Herb Schapiro


Herb Schapiro was an American playwright, lyricist, poet, and educator whose work spanned theater, television, community arts, and university teaching. His plays were produced at the Actors Studio, Provincetown Playhouse, and Henry Street Playhouse, and his poetry appeared in journals including Virginia Quarterly Review and Helicon.
Schapiro is best known as the co‑creator and co‑lyricist of The Me Nobody Knows, a musical based on writings by New York City schoolchildren. The show premiered Off Broadway in May 1970, where critic Clive Barnes called it “a dark and lovely rock‑folk musical,” and later transferred to Broadway, running for nearly a year. It won an Obie Award and received five Tony Award nominations.
In addition to his theatrical writing, Schapiro taught drama, theater arts, and writing at The New School, the City University of New York, and Rutgers University, and served as a writer‑in‑residence for the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. His work frequently engaged with social issues, including prison education, inner‑city arts, and youth expression.
Schapiro lived for many years at Sutton House, a cooperative apartment building at 415 East 52nd Street in Manhattan, which he used as his professional address during his active career. He died at his home in Brooklyn in 2014 from complications of non‑Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Background

Herbert Elliott Schapiro was born in Brooklyn on January 20, 1929, to Irving Schapiro, an investment broker, and Julia Schapiro. He studied literature at New York University, earning bachelor's and master's degrees and completing coursework for a Ph.D., though he did not complete a dissertation.
During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Puerto Rico, where he taught English to Spanish‑speaking recruits.

Career

Early work and community theater

Schapiro's early plays included Kill the One‑Eyed Man, an adaptation of a Gogol short story, produced before 1970. He also staged performances in prisons and in economically distressed urban neighborhoods, reflecting his interest in bringing theater to underserved communities.
His plays Survivors, The Big Game, and A Little Something Before You Go were produced at the Actors Studio, while Kill the One‑Eyed Man was staged at the Provincetown Playhouse. Don’t Cry, Child, Your Father’s in America was produced at the Henry Street Playhouse.

Television and film

Schapiro wrote and produced several programs for PBS, including In the Face of Justice and Whatever Happened to the Little Red Schoolhouse? He also created short films such as Stages of a Summer, Island in Time, and In and Out of the Inner City.

Academic career

Schapiro taught at The New School, the City University of New York, and Rutgers University, and participated in arts‑education initiatives for the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

''The Me Nobody Knows''

Schapiro conceived The Me Nobody Knows after reading The Me Nobody Knows: Children’s Voices From the Ghetto, an anthology of writings by New York City schoolchildren edited by Stephen M. Joseph. He first adapted the material into a short nonmusical film shot in the streets of Trenton, New Jersey, using local residents as performers.
He then collaborated with composer Gary William Friedman, producer Jeff Britton, director Robert H. Livingston, and lyricist Will Holt to develop the stage musical.
The show opened Off Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre in May 1970 to strong critical reception, moved to Broadway in December 1970, and ran for nearly 400 performances. It won an Obie Award and received five Tony Award nominations.
In 1980, the musical was adapted into a television special that aired on Showtime.

Works

Stage plays

Survivors – Actors StudioThe Big Game – Actors StudioA Little Something Before You Go – Actors Studio; winner of the Stanley Drama AwardKill the One‑Eyed Man – Provincetown PlayhouseDon’t Cry, Child, Your Father’s in America – Henry Street PlayhouseThe Love Song of Saul Alinsky – about community organizer Saul Alinsky
  • ''The Knight Was Made for Love''

Musicals

The Me Nobody Knows – Orpheum Theatre; Helen Hayes Theatre; Longacre Theatre; international productionsLeading Lady – based on the life of Victoria WoodhullTeddy – book and lyricsBring In the Morning – Off Broadway, 1994

Television and film

In the Face of Justice Whatever Happened to the Little Red Schoolhouse? Stages of a SummerIsland in Time
  • ''In and Out of the Inner City''

Poetry

  • Poems published in Virginia Quarterly Review
  • Poems published in ''Helicon''

Anthologies and related works

  • Source material for The Me Nobody Knows derived from ''The Me Nobody Knows: Children’s Voices From the Ghetto''

Reception

Clive Barnes of The New York Times praised The Me Nobody Knows as “a dark and lovely rock‑folk musical” and later wrote, “I loved it.” The show was widely noted for its authenticity and its use of children's own words to depict urban life.

Legacy

Schapiro's work in documentary musical theater, particularly The Me Nobody Knows, influenced later productions that incorporated real voices and community narratives. His commitment to prison theater, youth expression, and arts education contributed to the development of community‑engaged drama programs in New York and beyond.

Personal life

Schapiro lived for many years at Sutton House, 415 East 52nd Street, Manhattan. He was married and divorced three times and was survived by his partner, Gail Richardson; his son, Mark; two daughters, Judith Nevard and Elizabeth Marsh; and four grandchildren.