Lynn Ahrens
Birth Place: New York, New York, USA
Video: Watch La Mirada Theatre's ANASTASIA Star Lena Ceja Perform 'Journey to the Past' (May 21, 2026)
El 'Checklist' del Viajero Teatrero: Qué ver en Broadway, Madrid y el West End este verano 2026 (May 21, 2026)
Pittsburgh Public Theater Terminates Staff Ahead of Merger With Pittsburgh CLO (May 21, 2026)
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
Productions
Writing
Composer
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Conceiver
Bookwriter
Conceiver
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Awards and Nominations
Lynn AhrensAnastasia
Lynn Ahrens, The Glorious Ones
winner
Lynn Ahrens, A Man of No Importance
winner
Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime
winner
Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime
Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime
winner
Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime
Lynn Ahrens , Once on this Island
Lynn Ahrens , Once on this Island
Videos
Video: Watch La Mirada Theatre's ANASTASIA Star Lena Ceja Perform 'Journey to the Past'
by Michael Major - 2026-05-21 14:31:08
Video: Joshua Henry & Nichelle Lewis Perform 'Sarah Brown Eyes' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2026-05-20 10:29:12
Video: Watch Caissie Levy Record 'Back to Before' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2026-04-28 11:23:11
Video: Watch Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, & More Perform From RAGTIME at WNYC Event
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-17 16:02:37
Video: Brandon Uranowitz, Shaina Taub & More Record 'Success' From the RAGTIME Album
by Michael Major - 2026-04-15 12:18:26
Video: RAGTIME Stars Perform in the Union Square Subway Station
by Michael Major - 2026-04-10 17:00:04
Video: Watch the Cast of RAGTIME Record 'New Music' For Their Cast Album
by Michael Major - 2026-04-03 14:00:15
Video: Joshua Henry and RAGTIME Cast Perform 'Gettin' Ready Rag'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-03 11:33:52
Video: Joshua Henry Performs 'Make Them Hear You' From RAGTIME on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-02-16 14:10:05
Video: Joshua Henry, Shaina Taub, & Ben Levi Ross Record 'He Wanted to Say' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2026-02-06 12:30:02
Video: Jordan Donica Sings 'Goodbye, Old Girl' from DAMN YANKEES
by Joshua Wright - 2025-10-28 16:56:06
Exclusive: Rob McClure Sings 'Those Were The Good Old Days' from DAMN YANKEES
by Joshua Wright - 2025-10-28 14:18:06
Video: Cast of DAMN YANKEES Performs 'Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO'
by Joshua Wright - 2025-10-24 10:48:54
Video: SEUSSICAL Original Broadway Cast Reunites For 54 Below Concert Rehearsals
by Michael Major - 2025-10-20 13:35:45
Joshua Henry Receives Emotional Note From Brian Stokes Mitchell on RAGTIME Opening
by Michael Major - 2025-10-20 11:28:25
News
by Michael Major - May 21, 2026
La Mirada Theatre has released new video footage of Lena Ceja rehearsing 'Journey to the Past' from their upcoming production of Anastasia. The production features Dillon Klena as Dmitry, a role first played on Broadway by his brother Derek Klena.
by Adela González Pérez - May 21, 2026
Las grandes producciones, regresos históricos y experiencias inmersivas que definen la cartelera estival en las tres capitales del teatro musical.
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2026
Pittsburgh Public Theater has terminated all of its staff as the merger with Pittsburgh CLO proceeds. Between 9 and 12 staff members were told that their positions have been eliminated and they were to prepare to leave the same day.
by Joshua Wright - May 20, 2026
San Diego Musical Theatre has released first look footage of SEUSSICAL, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's fantastical musical extravaganza, now playing through June 7, 2026 at SDMT Stage.
by Michael Major - May 20, 2026
Lincoln Center Theater and Concord Theatricals Recordings have released new video footage of Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis performing 'Sarah Brown Eyes' from the recently released Ragtime cast recording.
by Stephi Wild - May 19, 2026
The 42nd Helen Hayes Awards were presented at an event at The Anthem. The awards celebrated productions in the Washington, DC region in the 2025 calendar year.
by Jennifer Broski - May 19, 2026
The best of Broadway was on 65th Street for Lincoln Center Theater's staged concert performance of Man of La Mancha. Check out photos from the red carpet here!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - May 18, 2026
The best of the New York City theatre community gathered at Town Hall for the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards. Stars in attendance included John Lithgow, Norbert Leo Butz, Alex Brightman, Beth Leavel, Donna McKechnie, and more. Check out photos here!
by Jennifer Broski - May 16, 2026
Earlier this week, the Tony nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there to speak with all of them! Check out photos from behind the scenes with the nominees as they chatted with Richard Ridge and passed on our very own Tiny Tony.
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2026
The best of Broadway and off-Broadway were on hand at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to celebrate 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, hosted by Emmy Award winner Frank DiLella. Check out a full list of winners here.
by Tyler Hinton - May 14, 2026
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND in the Lindsay Legacy Theater at The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater is a joyous celebration of Caribbean culture, the bounties of the earth, and love in all its forms.
by Josh Sharpe - May 16, 2026
The nominations are here for the 2026 Tony Awards. This year, a high number of titles have onscreen counterparts, and we have rounded up how to watch these versions at home, from The Lost Boys to Schmigadoon!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2026
The Off Broadway Alliance has revealed the nominees for the 15th Annual Off-Broadway Alliance Awards, honoring commercial and not-for-profit productions that opened Off Broadway during the 2025-2026 season.
by Audrey Liebross - May 12, 2026
The Bent, the Coachella Valley’s LGBTQ+ theatre company, is presenting its first musical, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, written by Terrence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music), and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics). The writers and composer have put together a moving book, lyrics, and score that create a deeply affecting and emotional story, with just enough hilarity to soften the upsetting moments. The brilliant acting, singing, directing, and design make this show a must-see.
by A.A. Cristi - May 11, 2026
Head into the studio with Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz, two of the Tony-nominated stars of Ragtime, as they record their rendition of, 'Our Children.' Check out newly released video of the pair in the recording studio.
by Bruce Glikas - May 8, 2026
The New York Drama Critics' Circle celebrated the 2025-2026 season with honors for Little Bear Ridge Road, Ragtime, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and more. BroadwayWorld was inside the event for an exclusive look at the evening’s honorees and attendees. Check out the photos!
by Sidney Paterra - May 9, 2026
The results of the 2026 Tony races are very much still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been Tony-tested before. How did they fare? The past may not always be the best indicator of the future, but accolades of years past provide interesting insight nonetheless. Check out a complete list of who was nominated, in what categories, and most importantly... if they won!
by Josh Sharpe - May 6, 2026
Watch Ragtime cast members Joshua Henry, Brandon Uranowitz, Caissie Levy, Ben Levi Ross, Nichelle Lewis, and Colin Donnell perform a series of musical numbes for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series.
by Stephi Wild - May 4, 2026
The Royal Players will present ANASTASIA: THE MUSICAL at the historic Royal Theatre, featuring the Tony Award-winning score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, with tickets ranging from $10 to $22.
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2026
The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is accepting applications for its Songwriting and Bookwriting programs, held weekly at BMI's lower Manhattan office. Alumni include Tony and Academy Award winners.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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).
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.
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.
Videos
