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Tom Eyen Headshot

Tom Eyen

Date of Death: May 26, 1991 (49)

Birth Place: Cambridge, OH, USA

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BIO

Writer and director. Eyen is best known for his 1981 TonyAward-winning Broadway musical Dreamgirls, based loosely on the lives of the members of the female vocal trio The Supremes. Eyen, the author of more than thirty plays, was an innovator in the 1960s Off-Off Broadway experimental theatre movement and once had four plays showing simultaneously. After receiving a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation in the mid 1960s, he formed his own company, the Theatre of the Eye. With a formula that often included strong language, daring sexual content, comedy, nudity, profanity, and social criticism, Eyen wrote such cult hits The Dirtiest Show in Town, The White Whore and the Bit Player, Why Hanna's Skirt Won't Stay Down, Sarah B.Divine, and Women behind Bars. He also directed many of his own plays, sometimes under the names Jerome Eyen and Roger Short, Jr. In 1976 he became a writer for the television program Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 1974]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1970]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1963]
Director
Producer

Writing

Conceiver
Playwright
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Lyricist

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1982 - Outstanding Music

Tom Eyen, Dreamgirls


winner
Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Book of a Musical

Tom Eyen, Dreamgirls

Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Tom Eyen, Dreamgirls

Videos

News


Yara Arts Group To Bring THE MAGIC OF LIGHT To La MaMa In March
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 15, 2025

From March 7 to 16, La MaMa and Yara Arts Group will present Yara's 'The Magic of Light,' an innovative theater piece that interweaves puppetry, languages, music and poetry to illustrate the cultural and spiritual awakening of an artist in the 1870s.
 La MaMa Presents IN THROUGH THE DOORWAY OUT
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 4, 2025

IN THROUGH THE DOORWAY OUT will be presented at LaMaMa Experimental Theatre, Community Art Space. Running February 7, 8 and 9, 2025. IN THROUGH THE DOORWAY OUT is the second original production by the TUT (Teens Ukraine Theatre).
All Roads Theatre Company To Present ONE FOR MY BABY World Premiere And More At El Portal Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 19, 2024

All Roads Theatre Company has announced its inaugural season at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, beginning with the World Premiere Musical ONE FOR MY BABY, with a score by the incomparable Harold Arlen and headlined by Broadway stars LANA GORDON and LUBA MASON.
La MaMa Presents Richard Foreman's SUPPOSE BEAUTIFUL MADELINE HARVEY
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 22, 2024

La MaMa will present the world premiere of Suppose Beautiful Madeline Harvey, legendary experimental theater icon Richard Foreman's first new play in 10 years.
Breaking News: Exclusive! GUSTAVO BARCHILON, the Prince of Musicals in Brazil, Announces His New Shows for 2025
by Claudio Erlichman - Nov 16, 2024

Multi-award winning director with plays like Barnum, Funny Girl and Something Rotten!, Gustavo Barchilon (32) exclusively announces for BroadwayWorld his new works for 2025.
ROBERT WILL SHOW YOU THE DOOR (Tales Of Being Fired) To Have NYC Premiere At La MaMa
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 13, 2024

Susan Jeremy's solo show, ROBERT WILL SHOW YOU THE DOOR (Tales of Being Fired), makes its NYC premiere at La MaMa from November 21 to December 1. Directed by Maris Heller, the show humorously explores Jeremy's experiences of being fired.
La MaMa COFFEEHOUSE CHRONICLES #177 Spotlights Adrienne Kennedy
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 12, 2024

Explore the life and work of playwright Adrienne Kennedy at COFFEEHOUSE CHRONICLES #177 on November 16, 2024, featuring discussions and performances at La MaMa.
Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre Presents FOWL PLAY: CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS At La MaMa
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 22, 2024

Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre will present FOWL PLAY: CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS at La MaMa from November 21 to December 8, exploring themes of unity and transformation through puppetry.
The Other Side Of Silence Theater Company Presents DORIC WILSON'S STREET THEATER
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 25, 2024

TOSOS announced the return of Doric Wilson's iconic LGBTQIA+ play STREET THEATER, running from October 3-22 in NYC. The play captures the spirit of the early LGBTQIA+ rights movement.
All Roads Theatre Company Will Host Inaugural 'Broadway Showstoppers' Concert
by Stephi Wild - Sep 13, 2024

ALL ROADS THEATRE COMPANY has announcedthe first in an upcoming series of Musical Theatre Concerts featuring Broadway headliners, an ensemble of singers and dancers, and a live 16-piece orchestra.
Review: DREAMGIRLS at The Muny
by James Lindhorst - Jun 29, 2024

Tiffany Mann is magnificent in The Muny's DREAMGIRLS as Effie White. She is a powerhouse performer with riveting stage presence and gigantic voice. Her heartbroken, resentful, and bitter portrayal painted a determined Effie who would not be pushed aside.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones Will Appear In DREAMGIRLS At The Muny
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 24, 2024

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones will make a special appearance in the second act of DREAMGIRLS at The Muny, adding a unique touch to the beloved musical production.
Untitled Theater Company No. 61's EXAGOGE Begins Tonight at La MaMa
by Stephi Wild - Apr 26, 2024

The world premiere of Untitled Theater Company No. 61's Exagoge begins tonight at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre, located at 66 East 4th Street in New York City.
Tiffany Mann, Aisha Jackson, and More Will Lead DREAMGIRLS at The Muny
by Stephi Wild - Apr 25, 2024

Tiffany Mann, Aisha Jackson, Courtnee Carter, Charl Brown, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Ron Himes, Aramie Payton, Robby Clater and Natalie Kaye Clater will star in the Muny production of Dreamgirls.
La MaMa to Present World Premiere of Untitled Theater Company No. 61's EXAGOGE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 5, 2024

La MaMa will present the world premiere of Untitled Theater Company No. 61’s Exagoge. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
La MaMa Will Present World Premiere of Untitled Theater Company No. 61's EXAGOGE
by Stephi Wild - Apr 4, 2024

La MaMa will present the world premiere of Untitled Theater Company No. 61's Exagoge, with original music by Avner Finberg, script and libretto by Edward Einhorn, directed by Einhorn.
Catherine Filloux's HOW TO EAT AN ORANGE To Premiere At La MaMa
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 21, 2024

La MaMa ETC. will present the World Premiere of How to Eat an Orange, written by Catherine Filloux, directed by Elena Araoz.
DREAMGIRLS to Play China Teatern Beginning in September
by Annette Stolt - Mar 17, 2024

Dreamgirls will open in Stockholm the 12th of September directed by one of the country's most acclaimed directors, Edward af Sillén with a Swedish translation by Calle Norlén. Premiere 12 September 2024 at the China Theater in Stockholm.
Justin Elizabeth Sayre's MY BEATNIK YOUTH: A SOLO RIFF Announces Guest Poets, Livestream And More
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 11, 2024

Catch the livestream of MY BEATNIK YOUTH: A SOLO RIFF, a solo play by Justin Elizabeth Sayre. Guest poets and Penny Arcade join the lineup from March 14-24.
John Tartaglia, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Jared Grimes & More Join The Muny's 106th Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 8, 2024

The Muny has revealed the teams of directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2024 season. Learn about the shows this season and see how to purchase tickets!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Tom Eyen written?

Tom Eyen has written 10 shows including Kicks (Lyricist), Tour de Four (Conceiver), The Dirtiest Show in Town (Playwright), Rachael Lily Rosenbloom and Don't You Ever Forget It (Bookwriter), Why Hanna's Skirt Won't Stay Down (Playwright), Tom Eyen's Dirtiest Musical (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Women Behind Bars (Playwright), The Neon Woman (Playwright), Dreamgirls (Bookwriter), Dangerous Music (Bookwriter/Lyricist).

What awards has Tom Eyen been nominated for?

Tom Eyen has been nominated for several prestigious awards in his career. He received a nomination for Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for his work on the musical "Dreamgirls." Additionally, Eyen was nominated for Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Dreamgirls." He also received a nomination for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for his contributions to "Dreamgirls." These nominations highlight Eyen's talent and recognition in the Broadway industry.

What awards has Tom Eyen won?

Tom Eyen has won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for his work on Dreamgirls.

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