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Lynn Ahrens

Birth Place: New York, New York, USA

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BIO

Lynn Ahrens' writing spans the Broadway stage, feature film and network television. She won the Tony Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards and received two Grammy nominations as lyricist of the


Broadway musical Ragtime; in the same year, she received two Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations and a Gold Record for Twentieth Century Fox's animated feature film Anastasia. She wrote book and lyrics for Seussical (Grammy nomination, one of the most performed shows in America); Once On This Island (London Olivier Award, Best Musical, Tony nominations for Best Book and Score); Lincoln Center Theater's The Glorious Ones (five Drama Desk nominations); Dessa Rose (Audelco Award, Best Musical, Outer Critics Circle nomination); A Christmas Carol (ten years at Madison Square Garden) and Lucky Stiff (Helen Hayes Award, Best Musical). She provided lyrics for My Favorite Year, A Man Of No Importance (Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Musical) and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, as well as lyrics for the feature film Camp. For television, she wrote the musical teleplay of A Christmas Carol (Hallmark Entertainment Special, NBC) and is a mainstay songwriter/ singer for the famed series Schoolhouse Rock (ABC-TV) and others. She has received the Emmy Award and four Emmy nominations. Her short stories
and essays have appeared nationally and have been nominated for the Best American Essays and Pushcart anthologies. She serves on the Dramatists Guild Council of America, co-chairs the Dramatists Guild Fellows Program, and is a member of AMPAS. 2008 marks her twenty-fifth year of collaboration with composer Stephen Flaherty.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Chef's Theater: A Musical Feast
[Off-Broadway]
2004
Performer

Productions

Ragtime
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Lyricist
RagtimeRagtime
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Lyricist
A Journey to the PastA Journey to the Past
 
[West End, 2022]
MUSIC AND LYRICS
AnastasiaAnastasia
 
[US Tour, 2018] Cancelled [Replacement]
Lryics[Replacement]
RockyRocky
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Lyricist

Writing

Knoxville
Lyricist
Marie, Dancing Still
Bookwriter & Lyricist
Anastasia
Lyricist
In Your Arms
Title Song Lyrics
A Christmas Carol
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Dessa Rose
Bookwriter
Lyricist
The Glorious Ones
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lucky Stiff
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Lyricist
Once On This Island
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Ragtime
Lyricist
Seussical
Lyricist
Conceiver
Bookwriter
Conceiver
Lyricist
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Lynn AhrensAnastasia

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Lyrics

Lynn Ahrens, The Glorious Ones


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Lyrics

Lynn Ahrens, A Man of No Importance


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Lyrics

Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Lyrics

Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Musical

Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime


winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Book of a Musical

Lynn Ahrens , Once on this Island

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Lynn Ahrens , Once on this Island

Videos

More Videos

News


Video: Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis Sing 'Wheels of a Dream' From RAGTIME Photo
Video: Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis Sing 'Wheels of a Dream' From RAGTIME
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 8, 2026

The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, will be released. Get a look inside the recording studio, with Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis singing 'Wheels of a Dream'!
Marisha Wallace Joins ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Concert in London Photo
Marisha Wallace Joins ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Concert in London
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 7, 2026

Marisha Wallace has joined the cast of the Once On This Island concert in London as Erzulie! The one-night-only concert production of Once On This Island will be performed at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
LUCKY STIFF to Kick Off Actors Theatre Of Indiana's 2026 Photo
LUCKY STIFF to Kick Off Actors Theatre Of Indiana's 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 5, 2026

Actors Theatre of Indiana will kick off 2026 with Lucky Stiff, a wildly funny, fast-paced musical murder mystery packed with mistaken identities, six million dollars, and one unforgettable corpse in a wheelchair.
StageTime Theatre School To Present SEUSSICAL JR. Photo
StageTime Theatre School To Present SEUSSICAL JR.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 2, 2026

StageTime Theatre School will present SEUSSICAL JR., a musical set in the world of Dr. Seuss. The production is directed by Ella Voltz and produced by Janet McLaughlin. Seussical Jr. was co-conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle, with music by Flaherty and lyrics by Ahrens. The music was supervised, adapted, and produced by Bryan Louiselle.
RAGTIME Sets New Box Office Record at Lincoln Center Theater Photo
RAGTIME Sets New Box Office Record at Lincoln Center Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 30, 2025

Lincoln Center Theater’s 2025 revival of  Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, has broken the record for highest weekly gross in the history of Lincoln Center Theater.
Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL at Red Curtain Theatre in Conway Photo
Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL at Red Curtain Theatre in Conway
by Theresa Bertram - Dec 29, 2025

For this Christmas season, we opened with A Christmas Carol in Hot Springs and closed with A Christmas Carol: The Musical in Conway with Red Curtain Theatre. Featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and directed by Liz Mathis with music direction by Kayla White and choreography by Rebecca Dillon, the production ran from December 12–21.
LUCKY STIFF to Present Final Extension at Florida Studio Theatre Photo
LUCKY STIFF to Present Final Extension at Florida Studio Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 26, 2025

Florida Studio Theatre's opening Winter Mainstage production, Lucky Stiff, has been extended for a final time. Lucky Stiff features Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Music by Stephen Flaherty.
Review: The New York Pops Bestows Carnegie Hall With A PLACE CALLED HOME Photo
Review: The New York Pops Bestows Carnegie Hall With A PLACE CALLED HOME
by Stephen Mosher - Dec 20, 2025

The entire evening was gorgeous but one musical artist put the show over the top.
Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL Transcends the Typical Holiday Musical Photo
Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL Transcends the Typical Holiday Musical
by Gilbert Kim Sancha - Dec 17, 2025

Rockwell’s Proscenium Theater has officially made its mark on the local arts scene with a bold statement of ambition. Kicking off its inaugural season with not one, but two major musicals, the venue quickly establishes itself as a cultural landmark for Filipino theater.
Review: THE DANGEROUS CHRISTMAS OF RED RIDING HOOD at FMCT / The Hjemkomst Center Photo
Review: THE DANGEROUS CHRISTMAS OF RED RIDING HOOD at FMCT / The Hjemkomst Center
by Brian Michaels - Dec 14, 2025

FMCT’s The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood is a whimsical, heartwarming, and joyfully mischievous holiday musical that spins the classic fairy tale on its head.
Alex Newell, Cedric Neal, and More Will Lead ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Concert in London Photo
Alex Newell, Cedric Neal, and More Will Lead ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Concert in London
by Stephi Wild - Dec 10, 2025

A one-night-only concert production of Once On This Island will be performed at Theatre Royal Drury Lane next year. The performance will be on Sunday, 8 February 2026. Learn more here!
New Performances on Sale For ANASTASIA in Sydney Photo
New Performances on Sale For ANASTASIA in Sydney
by Stephi Wild - Dec 9, 2025

Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday for new performances of the highly-anticipated major musical ANASTASIA, which will open at Sydney's Lyric Theatre.
Anna K Jacobs to Offer Master Class Through Theatre Now's Industry Nights Series Photo
Anna K Jacobs to Offer Master Class Through Theatre Now's Industry Nights Series
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 8, 2025

Award-winning composer, lyricist and librettist Anna K. Jacobs (Teeth, POP!) will offer a Master Class on Monday, December 15th at 6:30pm as part of Theatre Now New York's Industry Nights.
ANASTASIA to Run at Adelaide’s Festival Theatre from August 2026 Photo
ANASTASIA to Run at Adelaide’s Festival Theatre from August 2026
by Gillian Blum - Dec 6, 2025

Producers John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia announced that Broadway musical Anastasia will premiere at Adelaide’s Festival Theatre from August 2026.
Video: RAGTIME Cast Performs Opening Number on GOOD MORNING AMERICA Photo
Video: RAGTIME Cast Performs Opening Number on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 4, 2025

To celebrate the hit revival of Broadway's Ragtime, Good Morning America visited the Vivian Beaumont Theatre for an exclusive performance of the musical's opening number. Watch as the company, including Joshua Henry, Nichelle Lewis, Brandon Uranowitz, and Caissie Levy, takes the stage for the rousing number.
Photos: First Look At Musical A CHRISTMAS CAROL At The Wick Theatre Photo
Photos: First Look At Musical A CHRISTMAS CAROL At The Wick Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2025

The musical version of A Christmas Carol comes to life at The Wick Theatre with a score by Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens. The production injects new life into the iconic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s ghostly encounters on Christmas Eve. See photos of the production.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Lynn Ahrens written?

Lynn Ahrens has written 17 shows including Lucky Stiff (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Once On This Island (Bookwriter), My Favorite Year (Lyricist), A Christmas Carol (Lyricist), Ragtime (Lyricist), Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart (Lyricist), Seussical (Conceiver), A Man of No Importance (Lyricist), Dessa Rose (Lyricist), Chef's Theater: A Musical Feast (Songs), Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Lyricist), The Glorious Ones (Lyricist), Rocky (Lyricist), In Your Arms (Title Song Lyrics), Anastasia (Lyricist), Marie, Dancing Still (Bookwriter & Lyricist), Knoxville (Lyricist).

What awards has Lynn Ahrens been nominated for?

Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Anastasia, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Glorious Ones, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for A Man of No Importance, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Ragtime, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Ragtime, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Once on this Island and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Once on this Island.

What awards has Lynn Ahrens won?

Lynn Ahrens has won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics for A Man of No Importance and Ragtime. She also received the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Ragtime.

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