David Yazbek
Review: The Musical Adaptation of TOOTSIE Is The Latest Fun Filled Offering At Teatro At The Italian Forum (May 31, 2026)
Writer and Producer Jeffrey Lane Playwright Dies at 71 (May 23, 2026)
Tatianna Córdoba, Isabella Esler & Elizabeth Teeter to Lead IN THEIR OWN WORDS at The Green Room 42 (May 4, 2026)
BIO
David Yazbek has become one of Broadway's preeminent composer/lyricists. Three of his shows, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown have been nominated for Best Score Tony Awards. He is a Tony Award winner for his most recent musical, The Band's Visit, which opened on Broadway to rave reviews and has been named to every Best of the Year list for 2017. The show also received 10 Tony Awards, as well as the Lucille Lortel Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical. He's also received three Grammy nominations and a Drama Desk Award. Yazbek won an Outstanding Writing Emmy Award for his stint on "Late Night with David Letterman." He scored the last season of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," wrote the theme song to "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego," and has written hundreds of songs, scripts, scores and jingles for adult and children's TV. As a recording artist, Yazbek is responsible for five albums—The Laughing Man, Tock, Damascus, Tape Recorder, and Evil Monkey Man. He has written and/or produced for such acts as XTC, Ruben Blades, The Persuasions, Joe Jackson, Tito Puente and many others. As a performer, he and his band are engaged in an ongoing series of monthly shows at NYC's 54 Below club.
Photos
Productions
Writing
Composer
Lyricist
Lyricist
Awards and Nominations
David Yazbek, Dead Outlaw
winner
David Yazbek, Dead Outlaw
David Yazbek, Dead Outlaw
David YazbekDead Outlaw
winner
David YazbekDead Outlaw
David YazbekDead Outlaw
David Yazbek, Dead Outlaw
winner
David Yazbek, Tootsie
winner
David Yazbek, Tootsie
winner
David Yazbek, Tootsie
David Yazbek, Tootsie
David Yazbek, Tootsie
winner
David Yazbek, The Band's Visit
winner
David Yazbek, The Band's Visit
David Yazbek, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
David Yazbek, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
David Yazbek, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
David Yazbek, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
David Yazbek, The Full Monty
winner
David Yazbek, The Full Monty
winner
David Yazbek, The Full Monty
Videos
Video: Get a First Look at TOOTSIE at Maine State Music Theatre
by Michael Major - 2025-06-17 13:54:06
Video: Inside DEAD OUTLAW's Show-Stopping 'Something From Nothing'
by Michael Major - 2025-06-02 13:59:38
Video: Andrew Durand & Julia Knitel Perform 'Normal' in DEAD OUTLAW on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2025-05-29 12:00:20
Video: Go Behind the Scenes of DEAD OUTLAW with Andrew Durand in STAGEBOUND
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-21 12:12:02
Video: 'Killed a Man in Maine' From DEAD OUTLAW on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-05-19 17:07:20
Video: Shoshana Bean Performs 'You Can't Fix Her' from THE BEDWETTER
by Michael Major - 2025-03-12 09:50:51
Video: Liz Larsen and Aria Kane Perform 'To Me' from THE BEDWETTER
by Stephi Wild - 2025-02-26 06:43:54
Video: Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow Talk THE ROOMMATE on CBS SUNDAY MORNING
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-09-01 12:20:06
VIDEO: Ramin Karimloo & Hadley Fraser Sing 'Dirty Rotten Number' from DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
by Joshua Wright - 2024-06-13 14:46:33
Video: Watch a Sneak Peek of New Musical by THE BAND'S VISIT Creators, DEAD OUTLAW
by Nicole Rosky - 2024-03-02 16:00:20
Exclusive: Roberto Araujo Gives Sneak Peek of I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW
by Nicole Rosky - 2023-11-15 16:15:39
News
by Jade Kops - May 31, 2026
Heartwarming and hilarious, the musical theatre adaption of TOOTSIE has its Australian Premiere at Teatro At The Italian Forum.
by Marissa Faith Curley - May 23, 2026
Jeffrey Lane, an Emmy-winning writer and producer who was most famous for Mad About You, Cagney & Lacey and Lou Grant, as well as the Broadway musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, died at he age of 71 in New York following a lengthy illness.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2026
The Green Room 42 will present In Their Own Words: The Songs of Jason Robert Brown. The new concert series uses interviews given by composers throughout their careers to add context to their library of work.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 10, 2026
Friendship is nearly always a side element in musicals. From the comic sidekick of the leading character to the backup pals who provide background vocals, friends are part of the fabric of many shows—but rarely are they the main event.
by Rebecca Kaplan - May 1, 2026
Here are a few top picks to consider this week including new work from composer David Yazbek, Toshi Reagon's annual birthday concert, a Star Wars May 4th comedy show, jazz and more.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2026
54 Below announced an upcoming lineup featuring MASQUERADE's Hugh Panaro, Tony winner David Yazbek, Grammy winner Melissa Manchester, Tony winner Matt Doyle, and MAYBE HAPPY ENDING's Claire Kwon, among others.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 22, 2026
Theater Wit announced its 2026-27 season, featuring Chicago premieres of ADOLESCENT SALVATION, DEAD OUTLAW, and WE HAD A WORLD, plus the return of WHO'S HOLIDAY! in its sixth consecutive holiday run.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2026
Following its first sold-out “dance along performance,” the Tony and Grammy-winning Broadway musical BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB will host an encore “dance along” performance, hosted by John Leguizamo.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2026
Porchlight Music Theatre announced its 32nd season, including LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, the Chicago premiere of DEAD OUTLAW, and the world premiere of SHAKE IT AWAY: THE ANN MILLER STORY at the Biograph Theater.
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 16, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced the 2026-2027 season on Broadway and Off-Broadway marking Roundabout’s 60th Season. The season includes two world premieres, three revivals, and two musicals, including The Heart and The Full Monty. We have all of the details!
by Joshua Wright - Apr 9, 2026
Casting has been announced for a new international production of The Full Monty, which will play Japan this summer. Performances begin August 19 at Tokyo International Forum Hall C, where the production will run through September 7.
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 24, 2026
Big things are happening at the Music Box Theatre! Just last night, March 23, Mark Rosenblatt’s Olivier Award-winning play Giant officially opened. Check out photos from the star-studded red carpet, which included special guests Sarah Paulson, Sara Bareilles, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Bobby Cannavale, Blythe Danner, and more!
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2026
The Australian premiere of TOOTSIE will feature a newly announced cast, set to debut in Sydney. This marks the first production of the musical in Australia.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 19, 2026
The cast has been revealed for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the devilishly cheeky, fun-filled Broadway musical opening at Hayes Theatre Co this May. Music theatre star and Hayes Theatre Co favourite, Blake Erickson leads the cast as Lawrence Jamieson.
by Dan Marois - Mar 15, 2026
There’s one thing that the Seacoast Repertory Theatre knows how to do very well. It’s transforming their intimate, brick-walled space in Portsmouth into a world that feels ten times its actual size. Their current production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels—the 2005 musical based on the Steve Martin/Michael Caine film—is a fun, high-energy farce, delivering a cocktail of sophisticated wit and unapologetically lowbrow humor that pleases like a French martini.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 5, 2026
The 2025/2026 Aventura Broadway Concert Series will continue with two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz as he takes the stage for a one-of-a-kind evening of story and song from his storied three-decade Broadway journey.
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 2, 2026
The Gateway Playhouse will present THE FULL MONTY from March 13 through April 12, 2026. The production will feature Emmy Award winner Sally Struthers.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 16, 2026
Tootsie will make its Australian premiere this May at Teatro at the Italian Forum in Sydney. Tootsie is the story of a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 11, 2026
Miami New Drama is launching “Broadway at the Beach,” a new series that brings award-winning Broadway talent to Miami Beach’s Colony Theatre. The inaugural event will feature Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winning composer David Yazbek.
by Michael Major - Feb 10, 2026
Buena Vista Social Club paid tribute to Bad Bunny just before the Super Bowl on Sunday. During 'El cuarto de Tula,' guitarist Renesito Avich played improvised some of 'DtMF,' one of the Grammy-winners biggest hits. Watch the video!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
David Yazbek has written 7 shows including Mojo (Music), The Full Monty (Composer), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Composer), Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (Lyricist), The Band's Visit (Music and Lyrics), Tootsie (Composer & Lyricist), Dead Outlaw (Music & Lyrics).
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (Music and/or Lyrics) (Tony Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Outstanding Orchestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Tootsie, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Tootsie, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Tootsie, Outstanding New Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Tootsie, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Tootsie, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Band's Visit, Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Band's Visit, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Outstanding Orchestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Full Monty, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Full Monty and Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for The Full Monty.
David Yazbek has won several prestigious awards throughout his career. He received the Outstanding Lyrics award at the Drama Desk Awards for Dead Outlaw, and also won Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Dead Outlaw. Additionally, he was awarded Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for Tootsie, along with Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for the same show. Yazbek won the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for The Band's Visit, and he was recognized with the Outstanding New Score award (Broadway or Off-Broadway) from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Band's Visit. Furthermore, he received the Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music awards at the Drama Desk Awards for The Full Monty.
Videos
