Adolph Green
Birth Place: Bronx, NY, USA
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Musical Will Return on UK and Ireland Tour (May 14, 2026)
Review: PETER PAN, JR. at Gettysburg Community Theatre (May 2, 2026)
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, and More Included in New York City Center Encores! 2027 Season (Apr 29, 2026)
BIO
Adolph Green was an American lyricist and playwright who was born on December 2, 1914, in the Bronx, New York. He was the son of Hungarian Jewish immigrants. Green's father was a successful businessman, and his mother was a homemaker. Green attended New York University, where he studied English and drama.
Green began his career in show business as a performer in the late 1930s. He appeared in several Broadway productions, including "The New Yorkers" and "Two for the Show." However, it was his work as a lyricist that would make him famous.
Green's first major success as a lyricist came in 1944 with the musical "On the Town." The show, which was written by Green and his longtime collaborator Betty Comden, follows the adventures of three sailors on leave in New York City. The show was a hit and was later adapted into a successful film.
Green and Comden went on to write several more successful musicals, including "Wonderful Town," "Bells Are Ringing," and "Applause." They also wrote the screenplays for several classic Hollywood films, including "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Band Wagon."
In addition to his work as a lyricist and playwright, Green was also an actor. He appeared in several films, including "My Favorite Year" and "It's Always Fair Weather." He also made guest appearances on several TV shows, including "The Love Boat" and "Murder, She Wrote."
Green's contributions to the world of musical theater were recognized with several awards and honors. He and Comden were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980. In 1991, they received the Kennedy Center Honors for their contributions to American culture.
Green continued to work in show business until his death in 2002. His last Broadway credit was as a co-writer of the musical "The Will Rogers Follies," which premiered in 1991. Green died on October 23, 2002, at the age of 87.
Adolph Green was a prolific and talented lyricist and playwright who made significant contributions to the world of musical theater. His collaborations with Betty Comden produced some of the most beloved musicals of the 20th century, and his work as a screenwriter helped to define the golden age of Hollywood. Green's legacy continues to be celebrated by theater fans and performers around the world.
Photos
Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Al Pacino, Jerry Herman, Burgess Meredith, Susan Strassberg, Angela lansbury, Lillian Gish, Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Princess Grace Kelly and Ellen Burstyn attend the Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards held on March 28, 1982 at t
From: Photo Flashback: Inside the 1982 Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards
Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Al Pacino, Jerry Herman, Burgess Meredith, Susan Strassberg, Angela lansbury, Lillian Gish, Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Princess Grace Kelly and Ellen Burstyn at the Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards held on March 28, 1982 at the U
From: Photo Flashback: Inside the 1982 Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards
STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Writing
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Book and Lyrics
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Awards and Nominations
winner
Adolph Green, The Will Rogers Follies
winner
Adolph Green, The Will Rogers Follies
Adolph GreenWonderful Town!
Adolph Green, Singin' in the Rain
Adolph Green, A Doll's Life
Adolph Green, A Doll's Life
Adolph GreenOn The 2th Century
winner
Adolph Green, On the Twentieth Century
winner
Adolph Green, On the Twentieth Century
winner
Adolph Green, Applause
winner
Adolph Green, Hallelujah, Baby!
winner
Adolph Green, Wonderful Town
winner
Adolph Green, Wonderful Town
Videos
Video: Aisha Jackson Sings 'A Little Bit in Love' In Encores! WONDERFUL TOWN
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-05-04 12:41:09
Video: Inside the First WONDERFUL TOWN Rehearsal With the Encores! Orchestra
by Michael Major - 2025-04-08 09:22:39
VIDEO: FOREVER PLAID Alumni Sing 'Never Met a Man I Didn't Like' in the Valley Villagers Virtual Choir
by Stephi Wild - 2021-02-27 10:18:58
Video Flashback: The Creators of APPLAUSE Take Part in a Humanities Symposium
by Stephi Wild - 2020-04-17 09:30:02
Broadway Rewind: Marin Mazzie, Douglas Sills & More Take on ON THE 20TH CENTURY for the Actors' Fund in 2005!
by Nicole Rosky - 2020-03-26 16:01:00
VIDEO: On This Day, October 11- Happy Birthday, Jerome Robbins!
by A.A. Cristi - 2018-10-11 16:22:45
VIDEO: Corbin Bleu And Company Perform 'Good Morning' From SINGIN' IN THE RAIN at The Muny
by Alan Henry - 2018-06-29 11:05:34
VIDEO: Get A First Look At Corbin Bleu in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN at The Muny
by Alan Henry - 2018-06-28 15:01:23
VIDEO: The Muny Preps for Heavy Weather! See Rehearsals for SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
by A.A. Cristi - 2018-06-26 19:45:21
Exclusive: Get A First Look At THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES at Goodspeed Musicals
by Alan Henry - 2018-04-19 14:40:32
VIDEO: Cast and Creative Talk THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES at Goodspeed
by Alan Henry - 2018-04-03 09:32:41
Theater Talk: Tony Shalhoub, Katrina Lenk and John Cariani Discuss THE BAND'S VISIT
by Theater Talk - 2018-03-19 09:43:52
TV Exclusive: Watch Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones on Stage Together One Last Time
by Nicole Rosky - 2018-03-01 15:01:48
VIDEO: On This Day, August 25: Happy Birthday, Leonard Bernstein!
by A.A. Cristi - 2017-08-25 00:01:00
VIDEO: Broadway Stars Recreate Iconic 'Good Morning' Number in Tribute to Debbie Reynolds
by Caryn Robbins - 2017-01-13 09:50:16
News
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2026
The Chichester Festival Theatre, Stage Entertainment and Sheffield Theatres production of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN will tour the UK and Ireland, including a summer season at London's Sadler's Wells, following a Christmas run at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.
by Andrea Stephenson - May 2, 2026
Peter Pan, Jr. reminds us to look for the moments of joy and magic in our lives. Audiences will definitely want to catch both casts of this adorable production at Gettysburg Community Theatre.
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2026
NEW YORK CITY CENTER announced programing for the 2026 –2027 Season—the largest in the institution’s history. It will include Encores! productions of Kiss of the Spider Woman, Hallelujah Baby, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and more.
by Ettore Farrattini - Apr 17, 2026
CANTANDO SOTTO LA PIOGGIA al TEATRO BRANCACCIO IL CELEBRE FILM DEGLI ANNI 50 DIVIENE UNO SPETTACOLO EFFERVESCENTE E PIENO DI RITMO
by Gavin Glynn - Apr 17, 2026
The Billy Barnes Review was the music-comedy ensemble that launched Jackie Joseph’s career on stage in the late 1950s but she returns the favor at the Billy Barnes’s Bash 4/22/26 Doors open at 7:00pm Show time 8:30pm paid parking garage or street parking.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 18, 2026
All Roads Theatre Company will present the World Premiere of THE MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE: THE SONGS OF JULE STYNE. Learn more about the upcoming performance here.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 9, 2026
Asolo Repertory Theatre has announced its 2026/2027 Season — a celebration of 1927, the year John Ringling moved the 'Greatest Show on Earth' to Sarasota. Learn more about the lineup here!
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2026
Theatre 121 will present Singin' in the Rain, running February 20-March 1, 2026, at the Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock, Illinois. Tickets range from $17-$35.
by Cary Ginell - Feb 18, 2026
Musical Theatre Guild, the Los Angeles-based company that produces staged readings of long-forgotten, rarely seen musicals, has done it again with a stellar and highly entertaining production of the 1970 musical Applause.
by R. Scott Reedy - Jan 6, 2026
Seth MacFarlane was in great voice when he took the stage at Symphony Hall recently for his sold-out New Year’s Eve concert with the Boston Pops, even if it wasn’t his most familiar voice.
by Andrew Poretz - Nov 14, 2025
Musical theater, television, and cabaret star Linda Purl presented her newest show, Tunes & Tales: Adventures in Survival. Purl was backed by musical director and pianist Tedd Firth, bassist David Finck and drummer Ray Marchica.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Oct 28, 2025
As the fight for women to have equal rights and opportunities has evolved, so has the presence of plays telling these stories. When I wrote my book, Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy that the History Books Left Out, the first-ever book about female musical theatre writers, I researched many musicals that are in this genre as well.
by Steve Murray - Oct 3, 2025
It was family night at the intimate Feinstein’s as Broadway stage star Norm Lewis asked us to think of his show as a cozy living room affair with friends. The sold-out audience certainly acted like friends, singing along when required and eating up his often-humorous anecdotes about his storied career.
by Pati Buehler - Sep 3, 2025
This 'feel good' gem of a 1950's movie musical directed & choreographed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, starring Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds, featuring Jean Hagen & Rita Moreno & Cyd Charisse, to name a few icons.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Aug 17, 2025
The Times Square Church, located on 51st Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue, is an extremely storied New York City spot. While it may not be apparent to those who unknowingly pass by the church, the venue across from the Gershwin’s stage door was once a glorious Broadway theater… and could potentially be one again someday.
by Rakaputra Paputungan - Aug 7, 2025
From June 23 to June 28, Camp Broadway Indonesia (CBI) returns with their summer program, Mainstage. The 6-day program had the campers learn material from Peter Pan Jr. which they performed on the final day at the Beacon Academy Theatre.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 29, 2025
The Beverly Theatre Guild will hold auditions for its 63rd season opener, Singin' in the Rain. This beloved classic is scheduled to be performed on October 17, 18 and 19, 2025, at the Baer Theater at Morgan Park Academy, home of BTG.
by Andrew Poretz - Jul 17, 2025
At SMOKE, a swanky Upper West Side jazz supper club and bar, jazz star Jane Monheit is celebrating 25 years since her first album. With six sets remaining, this show is a good bet.
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 19, 2025
For years, Broadway musicals have spawned multiple film adaptations, from the early days of cinema to Steven Spielberg's remake of West Side Story. Take a look at our list of 15 musicals that have danced their way to the screen more than once!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 23, 2025
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, Screenplay by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, will run at Playhouse on Park. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Adolph Green has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.
Adolph Green has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
Adolph Green's first West End show was On the Town which opened in 1992
Adolph Green has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. These include Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Will Rogers Follies," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "The Will Rogers Follies," Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Wonderful Town!," Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for both "Singin' in the Rain" and "A Doll's Life," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "A Doll's Life," Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "On The 20th Century," Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "On the Twentieth Century," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "On the Twentieth Century," Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "Applause," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Hallelujah, Baby!," Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Wonderful Town," and Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "Wonderful Town."
Adolph Green has won several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable wins include the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Will Rogers Follies" and "Wonderful Town." He also received the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for "The Will Rogers Follies," "On the Twentieth Century," and "Hallelujah, Baby!" Additionally, Green won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for "On the Twentieth Century" and the Tony Award for Best Musical for "Applause" and "Wonderful Town."
Adolph Green has written 31 shows including The Revuers (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), On the Town (Book and Lyrics), Billion Dollar Baby (Bookwriter), Bonanza Bound (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Two on the Aisle (Sketches/Lyricist), Wonderful Town (Lyricist), Peter Pan (Lyricist), Bells Are Ringing (Bookwriter), Say, Darling (Lyricist), A Party with Betty Comden & Adolph Green (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Do Re Mi (Lyricist), Subways Are for Sleeping (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Fade Out - Fade In (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Hallelujah, Baby! (Lyricist), Applause (Bookwriter), Lorelei (Lyricist), Straws in the Wind (Lyricist), By Bernstein (Bookwriter), On the Twentieth Century (Bookwriter), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Lyricist), A Doll's Life (Bookwriter), Singin' in the Rain (Bookwriter), Diamonds (Lyricist), On the 20th Century (Bookwriter), Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre (Lyricist), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Bookwriter), The Will Rogers Follies (Lyricist), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Lyricist), Barbara Cook's Broadway! (Lyricist), Stairway to Paradise (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), The Skin of Our Teeth (Bookwriter/Lyricist).
Videos
