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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

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News


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!
INTO THE WOODS And More Announced for Virginia Theatre Festival 2025 Season Photo
INTO THE WOODS And More Announced for Virginia Theatre Festival 2025 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 6, 2025

The Virginia Theatre Festival's 2025 season will open on Friday, June 27 with Stephen Sondheim's classic musical Into the Woods. The Virginia Theatre Festival is a program of the University of Virginia.
Breaking Down the Different Stephen Sondheim Revues Photo
Breaking Down the Different Stephen Sondheim Revues
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 2, 2025

This time, the reader question was: Other than Old Friends, what are the other Sondheim revues and what makes them different? This marks the theatre world’s fifth major Sondheim revue and the first since the theatre legend passed away in 2021. 
John Riddle Will Lead SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at the Glimmerglass Festival Photo
John Riddle Will Lead SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at the Glimmerglass Festival
by Stephi Wild - Jan 31, 2025

John Riddle is set to lead Sunday In The Park With George at the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, NY this summer. Learn more about the musical here!
New York Festival Of Song Presents LE TOUR DE FRANCE In February Photo
New York Festival Of Song Presents LE TOUR DE FRANCE In February
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 29, 2025

New York Festival of Song will kick off its first concert of the new year with Le tour de France on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. at Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center. 
See Tony Yazbeck, Kerry Ellis & More Perform at 54 Below Next Week Photo
See Tony Yazbeck, Kerry Ellis & More Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 24, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Tony Yazbeck, Kerry Ellis and more. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
Live-Capture Performance of THE MERRILY CHAPTERS to be Screened in February Photo
Live-Capture Performance of THE MERRILY CHAPTERS to be Screened in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 21, 2025

Open Jar Studios and Stage Door Foundation will present an exclusive opportunity to view the live-capture performance of THE MERRILY CHAPTERS the true story of how Stephen Sondheim created MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. Learn more.
The Chromolume Theatre Reveals 2025 Season of Musicals Photo
The Chromolume Theatre Reveals 2025 Season of Musicals
by Stephi Wild - Jan 14, 2025

The Chromolume Theatre at The Zephyr on Melrose in Los Angeles has announced a season of musicals for 2025, kicking off in February with the off-Broadway hit I Love You Because.
Theatre Group Asia Will Present INTO THE WOODS This Summer Photo
Theatre Group Asia Will Present INTO THE WOODS This Summer
by Joshua Wright - Jan 8, 2025

Theatre Group Asia, the team behind the acclaimed Request sa Radyo, is bringing Stephen Sondheim’s beloved musical Into the Woods to life this August 2025 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. Known for blending iconic fairy tales with a modern, thought-provoking twist, Into the Woods promises an evening of enchantment, humor, and heart.
THE HISTORY OF INTO THE WOODS Comes to 54 Below Photo
THE HISTORY OF INTO THE WOODS Comes to 54 Below
by Stephi Wild - Jan 2, 2025

The History of Into The Woods celebrates the Tony Award winning Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical while exploring the show's conception, process, and eventual production in an unprecedented history-filled concert.
Derek Klena, Kerry Ellis & More to Perform at 54 Below in January Photo
Derek Klena, Kerry Ellis & More to Perform at 54 Below in January
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 27, 2024

In January, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Derek Klena, Kerry Ellis, and many more! Learn how to purchase tickets.
Review: FALSETTOS at Ground Floor Theatre Photo
Review: FALSETTOS at Ground Floor Theatre
by Sabrina Wallace - Dec 13, 2024

GroundFloor’s production of Falsettos masterfully walks the fine line between comedy and tragedy, presenting William Finn and James Lapine’s poignant musical with a bold, albeit occasionally polarizing, emphasis on its absurd humor.
Review: Stephanie J. Block in Concert at Theatre Raleigh Photo
Review: Stephanie J. Block in Concert at Theatre Raleigh
by Jeffrey Kare - Dec 9, 2024

We’ve come to the end of the second year of Theatre Raleigh’s concert series. Several prolific performers have graced their stages here in the Triangle area throughout 2024. From local talent to Broadway stars such as Telly Leung, Seth Rudetsky, and Julie Benko. As for their closing act this season, it’s none other than Tony Award-winning powerhouse Stephanie J. Block.
INTO THE WOODS Extended Through Early January At The Chopin Theatre Photo
INTO THE WOODS Extended Through Early January At The Chopin Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 2, 2024

Kokandy Productions will present two additional weeks of performances for its sell-out revival of Into The Woods. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
The Ma'ayanot H.S./Black Box Studios Drama Society Will Perform THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNA Photo
The Ma'ayanot H.S./Black Box Studios Drama Society Will Perform THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
by Stephi Wild - Nov 26, 2024

 The Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School Drama Society, in ongoing partnership with Black Box Studios, will present THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE this December.
Video: Phillipa Soo Shares Lyric Mishap During HAMILTON Performance Photo
Video: Phillipa Soo Shares Lyric Mishap During HAMILTON Performance
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 19, 2024

On Monday, Phillipa Soo visited Jimmy Kimmel Live to discuss her role in the new ABC drama Doctor Odyssey. While on the show, the performer shared a mishap from her time in Broadway's Hamilton that happened several months into the run of the hit musical. Watch the video now!
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 received several prestigious awards throughout his career. He won Best Play at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Act One. At the Drama Desk Awards, he was honored with Outstanding Director of a Musical for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Outstanding Director - Musical for Amour, and Outstanding Director - Play for Dirty Blonde. Additionally, he won multiple Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, including for Passion, Falsettos, and Into the Woods. He was recognized with Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George. Furthermore, James Lapine earned the Best Musical award at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for both Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George.

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