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Brian Crawley

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Brian Crawley BIO

Brian Crawley is a playwright and screenwriter. He is at work on a commission for a play about jazz performer Valaida Snow, and a new musical DOWN THERE with composer Lewis Flinn. Recently he wrote the book and lyrics for A LITTLE PRINCESS (composer Andrew Lippa) which debuted at Theatreworks of Palo Alto in the summer of 2004. He also wrote the book and lyrics for VIOLET (composer Jeanine Tesori) which was mounted Off-Broadway by Playwrights Horizons in 1997, then remounted in a concert version in 2003 to help inaugurate their new theater.

For the libretto of VIOLET, Brian won the Kleban Award. Prior to the Playwrights Horizons production, and on its behalf, VIOLET was given the Richard Rodgers Musical Production Award and an AT&T OnStage Award. Afterwards, besides a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical, VIOLET received the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical over all the year's Broadway offerings, as did Paula Vogel's play HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE; the first time two off-Broadway pieces took these top awards in the Drama Critic Circle's history.

Brian's plays have been developed or staged at Lincoln Center, New York Theater Workshop, and the Eugene O'Neill summer theater conference. He majored in Theater Studies at Yale and got an MFA in Acting from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Brian is a member of the Dramatists Guild.

Brian Crawley Awards and Nominations


winner
- 1997 - Most promising musical theatre librettist

Brian Crawley

Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Lyrics

Brian Crawley, Violet


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1997 - Best Musical

Brian Crawley, Violet

Brian Crawley Videos

Brian Crawley News


FAR FROM THE TREE and LIGHTHOUSE Receive Richard Rodgers Awards


The two recipients have been announced for the 2024 Richard Rodgers Awards for Musical Theater, Far From The Tree and Lighthouse. Both winning musicals will receive funds toward their presentation at nonprofit theaters in New York City.

Sutton Foster and Kelli O'Hara Will Join the New York Pops For One Night Only at Carnegie Hall in November


The New York Pops will be joined by Tony Award winners Sutton Foster and Kelli O'Hara for a one night only concert on Friday, November 17, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall.

VIOLET Comes to TheatreSquared in June


Violet, the poignant, uplifting award-winning musical that took Broadway by storm, opens June 7 at TheatreSquared (477 W. Spring St., Fayetteville) and runs through July 2.

Studio Theatre Announces Cast of FUN HOME


Studio Theatre has announced the cast of their production of Fun Home, with performances starting June 28. The musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, is based on the autobiographical graphic novel of the same name by cartoonist and writer Alison Bechdel.

Ticket to Ride: VIOLET Will Open at TheatreSquared on June 7


Violet, the poignant, uplifting award-winning musical that took Broadway by storm, opens June 7 at TheatreSquared (477 W. Spring St., Fayetteville) and runs through July 2. Tickets, from $20-$54, can be purchased by calling (479) 777-7477 or by visiting theatre2.org/violet.

Nashville Rep Closes Out 2022-23 Season With Rousing Production of Tesori's VIOLET


With noteworthy performances across the board, Nashville Repertory Theatre’s production of Violet – with a lovely, haunting and emotional score by Jeanine Tesori and a sometimes meandering, oftentimes difficult to follow, libretto by Brian Crawley, based upon Doris Betts’ short story “The Ugliest Pilgrim” – closes out the company’s 2022-23 in impressive style that heralds great promise for what is still to come as the Rep moves forward into its 39th season.

Patti LuPone, Sierra Boggess & Sutton Foster to Star in Sondheim Celebration at the Hollywood Bowl


Patti LuPone will lead a glittering cast of Broadway luminaries for Everybody Rise! A Sondheim Celebration at the Hollywood Bowl. See how to purchase tickets!

Sutton Foster Will Extend Café Carlyle Engagement To June 10th


Sutton Foster's return to the cabaret stage will be a little longer than planned, thanks to an extension.

Two Musicals Win Richard Rodgers Awards


The American Academy of Arts and Letters announced the two recipients of the 2023 Richard Rodgers Awards for Musical Theater. Both winning musicals will receive funds toward their presentation in staged readings at nonprofit theaters in New York City.

Review: SETH'S TALENT SHOWCASE: WOMEN'S COMPOSER CABARET at Don't Tell Mama


It was a treat to see Seth's Talent Showcase cabaret this Tuesday night at Midtown's Don't Tell Mama.

EVITA Revival Will Be Produced at A.R.T. in May 2023


A new revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera Evita is headed to the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University in May 2023, led by Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus and Executive Director Kelvin Dinkins, Jr. The A.R.T., in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company, will produce Evita May 14 - July 16, 2023 at the Loeb Drama Center in Harvard Square.

VIOLET Opens This Week At Actors Theatre Of Indiana


Actors Theatre of Indiana is prepping for the opening of their next production – Violet – a moving musical featuring show-stopping anthems, ranging from American-roots to folk to gospel.

VIOLET to Open at Live Arts Theater in November


Live Arts Theater's 2022/23 Transformations Season journeys forward with the award-winning musical VIOLET. This soaring musical pilgrimage features music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics and book by Brian Crawley. VIOLET will have 12 performances in the Gibson Theater, November 18 through December 10, 2022.

Actors Theatre Of Indiana Announces Its Cast of VIOLET, Opening October 28


Actors Theatre of Indiana has announced their next production – Violet. A moving musical featuring show-stopping anthems, ranging from American-roots to folk to gospel.

VIDEO: Sutton Foster Talks Auditioning and THE MUSIC MAN on THE TONIGHT SHOW


Watch Sutton Foster discuss auditioning and THE MUSIC MAN with Jimmy Fallon on THE TONIGHT SHOW.

Sanaz Toossi, Jeanine Tesori, Alice Childress and More To Receive Dramatists Guild Awards


The Dramatists Guild of America has announced further recipients for their 2022 Awards. The Awards for both 2021 and 2022 recipients will be presented at Joe’s Pub on Monday, July 25, 2022.

World Premiere of MR. CONFIDENTIAL & More Announced for Actors Theatre of Indiana 2022-2023 Season


 Actors Theatre of Indiana has announced the lineup for their 2022-2023 season. The season will begin September 9, 2022 and run through May 21, 2023. This season will make you shake with laughter and perhaps move you to tears. And you will have the unique opportunity to watch a world premiere!

VIDEO: Sutton Foster Reveals Her 'Dream Role Goals' on COLBERT


On a new episode of Stephen Colbert's 'Dream Role Goals,' Sutton Foster revealed her musical theatre dream roles. Foster discusses which Broadway roles she'd like to take one, including parts in Gypsy, Hello, Dolly!, and Funny Girl.

Winners of 2022 Richard Rodgers Awards for Musical Theater Announced


The winners of the 2022 Richard Rodgers Awards for Musical Theater were announced today by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Both musicals received Staged Reading Awards.

VIDEO: Sutton Foster Talks THE MUSIC MAN, Hugh Jackman, and More on THE LATE SHOW


Two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster returned to The Late Show last night to share stories about working with her The Music Man co-star Hugh Jackman, and to give Stephen Colbert something special she made by hand in her dressing room.

Brian Crawley FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Brian Crawley written?

Brian Crawley has written 2 shows including Violet (Bookwriter), A Little Princess (Bookwriter/Lyricist).

What awards has Brian Crawley been nominated for?

Brian Crawley has been nominated for Most Promising Musical Theatre Librettist, Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "Violet," and Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Violet."

What awards has Brian Crawley won?

Brian Crawley has won the Most Promising Musical Theatre Librettist award for "Violet" and the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for the same show.

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