Lynn Ahrens Headshot

Lynn Ahrens

Birth Place: New York, New York, USA

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Lynn Ahrens BIO

Lynn Ahrens' writing spans the Broadway stage, feature film and network television. She won the Tony Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards and received two Grammy nominations as lyricist of the
Broadway musical Ragtime; in the same year, she received two Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations and a Gold Record for Twentieth Century Fox's animated feature film Anastasia. She wrote book and lyrics for Seussical (Grammy nomination, one of the most performed shows in America); Once On This Island (London Olivier Award, Best Musical, Tony nominations for Best Book and Score); Lincoln Center Theater's The Glorious Ones (five Drama Desk nominations); Dessa Rose (Audelco Award, Best Musical, Outer Critics Circle nomination); A Christmas Carol (ten years at Madison Square Garden) and Lucky Stiff (Helen Hayes Award, Best Musical). She provided lyrics for My Favorite Year, A Man Of No Importance (Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Musical) and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, as well as lyrics for the feature film Camp. For television, she wrote the musical teleplay of A Christmas Carol (Hallmark Entertainment Special, NBC) and is a mainstay songwriter/ singer for the famed series Schoolhouse Rock (ABC-TV) and others. She has received the Emmy Award and four Emmy nominations. Her short stories
and essays have appeared nationally and have been nominated for the Best American Essays and Pushcart anthologies. She serves on the Dramatists Guild Council of America, co-chairs the Dramatists Guild Fellows Program, and is a member of AMPAS. 2008 marks her twenty-fifth year of collaboration with composer Stephen Flaherty.

Lynn Ahrens Photos

Lynn Ahrens STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Performer

Lynn Ahrens Productions

 
[West End, 2022]
MUSIC AND LYRICS
 
[US Tour, 2018] Cancelled [Replacement]
Lryics[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Lyricist

Writing

Lyricist
Bookwriter & Lyricist
Lyricist
Title Song Lyrics
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Conceiver
Bookwriter
Conceiver
Lyricist
Bookwriter

Lynn Ahrens Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Lynn AhrensAnastasia

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Lyrics

Lynn Ahrens, The Glorious Ones


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Lyrics

Lynn Ahrens, A Man of No Importance


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Lyrics

Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Lyrics

Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Musical

Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime


winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Book of a Musical

Lynn Ahrens , Once on this Island

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Lynn Ahrens , Once on this Island

Lynn Ahrens Videos

Lynn Ahrens News


The ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Fest Returns To The Wallis Annenberg Center For The Performing Arts


Catch the second year of The ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Fest at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts from May 14 - 21.

Review: ROCKY THE MUSICAL at MTKC Pro


The Music Theatre Kansas City – (Pro) KC Premiere production of the 2014’s Broadway version of “Rocky the Musical” is surprisingly worth your time.  It is hard to have avoided Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky Franchise” beginning as a sleeper, low budget film hit in 1976.  So far there have been six “Rocky” movies plus several follow-on films based on the career of the son of Apollo Creed, Rocky’s original opponent and eventual friend.

Amy Spanger, Todd Buonopane, and More Will Lead MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY: The Songs of Comden, Green, and Styne


The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company has announced the all-star cast of the first of its two cabaret evenings this spring at AMT.

ANASTASIA The Musical Opens At Gallery Theater This Month


Gallery Theater of McMinnville, Oregon has announced the opening of Anastasia The Musical on Friday, April 26, 2024. The opening night performance will be followed by a reception for patrons, cast, and the production team.

Cast Set for LUCKY STIFF at 2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company


The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company has revealed the cast for its revival of the hit 1988 musical Lucky Stiff. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

SEUSSICAL Comes to Wagner College Theatre This Month


Equally beloved and fantastical, SEUSSICAL brings to life all of our favorite, colorful Dr. Seuss characters. The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton the Elephant and his discovery of the Whos.

Kentwood Players Will Perform ONCE ON THIS ISLAND


Kentwood Players will present the Tony Award-winning musical ONCE ON THIS ISLAND with Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty opening Friday, May 10 through Saturday, June 8.

Pittsburgh CLO Announces Three New Programs To Make Theater More Family Accessible


Pittsburgh CLO is implementing changes to make theater more accessible for families. Discover how they're removing barriers and promoting inclusivity in the world of Broadway.

Interview: Tricia Corcoran of RAGTIME at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre


Ragtime, based on the 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow, premiered in Toronto in 1996 before opening on Broadway in 1998. The musical, by Terrance McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahrens, tells the story of the United States in the early 20th century, focusing on the experiences and tensions that existed (and still exist) between different groups of people. It is a beautiful, thoughtful, and thought-provoking show, and audiences can experience it on stage at Dutch Apple through May 12th. Tricia Corcoran, who portrays Emma Goldman, spoke with BroadwayWorld about this production of Ragtime.

Liz Callaway, Hugh Panaro & More to Join Amas Musical Theatre Benefit Concert


Amas Musical Theatre has revealed the line-up of talent that will be on hand to celebrate the company's 55th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit Concert. Learn more about the gala and see how to purchase tickets.

Shuler Hensley-Helmed THE MUSIC MAN & More Set for City Springs Theatre's 7th Season


City Springs Theatre Company has revealed its all-new 2024 – 2025 season, marking the award-winning theatre company’s seventh season which launches in September and runs through May 2025.

Cast Set for DO RE MI at J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company


The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company  has revealed the cast for its revival of the hit 1960 musical Do Re Mi. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Ann Kittredge To Celebrate CD Release of ROMANTIC NOTIONS at The Birdland Theater


In celebration of her soon to be released, highly anticipated album, Romantic Notions, a diverse collection of songs on the numerous “notions” of love, Ann Kittredge, will appear at The Birdland Theatre. Learn more about the performance and see how to purchase tickets.

THE LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS World Premiere & More Set for Bucks County Playhouse 2024 Season


Bucks County Playhouse has unveiled its 2024 subscription season. Featuring four productions in the historic playhouse, the Playhouse’s 85th season kicks off in May. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Meet the Cast of MOTHER PLAY, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway


Second Stage Theater's Mother Play will begin previews on Broadway tonight, April 3. Meet the cast of Mother Play here!

SEUSSICAL Comes to Theatre Harrisburg in April


Theatre Harrisburg will present the Tony-nominated musical, SEUSSICAL, April 26-May 12, 2024, at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg.

Plays for New Audiences Reveals New Titles Now Available


Plays for New Audiences, the script licensing division for the Tony Award-winning® Children’s Theatre Company, has announced new titles now available for licensing.

J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company Announces THE 2024 LAGNIAPPE SERIES


Discover the 2024 Lagniappe Series by the J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company.

Pittsburgh CLO Announces WEST SIDE STORY And More For 2024 Summer Season


Pittsburgh CLO has your summer mapped out promising an array of captivating productions across the city's Cultural District. Pittsburgh CLO continues their long-standing commitment of creating Broadway caliber shows made by Pittsburgh, for Pittsburgh, and in partnership with Pittsburgh.

ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL: YOUTH EDITION Comes to The Majestic Academy Of Dramatic Arts


The Majestic Academy Of Dramatic Arts will present Anastasia The Musical: Youth Edition this month. Performances run March 22-24, 2024.

Lynn Ahrens FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Lynn Ahrens written?

Lynn Ahrens has written 17 shows including Lucky Stiff (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Once On This Island (Bookwriter), My Favorite Year (Lyricist), A Christmas Carol (Lyricist), Ragtime (Lyricist), Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart (Lyricist), Seussical (Conceiver), A Man of No Importance (Lyricist), Dessa Rose (Lyricist), Chef's Theater: A Musical Feast (Songs), Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Lyricist), The Glorious Ones (Lyricist), Rocky (Lyricist), In Your Arms (Title Song Lyrics), Anastasia (Lyricist), Marie, Dancing Still (Bookwriter & Lyricist), Knoxville (Lyricist).

What awards has Lynn Ahrens been nominated for?

Lynn Ahrens has been nominated for several awards throughout her career, including Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) by the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Anastasia," Outstanding Lyrics by the Drama Desk Awards for "The Glorious Ones," "A Man of No Importance," and two nominations for "Ragtime." She also received the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle for "Ragtime." Additionally, she was nominated for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Ragtime" and "Once on this Island." Ahrens also received a nomination for Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Once on this Island."

What awards has Lynn Ahrens won?

Lynn Ahrens has won the following awards: Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for A Man of No Importance, Ragtime, and Ragtime, as well as Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Ragtime.

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