Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical

Drama Desk Award
for Outstanding Musical
Awarded forOutstanding Musical
LocationNew York City
CountryUnited States
Presented byDrama Desk
First award1975
Currently held byMaybe Happy Ending (2025)
Websitedramadesk.org

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

Winners and nominees

1970s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
1975
The Wiz William F. Brown Charlie Smalls
Goodtime Charley Sidney Michaels Larry Grossman Hal Hackady
In Gay Company Fred Silver
The Lieutenant Gene Curty, Nitra Scharfman and Chuck Strand
1976
A Chorus Line James Kirkwood Marvin Hamlisch Edward Kleban
Pacific Overtures John Weidman Stephen Sondheim
The Robber Bridegroom Alfred Uhry Robert Waldman Alfred Uhry
1977
Annie Thomas Meehan Charles Strouse Martin Charnin
Happy End Elisabeth Hauptmann Kurt Weill Bertolt Brecht
I Love My Wife Michael Stewart Cy Coleman Michael Stewart
The King and I Oscar Hammerstein II Richard Rodgers Oscar Hammerstein II
Porgy and Bess DuBose Heyward George Gershwin DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin
The Robber Bridegroom Alfred Uhry Robert Waldman Alfred Uhry
1978
Ain't Misbehavin' N/A Thomas "Fats" Waller Various
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Larry L. King and Peter Masterson Carol Hall
Dancin' — Various
Runaways Elizabeth Swados
Working Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso Various
1979
Sweeney Todd Hugh Wheeler Stephen Sondheim
Eubie! — Eubie Blake Various
They're Playing Our Song Neil Simon Marvin Hamlisch Carole Bayer Sager
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg Jacques Demy Michel Legrand Sheldon Harnick

1980s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
1980
Evita Tim Rice Andrew Lloyd Webber Tim Rice
The 1940's Radio Hour Walton Jones Various
Barnum Mark Bramble Cy Coleman Michael Stewart
Sidewalkin' Jake Holmes
Tintypes Mel Marvin and Gary Pearle Various
1981
The Pirates of Penzance W. S. Gilbert Arthur Sullivan W. S. Gilbert
42nd Street Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble Harry Warren Al Dubin
Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music — Various
1982
Nine Arthur Kopit Maury Yeston
Dreamgirls Tom Eyen Henry Krieger Tom Eyen
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Tim Rice Andrew Lloyd Webber Tim Rice
Pump Boys and Dinettes Pump Boys and Dinettes
1983
Little Shop of Horrors Howard Ashman Alan Menken Howard Ashman
My One and Only Peter Stone and Timothy S. Mayer George Gershwin Ira Gershwin
1984
Sunday in the Park with George James Lapine Stephen Sondheim
Baby Sybille Pearson David Shire Richard Maltby, Jr.
The Rink Terrence McNally John Kander Fred Ebb
Taking My Turn Robert H. Livingston Gary William Friedman Will Holt
1985
—
1986
The Mystery of Edwin Drood Rupert Holmes
Big Deal Bob Fosse Various
Goblin Market Polly Pen and Peggy Harmon Polly Pen Polly Pen and Peggy Harmon
Personals Alan Merken Stephen Schwartz Alan Merken
1987
Les Misérables Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil Claude-Michel Schönberg Herbert Kretzmer
Me and My Girl L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber Noel Gay L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber
Olympus on My Mind Barry Harman Grant Sturiale Barry Harman
Starlight Express — Andrew Lloyd Webber Richard Stilgoe
1988
Into the Woods James Lapine Stephen Sondheim
The Phantom of the Opera Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber Andrew Lloyd Webber Charles Hart
1989
Jerome Robbins' Broadway N/A Various
Black and Blue Claudio Segovia and Héctor Orezzoli Various

1990s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
1990
City of Angels Larry Gelbart Cy Coleman David Zippel
Aspects of Love Andrew Lloyd Webber Don Black and Charles Hart
1991[1]
The Will Rogers Follies Peter Stone Cy Coleman Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Assassins John Weidman Stephen Sondheim
The Secret Garden Marsha Norman Lucy Simon Marsha Norman
1992
Crazy for You Ken Ludwig George Gershwin Ira Gershwin
Jelly's Last Jam George C. Wolfe Jelly Roll Morton Susan Birkenhead
1993
Kiss of the Spider Woman Terrence McNally John Kander Fred Ebb
Ruthless! Joel Paley Marvin Laird Joel Paley
The Who's Tommy Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff Pete Townshend
Wings Arthur Perlman Jeffrey Lunden Arthur Perlman
1994
Passion James Lapine Stephen Sondheim
Beauty and the Beast Linda Woolverton Alan Menken Howard Ashman and Tim Rice
Hello Again Michael John LaChiusa
1995
Show Boat Oscar Hammerstein II Jerome Kern Oscar Hammerstein II and P.G. Wodehouse
A Christmas Carol — Alan Menken Lynn Ahrens
How to Succeed in Business Without
Really Trying 		Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert Frank Loesser
Merrily We Roll Along George Furth Stephen Sondheim
Sunset Boulevard Christopher Hampton and Don Black Andrew Lloyd Webber Don Black
1996
Rent Jonathan Larson
Bed and Sofa Laurence Klavan Polly Pen Laurence Klavan
Big: the musical John Weidman David Shire Richard Maltby, Jr.
Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk Reg E. Gaines Daryl Waters, Zane Mark and Ann Duquesnay Reg E. Gaines, George C. Wolfe and Ann Duquesnay
Chronicle of a Death Foretold Graciela Daniele and Jim Lewis Bob Telson Graciela Daniele, Jim Lewis and Michael John LaChiusa
Floyd Collins Tina Landau Adam Guettel
1997
The Life Cy Coleman, David Newman and Ira Gasman Cy Coleman Ira Gasman
Steel Pier David Thompson John Kander Fred Ebb
Violet Brian Crawley Jeanine Tesori Brian Crawley
1998
Ragtime Terrence McNally Stephen Flaherty Lynn Ahrens
Forever Tango — Various
Hedwig and the Angry Inch John Cameron Mitchell Stephen Trask
High Society Arthur Kopit Cole Porter Cole Porter and Susan Birkenhead
The Lion King Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi Elton John Tim Rice
1999
Parade Alfred Uhry Jason Robert Brown
A New Brain William Finn and James Lapine William Finn
The Civil War Gregory Boyd and Frank Wildhorn Frank Wildhorn Jack Murphy

2000s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
2000
Contact John Weidman Various
James Joyce's The Dead Richard Nelson Shaun Davey Richard Nelson and Shaun Davey
Saturday Night Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein Stephen Sondheim
Swing! Paul Kelley Various
The Wild Party Andrew Lippa[2]
2001
The Producers Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan Mel Brooks
Bat Boy: The Musical Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming Laurence O'Keefe
Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her
Chameleon Skin 		Kristen Childs
The Full Monty Terrence McNally David Yazbek
Urinetown Greg Kotis Mark Hollman Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman
2002
Thoroughly Modern Millie Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan Jeanine Tesori Dick Scanlan
The Last Five Years Jason Robert Brown
Sweet Smell of Success John Guare Marvin Hamlisch Craig Carnelia
Tick, Tick... BOOM! Jonathan Larson and David Auburn Jonathan Larson
2003
Hairspray Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan Marc Shaiman Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
A Man of No Importance Terrence McNally Stephen Flaherty Lynn Ahrens
Amour Didier Van Cauwelaert and Jeremy Sams Michel Legrand Jeremy Sams
Avenue Q Jeff Whitty Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Movin' Out Twyla Tharp Billy Joel
Zanna, Don't! Tim Acito and Alexander Dinelaris Tim Acito Tim Acito and Alexander Dinelaris
2004
Wicked Winnie Holzman Stephen Schwartz
Caroline, or Change Tony Kushner Jeanine Tesori Tony Kushner
Johnny Guitar Nicholas van Hoogstraten Martin Silvestri and Joel Higgins Joel Higgins
The Musical of Musicals Joanne Bogart and Eric Rockwell Eric Rockwell Joanne Bogart
2005
Monty Python's Spamalot Eric Idle John Du Prez and Eric Idle Eric Idle
The 25th Annual Putnam County
Spelling Bee 		Rachel Sheinkin William Finn
Altar Boyz Kevin Del Aguila Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Jeffrey Lane David Yazbek
The Light in the Piazza Craig Lucas Adam Guettel
2006
The Drowsy Chaperone Bob Martin and Don McKellar Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
Grey Gardens Doug Wright Scott Frankel Michael Korie
Jersey Boys Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe
See What I Wanna See Michael John LaChiusa
Thrill Me Stephen Dolginoff
The Wedding Singer Tim Herlihy and Chad Beguelin Matthew Sklar Chad Beguelin
2007
Spring Awakening Steven Sater Duncan Sheik Steven Sater
Curtains Rupert Holmes John Kander Fred Ebb
In the Heights Quiara Alegría Hudes Lin-Manuel Miranda
Legally Blonde Heather Hach Nell Benjamin and Laurence O'Keefe
LoveMusik Alfred Uhry Kurt Weill Various
Mary Poppins Julian Fellowes Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman, George Stiles
and Anthony Drewe
2008
Passing Strange Stew Stew and Heidi Rodewald Stew
A Catered Affair Harvey Fierstein John Bucchino
Adding Machine Jason Loewith and Joshua Schmidt Joshua Schmidt Jason Loewith and Joshua Schmidt
The Glorious Ones Lynn Ahrens Stephen Flaherty Lynn Ahrens
The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island Ben Katchor Mark Mulcahy Ben Katchor
Xanadu Douglas Carter Beane Jeff Lynne and John Farrar
2009
Billy Elliot the Musical Lee Hall Elton John Lee Hall
9 to 5 Patricia Resnick Dolly Parton
Fela! Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis Fela Kuti
Liza's at the Palace... Ron Lewis Various
Shrek the Musical David Lindsay-Abaire Jeanine Tesori David Lindsay-Abaire
The Story of My Life Brian Hill Neil Bartram

2010s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
2010
Memphis Joe DiPietro David Bryan Joe DiPietro and David Bryan
The Addams Family Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice Andrew Lippa
American Idiot Michael Mayer and Billie Joe Armstrong Green Day Billie Joe Armstrong
Everyday Rapture Dick Scanlan and Sherie Rene Scott Various
The Scottsboro Boys David Thompson John Kander and Fred Ebb
Yank! David Zellnik Joseph Zellnik David Zellnik
2011
The Book of Mormon Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone
In Transit Kristen Anderson-Lopez, James-Allen Ford, Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth
The Kid Michael Zam Andy Monroe Jack Lechner
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott Various
See Rock City & Other Destinations Adam Mathias Brad Alexander Adam Mathias
Sister Act Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner and Douglas Carter Beane Alan Menken Glenn Slater
2012
Once Enda Walsh Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
Bonnie & Clyde Ivan Menchell Frank Wildhorn Don Black
Death Takes a Holiday Peter Stone and Thomas Meehan Maury Yeston
Leap of Faith Janus Cercone and Glenn Slater Alan Menken Glenn Slater
Newsies Harvey Fierstein Alan Menken Jack Feldman
Nice Work If You Can Get It Joe DiPietro George and Ira Gershwin
Queen of the Mist Michael John LaChiusa
2013
Matilda the Musical Dennis Kelly Tim Minchin
A Christmas Story: The Musical Joseph Robinette Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Giant Sybille Pearson Michael John LaChiusa
Hands on a Hardbody Doug Wright Amanda Green and Trey Anastasio Amanda Green
Here Lies Love — David Byrne and Fatboy Slim
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 Dave Malloy
The Other Josh Cohen David Rossmer and Steve Rosen
2014
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Robert L. Freedman Steven Lutvak Robert L. Freedman and
Steven Lutvak
Aladdin Chad Beguelin Alan Menken Chad Beguelin, Howard Ashman
and Tim Rice
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Douglas McGrath Various
The Bridges of Madison County Marsha Norman Jason Robert Brown
Fun Home Lisa Kron Jeanine Tesori Lisa Kron
Love's Labour's Lost Alex Timbers Michael Friedman
Rocky the Musical Thomas Meehan Stephen Flaherty Lynn Ahrens
2015
Hamilton Lin-Manuel Miranda
An American in Paris Craig Lucas George Gershwin Ira Gershwin
Fly By Night Will Connolly, Michael Mitnick and Kim Rosenstock
Pretty Filthy Bess Wohl Michael Friedman
Something Rotten! Karey Kirkpatrick and
John O'Farrell 		Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick
The Visit Terrence McNally John Kander Fred Ebb
2016
Shuffle Along George C. Wolfe Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle
First Daughter Suite Michael John LaChiusa
Daddy Long Legs John Caird Paul Gordon
School of Rock Julian Fellowes Andrew Lloyd Webber Glenn Slater
Waitress Jessie Nelson Sara Bareilles
2017
Come from Away Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Anastasia Terrence McNally Stephen Flaherty Lynn Ahrens
The Band's Visit Itamar Moses David Yazbek
Hadestown Anaïs Mitchell
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Joe Tracz Rob Rokicki
2018
SpongeBob SquarePants Kyle Jarrow Various
Desperate Measures Peter Kellogg David Friedman Peter Kellogg
KPOP Jason Kim Helen Park and Max Vernon
Mean Girls Tina Fey Jeff Richmond Nell Benjamin
Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story Hannah Moscovitch Ben Caplan and Christian Barry
2019
The Prom Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin Matthew Sklar Chad Beguelin
Be More Chill Joe Tracz Joe Iconis
The Hello Girls Peter Mills and Cara Reichel Peter Mills
Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future Andrew R. Butler
Tootsie Robert Horn David Yazbek

2020s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
2020
A Strange Loop Michael R. Jackson
Octet Dave Malloy
The Secret Life of Bees Lynn Nottage Duncan Sheik Susan Birkenhead
Soft Power David Henry Hwang Jeanine Tesori David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori
The Wrong Man Ross Golan
2021 No awards: New York theatres shuttered, March 2020 to September 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City[3]
2022
Kimberly Akimbo David Lindsay-Abaire Jeanine Tesori David Lindsay-Abaire
The Hang Taylor Mac Matt Ray Taylor Mac
Harmony: A New Musical Bruce Sussman Barry Manilow Bruce Sussman
Intimate Apparel Lynn Nottage Ricky Ian Gordon Lynn Nottage
Six Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss
2023
Some Like It Hot Matthew López & Amber Ruffin Marc Shaiman Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
& Juliet David West Read Max Martin and various others
Between the Lines Timothy Allen McDonald Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson
F*ck7thGrade Liza Birkenmeier Jill Sobule
Shucked Robert Horn Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally
White Girl in Danger Michael R. Jackson
2024[4] Dead Outlaw Itamar Moses David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna
Illinoise Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury Sufjan Stevens
Lizard Boy Justin Huertas
Teeth Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacobs
The Connector Jonathan Marc Sherman Jason Robert Brown
The Outsiders Adam Rapp and Justin Levine Jonathan Clay, Zach Chance, and Justin Levine
2025[5]
Maybe Happy Ending Will Aronson and Hue Park Will Aronson Will Aronson and Hue Park
Boop! The Musical Bob Martin David Foster Susan Birkenhead
Death Becomes Her Marco Pennette Julia Mattison and Noel Carey
Just in Time Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver various artists
Music City Peter Zinn J. T. Harding

See also

References

  1. ^ "'Will Rogers' and 'Yonkers' Win Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. 13 May 1991.
  2. ^ "Awards – Drama Desk".
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Drama Desk Awards with 7 Wins Including Outstanding Play - Playbill.com". 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
  5. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 30, 2025). "Boop! Leads 2025 Drama Desk Award Nominations With 11 Nods Including Outstanding Musical; Read the Full List Here". Retrieved May 4, 2025.
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