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Ken Ludwig

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Ken Ludwig BIO

Ken Ludwig is a prolific playwright known for his witty and fast-paced comedies. Born in York, Pennsylvania in 1950, Ludwig studied music and theater at Haverford College and later attended Harvard Law School. However, he ultimately decided to pursue a career in writing and began his playwriting career in the 1980s.

Ludwig's breakthrough came in 1986 with the premiere of his play "Lend Me a Tenor," which opened on London's West End before transferring to Broadway. The play, a farce set in 1930s Cleveland, Ohio, tells the story of a world-famous tenor who is mistakenly given a double dose of tranquilizers before a big performance. "Lend Me a Tenor" was a critical and commercial success, earning Ludwig a Tony Award nomination for Best Play and establishing him as a major force in American theater.

Following the success of "Lend Me a Tenor," Ludwig continued to write successful plays that were produced on Broadway and in regional theaters across the country. His plays are known for their clever wordplay, intricate plots, and fast-paced action. Some of his most popular works include "Crazy for You," a musical featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin, and "Moon Over Buffalo," a farce about a dysfunctional theater troupe.

In addition to his work in the theater, Ludwig has also written for film and television. He wrote the screenplay for the 1994 film "My Boyfriend's Back" and has written episodes of the television shows "Murder, She Wrote" and "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." He has also written several books for young readers, including the popular "Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn" series.

Despite his success in other mediums, Ludwig remains best known for his work in the theater. His plays have been produced in more than 30 countries and have been translated into over 20 languages. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Helen Hayes Award, the Edgar Award, and the Samuel French Award for Sustained Excellence in American Theatre.

Ludwig's most recent work is the play "The Gods of Comedy," which premiered at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, New Jersey in 2019. The play tells the story of a classics professor who invokes the gods of comedy in an effort to save her job and her love life. "The Gods of Comedy" received positive reviews from critics and is expected to have a future life in regional theaters across the country.

In conclusion, Ken Ludwig is a talented and prolific playwright whose work has entertained audiences around the world. His clever wordplay, intricate plots, and fast-paced action have made him a favorite among theatergoers and critics alike. With his most recent work, "The Gods of Comedy," Ludwig continues to demonstrate his ability to create engaging and entertaining plays that are sure to delight audiences for years to come.

Ken Ludwig Photos

Ken Ludwig Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
Book

Writing

Playwright
Source Material
Conceiver
Bookwriter

Ken Ludwig Awards and Nominations

Helen Hayes Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Play or Musical Adaptation

Ken LudwigTiny Tim's Christmas Carol

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Book of a Musical

Ken Ludwig, Crazy for You

Olivier Awards - 1986 - Comedy of the Year

Ken LudwigLend Me A Tenor

Ken Ludwig Videos

Ken Ludwig News


Florida Studio Theatre Announces CABARET And More for 2024 Summer Season


Florida Studio Theatre has announced the lineup for its 2024 Summer Season, featuring a three-show Mainstage Series and a three-show Cabaret Series.

BEAUTIFUL, MYSTIC PIZZA, and More Set For Riverside Theatre's 2024-25 Season


Riverside Theatre has announced its 2024-2025 Season of productions. Learn more about the season lineup here!

BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY is Now Playing at the Gateway Theatre


Gateway Theatre now presenting Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, a comedy with a fresh and lively take on the legendary tale of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Video: Get A First Look at JANE EYRE at Alley Theatre


Get a first look at Alley Theatre's production Jane Eyre in all-new video. Directed by Eleanor Holdridge (Ken Ludwig's Lend Me A Soprano), this timeless tale of love, resilience, and self-discovery comes to life in Elizabeth Williamson's stage adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's classic novel.

Broadway Costume Designer Carrie Robbins Has Passed Away


Broadway costume designer Carrie Robbins has passed away. Learn more about Robbins' life and work.

Review: AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Theatre Three


Port Jefferson's Theatre Three sensationally continues their amazing fifty third season with a gripping production of Agatha Christie's Murder On The Orient Express. It is most interesting and thrilling to see a mystery mounted locally as this title doesn't seem to be done often. This production runs through May 4th at the charming Long Island venue and by the enthusiasm from opening weekend, you may want to get your tickets quickly.

Review: GHOST: THE MUSICAL at Music Theatre of Connecticut


GHOST: THE MUSICAL closes 37th season at Music Theatre Of Connecticut with a heartwarming story.

Review: SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD brings The Bard to Brookfield Theatre For The Arts


What do you get when you cross a stage director, a burgeoning film industry, exotic plants, and time-travelling characters? Why, you get Shakespeare in Hollywood! This play is a riotous time for Shakespeare nerds and People-Who’ve-Never-Read-Shakespeare alike.

Mandy Gonzalez & More to be Featured in The Hylton Performing Arts Center 2024�"25 Season


The Hylton Performing Arts Center has revealed its 2024–25 season of performances. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

Concord Theatricals Titles Now Available on BroadwayWorld Stage Mag With New Partnership


BroadwayWorld and Concord Theatricals announced today a new partnership extending BroadwayWorld’s Stage Mag online show program technology to their entire catalog of titles, including the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection, The Rodgers and Hammerstein collection, Samuel French titles, and the Tams-Witmark collection.

Martin McDonagh's HANGMEN Comes to Santa Paula Theater Center


Santa Paula Theater Center has announced the second Main Stage show of Season 2024, Martin McDonagh’s HANGMEN, from April 12th - May 12th, 2024 with performances on Friday and Saturday Evenings at 8:00 PM and Sunday matinees at 2:30 PM.

THE PRODUCERS & More Set for The Delray Beach Playhouse 2024-2025 Season


Explore the 2024-2025 season at the Delray Beach Playhouse, featuring top-tier performers, classic musicals, comedy, and nostalgia. Don't miss this exciting lineup of entertainment.

Virginia Repertory Theatre Announces WAITRESS, FAT HAM, And More for 2024-2025 SEASON


Virginia Rep has announced the 2024-2025 Season: an exciting line-up of musicals, plays, and special presentations at all three locations, including the Signature Season at the November Theatre downtown, the Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern, and the Family Season in the Jessie Bogese Theatre at the Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education. Partner productions in the Theatre Gym and additional community partnerships will be announced at a later time. 

Ken Ludwig World Premiere & More Set for Asolo Repertory Theatre 2024-25 Season


Asolo Repertory Theatre, has revealed its 2024-2025 season. See the full lineup of plays and learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: BASKERVILLE - A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY at ARTS Theatre


A familiar story that has been given a comic twist.

Alley Theatre to Host Open Auditions for Houston Actors for Its 2024-2025 Season


2024-25 Seasonal Auditions for Houston actors will be at Alley Theatre. Learn more about the season and see how to audition!

The Repertory Theatre Of St. Louis Reveals 2024/25 Season


The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has announced its 2024-2025 season, which includes four world-class productions. Learn more about the full lineup here!

St Pete's FreeFall Theatre Announces Sondheim's FOLLIES And More for 15th Season


Discover the exciting lineup for freeFall Theatre's 15th season, featuring a world-premiere farce by Hannah Benitez, a return of Sherlock Holmes, a Stephen Sondheim musical, and more.

Video: First Look At Agatha Christie's MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Syracuse Stage


Get a first look at Syracuse Stage's Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, adapted for the stage by playwright Ken Ludwig. Directed by Syracuse Stage artistic director Robert Hupp, the show runs through March  31 in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage.

Review: LEND ME A SOPRANO at Harwood Prairie Playhouse


What did our critic think of LEND ME A SOPRANO at Harwood Prairie Playhouse?

Ken Ludwig FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Ken Ludwig written?

Ken Ludwig has written 6 shows including Lend Me a Tenor (Playwright), Crazy for You (Conceiver), Moon Over Buffalo (Playwright), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Bookwriter), The Gershwins' An American In Paris (Bookwriter), Murder on the Orient Express (Adaptation).

What awards has Ken Ludwig been nominated for?

Ken Ludwig has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout his career. Some of his nominations include Outstanding Play or Musical Adaptation at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol," Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Crazy for You," and Comedy of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Lend Me A Tenor."

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