Discover Erin McKeown: Musical Innovator Behind OUT HERE
“Erin McKeown is in a class of her own.”– Sunday Times (UK)
As Court Theatre opens its doors to a brand new musical on April 10, we are thrilled to introduce our audience to the exceptional composer behind the work: Erin McKeown.
Erin is a genre-defying musician, composer, and performer with a remarkable career bridging folk, jazz, rock, and electronic music. With over two decades of creative output, Erin’s music is both deeply personal and broadly resonant—fueled by vibrant storytelling, inventive arrangements, and a fearless spirit of experimentation.
A graduate of Brown University, Erin released their debut album “Monday Morning, Cold” in 1999, quickly garnering attention for sharp songwriting and a distinctive voice. Since then, they have released more than a dozen albums, including fan favorites such as “Distillation,” “We Will Become Like Birds,” and “Manifestra.”
Erin’s work is celebrated for its melodic richness and wide-ranging influences. Whether crafting introspective folk ballads, swinging jazz tunes, or dynamic rock anthems, they consistently push artistic boundaries.
Erin’s creativity also shines in the world of musical theatre. Their first musical, Miss You Like Hell, written with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes, opened Off-Broadway at The Public Theater in 2018. It was nominated for 5 Drama Desk Awards, including Best Lyrics, Best Music and Best Orchestrations, and The Wall Street Journal named it Best Musical of 2018.
Erin’s upcoming musical at Court, Out Here, is a uniquely collaborative effort. Erin joined forces with University of Chicago faculty Leslie Buxbaum (book and lyrics) and David J. Levin (dramaturgy). Together they conceived the project, and now visionary director Chay Yew will guide it to its premiere on Court’s stage. This team brings together innovative perspectives from theatre, music, and academia, promising a show rich in creativity and storytelling.
“What Erin has written is quite a masterpiece… This music, within its simplicity, picks up elements that compositionally go all the way back to the Baroque period and brings us to right now, including heavy metal.” –Out Here Music Supervisor Christie Chiles Twillie
We invite you to immerse yourself in the world of Erin McKeown—discover why critics and audiences alike celebrate their work, and be among the first to witness the next chapter in their inspiring career. Let this be your introduction to an artist whose work is as adventurous as it is heartfelt.
For more on Erin’s work, visit their website.
Out Here runs April 10 – May 10, 2026. Tickets are available now, and can be purchased online or by calling the Box Office at (773) 753-4472.
Photos by Joe Mazza: Erin McKeown, David J. Levin, and Leslie Buxbaum; Erin McKeown.