Rupert Holmes
Birth Place: ENGLAND
SAY GOODNIGHT, GRACIE Comes to Act II Playhouse (Mar 3, 2026)
Linda Eder, Kate Baldwin, Jenn Colella and More to Perform at 54 Below for Women's History Month (Feb 27, 2026)
Interview: Michelle Azar on Embodying RBG Again for the 'All Things Equal' National Tour (Feb 13, 2026)
BIO
Rupert Holmes is the author of numerous songs, musicals, plays and novels, which have earned him three Tony Awards (Best Book, Best Score and Best Musical), several Drama Desk Awards, and the prestigious Edgar Award, which was given to him by the Mystery Writers of America. He has developed and arranged songs for many renowned artists, including Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Barry Manilow, Paul Williams, the Manhattan Transfer and Barbara Cook. His Solitary, which starred Stacy Keach, set a new box office record at the Kennedy Center. Other notable theatrical projects include the Tony Award-Winning, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, the Tonynominated Say Goodnight Gracie, The Accomplice, Goosebumps and Marty. His latest show, Curtains!, a Kander and Ebb musical, recently played to major acclaim on Broadway. He also received an Emmy for his made-fortelevision dramedy, "Remember WENN," and more recently his novel, Where The Truth Lies, has been translated into a major motion picture starring Kevin Bacon.
Photos
Productions
Writing
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Awards and Nominations
winner
Rupert Holmes, Pirates! The Penzance Musical
winner
Rupert Holmes, Curtains
Rupert Holmes, Curtains
Rupert Holmes, Curtains
Rupert Holmes, Curtains
Rupert Holmes, Say Goodnight Gracie
winner
Rupert Holmes, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
winner
Rupert Holmes, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Videos
Video: Watch PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL's Final Curtain Call on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2025-07-28 12:18:44
Video: Ramin Karimloo Sings 'I Am A Pirate King' in PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL
by Michael Major - 2025-07-08 12:35:23
Video: David Hyde Pierce Discusses Broadway Return and Passion for Live Comedy on CBS SUNDAY MORNING
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-21 13:08:54
Video: David Hyde Piece on the New Orleans-Flavored PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL- 'It Really Works!'
by Joey Mervis - 2025-03-07 13:11:18
Video: Highlights from THE NUTTY PROFESSOR at Hale Centre Theatre
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-07-14 15:07:17
Video: The Cast of CHOIR OF MAN At Apollo Theatre Performs 'Escape (The Pina Colada Song)'
by A.A. Cristi - 2024-04-02 22:49:24
VIDEO: Mamie Parris & More Rehearsing THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD at Goodspeed Musicals
by Joshua Wright - 2024-04-02 10:27:47
Video: Writer Rupert Holmes on THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD at Goodspeed Musicals
by Joshua Wright - 2024-03-12 16:03:06
VIDEO: Terre Blair Hamlisch Joins Cast Of THE NUTTY PROFESSOR To Honor Marvin Hamlisch
by Alan Henry - 2022-08-09 11:09:13
VIDEO: Rupert Holmes Opens Up About the Nutty Journey of THE NUTTY PROFESSOR
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - 2022-07-10 16:00:20
VIDEO: Jason Alexander Talks MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG on LATE NIGHT
by Sarah Leiber - 2020-10-21 09:33:56
VIDEO: On This Day, August 4 - THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD Debuts at the Delacorte
by A.A. Cristi - 2020-08-04 00:02:00
VIDEO: Liz Callaway Sings 'The People That You Never Get to Love' by Rupert Holmes in Her Car
by Stephi Wild - 2020-01-04 11:17:06
VIDEO: Darryl Maximilian Robinson Performs Two Versions of The Bard's St. Crispin's Day Speech in LA
by Stephi Wild - 2019-12-26 05:26:54
VIDEO: First Look at THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre
by Stephi Wild - 2019-12-06 07:13:07
VIDEO: Meet the Cast of THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD at Riverside Theatre
by Alan Henry - 2018-01-09 11:06:16
TV Exclusive: THE NUTTY PROFESSOR Cast Reunites at Birdland for NYC Debut!
by Nicole Rosky - 2016-02-25 12:32:02
News
by Stephi Wild - Mar 3, 2026
Act II Playhouse has announced its latest production, “Say Goodnight, Gracie” by Rupert Holmes. The one-man show stars Tony Braithwaite in the role of comedy icon, George Burns.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2026
Next month, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond for Women's History Month, including Linda Eder, Kate Baldwin, Jenn Colella and more.
by Lucía Serrano - Feb 13, 2026
Few figures stand out in recent American history like Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. With a tiny frame but seismic impact, she was a historic figure later turned reluctant pop icon.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 3, 2026
All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg will launch a 13-city Winter-Spring national tour. Written by multiple Award-winner Rupert Holmes and directed by Laley Lippard, the production stars Michelle Azar who originated the role.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jan 16, 2026
Read a conversation with Morley about the 1/23 concert, which weaves history about NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 between songs from the show.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 9, 2025
All Things Equal – The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the joyful theatrical event by multiple-Tony Award winning playwright Rupert Holmes, will return to San Francisco’s Curran Theater.
by Stephen Mosher - Dec 9, 2025
It's 100 years since Sammy Davis Jr. was born - let the celebration commence!
by Bruce Glikas - Dec 8, 2025
Tony Award nominee and Interim Artistic Director of Roundabout Theatre Company, Scott Ellis, received his iconic caricature at Sardi’s on Thursday, December 4. Check out photos here.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 6, 2025
54 Below will present ONCE IN A LIFETIME: A SAMMY DAVIS, JR. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION this Sunday evening. The program will feature an all-star cast performing selections associated with Davis’s career, with music direction by Michael Lavine. The event will be presented live at 54 Below and streamed online.
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 4, 2025
Paul Anka is developing a Broadway musical about his life with writer Rupert Holmes. The project comes after the release of his hit new documentary, Paul Anka: His Way, which traces the Canadian’s musical journey.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2025
54 Below, Broadway’s supper club and private event destination, will present a full month of concerts in December featuring Christine Ebersole with Billy Stritch, the 15th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Extravaganza, Darius de Haas, Norm Lewis, Matthew Morrison, Charles Busch, Joy Woods, and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2025
Bergen County Players will continue its 93rd season with a special holiday run of SPIN: The Rumpelstiltskin Musical, returning to the Little Firehouse Theatre nearly four decades after its original BCP production in 1986.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2025
Center Stage Records has released the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Pirates! The Penzance Musical on CD. The album is also available in streaming and digital formats.
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Oct 29, 2025
Yacht Rockers On Broadway set sail for a night of slick grooves, breezy vocals, legendary hooks, and unforgettable performances—and before the curtain rose, the artists gathered for soundcheck to prepare for the show. Check out photos from inside soundcheck.
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Oct 29, 2025
Go inside Yacht Rockers On Broadway with photos from the event inspired by the golden era of soft rock. This year’s show celebrated the timeless hits and laid-back energy that defined the late ’70s and early ’80s.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 28, 2025
CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in the final event of the second annual edition of “The Box Set,” the fantastic season-long retrospective of the celebrated theater and concert artist’s acclaimed shows.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 17, 2025
The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Pirates! The Penzance Musical is available in streaming and digital formats now. Listen to the full album and find out how to pre-order the CD here!
by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2025
Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW) has announced acquisition of the exclusive worldwide performance rights to PIRATES! The Penzance Musical. Learn more here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 11, 2025
JM Productions of Quincy, MA will welcome back three powerhouse New York City performers, Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso, and Billy Stritch, for an encore performance of their holiday celebration, 'A Swinging Christmas'. Learn more!
by BWW Special Offer - Oct 10, 2025
DON'T MISS THE BOAT! Get your ROCKERS ON BROADWAY tickets today!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Rupert Holmes has written 10 shows including The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Bookwriter), Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre (Composer), Accomplice (Playwright), Solitary Confinement (Playwright), Twelfth Night (Music), Say Goodnight, Gracie (Playwright), Marty (Bookwriter), Curtains (Lyricist), A Time To Kill (Adaptor), The Nutty Professor (Lyricist).
Outstanding Adaptation (Drama Desk Awards) for Pirates! The Penzance Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musica (Drama Desk Awards) for Curtains, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Curtains, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Curtains, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Curtains, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Say Goodnight Gracie, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Rupert Holmes has won several prestigious awards, including the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Adaptation for Pirates! The Penzance Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical for Curtains. He also received the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical and the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, both for The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Videos