Skip to main content Skip to footer site map
 

Bio:
Engquist wrote the lyrics to a number of musicals, including KUNI-LEML in 1984 which won the Outer Critics Circle Award for best Off Broadway musical. Engquist's other works include a musical version of Maxwell Anderson's drama "Elizabeth the Queen," titled, ELIZABETH AND ESSEX. He worked on a ... (read complete bio)
 

Writing

Lyricist
Lyricist

Richard Engquist Biography

Engquist wrote the lyrics to a number of musicals, including KUNI-LEML in 1984 which won the Outer Critics Circle Award for best Off Broadway musical.
Engquist's other works include a musical version of Maxwell Anderson's drama "Elizabeth the Queen," titled, ELIZABETH AND ESSEX. He worked on a number of shows for the Jewish Repertory Theater including MY HEART IS IN THE EAST (1983) and HALF A WORLD AWAY (1987).
Collaborations included "ABIE'S ISLAND ROSE" with Frank Evans and LITTLE HAM (2002) with composer Judd Woldin. LITTLE HAM was a musical based on Langston's Hughes' comedy set in 1920's Harlem.
His most recent work was LORENZO, which was produced at the New York Musical Theater Festival in 2009.
Richard Engquist was born on April 26, 1933 in Minnesota. He went to school at Hamline University where he received a bachelor's degree in education and speech. He served as a parish secretary at the Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Manhattan and was a writer and editor for Faith at Work, a publishing house.
Engquist was married to a reporter for The Times in 1966 named Jane E. Brody. The two worked together to write "Secrets of Good Health" (1970). Engquist was a member at the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop and wrote "Richard's Almanac" for the workshop's newsletter.

Richard Engquist Awards and Nominations

 
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1985 - Best Lyrics Gold Star
Richard EngquistKuni-Leml

Richard Engquist News

Encompass to Present ANGEL OF THE AMAZON at The Sheen Center in November Photo Encompass to Present ANGEL OF THE AMAZON at The Sheen Center in November
by Blair Ingenthron - Oct 23, 2022

Celebrating 46 years of creative music theatre, Encompass Artistic Director, Nancy Rhodes and Music Director, Liz Hastings will present Angel of the Amazon, a new musical drama with book and music by Evan Mack at The Sheen Center, 18 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012. Performances begin Thursday, November 10 and runs through Sunday, November 20, 2022.

FRANK EVANS, Award-Winning Lyricist, Librettist, and Artistic Director of Manhattan Musical Theatre Lab, Dies at 70
by Stephen Hanks - Jan 2, 2017

As a musical theater librettist, lyricist and lifelong connoisseur of Broadway and Hollywood musicals, Frank Evans would have been extremely sad to learn about the passing of screen legend Debbie Reynolds on December 28. But given his sense of humor and ability for self-deprecation, Evans might have also gotten a perverse kick out of knowing he died on the same day as one of his film favorites. Franklin G. Evans, 70, died last Wednesday evening at Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, Brooklyn, due to complications from multiple strokes that ravaged his brain over the last couple of months of 2016. Evans, who also suffered from Parkinson's-related dementia and diabetes, had spent the last year rehabilitating from a serious concussion sustained last December.

Jason Graae to Headline Encompass Grand Cabaret Gala, 6/29
by BWW News Desk - Jun 4, 2015

Join Encompass for this spectacular one night only benefit event in a unique Tribeca penthouse with a grand outdoor terrace featuring panoramic NYC views, to take place at 66 Leonard Street, New York, NY 10013 (between Church Street & Broadway) in the penthouse of Mr. Chip Seelig. In addition to an evening of great entertainment, guests can also expect savory hors d'oeuvres and enjoy wines from Mr. Seelig's private collection.

Jason Graae to Perform at Encompass New Opera Theatre's 2015 Gala, 6/29
by BWW News Desk - May 20, 2015

Nancy Rhodes, artistic director of Encompass New Opera Theatre, announced today that cabaret and Broadway star Jason Graae will be the featured performer at the Encompass Jazz Cabaret Gala in Manhattan on June 29th, 2015. 

Klea Blackhurst Set for Encompass Jazz Cabaret Gala, 6/25
by Tyler Peterson - May 29, 2014

Nancy Rhodes, artistic director of Encompass New Opera Theatre, announced today that Klea Blackburst, actress, singer and comedienne best known for her award-winning tribute to Ethel Merman, Everything The Traffic Will Allow, will be the featured performer at the Encompass Jazz Cabaret Gala in Manhattan on June 25th, 2014. The benefit will take place at 7:00 PM in a spacious penthouse with panoramic views at 66 Leonard Street.

Judy Kaye to Headline Encompass New Opera Theatre's Benefit Cabaret, 6/19
by BWW News Desk - Jun 7, 2013

On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 7:00 PM, two time Tony Award Winning Broadway & Opera Star, Judy Kaye, currently featured as Duchess Estonia Dulworth in Broadway's Nice Work If You Can Get It, sings a solo cabaret act in an intimate Tribeca penthouse with panoramic views of the Hudson River. On the piano will be Dennis Buck, accompanist and collaborator for Jerry Herman, Julie Wilson, Eartha Kitt, K.T. Sullivan, Lucie Arnaz and dozens of other stars.

Lyricist Richard Engquist Dies of Lung Cancer at 76
by Lauren Wolman - Mar 25, 2010

Lyricist Richard Engquist died on Thursday in Brooklyn at the age of 76. According to his wife, Jane E. Brody, he died from lung cancer.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival Announces Extensions for F#@KING UP EVERYTHING and SING, BUT DON'T TELL
by BWW News Desk - Oct 18, 2009

Due to popular demand, the following shows have added additional performances: F#@KING UP EVERYTHING - Sat, Oct 17 at 11pm SING, BUT DON'T TELL - Sun, Oct 18 at 3pm

The New York Musical Theatre Festival Announces Extensions for F#@KING UP EVERYTHING and SING, BUT DON'T TELL
by BWW News Desk - Oct 17, 2009

Due to popular demand, the following shows have added additional performances: F#@KING UP EVERYTHING - Sat, Oct 17 at 11pm SING, BUT DON'T TELL - Sun, Oct 18 at 3pm

Musical Premiere Of LORENZO- THE MAN WHO WROTE MOZART To Play 10/5-11 At New York Musical Theater Festival/Acorn Theater
by BWW News Desk - Oct 11, 2009

Lorenzo-The Man Who Wrote Mozart- is set to premiere off-Broadway on October 5, presented by Maximus Productions, as part of the 2009 New York Musical Theater Festival.


Richard Engquist Frequently Asked Questions

How many shows has Richard Engquist written?
Richard Engquist has written 2 shows including Elizabeth and Essex (Lyricist), Little Ham (Lyricist).

What awards has Richard Engquist been nominated for?
Best Lyrics (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Kuni-Leml .

What awards has Richard Engquist won?
Best Lyrics (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Kuni-Leml.