Justin Townsend
Latest News on Justin Townsend:
Review: MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at Orpheum Theatre (Dec 19, 2025)
Review: Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love! MOULIN ROUGE Brings All That, And More, To The McCallum (Dec 11, 2025)
Travelogue: The Musings of a Regional Theater Critic's Week in New York City (Dec 9, 2025)
Review: MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at Orpheum Theatre (Dec 19, 2025)
Review: Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love! MOULIN ROUGE Brings All That, And More, To The McCallum (Dec 11, 2025)
Travelogue: The Musings of a Regional Theater Critic's Week in New York City (Dec 9, 2025)
BIO
Justin Townsend received a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award Honour for his work on Moulin Rouge! The Musical. His Broadway credits include Jagged Little Pill, Saint Joan, Present Laughter, The Little Foxes, The Humans (Tony nomination), American Psycho (Tony nomination), Fool for Love, Casa Valentina, A Night with Janis Joplin, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Other Place, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. He served as Creative Director for Drake’s “Boy Meets World” European Tour and OVO Fest 2017. He previously worked with Alex Timbers on Here Lies Love. He is an associate professor at Brooklyn College.
Photos
Productions
Awards and Nominations
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Justin Townsend, Death Becomes Her
Tony Awards - 2025 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Justin Townsend, Death Becomes Her
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Lighting Design (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Justin Townsend, Here Lies Love
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical
Justin Townsend, Moulin Rouge!
winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Justin Townsend, Moulin Rouge!
winner
Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Justin Townsend, Jagged Little Pill
Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Justin Townsend, Moulin Rouge!
Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play
Justin Townsend, The Little Foxes
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical
Justin Townsend, American Psycho
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play
Justin Townsend, The Humans
winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)
Justin Townsend, American Psycho
The Lortels - 2016 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Justin Townsend, The Humans
Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Justin Townsend, American Psycho
Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Lighting Design of a Play
Justin Townsend, The Humans
winner
Obie Awards - 2014 - Performance- Sustained Excellence of Lighting Design
Justin Townsend
winner
The Hewes Awards - 2014 - Hewes Design Award
Justin Townsend, Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play
winner
The Lortels - 2014 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Justin Townsend, Here Lies Love
Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Justin Townsend, Here Lies Love
Helen Hayes Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production
Justin TownsendOne Night with Janis Joplin
The Lortels - 2012 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Justin Townsend, Unnatural Acts
Helen Hayes Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production
Justin TownsendHamlet
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Justin Townsend, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Videos
Video: Sarah Hyland Recalls Mishap During First Performance of JUST IN TIME
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-12-03 15:10:55
Videos: Inside Rehearsals For BAT BOY at New York City Center
by Michael Major - 2025-10-21 12:00:05
Video: Taylor Trensch & Gabi Carrubba Sing 'Mine, All Mine' from BAT BOY
by Nicole Rosky - 2025-10-16 16:39:23
Video: Andrew Resnick Unpacks the Music of BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL
by Nicole Rosky - 2025-10-07 15:15:40
Video: Jonathan Groff Performs 'Mack The Knife' From JUST IN TIME on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Stephi Wild - 2025-09-19 06:17:05
Video: Jonathan Groff Recalls Seven-Year Journey to JUST IN TIME on THE LATE SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-01 10:33:46
Video: Solea Pfeiffer Performs 'Firework' From MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-02-18 15:13:31
Video: Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard & More in DEATH BECOMES HER
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2024-11-20 10:46:23
Video: MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL Celebrates 5 Years on Broadway
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-07-27 14:19:42
Video: MOULIN ROUGE! 5th Anniversary Performance Curtain Call Speech
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-07-26 06:42:58
Video/Photos: Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Michelle Williams & More in DEATH BECOMES HER
by Joshua Wright - 2024-05-18 23:39:44
VIDEO: Megan Hilty & Jennifer Simard Talk DEATH BECOMES HER on WGN9 Chicago
by Joshua Wright - 2024-05-02 16:20:17
Video: David Byrne & More Talk HERE LIES LOVE's Immersive Sound Design
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2023-09-18 15:03:50
VIDEO: Watch Derek Klena Perform 'Finale (Come What May)' from MOULIN ROUGE
by Blair Ingenthron - 2023-07-29 14:53:14
News
Review: MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at Orpheum Theatre
by Steve Murray - Dec 19, 2025
What did our critic think of MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at Orpheum Theatre? The appeal, based on the audience, is the acknowledgment of the song snippets – an “I know that song” reward. But the conceit grows thin and becomes one big cheat.
by Steve Murray - Dec 19, 2025
What did our critic think of MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at Orpheum Theatre? The appeal, based on the audience, is the acknowledgment of the song snippets – an “I know that song” reward. But the conceit grows thin and becomes one big cheat.
Review: Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love! MOULIN ROUGE Brings All That, And More, To The McCallum
by David Green - Dec 11, 2025
The Tony Winning Best Musical MOULIN ROUGE was the highly anticipated opener to the McCallum's Broadway Season and it brought an enthusiastic audience all the promised spectacle, glitz, excess, bawdiness and More, More, More!!! There is much to love about this thrill ride of a production -- but the real headliners of this jukebox musical are Justin Townsend's lighting, Derek McLane's scenic design and Sonya Teyah's Tony Winning choreography. They stole the show, even from the superbly talented cast!
by David Green - Dec 11, 2025
The Tony Winning Best Musical MOULIN ROUGE was the highly anticipated opener to the McCallum's Broadway Season and it brought an enthusiastic audience all the promised spectacle, glitz, excess, bawdiness and More, More, More!!! There is much to love about this thrill ride of a production -- but the real headliners of this jukebox musical are Justin Townsend's lighting, Derek McLane's scenic design and Sonya Teyah's Tony Winning choreography. They stole the show, even from the superbly talented cast!
Travelogue: The Musings of a Regional Theater Critic's Week in New York City
by James Lindhorst - Dec 9, 2025
There is nothing like the holidays in New York City. Ice skating under the iconic Rockefeller Center Tree, watching the Rockettes high kick in Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular, eating your way through the Winter Village in Bryant Park, and admiring the decorated storefront windows on 5th Avenue is unforgettable. But for this regional theater critic, all the holiday hoopla (which I enjoyed) is secondary to attending live theater in Manhattan.
by James Lindhorst - Dec 9, 2025
There is nothing like the holidays in New York City. Ice skating under the iconic Rockefeller Center Tree, watching the Rockettes high kick in Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular, eating your way through the Winter Village in Bryant Park, and admiring the decorated storefront windows on 5th Avenue is unforgettable. But for this regional theater critic, all the holiday hoopla (which I enjoyed) is secondary to attending live theater in Manhattan.
Review: MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at Broadway In Tucson
by Zach Wetzel - Dec 4, 2025
MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at Broadway in Tucson casts a poignant spell over Centennial Hall this December 2-7. A transcendent spectacle, MOULIN ROUGE is a feast for the senses and will give audiences plenty to talk about.
by Zach Wetzel - Dec 4, 2025
MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at Broadway in Tucson casts a poignant spell over Centennial Hall this December 2-7. A transcendent spectacle, MOULIN ROUGE is a feast for the senses and will give audiences plenty to talk about.
Sam Jay Begins Performances Tonight at LCT's THE COMEDY SERIES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 3, 2025
Comedian and writer, Sam Jay, is set to perform at the Claire Tow Theater where she begins performances of Sam Jay: We The People tonight.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 3, 2025
Comedian and writer, Sam Jay, is set to perform at the Claire Tow Theater where she begins performances of Sam Jay: We The People tonight.
MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL Comes to Jacksonville in March 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 14, 2025
The FSCJ Artist Series Broadway in Jacksonville will present Moulin Rouge! The Musical March 10–15, 2026 at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 14, 2025
The FSCJ Artist Series Broadway in Jacksonville will present Moulin Rouge! The Musical March 10–15, 2026 at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.
Review: MOULIN ROUGE! at Hollywood Pantages
by Amanda Callas - Nov 12, 2025
Moulin Rouge! is an immersive, kinetic wild ride, lavishly sexy, unabashedly romantic, and breathtaking to look at. There is a determined garishness, a gaudy and deliberate trashiness, an extravagance to Moulin Rogue! that feels triumphantly tasteless and rather wonderfully liberating.
by Amanda Callas - Nov 12, 2025
Moulin Rouge! is an immersive, kinetic wild ride, lavishly sexy, unabashedly romantic, and breathtaking to look at. There is a determined garishness, a gaudy and deliberate trashiness, an extravagance to Moulin Rogue! that feels triumphantly tasteless and rather wonderfully liberating.
Review: MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL Returns to OC’s Segerstrom Center
by Michael Quintos - Oct 30, 2025
After making a splash when it first visited the OC back in 2022, MOULIN ROUGE! - THE MUSICAL—the dazzling, Tony Award-winning 2019 Broadway stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann's groundbreaking 2001 movie musical—is back full throttle at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa for a limited week-long engagement that continues through November 2, 2025 (the show then travels an hour north to Los Angeles' Hollywood Pantages Theatre for performances running November 4-16, 2025). More impressive than before, this vibrant, high-octane, gorgeous-looking musical extravaganza continues to be an overwhelming spectacle for the senses.
by Michael Quintos - Oct 30, 2025
After making a splash when it first visited the OC back in 2022, MOULIN ROUGE! - THE MUSICAL—the dazzling, Tony Award-winning 2019 Broadway stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann's groundbreaking 2001 movie musical—is back full throttle at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa for a limited week-long engagement that continues through November 2, 2025 (the show then travels an hour north to Los Angeles' Hollywood Pantages Theatre for performances running November 4-16, 2025). More impressive than before, this vibrant, high-octane, gorgeous-looking musical extravaganza continues to be an overwhelming spectacle for the senses.
Photo: VIR DAS: HEY STRANGER at Lincoln Center Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 29, 2025
Emmy-winning comedian, actor, and one of the most global voices in stand-up comedy, Vir Das, will begin performances of Vir Das: Hey Stranger at the Claire Tow Theater. See a photo here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 29, 2025
Emmy-winning comedian, actor, and one of the most global voices in stand-up comedy, Vir Das, will begin performances of Vir Das: Hey Stranger at the Claire Tow Theater. See a photo here!
Tickets to MOULIN ROUGE! National Tour at Proctors on Sale Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 28, 2025
The first North American tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, winner of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, will play in Schenectady at Proctors. Tickeets are on sale now!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 28, 2025
The first North American tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, winner of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, will play in Schenectady at Proctors. Tickeets are on sale now!
THE COMEDY SERIES Digital Lottery And Rush Policies Announced At Lincoln Center Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 27, 2025
Lincoln Center Theater and Seaview have announced rush and lottery details for The Comedy Series, launching October 29 at the Claire Tow Theater. The lineup includes Vir Das, Jerrod Carmichael, Ego Nwodim, and Sam Jay, each performing limited engagements Off-Broadway.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 27, 2025
Lincoln Center Theater and Seaview have announced rush and lottery details for The Comedy Series, launching October 29 at the Claire Tow Theater. The lineup includes Vir Das, Jerrod Carmichael, Ego Nwodim, and Sam Jay, each performing limited engagements Off-Broadway.
Betsy Wolfe Will Take Over as 'Madeline Ashton' in DEATH BECOMES HER
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 20, 2025
Betsy Wolfe will take over as ‘Madeline Ashton’ in DEATH BECOMES HER starting January 16, 2026, replacing Megan Hilty. Get the latest updates!
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 20, 2025
Betsy Wolfe will take over as ‘Madeline Ashton’ in DEATH BECOMES HER starting January 16, 2026, replacing Megan Hilty. Get the latest updates!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What awards has Justin Townsend been nominated for?
Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Death Becomes Her, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Death Becomes Her, Outstanding Lighting Design (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Here Lies Love, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Moulin Rouge!, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Moulin Rouge!, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Jagged Little Pill, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Moulin Rouge!, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Little Foxes, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for American Psycho, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Humans, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for American Psycho, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for The Humans, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for American Psycho, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Humans, Performance- Sustained Excellence of Lighting Design (Obie Awards), Hewes Design Award (The Hewes Awards) for Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Here Lies Love, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Here Lies Love, Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for One Night with Janis Joplin, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Unnatural Acts, Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Hamlet and Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.
What awards has Justin Townsend won?
Justin Townsend has won several prestigious awards for his lighting design work. He received the Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Moulin Rouge! and was also honored with Outstanding Lighting Design at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Moulin Rouge!. He won the Tony Award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Jagged Little Pill. His accomplishments include Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for American Psycho and Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for The Humans. Additionally, he earned Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for American Psycho. Townsend was recognized for Performance - Sustained Excellence of Lighting Design with an Obie Award. He also received the Hewes Design Award at The Hewes Awards for Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play, as well as Outstanding Lighting Design at The Lortels for Here Lies Love.
Videos