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Dean Pitchford

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BIO

Dean Pitchford is a multi-talented artist who has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry as a writer, lyricist, and director. Born on July 29, 1951, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Pitchford began his career as an actor before transitioning into writing and directing.


Pitchford's Broadway career began in 1980 when he co-wrote the book and lyrics for the musical "Fame," which was based on the popular film of the same name. The show was a huge success, running for over 1,000 performances and earning Pitchford a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics.
In 1984, Pitchford wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the musical "Footloose," which was based on the hit film of the same name. The show was a smash hit, running for over 700 performances and earning Pitchford a Tony nomination for Best Original Score. The musical has since become a beloved classic and was revived on Broadway in 1998.
Pitchford's success on Broadway led to opportunities in film and television. He wrote the screenplay for the 1984 film "Footloose," which starred Kevin Bacon and became a cultural phenomenon. He also contributed songs to the films "Sing" and "Fievel Goes West."
In addition to his work in film and on Broadway, Pitchford has also made significant contributions to the world of music. He wrote the lyrics for the hit song "After All," which was performed by Cher and Peter Cetera and was featured in the film "Chances Are." He also wrote the lyrics for the song "Make Me Lose Control," which was performed by Eric Carmen and was a top 10 hit in the US.
Pitchford's most recent work includes writing the book for the musical "The Big Boom," which premiered at the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 2019. The show is a musical comedy that follows a group of small-town residents who are trying to save their town from a nuclear disaster.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1979
Guy


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1972
Pippin [Replacement]

[Replacement]

(Saint Tome (Sao Tome) and Principe) [Replacement]

(St. Louis, MO (Regional)) [Replacement]

(Standby) [Replacement]

(Understudy) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1976
Performer


[New York]
Reading, 1986
Narrator


Writing

Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Additional Material
Source Material
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Stage adaptation, original screenplay, lyrics
Additional Material

Movies

Footloose
[ 1984 ] writer
Sing
[ 1989 ] writer
Our Footloose Remake
[ 2011 ] writer

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1999 - Best Book of a Musical

Dean Pichford, Footloose

Tony Awards - 1999 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Dean Pitchford, Footloose

Videos

News


Review: CARRIE: THE MUSICAL at The Community Players
by Christopher Verleger - Nov 10, 2025

The Community Players kicks off its 104th season with a thrilling, impressive production of “Carrie: The Musical,” based on Stephen King’s classic horror novel and the 1976 film adaptation starring Sissy Spacek.
CARRIE THE MUSICAL Comes to Spinning Tree Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 21, 2025

Spinning Tree Theatre will present CARRIE: The Musical. Based on the novel by Stephen King, CARRIE boasts music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and a book by Lawrence D. Cohen.
New Production of FAME Comes to Theatre Royal Plymouth
by Stephi Wild - Oct 2, 2025

Theatre Royal Plymouth has announced a bold new production of FAME THE MUSICAL. Playing for a strictly limited run at TRP next summer. Learn more here!
Barry Manilow Sets 2026 Farewell Performances in Nine Cities
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 23, 2025

GRAMMY®, TONY®, and EMMY® Award-winning music icon, Barry Manilow, has announced U.S. tour dates for January 2026, bringing his concert to nine major cities, including Orlando, Tampa, Charleston, Greensboro, and Columbus.
Lakewood Playhouse Announces 2025/2026 Season, Including CARRIE, PIPELINE and More
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 17, 2025

Lakewood Playhouse has just announced it's 87th season, FINDING YOUR VOICE. The five plays in the upcoming season answer the call of Season 86’s theme to build through theatre.  Each play tells a story of finding and using our individual voices to uplift, serve our community and speak truth to power. 
FOOTLOOSE: THE MUSICAL Extends Final Melbourne Season Through 24 August
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 11, 2025

Due to overwhelming demand, the high-energy hit Footloose: The Musical has announced a final Melbourne season extension, now playing at the Athenaeum Theatre through Sunday, 24 August 2025.
Review: Can't Stand Still: FOOTLOOSE Explodes Onto MSMT Stage
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jul 18, 2025

Bursting with energy and pulsating with a heartwarming story of forgiveness and family, Maine State Music Theatre’s new production of FOOTLOOSE serves up both a genuinely poignant tale and a dance extravaganza.  The new production, directed by E. Faye Butler and choreographed by Tyler Hanes, the first revival since 2014 of the 2008 musical by Tom Snow, Dean Pitchford, and Walter Bobbei, offers a new deeper, more probing and more compelling take on this timeless story of teen rebellion, generational conflict, and a journey to forgiveness.
Review: Hale Centre Theatre’s FOOTLOOSE is Heart-Pumping Yet Soft-Hearted
by Tyler Hinton - Jul 10, 2025

FOOTLOOSE on Hale Centre Theatre’s Centre Stage in Sandy is a heart-pumping, yet soft-hearted depiction of healing in a small town. The production is seamlessly calibrated to balance the disparate elements of the show in a touching, entertaining, and nostalgic presentation.
Cast Set for FOOTLOOSE at NTPA Repertory Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 10, 2025

NTPA Repertory Theatre has revealed the cast of its upcoming summer production of Footloose, opening August 1st in the Rodenbaugh Theatre at the Willow Bend Center of the Arts.
Video: Hale Center Theater's FOOTLOOSE First Look
by Joshua Wright - Jul 10, 2025

Cut loose with us this summer! Get a first look at all-new footage from Footloose the Musical, bursting onto the Hale Centre Theatre from July 5 through August 30.
Review: FOOTLOOSE at Keystone Theatrics
by Becky Winter - Jun 15, 2025

Footloose is adapted from the 1984 film of the same name, first premiering in 1998. The music is by Tom Snow, Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman, lyrics by Dean Pitchford and adapted to stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. This show celebrates the exhilaration of youth, the wisdom of listening to one another and the power of forgiveness.
Video: HCT Drops FOOTLOOSE Rehearsal Trailer
by Michael Major - Jun 11, 2025

Cut loose with us this summer! Go behind the scenes with exclusive rehearsal footage from Footloose the Musical, bursting in to the Hale Centre Theatre! Watch the video now.
Cast Set For FOOTLOOSE in Melbourne
by Stephi Wild - May 20, 2025

Footloose: The Musical is now playing at the Athenaeum Theatre with most of the initial May-June season already sold out.
Review: CARRIE THE MUSICAL at The Weekend Theater
by Theresa Bertram - May 16, 2025

If CARRIE THE MUSICAL at The Weekend Theater in Little Rock isn’t sold out yet, I will be surprised! With a powerful cast and haunting score, this production grabs hold of your spine and doesn’t let go. Running through Sunday, May 18, this weekend is your last chance to catch this chilling and deeply moving show. Don’t miss it! 
CARRIE: THE MUSICAL Comes to Centenary Stage
by Stephi Wild - Apr 15, 2025

Centenary Stage Company’s NEXTStage Repertory will end their 2025 season with Carrie: The Musical. Performances will take place in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center of the Centenary University campus.
FOOTLOOSE Will Be Performed as Part of Vanguard University's Department Of Theatre Arts
by Stephi Wild - Feb 20, 2025

New York-based distribution company Cinema Guild has announced the North American theatrical release of You Burn Me (Tú me abrasas), the latest work from Matías Piñeiro.Vanguard University’s Theatre Arts Department will present Footloose written by Dean Pitchford, adapted by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, and music by Tom Snow.
FOOTLOOSE Comes To Meadow Brook Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 21, 2024

FOOTLOOSE will explode on the Meadow Brook Theatre stage running January 8 through February 2, 2025, at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester.
Review: CARRIE THE MUSICAL at Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre
by Brian Michaels - Oct 21, 2024

Carrie: The Musical is an ambitious adaptation of Stephen King’s 1974 novel, blending horror, psychological tension, and music in a hauntingly memorable way. With a book by Lawrence D. Cohen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore, the musical captures the intensity of King’s story through emotionally charged performances and gripping songs.
Wright State Theatre Opens Horror Classic CARRIE The Musical, On Halloween
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 19, 2024

Celebrate Halloween with the Stephen King novel-inspired CARRIE: the musical under the direction of Jamie Cordes (Senior Lecturer), and music direction by Matt Ebright.  CARRIE will run three weekends from Oct. 31st to Nov. 17th. 
CARRIE to be Presented at Theatre Three This Fall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 27, 2024

Theatre Three in Dallas announced a gripping production of Carrie: The Musical, adapted from Stephen King's novel. Featuring young actors from local universities and a visual art exhibition, this show explores high school bullying and supernatural powers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Dean Pitchford been in?

Dean Pitchford has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Dean Pitchford been in?

Dean Pitchford has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Dean Pitchford been nominated for?

Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Footloose and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Footloose.

How many shows has Dean Pitchford written?

Dean Pitchford has written 6 shows including Peter Allen: Up in One (Additional Material), Carrie (Lyricist), The Boy From Oz (Lyricist), Footloose (Source Material), Fame on 42nd Street (Composer/Lyricist), The Big One-Oh! (Lyrics).

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