Lynn Ahrens
Birth Place: New York, New York, USA
Latest News on Lynn Ahrens:
A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL Returns To Foxboro For 3rd Year (Nov 23, 2025)
RAGTIME 2025 Broadway Cast Recording Will Be Released in January (Nov 21, 2025)
Musical Version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is Coming to The Wick Theatre (Nov 18, 2025)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL Returns To Foxboro For 3rd Year (Nov 23, 2025)
RAGTIME 2025 Broadway Cast Recording Will Be Released in January (Nov 21, 2025)
Musical Version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is Coming to The Wick Theatre (Nov 18, 2025)
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.
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STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Writing
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Bookwriter & Lyricist
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Title Song Lyrics
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Bookwriter/Lyricist
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Conceiver
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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
Video: Jordan Donica Sings 'Goodbye, Old Girl' from DAMN YANKEES
by Joshua Wright - 2025-10-28 16:56:06
Exclusive: Rob McClure Sings 'Those Were The Good Old Days' from DAMN YANKEES
by Joshua Wright - 2025-10-28 14:18:06
Video: Cast of DAMN YANKEES Performs 'Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO'
by Joshua Wright - 2025-10-24 10:48:54
Video: SEUSSICAL Original Broadway Cast Reunites For 54 Below Concert Rehearsals
by Michael Major - 2025-10-20 13:35:45
Joshua Henry Receives Emotional Note From Brian Stokes Mitchell on RAGTIME Opening
by Michael Major - 2025-10-20 11:28:25
Video: Ana Villafañe & Jordan Donica of DAMN YANKEES Perform 'Two Lost Souls' at Arena Stage
by Joshua Wright - 2025-10-07 10:01:16
Video: Watch Joshua Henry & Nichelle Lewis Perform 'Wheels of a Dream' From RAGTIME
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-09-30 10:08:13
Video: Go Inside the First Performance of RAGTIME on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2025-09-29 10:27:25
Video: Watch Caissie Levy & Brandon Uranowitz Rehearse 'Our Children' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2025-09-25 15:26:28
Video: Joshua Henry & RAGTIME Cast Rehearse 'Gettin’ Ready Rag'
by Michael Major - 2025-09-19 10:52:52
Video: Sergio Trujillo On Reimagining DAMN YANKEES At Arena Stage
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-09-09 21:57:07
Video: DAMN YANKEES Star Quentin Earl Darrington Performs National Anthem At Nationals Park
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-08-22 16:33:57
Video: Watch the RAGTIME Cast Perform the Title Song at Lincoln Center
by Michael Major - 2025-05-28 10:45:40
Video: Watch 'Your Daddy's Son' From RAGTIME At Goodspeed Opera House
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-05-16 22:49:10
Video: Watch Mamie Parris Sing 'Back to Before' in Goodspeed's RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2025-05-12 13:20:45
Video: Edward Watts, Mamie Parris & More in RAGTIME at Goodspeed
by Joshua Wright - 2025-05-02 16:11:29
Video: Edward Watts, Mamie Parris & More in Rehearsals for RAGTIME at Goodspeed
by Joshua Wright - 2025-04-25 12:27:04
News
A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL Returns To Foxboro For 3rd Year
by Gillian Blum - Nov 23, 2025
A Christmas Carol The Musical plays four performances, running from December 19, 20, and 21 at the Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Centre in Foxboro, Massachusetts, presented by the award winning Emerald City Theatrical.
by Gillian Blum - Nov 23, 2025
A Christmas Carol The Musical plays four performances, running from December 19, 20, and 21 at the Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Centre in Foxboro, Massachusetts, presented by the award winning Emerald City Theatrical.
RAGTIME 2025 Broadway Cast Recording Will Be Released in January
by Stephi Wild - Nov 21, 2025
The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, will be released digitally on January 9, 2026.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 21, 2025
The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, will be released digitally on January 9, 2026.
Musical Version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is Coming to The Wick Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 18, 2025
The ‘spirits’ of the season are descending upon The Wick Theatre, as the spectacular musical version of A Christmas Carol comes to life. Charles Dickens’ enduring tale, now echoes with a score by Broadway titans Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 18, 2025
The ‘spirits’ of the season are descending upon The Wick Theatre, as the spectacular musical version of A Christmas Carol comes to life. Charles Dickens’ enduring tale, now echoes with a score by Broadway titans Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens.
Photos: A CHRISTMAS CAROL Celebrates Opening Night at the John W. Engeman Theater
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Nov 17, 2025
A Christmas Carol officially opened recently at the John W. Engeman Theater, featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Check out photos from opening night here!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Nov 17, 2025
A Christmas Carol officially opened recently at the John W. Engeman Theater, featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Check out photos from opening night here!
Review: Theatre Raleigh's ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
by Jeffrey Kare - Nov 14, 2025
Based on Rosa Guy’s 1985 novel, My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl, a Caribbean-set retelling of the original fairy tale of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen.
by Jeffrey Kare - Nov 14, 2025
Based on Rosa Guy’s 1985 novel, My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl, a Caribbean-set retelling of the original fairy tale of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen.
Adam Gwon Will Offer Master Class Through Theatre Now
by Stephi Wild - Nov 10, 2025
Award-winning musical theatre writer Adam Gwon will offer a Master Class next week as part of Theatre Now New York's Industry Nights. Learn more here!
by Stephi Wild - Nov 10, 2025
Award-winning musical theatre writer Adam Gwon will offer a Master Class next week as part of Theatre Now New York's Industry Nights. Learn more here!
Danny Burstein, Gray Coleman, and Donna McKechnie to be Honored at Gingold Theatrical Group Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 6, 2025
Gingold Theatrical Group will host a one-night-only gala fundraiser, which will honor Tony Award winner Danny Burstein, Gray Coleman, and Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie with the Golden Shamrock Award.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 6, 2025
Gingold Theatrical Group will host a one-night-only gala fundraiser, which will honor Tony Award winner Danny Burstein, Gray Coleman, and Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie with the Golden Shamrock Award.
RAGTIME Extends on Broadway Due to Demand
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025
Lincoln Center Theater’s 2025 revival of Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, has extended performances by popular demand through June 14, 2026.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025
Lincoln Center Theater’s 2025 revival of Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, has extended performances by popular demand through June 14, 2026.
Conundrum Theatre Company To Present RAGTIME At The Broadwater Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 4, 2025
Conundrum Theatre Company will continue its tradition of community-driven, high-quality theatre with a new production of Ragtime, running December 5–14, 2025, at the Broadwater Theater in Hollywood.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 4, 2025
Conundrum Theatre Company will continue its tradition of community-driven, high-quality theatre with a new production of Ragtime, running December 5–14, 2025, at the Broadwater Theater in Hollywood.
Video: Amaya White Sings 'Waiting for Life' from ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at Theatre Raleigh
by Joshua Wright - Oct 30, 2025
Watch Amaya White sing 'Waiting for Life' from Theatre Raleigh's Once On This Island accompanied by Brian Whitted. The production runs November 12th through November 23rd, 2025.
by Joshua Wright - Oct 30, 2025
Watch Amaya White sing 'Waiting for Life' from Theatre Raleigh's Once On This Island accompanied by Brian Whitted. The production runs November 12th through November 23rd, 2025.
BWW Q&A: Rob McClure Talks Damn Yankees at Arena Stage
by Joshua Wright - Oct 29, 2025
We spoke to Rob McClure about Arena Stage's Broadway-Bound revival of Damn Yankees. This newly-imagined take on the beloved classic stars Rob McClure (Applegate), Ana Villafañe (Lola), Tony Award nominee Jordan Donica (Joe Hardy), Grammy Award nominee Quentin Earl Darrington (Joe Boyd), Bryonha Marie (Meg Boyd), and Alysha Umphress (Gloria Thorpe).
by Joshua Wright - Oct 29, 2025
We spoke to Rob McClure about Arena Stage's Broadway-Bound revival of Damn Yankees. This newly-imagined take on the beloved classic stars Rob McClure (Applegate), Ana Villafañe (Lola), Tony Award nominee Jordan Donica (Joe Hardy), Grammy Award nominee Quentin Earl Darrington (Joe Boyd), Bryonha Marie (Meg Boyd), and Alysha Umphress (Gloria Thorpe).
Cast and Creative Team Set for A CHRISTMAS CAROL At The Engeman
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 29, 2025
The John W. Engeman Theater has revealed the cast and creative team of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This is a lively musical adaptation of the classic Dickens tale that follows Ebenezer Scrooge. Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 29, 2025
The John W. Engeman Theater has revealed the cast and creative team of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This is a lively musical adaptation of the classic Dickens tale that follows Ebenezer Scrooge. Learn more!
Video: Jordan Donica Sings 'Goodbye, Old Girl' from DAMN YANKEES
by Joshua Wright - Oct 28, 2025
Get a first look at Jordan Donica as Joe Hardy singing 'Goodbye, Old Girl' from Damn Yankees, running through November 9, 2025 at Arena Stage.
by Joshua Wright - Oct 28, 2025
Get a first look at Jordan Donica as Joe Hardy singing 'Goodbye, Old Girl' from Damn Yankees, running through November 9, 2025 at Arena Stage.
Exclusive: Rob McClure Sings 'Those Were The Good Old Days' from DAMN YANKEES
by Joshua Wright - Oct 28, 2025
Get a first look at Rob McClure singing Those Were The Good Old Days' from Damn Yankees, running through November 9, 2025. This newly-imagined take on the beloved classic stars Rob McClure (Applegate), Ana Villafañe (Lola), and Tony Award nominee Jordan Donica (Joe Hardy).
by Joshua Wright - Oct 28, 2025
Get a first look at Rob McClure singing Those Were The Good Old Days' from Damn Yankees, running through November 9, 2025. This newly-imagined take on the beloved classic stars Rob McClure (Applegate), Ana Villafañe (Lola), and Tony Award nominee Jordan Donica (Joe Hardy).
ANASTASIA The Musical at the Regent Theatre Casts Four Youth Performers In the Title Role
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 25, 2025
Producers of Anastasia The Musical have announced the young Melbourne actors sharing the role of Little Anastasia in the upcoming Australian production.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 25, 2025
Producers of Anastasia The Musical have announced the young Melbourne actors sharing the role of Little Anastasia in the upcoming Australian production.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND and More Set for Little Theatre Of Manchester 2026 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 24, 2025
Little Theatre of Manchester has revealed the complete lineup for its 2026 Season, five productions centering around the theme of 'The Search for Truth.' Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 24, 2025
Little Theatre of Manchester has revealed the complete lineup for its 2026 Season, five productions centering around the theme of 'The Search for Truth.' Learn more!
Video: Cast of DAMN YANKEES Performs 'Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO'
by Joshua Wright - Oct 24, 2025
Watch Alysha Umphress as Gloria Thorpe, Jordan Donica as Joe Hardy, and the Company of DAMN YANKEES performing 'Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO.'
by Joshua Wright - Oct 24, 2025
Watch Alysha Umphress as Gloria Thorpe, Jordan Donica as Joe Hardy, and the Company of DAMN YANKEES performing 'Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO.'
Video: RAGTIME Cast Discusses Show’s Modern Relevance on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 23, 2025
On Thursday morning, Ragtime stars Caissie Levy, Joshua Henry, and Brandon Uranowitz joined Good Morning America to discuss the new revival of the beloved Broadway musical. Watch their conversation now.
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 23, 2025
On Thursday morning, Ragtime stars Caissie Levy, Joshua Henry, and Brandon Uranowitz joined Good Morning America to discuss the new revival of the beloved Broadway musical. Watch their conversation now.
Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet at the Dramatists Guild Foundation Gala
by Jennifer Broski - Oct 21, 2025
The Dramatists Guild Foundation hosted its annual Gala at Ziegfeld Ballroom. This year’s Gala celebrated 25 years of the DGF Fellows program, fostering emerging dramatists through mentorship and collaboration to prepare their next great story for the stage. Check out photos here!
by Jennifer Broski - Oct 21, 2025
The Dramatists Guild Foundation hosted its annual Gala at Ziegfeld Ballroom. This year’s Gala celebrated 25 years of the DGF Fellows program, fostering emerging dramatists through mentorship and collaboration to prepare their next great story for the stage. Check out photos here!
Video: SEUSSICAL Original Broadway Cast Reunites For 54 Below Concert Rehearsals
by Michael Major - Oct 20, 2025
Members of the original cast of Seussical, the Musical will celebrate its 25th Anniversary at 54 Below tonight! Ahead of the 54 Below reunion concert, watch videos from rehearsals, including'Alone in the Universe,' 'Notice Me Horton,' and more.
by Michael Major - Oct 20, 2025
Members of the original cast of Seussical, the Musical will celebrate its 25th Anniversary at 54 Below tonight! Ahead of the 54 Below reunion concert, watch videos from rehearsals, including'Alone in the Universe,' 'Notice Me Horton,' and more.
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.
Videos