Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics
| Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Outstanding Lyrics |
| Location | New York City |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | Drama Desk |
| First award | 1969 |
| Currently held by | Will Aronson and Hue Park for Maybe Happy Ending (2025) |
| Website | dramadesk.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.
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
| Year | Lyricist | Production | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | |||
| George Haimsohn & Robin Miller | Dames at Sea | [1] | |
| Fred Ebb | Zorba |
1970s
| Year | Lyricist | Production | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Silver | In Gay Company | ||
| 1976 | |||
| Edward Kleban & Marvin Hamlisch | A Chorus Line | [8] | |
| Leonard Bernstein | 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue | ||
| Bill Heyer & Hank Beebe | Tuscaloosa'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
| Year | Lyricist | Production | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | |||
| Tim Rice | Evita | [13] | |
| Steve Brown | Strider | ||
| 1981 | N/a | ||
| 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 Colker | 3 Guys Naked from the Waist Down | ||
| Ellen Fitzhugh | Grind | ||
| 1986, 1987 | N/a | ||
| 1988 | |||
| Stephen Sondheim | Into the Woods | [18][19] | |
| Barry Harman | Romance/Romance | ||
| 1989 | N/a | ||
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Multiple wins
- 10 wins
- 3 wins
- 2 wins
Multiple nominations
|
|
See also
References
- ^ "1969 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1970 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1971 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1972 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1973 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1974 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1975 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1976 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1977 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1978 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "Sweeney and Elephant Man Win Top Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. June 2, 1979. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1979 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1980 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1982 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1983 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1984 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1985 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1988 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "Into the Woods Wins Award". The New York Times. May 25, 1988. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "1990 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "Drama Desk Awards to Angels and Lesson". The New York Times. May 17, 1990. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "1991 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "'Will Rogers' and 'Yonkers' Win Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. 13 May 1991.
- ^ "1992 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1993 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "Drama Desk Honors Kiss and Angels". The New York Times. May 18, 1993. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "1994 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "1996 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Robert Viagas (May 20, 1996). "Drama Desk Awards to Rent, Master Class". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "1997 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "Drama Desk Picks Performers, Presenters & Venue, May 18". Playbill. May 13, 1997. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "Chicago Tops Drama Desks". Variety. May 1997. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "1998 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "Ragtime, Beauty Queen Win Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. May 17, 1998. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "1999 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "List of 1999 Drama Desk Winners". Playbill. May 9, 1999. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "1999 Drama Desk Winners: Not About Nightingales Design Trio". Playbill. May 9, 1999. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2000 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Kenneth Jones (May 14, 2000). "2000 Drama Desk Winners Are Real Thing, Kate, Copenhagen & Contact". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2001 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Kenneth Jones, Robert Simonson (May 20, 2001). "2001 Drama Desk Winners Include Producers, Proof and Mnemonic". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2002 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Robert Simonson (May 20, 2002). "Drama Desk Awards Announced; Goat, Metamorphoses Tie for Best Play, Millie Scores". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2003 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Robert Simonson (May 1, 2003). "Hairspray Leads 2003 Drama Desk Award Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "Hairspray Wins 10 Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. May 19, 2003. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2004 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "Wicked Leads Drama Desk Nominations". The New York Times. April 29, 2004. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Andrew Gans, Robert Simonson (May 16, 2004). "Wicked, Assassins, Henry IV, Wife Win Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2005 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "2005 Drama Desk Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. May 23, 2005. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "2006 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Andrew Gans (May 22, 2006). "Drowsy Chaperone and History Boys Big Winners at the 2006 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2007 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ New York Theatre Guide Staff (May 20, 2007). "Drama Desk Awards 2006–2007 Winners Announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Andrew Gans (May 20, 2007). "52nd Annual Drama Desk Awards Presented May 20". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2008 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "Arts: Drama Desk's Awards". The New York Times. May 19, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ New York Theatre Guide Staff (October 19, 2017). "Drama Desk Awards 2008 Winners Announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2009 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "Drama Desk Awards Announced". The New York Times. May 17, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Andrew Gans (May 18, 2009). "Ruined and Billy Elliot Win Top Honors at Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2010 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "2011 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ David Rooney (May 23, 2011). "Book of Mormon, Anything Goes Top Drama Desk Awards". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2012 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. June 4, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ New York Theatre Guide Staff (June 3, 2012). "The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2013 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Michael Paulson (May 20, 2013). "Matilda Wins Big at Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2014 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ New York Theatre Guide Staff (June 1, 2014). "The 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Jesse Green (June 1, 2014). "Drama Desk Embraces a Gentleman's Guide". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2015 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Gordon Cox (May 31, 2015). "2015 Drama Desk Awards Winners (FULL LIST): 'Hamilton' Takes 7". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2016 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Gordon Cox (June 5, 2016). "2016 Drama Desk Awards (FULL LIST): 'Shuffle Along,' 'The Humans'". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2017 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Variety Staff (June 5, 2017). "Drama Desk Awards 2017: Full List of Winners". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2018 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Playbill Staff (June 3, 2018). "SpongeBob SquarePants Leads 2018 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2019 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Ruthie Fierberg (June 2, 2019). "Tootsie, Hadestown, and The Ferryman Lead 2019 Drama Desk Award Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2020 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Dan Meyer (June 13, 2020). "A Strange Loop, The Inheritance, Moulin Rouge! Win Big at 2020 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "2022 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Chloe Rabinowitz (June 8, 2022). "COMPANY, SIX & More Win 2022 Drama Desk Awards – See the Full List!". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Gillian Russo (June 8, 2022). "2022 Drama Desk Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2023 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "2024 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Logan Culwell-Block (June 10, 2024). "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Drama Desk Awards With 7 Wins Including Outstanding Play". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Logan Culwell-Block (June 1, 2025). "Drama Desk Award Winners 2025: The Full List". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.