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Nell Benjamin Headshot

BIO

Nell Benjamin is a lyricist, writer, and composer noted for her work in musical theatre. With her husband and frequent collaborator Laurence O'Keefe, she won the Laurence Olivier Award for writing Legally Blonde in 2011. And in 2007, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score for Legally Blonde, and then again in 2018 for her lyrics for Mean Girls.

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2025]
Additional Material
Book
 
[West End, 2024]
Lyrics
 
[US Tour, 2023]
Lyricist
 
[US Tour, 2021]
Lyricist
 
[East Haddam, CT (Regional), 2019]
Bookwriter
Lyricist
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2018]
Book Writer
Lyricist
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2007]
Concept
Book/Lyrics (Additional)
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Music and Lyrics
 
[East Haddam, CT (Regional), 2006]
Concept
Book/Lyrics (additional)

Writing

Lyricist
Lyricist
Additional Material
Lyrics
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Lyrics

Nell Benjamin, Mean Girls

Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Nell Benjamin, Mean Girls

Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Play

Nell Benjamin, The Explorers Club

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Lyrics

Nell Benjamin, Legally Blonde

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Music

Nell Benjamin, Legally Blonde

Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Nell Benjamin, Legally Blonde The Musical


winner
- 2003 - Most promising musical theatre lyricist

Nell Benjamin

Videos

News

Everything to Know About the New Musicals With Broadway Ambitions That Previewed at The Festival
by Michael Gioia - Aug 21, 2026

If you missed the exclusive preview of the seven new and original works at The Festival, BroadwayWorld has you covered with a full breakdown and recap of what these musicals are and where they’re headed.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld August 14, 2026- JUST IN TIME To Welcome Whitney Leavitt and More
by - Aug 14, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is August 14, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Review: THE EXPLORER'S CLUB at The Welsbacher Theatre At The WSU Metroplex
by Paula Makar - Aug 13, 2026

If you want to spend an evening laughing, and love Monty Pythonesque humour, hurry out to see ICT Rep’s The Explorer’s Club at the Welsbacher Theatre at the WSU Metroplex!
Exclusive Photos: Victoria Mozitis, Caroline Siegrist and More in MEAN GIRLS at The Cape Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 13, 2026

You can now get a first look at production photos of The Cape Playhouse's Mean Girls, featuring a book by Tina Fey and music by Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin.
Video: Figure Skater Elizabeth Gibson Performs LEGALLY BLONDE Routine
by Stephi Wild - Aug 12, 2026

Performer and figure skater Elizabeth Gibson recently took part in the National Showcase, where she performed a figure skating routine to the song 'What You Want' from Legally Blonde the Musical. Watch the video here!
MEAN GIRLS to Take Stage at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
by Stephi Wild - Aug 12, 2026

Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center will present MEAN GIRLS, the musical based on the 2004 film, with performances running on weekends at the venue's East Los Angeles Avenue location.
Jennifer Ellison Joins MEAN GIRLS UK and Ireland Tour
by Stephi Wild - Aug 11, 2026

Jennifer Ellison will play Ms Heron/Ms Norbury/Mrs George in select cities including Bristol, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Newcastle as MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL tours the UK and Ireland through January 2027.
MEAN GIRLS, THE MUSICAL Cast Set for Actors Studio of New Jersey
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 5, 2026

The Actors Studio of New Jersey announced the full cast and creative team for MEAN GIRLS, THE MUSICAL, set to run at the historic Dunellen Theatre this fall.
Review: LEGALLY BLONDE – THE MUSICAL at Esplanade Theatre Celebrates Ingenuity, Community, and Joy
by Caryl Kristine Guillermo - Aug 3, 2026

With high-energy numbers, incredible singing, and hilarious material, Legally Blonde – The Musical is an infectiously joyous show perfectly suited to make all kinds of audience members leave with a smile and a pep in their step.
MEAN GIRLS: THE MUSICAL to Open at Firehouse Arts Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 31, 2026

The Pleasanton Youth Theater Company will present Mean Girls: The Musical (High School Edition) at the Firehouse Arts Center, featuring two rotating youth casts under director Mathew Glynn.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld July 31, 2026- Ethan Slater and Betsy Wolfe Join LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and More
by - Jul 31, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is July 31, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
New Musicals by Betty Who, Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and More Set for The Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 30, 2026

Seven new musicals will be showcased during The Festival's Previews of New Musicals program taking place on the Broadway Direct Main Stage. The program will showcase an exclusive sneak peek of selections from the new works.
Pierre Png, Siti Khalijah, and Nathan Hartono Join Nathania Ong in LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL
by Oliver Oliveros - Jul 25, 2026

Singapore Repertory Theatre’s (SRT) production of the Broadway hit musical 'Legally Blonde' will run at the Esplanade Theatre from July 29 to August 16, 2026.
Review: MEAN GIRLS at BECK CENTER
by Roy Berko - Jul 28, 2026

Tina Fay’s MEAN GIRLS, with the right level of farce can be a delightful experience.   Beck’s staging, inspite of a talented cast, was pleasant.  It could have been great with the right concept.  Go?, Of course! Most audience members, as displayed by the standing ovation at the end of the performance I attended, displayed their like-level of enjoyment.
Victoria Mozitis, Caroline Siegrist and More to Star in MEAN GIRLS at The Cape Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 20, 2026

The Cape Playhouse has revealed the complete and creative team for Mean Girls, featuring a book by Tina Fey and music by Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin. Mean Girls, which is based on Tina Fey’s Paramount Pictures film.
Laurie Woolery to Direct REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL at Pasadena Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 16, 2026

Laurie Woolery will direct the first post-Broadway production of Real Women Have Curves: The Musical, playing at Pasadena Playhouse in spring 2027 as the 3rd Mainstage offering of the theatre's 2026-2027 season.
ICT Repertory Theatre 2026/2027 Season Includes GASLIGHT, FLYIN' WEST & More
by Paula Makar - Jul 15, 2026

ICTRep (Wichita Repertory Theater) is pleased to announce its 2026-27 season!
Amber Davies Calls Out Audience Member For Filming During LEGALLY BLONDE in Ireland
by Stephi Wild - Jul 13, 2026

Amber Davies took to Instagram recently to call out an audience member who was filming during a recent performance of Legally Blonde in Ireland. Learn more about her statement here.
Review: Viciously Funny MEAN GIRLS AT Rules Toby's In Columbia
by Cybele Pomeroy - Jul 11, 2026

MEAN GIRLS at Toby’s in Columbia is a popcorny treat with juicy musical numbers. Enjoy climate-controlled family-friendly live entertainment and a great meal with wonderful service, provided primarily by the show's actors. Through August 23, 2026.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Nell Benjamin written?

Nell Benjamin has written 10 shows including Half Time (Lyrics), Sarah, Plain and Tall (Lyricist), Sarah, Plain and Tall (Lyricist), Cam Jansen (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Legally Blonde (Composer), The Explorers Club (Playwright), Gotta Dance (Lyrics), Mean Girls (Lyricist), Because of Winn Dixie (Bookwriter), Real Women Have Curves (Additional Material).

What awards has Nell Benjamin been nominated for?

Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Mean Girls, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Mean Girls, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Explorers Club, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Legally Blonde, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Legally Blonde, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Legally Blonde The Musical and Most promising musical theatre lyricist () for .

What awards has Nell Benjamin won?

Nell Benjamin has received several awards, including the Richard Rodgers Award for Most Promising Musical Theatre Lyricist. She has also been nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score for Mean Girls. Additionally, she won the ASCAP Foundation’s Cole Porter Award and the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre.

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