David Lindsay-Abaire
Photos: 2026 Tony Awards- Stars Walk the Red Carpet (Jun 7, 2026)
Video: Meet the Tony-Nominated Writers of 2026 (Jun 5, 2026)
HAZEL & BEA IN THE IN-BETWEEN to Make World Premiere at Durango PlayFest (Jun 4, 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 Bruce Glikas - Jun 7, 2026
The stars are aligning at Rockefeller Center! That's where the best of Broadway comes together today to walk the red carpet ahead of the 79th Annual Tony Awards- the biggest celebration in the American theatre. BroadwayWorld of course will be on hand at Radio City Music Hall all night to keep you up to speed on what's going on onstage, backstage, and behind the scenes!
by Luka Vonier - Jun 5, 2026
Nominees for Best Play are: The Balusters (David Lindsay-Abaire), Giant (Mark Rosenblatt), Liberation (Bess Wohl), Little Bear Ridge Road (Samuel D. Hunter). Nominees for Best Book of a Musical are: The Lost Boys (David Hornsby and Chris Hoch), Schmigadoon! (Cinco Paul), Titaníque, (Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue), and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) (Jim Barne and Kit Buchan).
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 4, 2026
Columbia MFA playwright Zoe Stanton-Savitz will premiere her queer drama at the Durango PlayFest, featuring Oscar-nominated Patty McCormack and Emmy winner Kathleen Noone, directed by Nikki DiLoreto.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026
Something's coming! The best of Broadway will take the stage Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall for the 79th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by P!nk. Need a refresher on how to watch and when? We've got you covered!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 4, 2026
Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International announced that Kimberly Akimbo, the winner of the most Tony Awards of the 2022–2023 season, including Best Musical, is now available for licensing.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 3, 2026
The 24 Hour Plays revealed the full company for its Nationals intensive in New York and Los Angeles, featuring emerging actors, directors, playwrights, and more culminating in Off-Broadway productions at Classic Stage.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 2, 2026
Olney Theatre Center announced two Tony Award-winning productions for its 2026-27 season: the musical KIMBERLY AKIMBO, directed by Ethan Heard, and John Patrick Shanley's DOUBT: A PARABLE, directed by Hallie Gordon.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 2, 2026
Farmers Alley Theatre announced its 2026/2027 mainstage lineup, featuring COME FROM AWAY, KIMBERLY AKIMBO, LOST IN YONKERS, and a Kalamazoo Premiere comedy as the Kalamazoo company enters its 19th season.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 1, 2026
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics kicked off Pride Month by bestowing Prince Faggot and Ragtime top honors in the group’s fourth annual Dorian Theater Awards.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 1, 2026
Maria Friedman leads the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical KIMBERLY AKIMBO at Hampstead Theatre, joined by Alice Fearn, Peter Hannah, Niamh Perry and others, with two performers making their professional stage debuts.
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2026
Sharon Playhouse announced casting for its 2026 season, featuring SWINGTIME CANTEEN, 42ND STREET, COME FROM AWAY, a full YouthStage season, and special events including THE DIVINE SISTER starring Charles Busch.
by A.A. Cristi - May 26, 2026
Long Beach Playhouse will present KIMBERLY AKIMBO, David Lindsay-Abaire's comedy about a teenager aging at four times the normal rate, featuring four actors making their Playhouse debut.
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - May 27, 2026
The New Dramatists Annual Spring Luncheon, honoring multi-award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, was held in the Broadway Ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis. Check out photos here!
by Stephi Wild - May 26, 2026
A Broadway favorite is heading to the Mississippi Gulf Coast this summer when “Shrek The Musical” arrives at the Beau Rivage Theatre in Biloxi beginning in June.
by Marissa Faith Curley - May 23, 2026
Outcry Community Theatre will bring SHREK to the Main Stage of The Addison Performing Arts Centre in its third community production, featuring a 52-person cast and a fresh take on the beloved musical.
by Bruce Glikas - May 22, 2026
The Outer Critics Circle announced the winners of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards, and celebrated the winners of the 2025-2026 Broadway and Off-Broadway season at a ceremony. Check out photos here!
by Nicole Rosky - May 17, 2026
The best of the New York City theatre community was at Town Hall for the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards, the theater award honoring excellence across all of New York City’s theatrical landscape. Check out a full list of winners here.
by Jennifer Broski - May 17, 2026
The Tony nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there to speak with all of them! Check out photos from behind the scenes with the nominees as they chatted with Richard Ridge and passed on our very own Tiny Tony.
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2026
The best of Broadway and off-Broadway were on hand at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to celebrate 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, hosted by Emmy Award winner Frank DiLella. Check out a full list of winners here.
by A.A. Cristi - May 14, 2026
Valley Youth Theatre will present SHREK THE MUSICAL at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix, featuring a multigenerational cast with local ties to Yuma, Maricopa, and Grand Canyon University.
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 the following awards: 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
