Shelly Markham (composer) was commissioned to write Flavia and the Dream Maker with librettist Doug Haverty and lyricist Bob Garrett in 1991 and enjoyed the experience immensely. A native of Chicago, Illinois, he moved to New York City where he wrote special material for "Captain Kangaroo." He then migrated to Los Angeles, where he collaborated with acclaimed writer Judith Viorst as a theatre composer, beginning with the musical revue, Love & Shrimp, based on Viorst's extensive collections of poetry books. The show enjoyed a successful run at the Pasadena Playhouse, the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills and the Ballroom in New York City and is now performed regularly in theaters across the country. He was asked to write two musicals for the Kennedy Center based on Viorst's best-selling books Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and Alexander Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move, which are now published by Dramatic Publishing. He also wrote songs that are featured in the hit off-Broadway musical Naked Boys Singing. Well known as an arranger and musical director, Markham has worked with a diverse roster of performers including Lanie Kazan, Carol Lawrence, Bonnie Franklin and Andrea Marcovicci.
