Alan Menken talks about being a book writer.

“Perhaps the toughest, most pivotal and thankless job in musical theater is that of the book writer. Their work lays the groundwork that allows our songs to soar. Their words are the runway we take off on, the flight plan we follow and the key to our safe landing.”

It is stated by Alan Menken in the letter, an American musical theatre and film composer and pianist.

The theatre artist joins in writing a letter titled “Writing the Book for a Musical: A Misunderstood Art” to the editor of The New York Times clarifying the ‘misunderstood art’ of book writing.

The letter was drafted in response to the Times’ May 4 article, “ Hamilton’ Aside, Where the Real Tony Competition Lies.” New York Theatre critic Charles Isherwood stated in the piece of the letter that he found it “slightly puzzling that [ Hamilton] was nominated in the book of a musical category since the show is almost sung-through.”

DGA president Dough Wright signed the letter.