Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics

Last updated
Drama Desk Award
for Outstanding Lyrics
Awarded forOutstanding Lyrics
LocationNew York City
CountryUnited States
Presented byDrama Desk
First award1969
Currently held by Will Aronson and Hue Park for Maybe Happy Ending (2025)
Websitedramadesk.org (defunct)

The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics is an annual award presented by Drama Desk in recognition of achievements in musical theatre across collective Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions in New York City.

Contents

Stephen Sondheim holds the record for most wins and nominations for the award, with ten wins out of twelve nominations.

Winners and nominees

Key
  and bold indicates the winner.

1960s

YearLyricistProductionRef.
1969
George Haimsohn & Robin Miller Dames at Sea [1]
Fred Ebb Zorba

1970s

YearLyricistProductionRef.
1970
Stephen Sondheim Company [2]
Bertolt Brecht Mahagonny
1971
Stephen Sondheim Follies [3]
1972
John Guare Two Gentlemen of Verona [4]
1973
Stephen Sondheim A Little Night Music [5]
1974
Al Carmines The Faggot [6]
1975
Charlie Smalls The Wiz [7]
Gene Curty, Nitra Scharfman & Chuck Strand The Lieutenant
Jerry Herman Mack and Mabel
Fred SilverIn Gay Company
1976
Edward Kleban & Marvin Hamlisch A Chorus Line [8]
Leonard Bernstein 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Bill Heyer & Hank BeebeTuscaloosa's Calling Me
Stephen Sondheim Pacific Overtures
1977
Martin Charnin Annie [9]
Alfred Uhry The Robber Bridegroom
1978
Carol Hall The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas [10]
Elizabeth Swados Runaways
1979
Stephen Sondheim Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street [11] [12]
Gretchen Cryer I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road

1980s

YearLyricistProductionRef.
1980
Tim Rice Evita [13]
Steve Brown Strider
1981
1982
Stephen Sondheim Merrily We Roll Along [14]
Maury Yeston Nine
Tom Eyen Dreamgirls
Jim Wann Pump Boys and Dinettes
1983
Howard Ashman Little Shop of Horrors [15]
Michael Colby Charlotte Sweet
T.S. Eliot Cats
Des McAnuff Death of Von Richthofen
1984
Stephen Sondheim Sunday in the Park with George [16]
Jerry Herman La Cage aux Folles
Richard Maltby Jr. Baby
Garry Trudeau Doonesbury
1985
Roger Miller Big River [17]
Jerry Colker3 Guys Naked from the Waist Down
Ellen Fitzhugh Grind
1986, 1987
1988
Stephen Sondheim Into the Woods [18] [19]
Barry Harman Romance/Romance
1989

1990s

YearLyricistProductionRef.
1990
David Zippel City of Angels [20] [21]
Richard Maltby Jr. Closer Than Ever
Chet Forrest, Bob Wright & Maury Yeston Grand Hotel
1991
William Finn Falsettoland [22] [23]
Marsha Norman The Secret Garden
Stephen Sondheim Assassins
1992
Susan Birkenhead Jelly's Last Jam [24]
Erik Frandsen, Michael Garin, Robert Hipkins & Paul LockheartSong of Singapore
1993
Joel Paley Ruthless! [25] [26]
Douglas Bernstein & Denis MarkellA Backer's Audition
Arthur Perlman Wings
David Zippel The Goodbye Girl
1994
Stephen Sondheim Passion [27]
Howard Ashman & Tim Rice Beauty and the Beast
Michael John LaChiusa Hello Again
1995
1996
Jonathan Larson Rent [28] [29]
Adam Guettel Floyd Collins
Laurence KlavanBed and Sofa
Mark Campbell Splendora
Richard Maltby Jr. Big
1997
Gerard Alessandrini Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back [30] [31]
[32]
Brian Crawley Violet
Mark Waldrop When Pigs Fly
1998
Lynn Ahrens Ragtime [33] [34]
Stephen Trask Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Susan Birkenhead Triumph of Love
1999
Gerard Alessandrini Forbidden Broadway Cleans Up Its Act [35] [36]
[37]
Jason Robert Brown Parade
William Finn A New Brain

2000s

YearLyricistProductionRef.
2000
Stephen Sondheim Saturday Night [38] [39]
Boyd GrahamThe Big Bang
Jordan Allen-Dutton, Jason Catalano & GQ The Bomb-itty of Errors
Andrew Lippa The Wild Party
2001
Mel Brooks The Producers [40] [41]
Kirsten Childs The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
Mark Hollmann & Greg Kotis Urinetown
Ed Kleban A Class Act
Laurence O'Keefe Bat Boy: The Musical
David Yazbek The Full Monty
2002
Jason Robert Brown The Last Five Years [42] [43]
Craig Carnelia Sweet Smell of Success
Jonathan Larson Tick, Tick... BOOM!
Kevin Murphy Reefer Madness
Dick Scanlan Thoroughly Modern Millie
Ben SchatzDragapella Starring The Kinsey Sicks
2003
Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman Hairspray [44] [45]
[46]
Tim Acito & Alexander Dinelaris Zanna, Don't!
Lynn Ahrens A Man of No Importance
Craig Carnelia Imaginary Friends
Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx Avenue Q
Jeremy Sams & Didier van Cauwelaert Amour
2004
Stephen Schwartz Wicked [47] [48]
[49]
Joanne Bogart The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)
Boy George Taboo
Sean Hartley Cupid and Psyche
Joel Higgins Johnny Guitar
2005
Eric Idle Spamalot [50] [51]
Gary Adler & Michael Patrick Walker Altar Boyz
Douglas J. Cohen Children's Letters to God
Rick Crom Newsical
William Finn The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
David Yazbek Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
2006
Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison The Drowsy Chaperone [52] [53]
Chad Beguelin The Wedding Singer
Mark Campbell Songs from an Unmade Bed
Ryan Cunningham I Love You Because
Michael Korie Grey Gardens
Michael John LaChiusa See What I Wanna See
2007
Steven Sater Spring Awakening [54] [55]
[56]
Fred Ebb, Rupert Holmes & John Kander Curtains
Lin-Manuel Miranda In the Heights
Nell Benjamin & Laurence O'Keefe Legally Blonde
Mark Eaton, Elaina Newport & William Strauss Capitol Steps
Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me
2008
Stew Passing Strange [57] [58]
[59]
Lynn Ahrens The Glorious Ones
Mel Brooks Young Frankenstein
John Bucchino A Catered Affair
Ben Katchor The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Jason Loewith & Joshua Schmidt Adding Machine
2009
Stephen Sondheim Road Show [60] [61]
[62]
Neil Bartram The Story of My Life
Jason Robert Brown 13
Marcy Heisler Dear Edwina
David Lindsay-Abaire Shrek the Musical
Dolly Parton 9 to 5

2010s

YearLyricistProductionRef.
2010
Fred Ebb & John Kander The Scottsboro Boys [63]
Rick Crom Newsical
Kevin Del Aguila Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
Adèle Anderson & Dillie Keane Fascinating Aïda
Andrew Lippa The Addams Family
David Zellnik Yank!
2011
Trey Parker, Robert Lopez & Matt Stone The Book of Mormon [64] [65]
[66]
Rick Crom Newsical The Musical – Full Spin Ahead
Jack Lechner The Kid
Adam MathiasSee Rock City & Other Destinations
Glenn Slater Sister Act
Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman Catch Me If You Can
2012
Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová Once [67] [68]
[69]
Don Black Bonnie & Clyde
Jack Feldman Newsies
Joy Gregory & Gunnar Madsen The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World
Michael John LaChiusa Queen of the Mist
Maury Yeston Death Takes a Holiday
2013
Tim Minchin Matilda the Musical [70] [71]
Amanda Green Hands on a Hardbody
Green & Lin-Manuel Miranda Bring It On: The Musical
Michael John LaChiusa Giant
Dave Malloy Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812
Steve Rosen & David Rossmer The Other Josh Cohen
2014
Robert L. Freedman & Steven Lutvak A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder [72] [73]
[74]
Howard Ashman, Chad Beguelin & Tim Rice Aladdin
Jason Robert Brown The Bridges of Madison County
Michael Friedman Love's Labour's Lost
Michael Korie Far from Heaven
Lisa Kron Fun Home
2015
Lin-Manuel Miranda Hamilton [75] [76]
Jason Robert Brown Honeymoon in Vegas
Fred Ebb The Visit
Michael Friedman The Fortress of Solitude
Karey & Wayne Kirkpatrick Something Rotten!
Benjamin Scheuer The Lion
2016
Benj Pasek & Justin Paul Dear Evan Hansen [77] [78]
Sara Bareilles Waitress
Glenn Slater School of Rock
Michael John LaChiusa First Daughter Suite
2017
David Yazbek The Band's Visit [79] [80]
Gerard Alessandrini Spamilton
GQ & JAQ Othello: The Remix
Michael Korie War Paint
David Hein & Irene Sankoff Come from Away
2018
Peter Kellogg Desperate Measures [81] [82]
Nell Benjamin Mean Girls
Quiara Alegría Hudes & Erin McKeown Miss You Like Hell
Helen Park & Max Vernon KPOP
2019
David Yazbek Tootsie [83] [84]
Chad Beguelin The Prom
Andrew R. Butler Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future
Joe Iconis Be More Chill
Peter Mills The Hello Girls

2020s

YearLyricistProductionRef.
2020
Michael R. Jackson A Strange Loop [85] [86]
Susan Birkenhead The Secret Life of Bees
Adam Gwon Scotland, PA
Joanne Sydney Lessner & Joshua Rosenblum Einstein's Dreams
Dave Malloy Octet
Mark Saltzman Romeo & Bernadette
2021No awards: New York theatres shuttered, March 2020 to September 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City [87]
2022
Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss Six [88] [89]
[90]
Amanda Green Mr. Saturday Night
Taylor Mac The Hang
David Lindsay-Abaire Kimberly Akimbo
Lynn Nottage Intimate Apparel
Shaina Taub Suffs
2023
Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman Some Like It Hot [91] [92]
Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally Shucked
Jonathan HogueStranger Sings! The Parody Musical
Michael R. Jackson White Girl in Danger
Adam Schlesinger and Sarah Silverman The Bedwetter
2024 David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna Dead Outlaw [93] [94]
Rachel Bloom, Eli Bolin, and Jack DolgenRachel Bloom: Death, Let Me Do My Show
Jason Robert Brown The Connector
Michael R. Jackson Teeth
Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance) and Justin Levine The Outsiders
2025
Will Aronson and Hue Park Maybe Happy Ending [95] [96]
Gerard Alessandrini Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song
David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts Operation Mincemeat
Adam Gwon All the World's a Stage
Marla Mindelle and Philip Drennen The Big Gay Jamboree
Luis QuinteroMedea: Re-Versed

Multiple wins

10 wins
3 wins
2 wins

Multiple nominations

See also

References

  1. "1969 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  2. "1970 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  3. "1971 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  4. "1972 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  5. "1973 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  6. "1974 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  7. "1975 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  8. "1976 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  9. "1977 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  10. "1978 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  11. "Sweeney and Elephant Man Win Top Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. June 2, 1979. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  12. "1979 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  13. "1980 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  14. "1982 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  15. "1983 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  16. "1984 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  17. "1985 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  18. "1988 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  19. "Into the Woods Wins Award". The New York Times. May 25, 1988. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  20. "1990 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  21. "Drama Desk Awards to Angels and Lesson". The New York Times. May 17, 1990. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  22. "1991 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  23. "'Will Rogers' and 'Yonkers' Win Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. 13 May 1991.
  24. "1992 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  25. "1993 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  26. "Drama Desk Honors Kiss and Angels". The New York Times. May 18, 1993. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  27. "1994 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  28. "1996 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  29. Robert Viagas (May 20, 1996). "Drama Desk Awards to Rent, Master Class". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  30. "1997 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  31. "Drama Desk Picks Performers, Presenters & Venue, May 18". Playbill. May 13, 1997. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  32. "Chicago Tops Drama Desks". Variety. May 1997. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  33. "1998 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  34. "Ragtime, Beauty Queen Win Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. May 17, 1998. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  35. "1999 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  36. "List of 1999 Drama Desk Winners". Playbill. May 9, 1999. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  37. "1999 Drama Desk Winners: Not About Nightingales Design Trio". Playbill. May 9, 1999. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  38. "2000 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  39. Kenneth Jones (May 14, 2000). "2000 Drama Desk Winners Are Real Thing, Kate, Copenhagen & Contact". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  40. "2001 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  41. Kenneth Jones, Robert Simonson (May 20, 2001). "2001 Drama Desk Winners Include Producers, Proof and Mnemonic". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  42. "2002 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  43. Robert Simonson (May 20, 2002). "Drama Desk Awards Announced; Goat, Metamorphoses Tie for Best Play, Millie Scores". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  44. "2003 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  45. Robert Simonson (May 1, 2003). "Hairspray Leads 2003 Drama Desk Award Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  46. "Hairspray Wins 10 Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. May 19, 2003. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  47. "2004 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  48. "Wicked Leads Drama Desk Nominations". The New York Times. April 29, 2004. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  49. Andrew Gans, Robert Simonson (May 16, 2004). "Wicked, Assassins, Henry IV, Wife Win Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  50. "2005 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  51. "2005 Drama Desk Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. May 23, 2005. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  52. "2006 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  53. Andrew Gans (May 22, 2006). "Drowsy Chaperone and History Boys Big Winners at the 2006 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  54. "2007 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  55. New York Theatre Guide Staff (May 20, 2007). "Drama Desk Awards 2006–2007 Winners Announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  56. Andrew Gans (May 20, 2007). "52nd Annual Drama Desk Awards Presented May 20". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  57. "2008 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  58. "Arts: Drama Desk's Awards". The New York Times. May 19, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  59. New York Theatre Guide Staff (October 19, 2017). "Drama Desk Awards 2008 Winners Announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  60. "2009 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  61. "Drama Desk Awards Announced". The New York Times. May 17, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  62. Andrew Gans (May 18, 2009). "Ruined and Billy Elliot Win Top Honors at Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  63. "2010 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  64. "2011 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  65. Kenneth Jones (May 24, 2011). "Drama Desk Awards Go to Book of Mormon, Normal Heart, War Horse, Sutton Foster, Norbert Leo Butz". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  66. David Rooney (May 23, 2011). "Book of Mormon, Anything Goes Top Drama Desk Awards". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  67. "2012 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  68. "Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. June 4, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  69. New York Theatre Guide Staff (June 3, 2012). "The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  70. "2013 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  71. Michael Paulson (May 20, 2013). "Matilda Wins Big at Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  72. "2014 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  73. New York Theatre Guide Staff (June 1, 2014). "The 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  74. Jesse Green (June 1, 2014). "Drama Desk Embraces a Gentleman's Guide". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  75. "2015 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  76. Gordon Cox (May 31, 2015). "2015 Drama Desk Awards Winners (FULL LIST): 'Hamilton' Takes 7". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  77. "2016 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  78. Gordon Cox (June 5, 2016). "2016 Drama Desk Awards (FULL LIST): 'Shuffle Along,' 'The Humans'". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  79. "2017 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  80. Variety Staff (June 5, 2017). "Drama Desk Awards 2017: Full List of Winners". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  81. "2018 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  82. Playbill Staff (June 3, 2018). "SpongeBob SquarePants Leads 2018 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  83. "2019 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  84. Ruthie Fierberg (June 2, 2019). "Tootsie, Hadestown, and The Ferryman Lead 2019 Drama Desk Award Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  85. "2020 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  86. Dan Meyer (June 13, 2020). "A Strange Loop, The Inheritance, Moulin Rouge! Win Big at 2020 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  87. Evans, Greg (2021-05-05). "Broadway To Reopen Sept. 14, Says Gov. Andrew Cuomo; Broadway League "Cautiously Optimistic"". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  88. "2022 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  89. Chloe Rabinowitz (June 8, 2022). "COMPANY, SIX & More Win 2022 Drama Desk Awards – See the Full List!". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  90. Gillian Russo (June 8, 2022). "2022 Drama Desk Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  91. "2023 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  92. Logan Culwell-Block (May 31, 2023). "Some Like It Hot Dominates 2023 Drama Desk Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  93. "2024 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  94. Logan Culwell-Block (June 10, 2024). "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Drama Desk Awards With 7 Wins Including Outstanding Play". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  95. "2025 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  96. Logan Culwell-Block (June 1, 2025). "Drama Desk Award Winners 2025: The Full List". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.