By Brian Feinstein, Special Contributor to The Scene
When I was first commissioned by the Vital Theatre Company in New York City to write The Top Job, a musical adaptation of Elizabeth Cody Kimmel’s charming book (with collaborator Robin Moyer Chung), I had no idea it would take on such a life of its own. What began as a professional opportunity quickly became a passion project. Since its premiere, the show has continued to resonate with elementary school performers, their families, and educators nationwide. And honestly? That’s the dream.
What I love about The Top Job is that it’s so New York City–centric. A job about the person who changes the lightbulbs at the tippy tippy top of the Empire State Building? How awesome is that! It captures the spirit, wonder, and grandeur of the city through the eyes of a child and invites students to think big while celebrating everyday heroes.
While I’ve spent much of my career composing for the professional stage, including having the legendary Eartha Kitt perform in my first Off-Broadway show, some of the most fulfilling work I’ve done has been in the classroom. I’ve been lucky to call artists like Maury Yeston and Bill Finn mentors over the years, and their belief in the power of story and song continues to guide me. That same passion led me to found the FeinLine Musical Theatre Academy, where we teach students of all ages how to write and perform their own musicals.
In working with children in grades 1 through 6, I’ve witnessed something extraordinary: the moment a child realizes they can tell a story, their story, through music and theatre, they light up. It’s the ultimate confidence boost wrapped in creativity.
Shows like The Top Job are ideal for young performers because they balance theatrical fun with emotional depth. At its core, the story is about a child who feels ordinary compared to their classmates, until they discover their parent has a very “top” job. It’s a relatable, empowering narrative that encourages students to take pride in their families and their own unique stories. With an ensemble-friendly structure, plenty of humor, and songs tailored for developing voices, the show is accessible without being watered down. Kids feel challenged and celebrated at the same time.
One of my favorite memories from my FeinLine Musical Theatre Academy was watching a third-grade student, shy, barely audible on day one, sing a solo in front of 200 people by the end of the semester. The transformation wasn’t magic. It was process, support, and the empowering nature of storytelling. I’ve seen this kind of growth repeatedly: students discovering their voices, literally and figuratively, through the unique power of musical theatre.
Theatre builds more than performance skills. It teaches empathy—stepping into someone else’s shoes fosters compassion and curiosity. It teaches resilience—rehearsing, failing, trying again. It also teaches collaboration in the truest sense—listening, responding, and creating something bigger than oneself.
What’s particularly powerful about bringing shows like The Top Job into the classroom is how seamlessly they integrate with the core curriculum. As students work on dialogue, they’re strengthening language arts skills through fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The New York City setting ties naturally into social studies as students research the Empire State Building and explore urban careers. Even math sneaks in through rhythm, staging measurements, and the practical geometry of set design. Teachers consistently tell me how much they appreciate these built-in academic connections. It makes arts integration feel not like an “extra,” but like a dynamic teaching tool, one that reinforces classroom learning while keeping students deeply engaged.
We often talk about the importance of arts education, but I believe in being specific: theatre is where children learn to take risks in a safe space. Where they learn timing and listening, generosity and imagination, it’s where a child who struggles in other academic areas might also discover their superpower.
The Top Job is one of those shows that helps make that magic happen. It meets students where they are and then lifts them up. As a composer and educator, I’m proud to have created a show that continues to inspire confidence, creativity, and a deep love for theatre in the next generation.
Outside of The Top Job, I continue to be inspired by coming-of-age stories—whether they unfold at the top of the Empire State Building or on a scrappy Little League baseball field. I’m currently developing a Broadway-bound musical adaptation of the classic and beloved film The Bad News Bears. Like The Top Job, it reminds me how much heart, humor, and humanity can be found in stories about kids learning to believe in themselves.
If you haven’t produced The Top Job yet, I encourage you to consider it for your upcoming season. And if you’re looking to bring more musical theatre into your classroom right now, try this simple exercise: have students choose an everyday hero in their lives and write a short “theme song” for that person using a familiar tune. It’s a perfect entry point to songwriting that builds confidence and connects to The Top Job’s themes.
I also work directly with schools, classrooms, and individual students, whether leading songwriting workshops, creative residencies, or providing one-on-one tutoring. Sessions can be in-person or virtual, depending on your location. If that sounds like a fit for your community, I’d be thrilled to connect and collaborate.
And I’m always eager to hear how your students engage with the show. Feel free to reach out anytime at FeinLineMusic.com to share their musical journeys or to chat about bringing The Top Job to your stage!
About Brian Feinstein
His past works include Mimi Le Duck (Off-Broadway, starring Eartha Kitt), Girlstar (Signature Theatre), and The Top Job, licensed nationally. Brian is the founder of the FeinLine Musical Theatre Academy, where he mentors actors and songwriters of all ages. He is also a passionate dog lover and advocate for animal rescue. Please visit: FeinLineMusic.com
