"Ira Weitzman is the ultimate backstage presence, someone whose influence is essential but of whom audiences are totally unaware.” (Playbill Magazine)

In the landscape of American musical theatre one figure stands as a quiet architect of some of its most ground-breaking works. For nearly five decades, from 1978 to 2025, Ira Weitzman has been shaping its trajectory and nurturing the voices that would define its future. Now, in his definitive first-hand account, Weitzman invites readers backstage, offering an unparalleled insider's perspective on the creative alchemy that brought a post-Golden era of musicals to life.

As the visionary founder of the musical theatre program at Playwrights Horizons in 1978, and later as the Producer of Musicals at Lincoln Center Theater, Weitzman played an instrumental role in the development of a remarkable catalogue of original productions. From his support at the nascent stages of Falsettos, Sunday in the Park With George, Into the Woods, Once on this Island, and Assassins, Weitzman's first-hand account offers invaluable insights into the creative process and the collaborative spirit that defines Broadway's best.

Beyond nurturing new works, Weitzman was also a driving force behind significant revivals: Merrily We Roll Along, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and Floyd Collins. His influence extends to award-winning productions by a veritable 'who's who' of musical theatre legends, including Stephen Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, Susan Stroman, Tina Landau, Graciela Daniele, Hal Prince, Tom Kitt, and many others.

More than just a chronicle of shows, Heart and Music is a testament to Weitzman's profound impact on the very infrastructure of American musical theatre. Combining personal stories, anecdotes and intimate reflections, Weitzman's incisive insights take us on a captivating journey through the creative crucible of Broadway, told by the man who helped define its form for nearly fifty years.