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STAGE CREDITS

Three Postcards
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1987
Bill
Three Postcards
[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1987
The Fantasticks
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1960
Matt [The Boy] [Replacement]
[Replacement]

Productions

Is there life after high school?
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Director
Professionally Speaking
 
[Chicago, 2005]
Director
The New Kid
 
[Chicago, 2005]
Director
The Prince of Tonight
 
[Chicago, 2005]
Director

Writing

Cowboy Waltz
Lyricist
Is there life after high school?
Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Three Postcards
Composer/Lyricist
Working
Composer
Lyricist

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Lyrics

Craig Carnelia, Imaginary Friends

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Craig Carnelia, Sweet Smell of Success


winner
- 1992 - Most promising musical theatre lyricist

Craig Carnelia

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Craig Carnelia, Working

Videos

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News


Front Porch Theatricals Announces 2026 Season Casting Photo
Front Porch Theatricals Announces 2026 Season Casting
by Stephi Wild - Jan 30, 2026

Front Porch Theatricals has announced its cast for the 2026 season, featuring a lineup of acclaimed productions. Learn more about the upcoming season and the cast here!
Video: Raul Esparza Talks THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS On NBC New York Photo
Video: Raul Esparza Talks THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS On NBC New York
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 14, 2025

Four time Tony-nominee Raúl Esparza recently spoke with NBC New York about taking on the role of J.J. Hunsecker in MasterVoices’ newly revised concert edition of Sweet Smell of Success. Watch the video!
Ali Louis Bourzgui, Noah J. Ricketts & Aline Mayagoitia Join Mastervoices’ SWEET SM Photo
Ali Louis Bourzgui, Noah J. Ricketts & Aline Mayagoitia Join Mastervoices’ SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 17, 2025

MasterVoices has announced the full cast for its newly revised concert edition of the musical Sweet Smell of Success, running for three performances on November 21–22, 2025, at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall.
Musical REY OF LIGHT To Have One Night Only Presentation at Thad Cochran Center Photo
Musical REY OF LIGHT To Have One Night Only Presentation at Thad Cochran Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 13, 2025

The de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will host a one-night-only presentation of Rey of Light. Learn more!
Raúl Esparza & Lizzy McAlpine to Lead SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS Concert Photo
Raúl Esparza & Lizzy McAlpine to Lead SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS Concert
by Michael Major - Aug 26, 2025

Master Voices will present a concert production of Sweet Smell of Success in November starring Raúl Esparza and Lizzy McAlpine. Esparza will play J.J. Hunsecker, with Floyd Collins alum McAlpine playing Susan.
Lisa Brescia Named Interim Dean Of The Conservatory For The Performing Arts At Stephe Photo
Lisa Brescia Named Interim Dean Of The Conservatory For The Performing Arts At Stephens College
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 16, 2025

Stephens College has appointed Lisa Brescia as interim Dean of the Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Brescia is a distinguished Broadway veteran and respected educator. Learn more!
Review: BACKSTAGE BABBLE Brought Flops Back to Life at 54 Below Photo
Review: BACKSTAGE BABBLE Brought Flops Back to Life at 54 Below
by Andrew Poretz - Feb 25, 2025

Charles Kirsch’s latest Backstage Babble was a fun resurrection of songs from mostly flop shows that quickly failed on Broadway or out of town. The theme was inspired by Joe Allen's “flop wall” of posters from shows that closed in the first week.
Top 20 Underrated Audition Songs for Baritones & Basses Photo
Top 20 Underrated Audition Songs for Baritones & Basses
by Sarah Lasko - Jan 22, 2025

If you’re a baritone or bass singer looking for an expert curated list of musical theatre songs to help you showcase your range and talent to the folks behind the audition table and to wow casting directors.
Johnny Mercer Foundation Celebrates Success of Inaugural Songwriters Project Photo
Johnny Mercer Foundation Celebrates Success of Inaugural Songwriters Project
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 4, 2024

The Johnny Mercer Foundation (JMF) is celebrating the success of moving their annual Songwriters Project to Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. After 17 great years at Northwestern University, JMF relocated the program in 2024 and reinvigorated it in Nashville.
THE LIGHTNING THIEF to Have London Premiere at The Other Palace Photo
THE LIGHTNING THIEF to Have London Premiere at The Other Palace
by Blair Ingenthron - Jun 23, 2024

Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills will present the London Premiere of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical adapted from Rick Riordan's 2005 best-selling book series at The Other Palace this Autumn.
Jeanine Tesori and Bess Wohl Join Dramatists Guild Council Photo
Jeanine Tesori and Bess Wohl Join Dramatists Guild Council
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 13, 2024

Jeanine Tesori and Bess Wohl have joined The Dramatists Guild Council, the leadership team of the Guild.
Adam Guettel and Craig Carnelia Will Teach Vocal Performance Masterclass Photo
Adam Guettel and Craig Carnelia Will Teach Vocal Performance Masterclass
by Team BWW - Jun 3, 2024

Adam Guettel, a 2024 Tony nominee for Days of Wine and Roses, and Craig Carnelia are teaching a masterclass in vocal performance at Adam's home studio in Manhattan. Spots for singers have filled up, but tickets for auditors are available.
Photos: Singer/Actress Karen Akers Returns to Birdland Photo
Photos: Singer/Actress Karen Akers Returns to Birdland
by Stephi Wild - May 29, 2024

Birdland was thrilled to once again present singer/actress Karen Akers at the iconic club on Monday, May 27.
Natalie Douglas to Present A JUNETEENTH JUBILEE " THE WOMEN at Birdland Photo
Natalie Douglas to Present A JUNETEENTH JUBILEE " THE WOMEN at Birdland
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 24, 2024

Award-winning vocalist Natalie Douglas will perform her third annual Juneteenth concert, 'A Juneteenth Jubilee – The Women,' at Birdland. Learn more about the performance and see how to purchase tickets.
Review: A... MY NAME IS STILL ALICE Brings Back the 90s at Front Porch Theatricals Photo
Review: A... MY NAME IS STILL ALICE Brings Back the 90s at Front Porch Theatricals
by Greg Kerestan - May 23, 2024

It's the best episode of 90s SNL that you never saw.
Birdland Jazz Presents The Return Of Karen Akers In WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE This Month Photo
Birdland Jazz Presents The Return Of Karen Akers In WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE This Month
by A.A. Cristi - May 7, 2024

Acclaimed vocalist and actress, Karen Akers, returns to Birdland with her popular show, WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE, on May 27.
Industry Lab Presentation of THE LAST FIVE YEARS Will Take Place This May Photo
Industry Lab Presentation of THE LAST FIVE YEARS Will Take Place This May
by Stephi Wild - Apr 22, 2024

After Core Theatre Group's heralded February 2024 production of Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown's, The Last Five Years, they will present an Actors Equity Developmental Lab of their production May 7th through 10th at 2 pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's Main Stage for invited industry guests.
Spotlight: WORKING at Creative Cauldron Photo
Spotlight: WORKING at Creative Cauldron
by BWW Special Offer - Feb 16, 2024

Creative Cauldron launches Working a musical adaptation of the Best-Selling Studs Terkel book about American Workers. Working paints a vivid portrait of the workers that the world so often takes for granted: the school teacher, the phone operator, the waitress, the millworker, the mason and the housewife, just to name a few.
BWW Q&A: Maelyn Jarmon on THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Core Theatre Group Photo
BWW Q&A: Maelyn Jarmon on THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Core Theatre Group
by Joshua Wright - Feb 8, 2024

Maelyn Jarmon (Season 16 winner of “The Voice”) and Clay Singer (National Tour of The Band’s Visit) will star in three-time Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown’s THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Core Theatre Group, directed by Jessica McRoberts, with music direction by Paul Peglar. THE LAST FIVE YEARS will play Thursday, February 22nd through Sunday, February 25th, at The Drowned Lands (252 State School Road, Warwick, NY).
THE SINGER-SONGWRITER SHOWCASE VOL. 1 Comes To Debonair Music Hall In Teaneck Photo
THE SINGER-SONGWRITER SHOWCASE VOL. 1 Comes To Debonair Music Hall In Teaneck
by Stephi Wild - Feb 6, 2024

Black Box Studios and Liberty Arts Theatre presents THE SINGER-SONGWRITER SHOWCASE VOL. 1, a new recurring event featuring area bands and artists, which will premiere on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 at 7:30PM at  Debonair Music Hall.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Craig Carnelia written?

Craig Carnelia has written 6 shows including Actor, Lawyer, Indian Chief (Lyricist), Working (Composer), Is there life after high school? (Composer/Lyricist), Three Postcards (Composer/Lyricist), Sweet Smell of Success (Lyricist), Imaginary Friends (Lyricist).

What awards has Craig Carnelia been nominated for?

Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Imaginary Friends, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Sweet Smell of Success, Most promising musical theatre lyricist () for and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Working.

What awards has Craig Carnelia won?

Craig Carnelia has won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics for Imaginary Friends. He was also recognized as the Most Promising Musical Theatre Lyricist early in his career.

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