Birth Place: Baltimore, MD, USA
Lion is best known for her role in producing Hairspray.
Originally, Lion worked in politics, but after spending three years at the University of Iowa's Playwrights Workshop where her former husband, Ted Nemeth, was a graduate student, Lion's focus turned from education to her earlier interest in theater.
Lion's cousin, MacArthur Award recipient and director/choreographer Martha Clarke, introduced Lion to Lyn Austin from whom she learned the ropes with Austin's not-for-profit company, Music-Theater Group/Lenox Arts Center.
The first musical Lion produced on Broadway was Jelly's Last Jam, based on Jelly Roll Morton and the origins of jazz.
Other notable Broadway credits include Angels in America, On the Town, Elaine Stritch at Liberty, Caroline or Change, The Wedding Singer, Catch Me If You Can, and Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, among others.
Lion was an adjunct professor and a member of the Dean's Council at the NYU Tisch School for the Arts. She served on the Board of Directors of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and on the advisory boards of the Baltimore Young Women's Leadership School, and The Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, PUBLICOLOR.
In 2009 Margo Lion was selected by President Barack Obama to co-chair the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
Lion's productions have garnered 20 Tony Awards, 4 Olivier Awards and 1 Pulitzer Prize. Following the opening of Hairspray, she was awarded the key to the city of Baltimore by then Mayor, Martin O'Malley.
Margo Lion, Catch Me If You Can
Margo Lion, Radio Golf
Margo Lion, The Wedding Singer
Margo Lion, Caroline, or Change
Margo Lion, Hairspray
Margo Lion, The Crucible
Margo Lion, Elaine Stritch at Liberty
Margo Lion, Mnemonic
Margo Lion, Seven Guitars
Margo Lion, Angels in America: Perestroika
Margo Lion, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches
Margo Lion, Jelly's Last Jam
Margo Lion has been nominated for various awards, including Best Musical for "Catch Me If You Can," "The Wedding Singer," "Caroline, or Change," "Hairspray," and "Jelly's Last Jam." She was also nominated for Best Play for "Radio Golf," "Seven Guitars," "Angels in America: Perestroika," and "Angels in America: Millennium Approaches." Additionally, Lion received nominations for Best Revival of a Play for "The Crucible," Best Special Theatrical Event for "Elaine Stritch at Liberty," and Unique Theatrical Experience for "Mnemonic."
Margo Lion has won several awards, including Best Musical at the Tony Awards for Hairspray, Best Special Theatrical Event at the Tony Awards for Elaine Stritch at Liberty, Unique Theatrical Experience at The Lortels for Mnemonic, Best Play at the Tony Awards for Angels in America: Perestroika, and Best Play at the Tony Awards for Angels in America: Millennium Approaches.
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