Erik Della Penna

Erik Della Penna is a highly talented American composer-lyricist, songwriter, and veteran guitarist celebrated for his versatile artistry and deep roots in American musical traditions. A graduate of The Mannes College of Music where he studied western classical music, he has built an impressive and eclectic career performing with prominent ensembles like Hazmat Modine and forming his own guitar and drum duo, Kill Henry Sugar. Based in New York City, he has seamlessy navigated diverse musical landscapes, lending his exceptional multi-instrumental talents as a prominent session musician and Broadway guitarist for major theatrical productions like Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Renowned for integrating diverse generic influences from Americana to folk and classical styles, he made a triumphant impact on the theatrical community by co-composing and co-writing the lyrics for the acclaimed, darkly comedic Broadway musical Dead Outlaw. The project highlighted his storytelling prowess and meticulous craft as a composer, arranger, and orchestrator. His extraordinary artistic contributions have been recognized with the industry's highest honors, including a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score, alongside winning the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics and receiving nominations for Outstanding Music and Outstanding Orchestrations, establishing him as a vital and innovative voice in contemporary musical theater.