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Lynn Ahrens

Birth Place: New York, New York, USA

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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

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Performer

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Lyricist
 
[West End, 2022]
MUSIC AND LYRICS
 
[US Tour, 2018] Cancelled [Replacement]
Lryics[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Lyricist

Writing

Lyricist
Bookwriter & Lyricist
Lyricist
Title Song Lyrics
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
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

News


Review: God Bless The Argyle Theatre's production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL

What did our critic think of A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL at The Argyle Theatre?
Theatre Now Announces New Cabaret Series Beginning In 2025

Starting in 2025, Theatre Now will present a monthly cabaret series at SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St., NYC. Verse Intro Cabaret will feature performances of songs by 2 writing teams from Theatre Now's prestigious Musical Writers Lab.
Photo Special: Celebrating BC/EFA Executive Director Tom Viola

All of us here at BroadwayWorld wanted to pay tribute to Tom, and to our strong partnership, by taking a look back with this photo gallery below. 
Review: ANASTASIA Dazzles Bucks County Holiday Audiences

What did our critic think of Anastasia at Bucks County Playhouse?
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Enters Its Final Weekend At Centenary Stage Company

Centenary Stage Company’s, Holiday Spectacular: A Christmas Carol: The Musical continues it’s run in the Sitnik Theatre with its final week of shows. 
A CHRISTMAS CAROL The Musical Returns To Foxboro This Month

A Christmas Carol The Musical runs December 20, 21, and 22nd at the Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Centre in Foxboro, MA.
7 Underrated Christmas Songs From Broadway Shows

Tired of the same old tried and true holiday songs? Check out a few underrated faves from Anastasia, Elf the Musical, Rent and more!
Photos: Laura Benanti Honored At 2024 BROADWAY DREAMS Gala

Broadway Dreams hosted its annual gala this weekend at The Plaza New York (768 5th Avenue). Jerry Mitchell, Jerry Zaks, and more turned out for the big night! See photos from the event!
Review: Stephanie J. Block in Concert at Theatre Raleigh

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.
Review: Bringing the Joy with A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Connecticut Theatre Company

When it comes to a show like A Christmas Carol, you need to have heart and soul, and the cast and crew of Connecticut Theatre Company’s production of A Christmas Carol got my holiday season off to a great start.
Photos: ANASTASIA At Bucks County Playhouse

 Bucks County Playhouse has released production photos of its new production of “Anastasia: The Musical,” which opened November 22 and continues on the historic stage through January 5.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL to Run This Month at Connecticut Theatre Company

Connecticut Theatre Company will present 'A Christmas Carol - The Musical' running this month at the Repertory Theatre in New Britain. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Tuacahn

Tuacahn is now presenting a musical version of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Check out all new production photos from the holiday classic here!
Centenary Stage Company’s Holiday Spectacular Continues at the Sitnik Theatre

 Centenary Stage Company’s Holiday Spectacular: A Christmas Carol: The Musical continues its run in the Sitnik Theatre with its second week of shows. Learn more here!
Bucks County Playhouse To Host Special ANASTASIA Scavenger Hunt

The hunt is on! Bring your friends and search for clues! Bucks County Playhouse (through Watson Adventures) is hosting a special Anastasia scavenger hunt on Sunday, December 8 at 2 pm.
Review: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at Mānoa Valley Theatre

Gods and mortals, stories and songs, sea and sand--all make a splash at Mānoa Valley Theatre!
Photos: Christy Altomare Drops By ANASTASIA At Bucks County Playhouse

Broadway’s original Anastasia, Christy Altomare, was among the guests at a buzzy opening night of the new production of “Anastasia: The Musical” at Bucks County Playhouse on Saturday, November 23. Check out photos of Christy's meeting with the cast!
ANASTASIA to be Presented at Słow Burn Theatre This Holiday Season

This holiday season, theatergoers of all ages will delight in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of “Anastasia The Musical,” part of Slow Burn’s 2024/2025 Season. Learn how to purchase tickets.
ANASTASIA to be Presented at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts

City Circle Theatre Company will present the musical fairy tale ANASTASIA this December at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Learn how to purchase tickets.
MTI Will Make ALL TOGETHER NOW! Free for Theatres Affected by Natural Disasters

MTI's All Together Now!: A Benefit Event for Disaster Relief is a show designed to be used as a fundraiser for affected theatres, and will be available in early 2025. 

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 at the Drama Desk Awards for A Man of No Importance, Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Ragtime, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for Ragtime.

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