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Nell Benjamin

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BIO

Nell Benjamin is a lyricist, writer, and composer noted for her work in musical theatre. With her husband and frequent collaborator Laurence O'Keefe, she won the Laurence Olivier Award for writing Legally Blonde in 2011. And in 2007, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score for Legally Blonde, and then again in 2018 for her lyrics for Mean Girls.

Photos

Productions

Real Women Have CurvesReal Women Have Curves
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Additional Material
Mean GirlsMean Girls
 
[West End, 2024]
Lyrics
Mean Girls (Non-Equity)Mean Girls (Non-Equity)
 
[US Tour, 2023]
Lyricist
Mean GirlsMean Girls
 
[US Tour, 2021]
Lyricist
Because of Winn DixieBecause of Winn Dixie
 
[East Haddam, CT (Regional), 2019]
Bookwriter
Lyricist
DaveDave
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2018]
Book Writer
Lyricist
Pirates!
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2007]
Concept
Book/Lyrics
Legally BlondeLegally Blonde
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Music and Lyrics
The Pirates of Penzance
 
[East Haddam, CT (Regional), 2006]
Concept
Book/Lyrics

Writing

Sarah, Plain and Tall
Lyricist
Lyricist
Real Women Have Curves
Additional Material
Half Time
Lyrics
Mean Girls
Lyricist
Because of Winn Dixie
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Cam Jansen
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Legally Blonde
Composer
Lyricist

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Lyrics

Nell Benjamin, Mean Girls

Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Nell Benjamin, Mean Girls

Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Play

Nell Benjamin, The Explorers Club

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Lyrics

Nell Benjamin, Legally Blonde

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Music

Nell Benjamin, Legally Blonde

Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Nell Benjamin, Legally Blonde The Musical


winner
- 2003 - Most promising musical theatre lyricist

Nell Benjamin

Videos

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News


LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL Comes To La Mirada Theatre Photo
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL Comes To La Mirada Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Mar 20, 2025

Full casting has been announced for LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL at La Mirada, featuring music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin. Learn more here!
Cast Set for LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL at La Mirada Theatre Photo
Cast Set for LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL at La Mirada Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 19, 2025

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment have revealed the full cast for LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
MEAN GIRLS Will Close in London Ahead of 2026 UK Tour Photo
MEAN GIRLS Will Close in London Ahead of 2026 UK Tour
by Stephi Wild - Mar 19, 2025

The award-winning West End production of MEAN GIRLS will complete its run at the Savoy Theatre on Sunday 8 June at the end of the current booking period, ahead of a UK Tour in 2026.
Photos: REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Cast Rehearses for Broadway Photo
Photos: REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Cast Rehearses for Broadway
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 17, 2025

Rehearsals are very much underway for the Broadway premiere of Real Women Have Curves, which is getting ready to begin previews at the James Earl Jones Theatre on April 1, 2025. Check out photos with the cast here!
REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Composer Joy Huerta to Host Pop Up Concert Photo
REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Composer Joy Huerta to Host Pop Up Concert
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2025

Pop star and co-composer of the upcoming musical Real Women Have Curves, Joy Huerta, will host a special pop-up concert outside the James Earl Jones Theatre. Learn how to attend.
MEAN GIRLS National Tour Comes To The Ordway In April Photo
MEAN GIRLS National Tour Comes To The Ordway In April
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 11, 2025

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts will present the North American Tour of Mean Girls—the record-breaking new musical comedy adapted from the hit Paramount Pictures film—April 8-13, 2025.
Video: Watch New Footage From MEAN GIRLS in London Photo
Video: Watch New Footage From MEAN GIRLS in London
by Stephi Wild - Mar 6, 2025

All new footage has been released from MEAN GIRLS in the West End! Check out the video here and learn more about Mean Girls and how to get tickets to this production.
Video: Watch the REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Cast Perform Songs in Rehearsal Photo
Video: Watch the REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Cast Perform Songs in Rehearsal
by Michael Major - Mar 4, 2025

Step inside rehearsals for Real Women Have Curves on Broadway, with videos of full performances from their rehearsal. See Tatianna Córdoba, Florencia Cuenca, Justina Machado, Mason Reeves, and more in the new musical!
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is Now Open at LPAC Photo
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is Now Open at LPAC
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2025

Legally Blonde The Musical is now playing at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC). Learn more about the production and find out how to get tickets here!
Listen: Songs From REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES EP Out Now Photo
Listen: Songs From REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES EP Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 28, 2025

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has released Makin’ it Work with Joy (from Jesse & Joy) from the new Broadway show Real Women Have Curves: The Musical. Listen to the EP now!
Photos: Katie Yeomans Joins MEAN GIRLS North American Tour Photo
Photos: Katie Yeomans Joins MEAN GIRLS North American Tour
by Stephi Wild - Feb 28, 2025

New production photos have been released from the North American tour of MEAN GIRLS, featuring the tour's new Cady Heron, Katie Yeomans. Check out the photos here!
Joriah Kwamé and More Named as 2024 Jonathan Larson Grant Recipients Photo
Joriah Kwamé and More Named as 2024 Jonathan Larson Grant Recipients
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 24, 2025

The American Theatre Wing has revealed the recipients of the 2024 Jonathan Larson Grant, the annual prize awarded to exceptional emerging musical theatre composers, lyricists, and librettists, or writing teams. Learn more!
Review: MEAN GIRLS at Broadway Sacramento Photo
Review: MEAN GIRLS at Broadway Sacramento
by Courtney Symes - Feb 21, 2025

It’s so fetch! The national tour of Mean Girls has stopped at Broadway Sacramento, bringing with it a whirlwind of artsy teen angst and bright pink attitude. It is based on the 2004 hit film by the same name and premiered on Broadway in 2018. It was nominated for twelve Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Its book by Tina Fey, music by Jeff Richmond, and lyrics by Nell Benjamin instantly captured the hearts of teen girls across the country, solidifying its status in pop culture.
Photos: REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Begins Rehearsal Ahead of Broadway Run Photo
Photos: REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Begins Rehearsal Ahead of Broadway Run
by Stephi Wild - Feb 20, 2025

This week, the Real Women Have Curves cast and creative team kicked off rehearsals. Real Women Have Curves is set to begin performances on April 1 at the James Earl Jones Theatre, ahead of an opening night on April 27. Check out rehearsal photos here!
Video: Tatianna Córdoba Sings 'Flying Away' from REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Photo
Video: Tatianna Córdoba Sings 'Flying Away' from REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Joey Mervis - Feb 17, 2025

Real Women Have Curves is getting ready for Broadway! Check out a sneak peek video as director and choreographer Sergio Trujillo takes the stage at BroadwayCon to introduce 'Flying Away,' performed by Tatianna Córdoba.
Review: Land O Lakes High School’s Production of MEAN GIRLS: THE MUSICAL Photo
Review: Land O Lakes High School’s Production of MEAN GIRLS: THE MUSICAL
by Peter Nason - Feb 17, 2025

After experiencing it, and after the cast and crew put on one hell of a show, I just couldn’t shake my disdain for the actual material.   It sometimes seemed unworthy of these delightful performers.
Imari & Friends to Celebrate Black History Month With BROADWAY SESSIONS At The Triad Photo
Imari & Friends to Celebrate Black History Month With BROADWAY SESSIONS At The Triad
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 14, 2025

For one night only, Imari Hardon will return to New York City to celebrate Black History Month in an evening of music, storytelling, and powerhouse vocals! The performance will take place at The Triad Theatre. Learn more!
Jena Pandya and Ashley Day Will Lead UK Premiere of COME FALL IN LOVE - The DDLJ Musi Photo
Jena Pandya and Ashley Day Will Lead UK Premiere of COME FALL IN LOVE - The DDLJ Musical at Manchester Opera House
by Stephi Wild - Feb 14, 2025

Jena Pandya and Ashley Day will play lovers Simran and Rog (Roger) in Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, the new musical comedy based on one of the biggest blockbuster films in the history of Indian cinema, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ).
Up on the Marquee: REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Photo
Up on the Marquee: REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Jennifer Broski - Feb 13, 2025

Real Women Have Curves: The Musical is coming soon to Broadway! The new musical is set to begin performances on April 1 at the James Earl Jones Theatre, ahead of an opening night on April 27. Check out photos of the new Broadway marquee here.
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL to Open At LPAC in February Photo
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL to Open At LPAC in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 7, 2025

The Broadway at LPAC series second production of the 2025 season is Legally Blonde The Musical.  Legally Blonde The Musical is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the popular 2001 film of the same name. Learn how to attend!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Nell Benjamin written?

Nell Benjamin has written 10 shows including Half Time (Lyrics), Sarah, Plain and Tall (Lyricist), Sarah, Plain and Tall (Lyricist), Cam Jansen (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Legally Blonde (Composer), The Explorers Club (Playwright), Gotta Dance (Lyrics), Mean Girls (Lyricist), Because of Winn Dixie (Bookwriter), Real Women Have Curves (Additional Material).

What awards has Nell Benjamin been nominated for?

Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Mean Girls, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Mean Girls, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Explorers Club, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Legally Blonde, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Legally Blonde, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Legally Blonde The Musical and Most promising musical theatre lyricist () for .

What awards has Nell Benjamin won?

Nell Benjamin has won several awards, including the Richard Rogers Award for Most Promising Musical Theatre Lyricist. She has also received nominations for Tony Awards for her work on Legally Blonde and Mean Girls. Additionally, her contributions have earned her recognition at the ASCAP Foundation's Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award and the Fred Ebb Award.

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