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Don Black

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BIO

Don Black OBE is a highly-acclaimed, Oscar-winning lyricist. His works have included movie themes, hit songs, and numerous musicals, including three with Andrew Lloyd Webber: Tell Me on a Sunday, Aspects of Love, and Sunset Boulevard, for which he received two Tony Awards for Best Book and Lyrics, together with Christopher Hampton.


Mr. Black's movie credits include themes for many James Bond films: Thunderball, Diamonds Are Forever, The Man with the Golden Gun, "Surrender" from Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is Not Enough. In collaboration with composer John Barry, he wrote the title song for the 1966 film Born Free, which won the Oscar for Best Song. He also collaborated with Barry on Out of Africa and Dances With Wolves. He has worked with Jule Styne, Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, Elmer Bernstein, Michael Legrand, Marvin Hamlisch, Charles Aznavour and has had two U.S. number one hits: Michael Jackson's "Ben" and Lulu's "To Sir, With Love".
Mr. Black was recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Photos

Productions

Sunset BoulevardSunset Boulevard
 
[West End, 2023]
Book and lyrics
The Third ManThe Third Man
 
[West End, 2023]
BOOK & LYRICS
Aspects of LoveAspects of Love
 
[West End, 2023]
Lyrics
Dance of the Vampires
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Lyrics
Budgie
 
[West End, 1988]
Producing Director

Writing

Abbacadabara
Lyricist
Billy
Lyricist
Budgie
Lyricist
Dear Anyone
Lyricist
Dracula
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Merlin
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Lyricist
Sunset Boulevard
Bookwriter
Lyricist

Movies

Where's Jack?
[ 1969 ] lyrics by
Diamonds Are Forever
[ 1971 ] lyrics
The Man with the Golden Gun
[ 1974 ] lyrics
Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze
[ 1975 ] lyrics by
Gulliver's Travels
[ 1977 ] writer
The Bitch
[ 1979 ] music and lyrics by
Thomas and the Magic Railroad
[ 2000 ] lyrics by
Aspects of Love
[ 2005 ] lyrics by
Archie
[ 2015 ] lyrics, songwriter

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Lyrics

Don Black, Bonnie & Clyde

Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Don Black, Bonnie & Clyde

Olivier Awards - 2009 - Best Musical Revival

Don Black, Sunset Boulevard


winner
Tony Awards - 1995 - Best Book of a Musical

Don Black, Sunset Boulevard


winner
Tony Awards - 1995 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Don Black, Sunset Boulevard

Tony Awards - 1990 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Don Black, Aspects of Love

Tony Awards - 1986 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Don Black, Song and Dance

Tony Awards - 1983 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Don Black, Merlin

Videos

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News


Sarah Brightman To Bring SUNSET BOULEVARD To Singapore In Asia Premiere Photo
Sarah Brightman To Bring SUNSET BOULEVARD To Singapore In Asia Premiere

The lavish new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award winning musical masterpiece, SUNSET BOULEVARD, starring Sarah Brightman, will head to Asia in February 2025!
REVIEW: SUNSET BOULEVARD Showcases Australian Talent But Brightman Doesn't Quite Get Photo
REVIEW: SUNSET BOULEVARD Showcases Australian Talent But Brightman Doesn't Quite Get The Return Her Norma Wanted

Andew Lloyd Webber (Music), Don Black (Book & Lyrics) and Christopher Hampton’s (Book & Lyrics) SUNSET BOULEVARD is given a reworking for Opera Australia and GWB Entertainment by director Paul Warwick Griffin.  
Review Roundup: Sarah Brightman Stars in SUNSET BOULEVARD in Sydney Photo
Review Roundup: Sarah Brightman Stars in SUNSET BOULEVARD in Sydney

Sarah Brightman is making her Sydney Opera House debut in SUNSET BOULEVARD, The production features 28-piece orchestra, which brings Andrew Lloyd Webber's work to life on the Sydney Opera House stage. Check out what the critics had to say here!
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL National Tour Reunion & More at 54 Below Next Month Photo
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL National Tour Reunion & More at 54 Below Next Month

54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond in September. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Video: First Look At Sarah Brightman In SUNSET BOULEVARD At Sydney Opera House Photo
Video: First Look At Sarah Brightman In SUNSET BOULEVARD At Sydney Opera House

The lavish new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award winning musical masterpiece, SUNSET BOULEVARD, starring Sarah Brightman, premieres at Sydney Opera House from August 28 with the official opening night taking place on August 31. Get your first look at the new production below as Brightman performs the iconic anthem, 'As If We Never Said Goodbye'. Watch the video below!
BONNIE AND CLYDE Comes to the Uptown Theater Photo
BONNIE AND CLYDE Comes to the Uptown Theater

Get ready for a riveting journey through the turbulent times of the Great Depression with the Grand Prairie Arts Council's production of 'Bonnie and Clyde: The Musical.'
COWBOY LULLABY World Premiere & More Set for Rubicon Theatre 2024-25 Season Photo
COWBOY LULLABY World Premiere & More Set for Rubicon Theatre 2024-25 Season

Rubicon Theatre announces its 2024-2025 season titled 'Dare to Dream,' featuring an exciting lineup of shows. Explore the upcoming productions and get ready for a season filled with inspiring performances.
Caroline Bowman and More Join Nicole Scherzinger-Led SUNSET BLVD. on Broadway Photo
Caroline Bowman and More Join Nicole Scherzinger-Led SUNSET BLVD. on Broadway

The complete cast has been announced for Jamie Lloyd’s upcoming Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Blvd. starring Nicole Scherzinger as ‘Norma Desmond.' Learn more about the cast here!
54 SINGS ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Set For Next Month at 54 Below

54 Below will present 54 Sings Andrew Lloyd Webber on September 3, 2024.
Chris Harper Productions Appoints Tom O'Connell as Producer Photo
Chris Harper Productions Appoints Tom O'Connell as Producer

Chris Harper Productions has appointed Tom O’Connell as producer. Chris Harper is a Tony and Olivier Award-winning producer who has produced some of the most acclaimed theatrical successes of the last 15 years.   
Marietta Theatre Company Presents BONNIE & CLYDE This Month Photo
Marietta Theatre Company Presents BONNIE & CLYDE This Month

Marietta Theatre Company will present the Tony-nominated musical BONNIE & CLYDE this August, featuring a modern score blending blues, gospel, and rockabilly.
Review: BROADWAY SHOWSTOPPERS WITH GLENN ROSENBLUM Part 2 at CVRep Photo
Review: BROADWAY SHOWSTOPPERS WITH GLENN ROSENBLUM Part 2 at CVRep

The anticipation is high as the audience fills up to near capacity while the Palm Springs weather outside hits double-digits and record-breaking temperatures. CVRep is a great way to get away from the heat and enjoy a cool evening of entertainment.
Video: Nicole Scherzinger Is 'Home At Last' in NYC Ahead of SUNSET BOULEVARD Rehearsa Photo
Video: Nicole Scherzinger Is 'Home At Last' in NYC Ahead of SUNSET BOULEVARD Rehearsals

Nicole Scherzinger sing that she is 'home at last' from the top of the Empire State Building in New York City ahead of her Broadway run in Sunset Boulevard. Watch in this video!
BONNIE AND CLYDE THE MUSICAL: FILMED LIVE West Coast Premiere Screening Date Revealed Photo
BONNIE AND CLYDE THE MUSICAL: FILMED LIVE West Coast Premiere Screening Date Revealed

Catch the West Coast premiere screening of BONNIE AND CLYDE THE MUSICAL: FILMED LIVE, featuring Jeremy Jordan and Frances Mayli McCann, on Sunday, July 21 at 3:00pm at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Theatre and Literature: Musical Adaptations of Classic Novels Photo
Theatre and Literature: Musical Adaptations of Classic Novels

Which classic books have been made for the stage? Check out the full list here!
Photos: On the Red Carpet at Opening Night of YOUR LIE IN APRIL at the Harold Pinter Photo
Photos: On the Red Carpet at Opening Night of YOUR LIE IN APRIL at the Harold Pinter Theatre

The new West End musical Your Lie in April officially opened this weekend. The show fuses the classical masterpieces of Rachmaninoff with a contemporary pop infused musical theatre score by Tony, Emmy and Grammy nominated composer Frank Wildhorn. Check out photos from opening night here!
Sarah Brightman Will Return to SUNSET BOULEVARD in Australia Following Injury Photo
Sarah Brightman Will Return to SUNSET BOULEVARD in Australia Following Injury

Sarah Brightman will return to Sunset Boulevard in Melbourne tonight, after a calf injury kept her from performing in the show for several performances.
Sarah Brightman Will Miss Performances of SUNSET BOULEVARD in Australia Due to Injury Photo
Sarah Brightman Will Miss Performances of SUNSET BOULEVARD in Australia Due to Injury

Sarah Brightman has revealed that she is recovering from a calf injury which is preventing her from performing in Sunset Boulevard in Melbourne for the time being.
Sarah Brightman's SUNSET BOULEVARD Scales Back Shows Due to Low Demand Photo
Sarah Brightman's SUNSET BOULEVARD Scales Back Shows Due to Low Demand

The Sarah Brightman-led Australian production of Sunset Boulevard at Melbourne's Princess Theatre will reduce the number of performances being offered due to low ticket sales.
Review: DRACULA at The Marcelle Theater Photo
Review: DRACULA at The Marcelle Theater

Finishing the company’s 32nd season, this alluring redux of Bram Stoker’s literary classic emerges from the shadows to give audiences an emotionally charged musical with plenty of chilling moments.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Don Black written?

Don Black has written 17 shows including The Little Prince and the Aviator (Lyricist), Billy (Lyricist), Bar Mitzvah Boy (Lyricist), Song and Dance (Lyricist), Merlin (Lyricist), Dear Anyone (Lyricist), Abbacadabara (Lyricist), Budgie (Lyricist), Aspects of Love (Lyricist), Sunset Boulevard (Bookwriter), The Goodbye Girl (Lyricist), Dracula (Bookwriter), Bombay Dreams (Lyricist), Dance of the Vampires (Lyricist), Tell Me on a Sunday (Lyricist), Bonnie & Clyde (Lyricist), Tell Me on a Sunday (Lyricist).

What awards has Don Black been nominated for?

Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Bonnie & Clyde; Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Bonnie & Clyde; Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Sunset Boulevard; Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sunset Boulevard; Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Sunset Boulevard; Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Aspects of Love; Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Song and Dance; and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Merlin.

What awards has Don Black won?

Don Black has won the following awards: Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sunset Boulevard and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Sunset Boulevard.

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