The Girl Who Cried Different

Book and Additional Lyrics by Lauren Kahane

Music by Tommy Barbarella

Lyrics by Mariella Elm

Tommy gives up his rock star life to be around for his family - including his daughter Mariella, who lives with a rare disability. Life happens, and by the time Mariella makes the difficult transition into middle school, Tommy has become a stay-at-home dad, forced to do his music around his family’s chaotic schedule.

Tommy wants two things: To maintain his street cred in the music industry, and for Mariella to be happy. So when Mariella asks Tommy to write a musical with her about “What it’s like to be a girl like her,” he’s torn. Were it to become known that he’s writing a musical, it would destroy what’s left of his cool image. Even worse, it would expose his most closely guarded secret. But how can he say no?

Reluctantly, Tommy agrees - on the condition that their musical remain private.

And then the school finds out about it and wants to put it on. Publicly!

Based on the true story of former Prince keyboard player Tommy Barbarella and his daughter Mariella, The Girl Who Cried Different is the story of a man with a secret fear and a girl with a hidden disability that reminds us that, because you never know what burdens other’s carry, you must always be kind.