News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Visit Official Website
Lynn Ahrens Headshot

Lynn Ahrens

Birth Place: New York, New York, USA

read more news

Get Lynn Ahrens Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

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.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Chef's Theater: A Musical Feast
[Off-Broadway]
2004
Performer

Productions

RagtimeRagtime
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Lyricist
A Journey to the PastA Journey to the Past
 
[West End, 2022]
MUSIC AND LYRICS
AnastasiaAnastasia
 
[US Tour, 2018] Cancelled [Replacement]
Lryics[Replacement]
RockyRocky
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Lyricist

Writing

Knoxville
Lyricist
Marie, Dancing Still
Bookwriter & Lyricist
Anastasia
Lyricist
In Your Arms
Title Song Lyrics
A Christmas Carol
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Dessa Rose
Bookwriter
Lyricist
The Glorious Ones
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lucky Stiff
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Lyricist
Once On This Island
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Ragtime
Lyricist
Seussical
Lyricist
Conceiver
Bookwriter
Conceiver
Lyricist
Bookwriter

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

Videos

More Videos

News


ANASTASIA, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, and More Set For Geva Theatre's 2025/26 Season Photo
ANASTASIA, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, and More Set For Geva Theatre's 2025/26 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 8, 2025

Geva Theatre has announced its upcoming 2025/26 season. The One Geva subscription offers a full season of exciting work across our two theatres – now with five shows in the Wilson and two shows in the Fielding!
ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL Comes to Encore Theatre Group Photo
ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL Comes to Encore Theatre Group
by Stephi Wild - Apr 7, 2025

Encore Theatre Group will present its spring mainstage musical production: the sweeping, romantic, and adventure-filled Anastasia: The Musical. Learn more about the show here!
Photos: Sara Bareilles, Jordan Fisher, & More at Maestra Music's AMPLIFY 2025 Photo
Photos: Sara Bareilles, Jordan Fisher, & More at Maestra Music's AMPLIFY 2025
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 1, 2025

AMPLIFY 2025, Maestra Music’s annual benefit concert, was held on Monday, March 31 at Sony Hall. Featuring unforgettable performances by Sara Bareilles, Joy Huerta, Kecia Lewis, Jordan Fisher and more. Take a look at photos from the evening now!
ANASTASIA Musical to Premiere in Australia in 2025 Photo
ANASTASIA Musical to Premiere in Australia in 2025
by Joshua Wright - Apr 1, 2025

Opera Australia, in partnership with Crossroads Live, will bring the Broadway hit musical ANASTASIA, will have its Australian premiere at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne in December 2025 before touring to Perth and Sydney in 2026.
Review: THE LEADING LADY CLUB CONCERT Is a Female-Focused Blast at 54 Below Photo
Review: THE LEADING LADY CLUB CONCERT Is a Female-Focused Blast at 54 Below
by Rob Lester - Apr 1, 2025

THE LEADING LADY CONCERT at 54 Below on March 22 featured lots of talent and more than just bravura belting--with some surprises. An annual concert for Women's History Month is strong and stylish.
A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE to be Presented at A Noise Within Photo
A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE to be Presented at A Noise Within
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 1, 2025

A Noise Within will present A Man of No Importance, an evocative, intimate musical gem from the Tony Award-winning team behind Ragtime. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL is Coming to Star of the Day in May Photo
SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL is Coming to Star of the Day in May
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 31, 2025

Star of the Day has revealed the cast and creative team of the upcoming mainstage production SEUSSICAL: THE MUSICAL, by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
FAT HAM and More Set For Dallas Theater Center 25-26 Season Photo
FAT HAM and More Set For Dallas Theater Center 25-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 28, 2025

Dallas Theater Center has revealed the titles for the 2025-26 season, including Noises Off, a classic British farce and a play-within-a-play; Fat Ham, a Pulitzer Prize-winning hit Broadway comedy that reinvents Shakespeare’s Hamlet; and more!
DISNEY’S FROZEN and More Set for Duluth Playhouse 2025-26 Season Photo
DISNEY’S FROZEN and More Set for Duluth Playhouse 2025-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 26, 2025

Duluth Playhouse has unveiled its 2025-2026 Main Stage, Underground, and Youth Theatre seasons. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
The Fulton Theatre to Present ANASTASIA in April Photo
The Fulton Theatre to Present ANASTASIA in April
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 26, 2025

The Fulton Theatre will present a production of the Broadway musical Anastasia, bringing the captivating story of a lost princess to life on its historic stage. The show will run from April 11 to May 11, 2025 on the Fulton Theatre’s Mainstage.
Jason Alexander-Directed SWEENEY TODD and More Set For La Mirada's 2025/2026 Season Photo
Jason Alexander-Directed SWEENEY TODD and More Set For La Mirada's 2025/2026 Season
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2025

La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment have announced its 2025/2026 season of shows. The season will include a production of Sweeney Todd, directed by Jason Alexander.
Based on the Acclaimed 1970s Blockbuster, ROCKY �" THE MUSICAL Opens in Brazil Photo
Based on the Acclaimed 1970s Blockbuster, ROCKY �" THE MUSICAL Opens in Brazil
by Claudio Erlichman - Mar 19, 2025

In love with a pet shop employee, Rocky Balboa is a talented boxer with inconsistent results who makes a living collecting debts for a loan shark. Thanks to a stroke of luck (and marketing), he is challenged by the heavyweight champion. The underdog trains, runs through the streets of Philadelphia and becomes a pop star overnight.
Mamie Parris, Brennyn Lark, Edward Watts and More to Star in RAGTIME at Goodspeed Mus Photo
Mamie Parris, Brennyn Lark, Edward Watts and More to Star in RAGTIME at Goodspeed Musicals
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 14, 2025

Goodspeed Musicals will present Ragtime as its first production of the 2025 season, starring Mamie Parris and more. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Hailee Kaleem Wright, John Cardoza and More to Join TADA! Youth Theater Gala Photo
Hailee Kaleem Wright, John Cardoza and More to Join TADA! Youth Theater Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 10, 2025

A galaxy of stars will be performing to celebrate TADA! Youth Theater's 40th Anniversary Gala at the Edison Ballroom. Learn more about the gala and see how to attend.
Review: SpeakEasy Stage's Splendid A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE is Paul Daigneault's Fittin Photo
Review: SpeakEasy Stage's Splendid A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE is Paul Daigneault's Fitting Farewell to the Company He Founded
by R. Scott Reedy - Mar 7, 2025

What did our critic think of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE at Roberts Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion At Boston Center For The Arts?
SWEENEY TODD, COME FROM AWAY And More Set for Playhouse on the Square 57th Season Photo
SWEENEY TODD, COME FROM AWAY And More Set for Playhouse on the Square 57th Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2025

Playhouse on the Square will present its 57th season of shows starting on July 11th, 2025. The full lineup has been announced. Titles for the season include Seussical, Jagged Little Pill, and more. Get full details here!
Sara Bareilles to Perform From THE INTERESTINGS at Maestra Music's AMPLIFY 2025 Photo
Sara Bareilles to Perform From THE INTERESTINGS at Maestra Music's AMPLIFY 2025
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 3, 2025

SARA BAREILLES will perform at Maestra Music for AMPLIFY 2025. Learn more about the event, see who else is performing, and learn how to purchase tickets.
SEUSSICAL Comes To The Circuit Playhouse Photo
SEUSSICAL Comes To The Circuit Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Feb 27, 2025

Seussical TYA is a beloved musical that captures the essence of Dr. Seuss's characters in a magical production by Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
Review: SEUSSICAL JR at The Royal Theatre Photo
Review: SEUSSICAL JR at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Feb 26, 2025

Oh, the things you can think when you see a musical that lingers in your mind for days after you've left! That's exactly what’s twirling in my head after visiting The Young Players at The Royal Theatre in Benton to see Seussical Jr., which I had the chance to catch on Sunday, March 23. I don’t usually like going on the last day, but thanks to the groundhog, the weather made it difficult to get there any sooner. 
Joan Rivers Play, COME FROM AWAY, ANASTASIA & More Set for Cape Playhouse 2025 Summer Photo
Joan Rivers Play, COME FROM AWAY, ANASTASIA & More Set for Cape Playhouse 2025 Summer Season
by Joshua Wright - Feb 18, 2025

Discover the Cape Playhouse's 2025 'Season of Hope,' featuring productions like BUDDY, RENT, ANASTASIA, and more. The season will run June 4 to September 20 at the historic Cape Playhouse in Dennis, MA.
More News

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?

Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Anastasia, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Glorious Ones, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for A Man of No Importance, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Ragtime, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Ragtime, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Once on this Island and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (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, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Ragtime.

Get Lynn Ahrens Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos