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James Lapine

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BIO

Lapine is an American stage director, playwright, screenwriter, and librettist. He has won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical three times, for Into the Woods, Falsettos, and Passion. He has frequently collaborated with Stephen Sondheim and William Finn.

Photos

Productions

Flying Over SunsetFlying Over Sunset
 
[Broadway, 2021]
Director
FalsettosFalsettos
 
[US Tour, 2019]
Director
Mrs. Miller Does Her ThingMrs. Miller Does Her Thing
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2017]
Director
Writer
FalsettosFalsettos
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Director
A New BrainA New Brain
 
[New York, 2015]
Co-Librettist, Director
Into the WoodsInto the Woods
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Book
Sunday in the Park with GeorgeSunday in the Park with George
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2014]
Book
Act OneAct One
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Director
Little Miss SunshineLittle Miss Sunshine
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Director
AnnieAnnie
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Director
Merrily We Roll AlongMerrily We Roll Along
 
[Off-Broadway, 2012]
Director
Sondheim on SondheimSondheim on Sondheim
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Director
King Lear
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Director
Fran's Bed
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Director
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Director
Director
Modern Orthodox
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Director
Passion
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Director
Dirty Blonde
 
[West End, 2004]
Director
Amour
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Director
Into the Woods
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Director
Into the Woods
 
[Los Angeles, 2002]
Director
Dirty Blonde
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Director
Dirty Blonde
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Director
Golden Child
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Director
The Diary of Anne Frank
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Director
Into the Woods
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Director
Golden Child
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Director
Twelve Dreams
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Director
Luck, Pluck, and Virtue
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Director
Sunday in the Park with George
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Director
Passion
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Director
Falsettos
 
[Broadway, 1992]
Director
Falsettoland
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Director
The Winter's Tale
 
[Off-Broadway, 1989]
Director
Into the Woods
 
[US Tour, 1988]
Director
Into the Woods
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Director
Into the Woods
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 1986]
Director
Merrily We Roll Along
 
[Regional (US), 1985]
Director
Sunday in the Park with George
 
[Broadway, 1984]
Director
Sunday in the Park with George
 
[Off-Broadway, 1983]
Director
Director
A Midsummer Night's Dream
 
[Off-Broadway, 1982]
Director
Twelve Dreams
 
[Off-Broadway, 1981]
Director
March of the Falsettos
 
[Off-Broadway, 1981]
Director
March of the Falsettos
 
[Off-Broadway, 1981]
Director
March of the Falsettos
 
[Off-Broadway, 1981]
Director
Table Settings
 
[Off-Broadway, 1980]
Director
Table Settings
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
Director

Writing

Table Settings
Playwright
Fran's Bed
Playwright
Table Settings
Playwright
The Moment When
Playwright
Twelve Dreams
Playwright
Playwright
Act One
Adapter
Dirty Blonde
Conceiver
Falsettoland
Bookwriter
Falsettos
Bookwriter
Into the Woods
Bookwriter
A New Brain
Bookwriter
Passion
Bookwriter

Movies

Life with Mikey
[ 1993 ] director
Into the Woods
[ 2011 ] writer
Custody
[ 2016 ] producer

Awards and Nominations


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2014 - Best Play

James Lapine, Act One

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Play

James Lapine, Act One


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

James Lapine, The 25sup>th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee

The Lortels - 2005 - Outstanding Director

James Lapine, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Direction of a Musical

James Lapine, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Director - Musical

James Lapine, Amour

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

James Lapine , Into the Woods

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Direction of a Musical

James Lapine, Into the Woods


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Director - Play

James Lapine, Dirty Blonde

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Direction of a Play

James Lapine, Dirty Blonde

Drama Desk Awards - 1994 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

James Lapine, Passion

Drama Desk Awards - 1994 - Outstanding Director - Musical

James Lapine, Passion


winner
Tony Awards - 1994 - Best Book of a Musical

James Lapine, Passion

Tony Awards - 1994 - Best Direction of a Musical

James Lapine , Passion


winner
Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Book of a Musical

James Lapine, Falsettos

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Direction of a Musical

James Lapine, Falsettos


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

James Lapine, Into the Woods

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Director - Musical

James Lapine, Into the Woods


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1988 - Best Musical

James Lapine, Into the Woods


winner
Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Book of a Musical

James Lapine, Into the Woods

Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Direction of a Musical

James Lapine, Into the Woods


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

James Lapine, Sunday in the Park with George


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

James Lapine, Sunday in the Park with George


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1984 - Best Musical

James Lapine, Sunday in the Park with George

Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Book of a Musical

James Lapine, Sunday in the Park with George

Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Direction of a Musical

James Lapine , Sunday in the Park with George

Videos

More Videos

News


INTO THE WOODS to be Presented at Union High School Performing Arts Company Photo
INTO THE WOODS to be Presented at Union High School Performing Arts Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 26, 2025

The Union High School Performing Arts Company will present Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved musical Into the Woods. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Lighthouse Repertory Theatre Presents A Tour Of INTO THE WOODS Freeport And St. James Photo
Lighthouse Repertory Theatre Presents A Tour Of INTO THE WOODS Freeport And St. James
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 25, 2025

Lighthouse Repertory Theatre will present a tour of INTO THE WOODS in Freeport and St. James, running March 21st - April 6th. One of Stephen Sondheim’s most beloved works, 3x Tony-winning INTO THE WOODS opens Lighthouse's season of five productions touring Long Island.
Lighthouse Repertory Theatre to Launch Tour Of INTO THE WOODS Photo
Lighthouse Repertory Theatre to Launch Tour Of INTO THE WOODS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2025

Lighthouse Repertory Theatre will present a tour of INTO THE WOODS -- Freeport and St. James this spring. Learn more about the tour and see how to purchase tickets.
Annaleigh Ashford and James Lapine to Honor Mandy Patinkin at Signature Theatre Photo
Annaleigh Ashford and James Lapine to Honor Mandy Patinkin at Signature Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2025

Virginia’s Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor star of stage and screen Mandy Patinkin with the company’s fourteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. Learn more about the event and see how to purchase tickets.
INTO THE WOODS Comes to Dublin Coffman High School Drama Club Photo
INTO THE WOODS Comes to Dublin Coffman High School Drama Club
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2025

Dublin Coffman High School (DCHS) Drama Club will present Into The Woods next month. Learn more about the upcoming performance and find out how to get tickets here!
Previews: FALSETTOS at Dezart Performs Photo
Previews: FALSETTOS at Dezart Performs
by Kay Kudukis - Mar 18, 2025

Dezart Performs (dezartperforms.org) presents FALSETTOS  directed by Dennis Courtney,April 18 - April 27 2025 at the Pearl McManus Theater in the Palm Springs Woman’s Club, 314 S. Cahuilla Road, Palm Springs.
Review: INTO THE WOODS at The Royal Theatre Photo
Review: INTO THE WOODS at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Mar 14, 2025

I have loved Into the Woods ever since I saw the 1987 production on PBS. The way it mashed up all those fairy tales into one story completely blew my mind — and then when most of the characters died, I couldn’t believe it. It was wild. Honestly, I still think it’s wild, and I’m still obsessed. So, when I heard that my favorite, Bob Bidewell, was directing this Stephen Sondheim classic (Book by James LaPine) at The Royal Theatre in Benton — playing through Sunday, March 16 — I knew I was ready to go back Into the Woods.
Lynne Charnay to Celebrate 100th Birthday With Performance at Don't Tell Mama Photo
Lynne Charnay to Celebrate 100th Birthday With Performance at Don't Tell Mama
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2025

On the evening of her 100th birthday, legendary performer Lynne Charnay will take the stage at Don't Tell Mama. Learn more about the upcoming performance!
INTO THE WOODS Starring Lea Salonga Extends Run in the Philippines Photo
INTO THE WOODS Starring Lea Salonga Extends Run in the Philippines
by Stephi Wild - Mar 10, 2025

The production of Into The Woods in the Philippines will extend its run! The production, starring Lea Salonga, has added additional performances due to demand.   Additional show dates will be revealed on March 14.
Minor Bird Receives 2025 Charles M. Getchell New Play Award from Southeastern Theatre Photo
Minor Bird Receives 2025 Charles M. Getchell New Play Award from Southeastern Theatre Conference 
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 7, 2025

The Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) has awarded the 2025 Charles M. Getchell New  Play Award to Douglas Chang for his play Minor Bird. The Award will be presented at SETC's 76th Annual Convention in Baltimore, March 19-22. 
Ben Platt and More To Honor Mandy Patinkin At Signature Theatre Gala Photo
Ben Platt and More To Honor Mandy Patinkin At Signature Theatre Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2025

On April 14, 2025, Virginia's Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor star of stage and screen Mandy Patinkin with the company's fourteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. The Stephen Sondheim Award will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at The Anthem and will benefit Signature Theatre's artistic, education, and community programs.
INTO THE WOODS and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Come to the Bridge Theatre This Year Photo
INTO THE WOODS and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Come to the Bridge Theatre This Year
by Stephi Wild - Feb 25, 2025

London Theatre Company has announced two further productions opening at the Bridge Theatre during 2025, including a new staging of Into The Woods as well as the return of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Nettingham Middle School’s Performing Arts Company Will Perform INTO THE WOODS JR. Photo
Nettingham Middle School’s Performing Arts Company Will Perform INTO THE WOODS JR.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025

Students from Nettingham Middle School’s Performing Arts Company are set to enchant audiences with a fresh and humorous take on classic fairy tale characters in their production of Into the Woods JR.
Christine Dwyer Joins SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Nashville Repertory Theatre Photo
Christine Dwyer Joins SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Nashville Repertory Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025

Nashville Repertory Theatre has announced that Broadway veteran Christine Dwyer will join the cast of Sunday in the Park with George, starring alongside David Shannon, for its highly at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
NTPA Repertory Theatre Reveals 2025 Season Including INTO THE WOODS and More Photo
NTPA Repertory Theatre Reveals 2025 Season Including INTO THE WOODS and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 17, 2025

North Texas Performing Arts Repertory Theatre has revealed its 2025 'Dare to Dream' Season! Recent winner of four Broadway World Dallas Awards. Learn more!
Signature Theatre to Honor Mandy Patinkin with 2025 Stephen Sondheim Award Photo
Signature Theatre to Honor Mandy Patinkin with 2025 Stephen Sondheim Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 14, 2025

Virginia’s Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor star of stage and screen Mandy Patinkin with the company’s fourteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. Learn more!
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME THE MUSICAL Will Make UK Premiere With Two Concert Perfor Photo
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME THE MUSICAL Will Make UK Premiere With Two Concert Performances
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2025

The musical stage adaptation of the beloved Disney classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame will have its UK professional premiere with two concert performances at the Prince Edward Theatre.
Lea Salonga's Child Nic Chien Will Join His Mother in INTO THE WOODS in the Philippin Photo
Lea Salonga's Child Nic Chien Will Join His Mother in INTO THE WOODS in the Philippines
by Stephi Wild - Feb 10, 2025

Lea Salonga's child, Nic Chien, will join his mom on stage in Into The Woods when the musical comes to the Philippines this summer. Chien will star as Jack, alongside his mother, Salonga, in the role of The Witch.
Nyoy and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante Join INTO THE WOODS in the Philippines Photo
Nyoy and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante Join INTO THE WOODS in the Philippines
by Stephi Wild - Feb 10, 2025

Real-life couple Nyoy and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante will take on the roles of The Baker and The Baker’s Wife in the upcoming production of Into The Woods in the Philippines! Learn more here!
Casting Set for BABY and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Front Porch Theatricals Photo
Casting Set for BABY and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Front Porch Theatricals
by Blair Ingenthron - Feb 8, 2025

Front Porch Theatricals has announced casting for their 2025 season, featuring Baby and Sunday in the Park With George. Learn more about the productions and how to get tickets here!
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has James Lapine written?

James Lapine has written 18 shows including Table Settings (Playwright), Sunday in the Park with George (Bookwriter), Into the Woods (Bookwriter), Falsettoland (Bookwriter), Falsettos (Bookwriter), Passion (Bookwriter), Luck, Pluck, and Virtue (Bookwriter), Twelve Dreams (Playwright), A New Brain (Bookwriter), The Moment When (Playwright), Dirty Blonde (Conceiver), Fran's Bed (Playwright), Sondheim on Sondheim (Conceiver), Act One (Adapter), Little Miss Sunshine (Playwright), Barbara Cook: Then and Now (Conceived by), Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing (Author), Flying Over Sunset (Book).

What awards has James Lapine been nominated for?

Best Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Act One, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Act One, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The 25sup>th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Amour, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Into the Woods , Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Dirty Blonde, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Dirty Blonde, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Passion, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Passion, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Passion, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Passion, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Falsettos, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Falsettos, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Into the Woods, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Into the Woods, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Into the Woods, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George and Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George.

What awards has James Lapine won?

James Lapine has won several prestigious awards throughout his career. These include: - Best Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Act One - Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Amour - Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Dirty Blonde - Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Passion - Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Falsettos - Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Into the Woods - Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Into the Woods - Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods - Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George - Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George - Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George

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