David Lindsay-Abaire
THE BALUSTERS Extends Broadway Run Through June (Apr 28, 2026)
Video: Anika Noni Rose Praises Diverse Perspectives in THE BALUSTERS: 'We Are Running the Gamut' (Apr 28, 2026)
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 28, 2026- THE LOST BOYS Opens At the Palace and More (Apr 28, 2026)
BIO
David Lindsay-Abaire was most recently nominated for two Tony Awards for his work on Shrek The Musical: Best Book of a Musical and Best Score (with composer Jeanine Tesori). Prior to that he was awarded the 2008 Ed Kleban Award as America's most promising musical theatre lyricist and the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Rabbit Hole, which premiered on Broadway at MTC. Rabbit Hole also received five Tony Award nominations, including Best Play, and the Spirit of America Award. His other shows include Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo, Wonder of the World, High Fidelity and A Devil Inside, among others. In addition to his work in theatre, David's screen adaptation of Rabbit Hole is scheduled for release this month. It stars Nicole Kidman and is directed by John Cameron Mitchell. David is a proud New Dramatists alum, a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the Juilliard School, as well as a member of the WGA and the Dramatists Guild Council.
Photos
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Productions
Writing
Lyricist
Awards and Nominations
winner
David Lindsay-Abaire, Kimberly Akimbo
winner
David Lindsay-AbaireKimberly Akimbo
David Lindsay-Abaire, Kimberly Akimbo
winner
David Lindsay-AbaireKimberly Akimbo
David Lindsay-Abaire, Kimberly Akimbo
David Lindsay-AbaireKimberly Akimbo
David Lindsay-Abaire, Good People
David Lindsay-Abaire, Good People
David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek The Musical
David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek The Musical
winner
David Lindsay-Abaire
David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek the Musical
David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek the Musical
winner
David Lindsay-Abaire, Rabbit Hole
David Lindsay-Abaire, Rabbit Hole
David Lindsay-AbaireWonder of the World
David Lindsay-Abaire, Fuddy Meers
Videos
Video: Anika Noni Rose Praises Diverse Perspectives in THE BALUSTERS: 'We Are Running the Gamut'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-28 16:07:20
Video: Louise Pitre Leads Canadian Premiere of KIMBERLY AKIMBO
by Joshua Wright - 2026-01-22 11:12:19
Video: Renée Elise Goldsberry Talks Returning to Broadway in THE BALUSTERS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-17 17:13:01
Video: Carolee Carmello and Miguel Gil Sing 'Now' at KIMBERLY AKIMBO Tour Sitzprobe
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-09-01 10:37:54
Video: Watch LaChanze Discuss Becoming a Broadway Producer on CBS SUNDAY MORNING
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-02-18 10:17:21
Video: Watch KIMBERLY AKIMBO Perform 'This Time' on THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW
by Michael Major - 2024-02-07 10:20:35
VIDEO: KIMBERLY AKIMBO's Steven Boyer and Alli Mauzey Talk Food & Drinks Near the Theater
by Blair Ingenthron - 2023-10-15 14:19:54
Video: Victoria Clark Reveals How Her Son Broke Her Tony Award
by Michael Major - 2023-08-28 13:37:51
Video: Meet the 2023 Tony Nominees for Best Score and Orchestrations
by Richard Ridge - 2023-06-09 15:04:14
Video: Meet the 2023 Tony Nominees for Best Book of a Musical
by Richard Ridge - 2023-06-09 12:20:58
Video: KIMBERLY AKIMBO Kicks Off CBS MORNINGS' 'Road to the Tonys' Series
by Michael Major - 2023-05-24 10:53:40
Video: Watch KIMBERLY AKIMBO's NPR Tiny Desk Concert With Bonnie Milligan, Victoria Clark & More
by Michael Major - 2023-05-19 13:31:08
News
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 28, 2026
Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of THE BALUSTERS, the Drama League and Outer Critics Circle-nominated play by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Kenny Leon, has extended its run at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 28, 2026
Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose is back on Broadway in The Balusters, a new play by David Lindsay-Abaire. The performer is also releasing a new children's book this September, and spoke about both projects on TODAY. Watch her interview.
by - Apr 28, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 28, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Luka Vonier - Apr 27, 2026
The world premiere of The Balusters, a new play by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, officially opened at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Watch in this video as the whole cast and creative team celebrate the special night!
by Alyson Eng - Apr 27, 2026
“Ogres are like onions.” It’s one of the most quoted lines from Shrek, and it captures the heart of the story better than any traditional fairy tale opening. This spring, Royal City Musical Theatre brings SHREK THE MUSICAL to the stage from April 17 to May 3 at the Massey Theatre, where the story unfolds layer by layer. What starts as a simple quest quickly opens up into something more, filled with unlikely friendships, fairy tale chaos, and a love story that strays from a traditional mold.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 23, 2026
The National Tour of KIMBERLY AKIMBO will be making its final stop of the tour in New Haven, CT. The production will play May 14–17 at the Shubert Theatre before the curtain comes down on the national tour for good.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 23, 2026
The Muny announced the lead cast for its upcoming production of SHREK THE MUSICAL, with Nik Walker, Kara Lindsay, and Marcus M. Martin heading the company at Forest Park in St. Louis.
by - Apr 23, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 23, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 23, 2026
Lincoln Center Presents has announced its May 2026 programming, featuring American Songbook performances, Create-athon workshops, and events honoring Jeanine Tesori.
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 22, 2026
The world premiere of The Balusters, a new play by David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Kenny Leon, is now open at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Check out photos of the cast taking their opening night bows here!
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 22, 2026
The critics are weighing-in on the world premiere of The Balusters, a new play by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon. Read the reviews and learn more about this new comedy now at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in our review roundup!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2026
The Drama League has announced the 2026 Drama League Awards Nominees, which include Chess, Heathers, Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Titanique, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), and more. Check out the full list here!
by Albert Gutierrez - Apr 17, 2026
We learn that the suburban fantasy is not sustainable, primarily because such a fantasy can only ever be a dream. The reality of suburban living, as told by Kimberly Akimbo, shows there is much more nuance to everyday life than the nuclear family with a white picket fence and a wholesome dinner at eight. If everyone got what they wanted, after all, they wouldn’t want for more.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 16, 2026
Three-time Olivier Award winner Maria Friedman will star as Kimberly in the European premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical KIMBERLY AKIMBO at Hampstead Theatre, directed by Michael Longhurst.
by Joshua Wright - Apr 15, 2026
Get a first look at footage of Brazil production of SHREK THE MUSICAL, the beloved stage adaptation of DreamWorks' animated film, now playing for a limited season at the Teatro Renault in São Paulo.
by Alyson Eng - Apr 14, 2026
A teenager with a dysfunctional family, a first crush, and a body that refuses to follow the rules of time. It’s an unusual combination, and one that has helped set KIMBERLY AKIMBO apart from other coming-of-age stories. At the Stanley BFL Canada Stage in Vancouver, BC, the Arts Club Theatre Company’s latest production brings that story to life.
by - Apr 9, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 9, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 8, 2026
You can now get a first look at production photos for the world premiere of The Balusters, a new play by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Kenny Leon, now in previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 8, 2026
Shrek the Musical will come to Aspire Community Theatre this month. Performances run April 24 - May 3. Learn more about the upcoming show and how to get tickets here!
by - Apr 8, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 8, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
David Lindsay-Abaire has written 15 shows including Betty Boop Project (Bookwriter), My Man Godfrey (Bookwriter), Fuddy Meers (Playwright), Wonder of the World (Author), Kimberly Akimbo (Playwright), The 24 Hour Plays 2003 (Playwright), The 24 Hour Plays 2004 (Playwright), The 24 Hour Plays 2005 (Playwright), Rabbit Hole (Playwright), High Fidelity (Bookwriter), The 24 Hour Plays 2007 (Playwright), Good People (Playwright), Ripcord (Author), The Balusters (Writer), Shrek the Musical (Bookwriter).
Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Outstanding Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Good People, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Good People, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Shrek The Musical, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Shrek The Musical, Most promising musical theatre lyricist () for , Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Shrek the Musical , Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Shrek the Musical, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Rabbit Hole, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Rabbit Hole, The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play (Helen Hayes Awards) for Wonder of the World and John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Fuddy Meers .
David Lindsay-Abaire has won several prestigious awards, including: Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo; Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo; Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo; Most Promising Musical Theatre Lyricist; and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Rabbit Hole.
Videos