SHE built the bridge.

Brooklyn’s Bridge is inspired by the extraordinary life of Emily Roebling, wife of Brooklyn Bridge Chief Engineer Washington Roebling.

While working in the caissons under the east river, Washington had a debilitating attack of “the bends” and became bedridden. For the next eleven years, only Emily was seen on the worksite, delivering plans, handling both engineering and political issues. 

The New York Times recently revised their obituary for Emily Roebling, acknowledging that SHE built the bridge.

As the Brooklyn Bridge grows stronger, foundations to towers, cables to roadway…so does this
extraordinary couple's love for one another, as Emily fearlessly navigates uncharted waters; a
Victorian woman in a man’s world. 

“We deeply believe this incredible story must be told now,” the production team said. “Audiences are
craving original, engaging entertainment that lifts them up. Emily’s resilience, intellect, and quiet
leadership changed the skyline of New York forever. It’s time her story takes center stage.” 

"Brooklyn's Bridge is also a tribute to the thousands of immigrants who worked shoulder to shoulder
with Emily to build the 8th Wonder of the World – the people who made New York City great then, and
continue to, to this day."

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM 

Ray Roderick (Director/Book & Lyrics) is privileged to be creating a musical that celebrates the
American spirit and the remarkable Emily Roebling through the story of building the Brooklyn Bridge.
Ray recently directed La Bamba! A New Dance Musical in London’s West End and UK tour. He
adapted the Broadway script and directed Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang for US national tour, UK tour

and Australian tour. He was associate director for A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden for
six years, where he was privileged to work with original director Mike Ockrent. Ray was also Susan
Stroman's associate director for the Broadway revival of The Music Man, and directed the successful
three-year National Tour. As Broadway performer, Ray was seen in many shows, including Barnum,
starring Jim Dale and Glenn Close, and originated roles in Grind, Cats, The Wind in the Willows,
Crazy for You, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum starring Nathan Lane and
Whoopi Goldberg. 

Joseph Baker (Composer) is thrilled to be a part of BROOKLYN’S BRIDGE: A New Musical. He has
been performing as a Keyboardist/Conductor/Music Director on and around Broadway for over 35
years. His credits include WICKED, SHREK, THE LION KING, BLOOD BROTHERS, THE LIFE,
GRAND HOTEL, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, THE TAP DANCE KID, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS,
CATSKILLS ON BROADWAY, FOOTLOOSE, BELLS ARE RINGING, and LAUGHING ROOM ONLY.
He has served as Orchestrator, Vocal Arranger, or Dance Arranger on BUBBLY BLACK GIRL, THE
GREEN HEART, PLAY IT COOL, and FOOTLOOSE. He has conducted for artists including Carole
King, Petula Clark, Art Garfunkel, David and Shaun Cassidy, Helen Reddy, Chita Rivera, Leslie
Uggams, and other Broadway notables.
As a theater composer, Baker created the arrangements and original material for the hit show THE
BIKINIS and is currently developing a musical about the rivalry between Sarah Bernhardt and
Eleanora Duse. He composed and arranged the score for the documentary MAD HOT BALLROOM
and was Composer/Arranger/Producer for DITTYDOODLE WORKS, a children’s TV series on Public
Television WLIW. 

Kelli Barclay (Choreographer) is a celebrated NYC director and choreographer whose work spans
Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional theatre, and international stages..NYC: Jonathan Brielle’s Himself
and Nora, Encores’ Pipe Dream, 20 Years of Encores, Camelot in Concert starring Jeremy Irons, The
Oscar Hammerstein Awards featuring Carol Channing. Four Tony-nominated Broadway productions,
including Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. International: 42nd Street (UK West End production getting
to work with HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales), she was featured in the PBS Great Performances
documentary 42nd Street: The Musical. Film: Made for Each Other. Regional:Goodspeed Opera
House’s How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; My One and Only; Hello My Baby, both
collaborating with director Ray Roderick ; Hello, Dolly!; Damn Yankees; Anything Goes; The Will
Rogers Follies; White Christmas and their current hit production of Crazy for You Original Work:
Angels Among Us (featuring Reverend Alma Daniel, co-author of NY Times award winning Ask Your
Angels), Jonathan Brielle’s Monkey and Me starring Tovah Feldshuh. Teaching: worldwide including
American Ballet Theatre’s NYC Dance Intensive; Mark Morris Dance Company’s acclaimed Dance for
PD program. 

Michael Simon Hall (Producer) is a passionate storyteller whose work as creative producer, actor,
writer, and director spans from prestige television for HBO to live immersive theatre for Warner
Brothers. Current producing credits include Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike Live New York opening in
early 2027 in Times Square, and the long anticipated revival of the iconic Dreamgirls, returning to
Broadway in 2027. He is lead producer, director, and creator of the new immersive musical comedy
The Ironworkers’ Hayride, with music by six-time Emmy Award winner Lanny Meyer, and book and
lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Olen Butler. As an indie theater artist, his work has received
support from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, HERE Arts
Center, IndieSpaceNYC, and the Brooklyn Community Foundation.