A Homecoming for Jeanine Tesori

If you think you don't know Jeanine Tesori, think again. Port Washington bred, Tesori is also a four-time Tony Award nominated composer who has worked with Tony Kushner and Meryl Streep and written the music to "Shrek: The Musical" and "Thoroughly Modern Mille," to name but a few of her Broadway achievements.

At Landmark on Main Street on Wednesday evening,  Tesori, a Schreiber High School alumna, came home to Port Washington for "Conversations from Main Street" series. The Jeanne Rimsky Theater's stage, modestly equipped with a piano, table and two chairs, became the setting for the evening's cordial atmosphere.

In a tête-à-tête with her former Schreiber High School Shakespeare teacher, John Broza, Tesori unassumingly answered questions about her life and career, even blushing when asked to share the names of the prominent people she met and worked with over the years.

In between the questions and answers, Ms. Tesori charmed the audience with her piano playing and singing – or according to her, "butchering" – of her compositions, including pieces from "Shrek: The Musical," "Caroline, or Change" and a song performed during Lincoln Center's American Songbook series, which was a tribute her maternal grandfather.

Her advice to people looking to enter a career in the arts? "Be incredibly crafty and creative," she said. "Be persistent and kind about what you want to do." And to those who are put off by rejection, Tesori believes that "'no's are sometimes unreckoned 'yeses.'"

Growing up with her two sisters in Beacon Hill, Tesori reminisced about the closeness of her family and the laughter they shared. Tesori's mother, who sat in the audience, often became the focus of the evening as the younger Tesori jokingly threatened to move back home.

But the best part of the conversation came from knowing Tesori's affection for her home town. "I love this place," she said. "I remember more from this town than from college. I feel very strongly about this community." And what was she able to take from her education in Port that helped her in her career today? "I learned the rigor of process and method from my teachers," she said.

The evening ended with an opportunity for the audience to ask questions. Tesori was asked if she had the chance to see the Port Summer Show production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie." She regretted that she hadn't, as she had been away at the time, but added, "It's a great role for kids to play."

Once the event ended, some in the audience commented to Tesori's mother, "She is a wonderful woman, you must be proud." And in that humble way her daughter carried the evening, the elder Tesori said, "Thank-you."

Tesori's  recent work, the musical score of a "Free Man of Color," premieres at Lincoln Center Theater on October 21.