchard (2015) to begin development of their musical ANNA HIT. Greta was a composer in the BMI LEHMAN ENGEL MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP (2014).

Greta has performed and released several albums as a solo artist and with her bands THE UNIVERSAL THUMP and PECCADILLO, has regularly performed at venues such as Joe's Pub, The Bell House and Barbés, has opened for artists JOAN AS POLICEWOMAN, MARTHA WAINWRIGHT, MADELEINE PEYROUX and GLENN TILBROOK (Squeeze) and toured the USA, Australia and Europe.

Greta and her husband, drummer-producer ADAM GOLD produced and performed as house band for the acclaimed variety shows THE SEDER-SONGWRITER PROJECT at Joe's Pub (2014-16) and 'ALL THINGS MUST PASS' Benefit Concert (2010). In 2020, the music video for Greta's song 'SEDER-MASOCHISTIC', which Greta directed, featuring guest vocalist-actor, LAUREN MOLINA, reached over 2 MILLION VIEWS on YOUTUBE. Greta also produced the album THE BEACON (2016) by singer-songwriter, ALICE BIERHORST as well as directing a music video for her single NOT LIKE THE MOVIES.

Greta's songs have been featured multiple times on NPR, she was awarded an AUSTRALIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS GRANT (2007) to tour in support of her theatrical concept album EDIBLE RESTAURANT. She co-penned multi-platinum-selling pop songs, BLOW UP THE POKIES and CHARLIE #3, performed by THE WHITLAMS (Warner Music Australia), featured in musical TRUTH, BEAUTY AND A PICTURE OF YOU (Hayes Theatre, Sydney, 2014). In 2022, BLOW UP THE POKIES was re-released featuring a new arrangement for a national advertising campaign for WESLEY MISSION (Australia) and country music radio.

Greta has also composed music for short films and television shows, and her songs have been placed in multiple television commercials. She has taught piano and songwriting at SCHOOL OF CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS (SOCAPA, 2014-15), and musical theater workshops at NYU PLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS THEATER SCHOOL and an outreach program of the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE (in conjunction with their production of THE RED TREE, in 2019).