David Zippel

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David Zippel BIO

David Zippel is a lyricist and director. His lyrics have won him the Tony Award, two Academy Award nominations, two Grammy Award nominations, and three Golden Globe Award nominations. His songs appear on over twenty-five million CDs around the world, and have been recorded by many great singers including Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Mel Torme, Ricky Martin, Cleo Laine, Barbara Cook and Nancy LaMott.

He made his Broadway debut with CITY OF ANGELS (music by Cy Coleman, book by Larry Gelbart), for which he received the Tony Award, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award and (in London) the Olivier Award and Evening Standard Award. In 2015 City of Angels won the Olivier Award for Best Revival. He wrote the lyrics to the Broadway musical THE GOODBYE GIRL (music Marvin Hamlisch, book Neil Simon) for which he received an Outer Critics Circle nomination and which garnered a Tony nomination for Best Musical. With eight-time Oscar winning composer Alan Menken, he wrote the songs for Disney’s feature film Hercules. Michael Bolton recorded Go the Distance from that score, which was a #1 record and nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe. With Matthew Wilder, he wrote the songs for Disney’s animated feature Mulan, which earned him his second Academy Award nomination. “Reflection,” from MULAN, was recorded by Christina Aguilera and is featured on her multi-platinum debut album. Christina and David collaborated again with Todd Chapman to write the song “We’re A Miracle,” which was featured as the end title song for Pokemon: The First Movie, and on its #1 soundtrack album. With Mervyn Warren he wrote the end title for the Jennifer Lopez movie The Wedding Planner. His lyrics for The Swan Princess, an animated feature with music by Lex De Azevedo, were nominated for a Golden Globe Award. With composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, he wrote the songs for the London and Broadway musical THE WOMAN IN WHITE. With Alan Menken, David wrote the acclaimed USO sequence, Star Spangled Man With a Plan for Captain America.

With Liza Minnelli, David wrote the script for Liza’s at The Palace, which won a 2010 Tony Award for Best Special Entertainment. The show was recorded for PBS after a run in Las Vegas.

David’s credits as a director include: Princesses at The NAMT Festival, Goodspeed Musicals and The Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle, The Best Is Yet To Come: The Music of Cy Coleman at The Rubicon Theater for which he won a 2010 Indy Award for his direction and Off Broadway at 59E59TH Theaters which won the 2012 Drama Desk Award for Best Musical Revue, Elaine Paige in concert at The American Songbook Series at Lincoln Center and The Goodbye Girl at The Marriott Lincolnshire Theater. In 2013 he conceived and directed They’re Playing His Songs: The Music of Marvin Hamlisch.

He is currently a producer of Gerard Alessandrini’s hit off Broadway spoof SPAMILTON.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, David is delighted not to practice law.

David Zippel Photos

David Zippel Productions

 
[West End, 2022] [Replacement]
Lyrics[Replacement]
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Producer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Producer
 
[Regional (US), 2004]
Director
 
[New York, 2004]
Director

Writing

Lyrics
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Conceiver
Lyricist

David Zippel Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Lyrics

David Zippel, The Goodbye Girl


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Musical

David Zippel, City of Angels


winner
Tony Awards - 1990 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

David Zippel, City of Angels


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1989 - Outstanding Lyrics

David Zippel, City of Angels

David Zippel Videos

David Zippel News


Video: Alan Menken Shares The Song That Became 'Finally Arrived' in Hamburg

Tune in to catch Alan Menken performing the original Hercules tune that evolved into the beloved 'Finally Arrived' in an exciting new video!

Video: Watch The Set of Disney's HERCULES Being Assembled in Hamburg

Go inside the set build timelapse for the world premiere of the new production of Disney's Hercules in Hamburg. Check out the video!

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY Comes To Popejoy Hall This April

The Tony Award-winning FORBIDDEN BROADWAY arrives at Popejoy Hall Sunday April 7, 2024, at 3:00 pm.

Video: Go Inside the Sitzprobe for Disney's HERCULES in Hamburg

Go behind the scenes of the orchestra and cast coming together for the first time to bring the music of Hercules in Hamburg to life with stars Ann Jorolan (Meg), Benét Monteiro (Hercules), and musical supervisor Michael Kosarin.

Production Teams Set for The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company 2024 Season

The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company has revealed the production teams for its 2024 season. Learn more about the season!

Video: Get A First Look at the Sets of Disney's HERCULES in Hamburg

Watch as Set Designer Dane Laffrey and Director Casey Nicholaw take you inside the studio for a first look at the set designs for the world premiere of the new production of Disney's Hercules in Hamburg in an all-new video.

Video: Go Inside Rehearsals For Disney's HERCULES in Hamburg

Go inside rehearsals for the newest Disney musical HERCULES in Hamburg, featuring performances and interviews with the cast and creative team in an all-new video!

Interview: Luke Yankee's Being Me in MARILYN, MOM & ME

Luke Yankee’s Marilyn, Mom & Me world premieres February 16, 2024, at the International City Theatre. Written by Luke, he also directs the cast of Laura Gardner, Alisha Soper, Jacquelin Lorraine Schofield, Brian Rohan and Noah Wagner.

CITY OF ANGELS Opens at Music Mountain Theatre

Friday February 2nd will bring a new mainstage production to Music Mountain Theatre (MMT) in Lambertville, New Jersey for a three-weekend run. City of Angels, a musical with a book by Larry Gelbart, music by Cy Coleman, and lyrics by David Zippel, will be the second mainstage show of MMT's 2024 season.

T.3's New EP OPTION UP, Featuring Shoshana Bean & More Now Available on CD

T.3, the viral vocal trio, releases their new EP 'OPTION UP' featuring Broadway special guests SHOSHANA BEAN, MORGAN JAMES, and AISHA JACKSON. Now available on CD.

Broadway Shows Based on the Top 1000 Highest-Grossing Films

Of all the films on IMDB's list of the 1000 highest-grossing movies of all time, 31 have been adapted into Broadway musicals. Check out a guide to each those musicals below, along with musicals that are in development or ones that have not yet made their way to Broadway.

A LITTLE BROAD Starring Gloria Bangiola Returns to Don't Tell Mama Beginning Next Month

A LITTLE BROAD Starring Gloria Bangiola returns to Don't Tell Mama on Feb. 1, 9, and March 8 at 7pm. Directed by Scott Robertson and featuring Musical Direction by John Fischer, this cabaret show explores the multitudes we all contain through a mix of classical music, American songbook, musical theater, rock, folk, and original songs by Gloria Bangiola.

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Off-Broadway Awards; Voting Ends 12/31

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Off-Broadway Awards!

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Video: Stephanie J. Block Wants You to Have a Merry Christmas, (Darling)

In this video, watch as Stephanie J. Block checks in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to chat about how her new album started as one track, why song selection was so important to her, and so much more!

Roundup: A Nancy LaMott Playlist

Broadway World Cabaret editor Stephen Mosher compiles a list of three songs from every Nancy LaMott album, on the occasion of her death, twenty-eight years ago.

Watch: See Alex Newell And Philip Lawrence's 'Rhythm Of My Heart' Music Video From PACEMAKER

Music Video for Rhythm Of My Heart by Alex Newell and Philip Lawrence from the film Pacemaker drops today!

BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards; TITANIQUE & More Lead

It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

T.3's New EP OPTION UP Featuring Shoshana Bean & More Out Now

T.3 - Viral Vocal Trio releases new EP 'OPTION UP' featuring Broadway special guests SHOSHANA BEAN, MORGAN JAMES, and AISHA JACKSON. Check it out now!

Die Cast der Weltpremiere von Disneys Musical HERCULES Steht Fest

Ein heldenhaftes Spektakel erwartet das Publikum, wenn Disneys neuestes Musical HERCULES im März 2024 seine Weltpremiere in Hamburg feiert. Jetzt wurde die komplette Cast vorgestellt! Der Chief Creative Officer der Disney Theatrical Group, Thomas Schumacher, gab am Dienstag zudem erste Einblicke in die brandneue Show.

David Zippel FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has David Zippel written?

David Zippel has written 14 shows including A...My Name Is Alice (Material), Diamonds (Lyricist), Just So (Lyricist), Just So (Lyricist), Going Hollywood (Lyricist), Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre (Lyricist), City of Angels (Lyricist), Jelly's Last Jam (Lyricist), The Goodbye Girl (Lyricist), Princesses (Lyricist), The Woman in White (Lyricist), Barbara Cook's Broadway! (Lyricist), Pamela's First Musical (Lyricist), Bad Cinderella (Lyricist).

What awards has David Zippel been nominated for?

David Zippel has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Goodbye Girl," Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "City of Angels," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "City of Angels," and Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "City of Angels."

What awards has David Zippel won?

David Zippel has won the following awards: Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for City of Angels, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for City of Angels, and Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for City of Angels.

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