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Tom Eyen Headshot

Tom Eyen

Birth Place: Cambridge, OH, USA

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BIO

Writer and director. Eyen is best known for his 1981 TonyAward-winning Broadway musical Dreamgirls, based loosely on the lives of the members of the female vocal trio The Supremes. Eyen, the author of more than thirty plays, was an innovator in the 1960s Off-Off Broadway experimental theatre movement and once had four plays showing simultaneously. After receiving a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation in the mid 1960s, he formed his own company, the Theatre of the Eye. With a formula that often included strong language, daring sexual content, comedy, nudity, profanity, and social criticism, Eyen wrote such cult hits The Dirtiest Show in Town, The White Whore and the Bit Player, Why Hanna's Skirt Won't Stay Down, Sarah B.Divine, and Women behind Bars. He also directed many of his own plays, sometimes under the names Jerome Eyen and Roger Short, Jr. In 1976 he became a writer for the television program Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.

Productions

Why Hanna's Skirt Won't Stay Down
 
[Off-Broadway, 1974]
Director
The Dirtiest Show in Town
 
[Off-Broadway, 1970]
Director
Tour de Four
 
[Off-Broadway, 1963]
Director
Producer (In Association With)

Writing

Tour de Four
Conceiver
The Neon Woman
Playwright
Dangerous Music
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Dreamgirls
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Kicks
Lyricist
Tom Eyen's Dirtiest Musical
Bookwriter/Lyricist

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1982 - Outstanding Music

Tom Eyen, Dreamgirls


winner
Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Book of a Musical

Tom Eyen, Dreamgirls

Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Tom Eyen, Dreamgirls

Videos

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News


Al Hakawati Theatre Collective's ألف ليلة وليلة (THE THOUSAND AND ONE N Photo
Al Hakawati Theatre Collective's ألف ليلة وليلة (THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS) Comes to La MaMa
by Stephi Wild - Dec 22, 2025

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club will present the workshop production of The Thousand and One Nights, a reimagining of the  epic from Lebanese-American director and playwright Ghina Fawaz and Turkish dramaturg and artist Begüm 'Begsy' Inal.
La MaMa To Present AL HAKAWATI THEATRE COLLECTIVE's ألف ليلة وليلة (THE T Photo
La MaMa To Present AL HAKAWATI THEATRE COLLECTIVE's ألف ليلة وليلة (THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS)
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 16, 2025

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club will present the workshop production of ألف ليلة وليلة (The Thousand and One Nights), a bold reimagining of the legendary epic from Lebanese-American director and playwright Ghina Fawaz and Turkish dramaturg and artist Begüm 'Begsy' Inal.
FROM THE OTHER SIDE Begins At La MaMa In December Photo
FROM THE OTHER SIDE Begins At La MaMa In December
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2025

From December 3-14, 2025, FROM THE OTHER SIDE transforms La MaMa into a home for an incredible group of Balkan artists, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 1PM.
DREAMGIRLS Dazzles in São Paulo with Soul, Spectacle and Heart Photo
DREAMGIRLS Dazzles in São Paulo with Soul, Spectacle and Heart
by Claudio Erlichman - Sep 27, 2025

The Broadway classic Dreamgirls makes its Brazilian debut in a dazzling production. Directed by Gustavo Barchilon, the show captures the rise and struggles of a 1960s girl group inspired by Motown legends. Letícia Soares shines as Effie White, while Laura Castro (Deena) and Samantha Schmütz (Lorell) complete a dynamic trio. With striking sets, costumes, and a vibrant score, Dreamgirls is both a tribute to soul music’s golden era and a moving story of ambition, resilience, and identity and thrills with its energy, soul, and spectacle.
Review: DREAMGIRLS at Shea's 710 Theatre Photo
Review: DREAMGIRLS at Shea's 710 Theatre
by Michael Rabice - Sep 15, 2025

A renaissance of Buffalo born theatre productions at the former Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo continues to burnish brightly. As I sat in the crowded, newly renovated Shea's 710 Theatre, thinking how the facility had been mothballed a decade ago, Buffalo's hometown pride burst through. On afternoon when the Buffalo Bills were playing, a mix of cultures gathered for a spectacular production of DREAMGIRLS. In a joint production between Shea's 710 and the newly formed AnsariSaxon Productions, the energy was palpable both on and off stage.
Cast and Creative Team Set For DREAMGIRLS at Shea's Buffalo Photo
Cast and Creative Team Set For DREAMGIRLS at Shea's Buffalo
by Stephi Wild - May 30, 2025

Shea's Performing Arts Center has announced the cast and creative team for DREAMGIRLS, part of the 2025-26 Frey Electric Season. Learn more about the show here!
No Guarantees Productions Takes Over Astor Place Theater, Former Home of BLUE MAN GRO Photo
No Guarantees Productions Takes Over Astor Place Theater, Former Home of BLUE MAN GROUP
by Stephi Wild - May 27, 2025

Following the closing of Blue Man Group after 34 years, Astor Place Theater is being taken over by No Guarantees Productions. Learn more about what this means for the future of the theater!
DREAMGIRLS and More Set for Shea’s 710 Theatre Stage 2025-2026 Season Photo
DREAMGIRLS and More Set for Shea’s 710 Theatre Stage 2025-2026 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 14, 2025

Shea’s Performing Arts Center, MusicalFare Theatre, AnsariSaxon Productions, Second Generation Theatre, and Road Less Traveled Productions has revealed the lineup of shows headed to the Shea’s 710 Theatre stage. Learn more!
Video: First Look at DREAMGIRLS at Walnut Street Theatre Photo
Video: First Look at DREAMGIRLS at Walnut Street Theatre
by Joshua Wright - Apr 10, 2025

Watch a video of Walnut Street Theatre's production of DREAMGIRLS as they close out their 216th season. First premiering on Broadway in 1981, DREAMGIRLS took the theatre world by storm.
Nya, Ashley Lalonde and Charlotte Odusanya to Lead DREAMGIRLS at WPPAC Photo
Nya, Ashley Lalonde and Charlotte Odusanya to Lead DREAMGIRLS at WPPAC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 7, 2025

The White Plains Performing Arts Center has revealed the cast for its Mainstage production of DREAMGIRLS. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Video: First Look at DREAMGIRLS at Walnut Street Theatre Photo
Video: First Look at DREAMGIRLS at Walnut Street Theatre
by Michael Major - Apr 4, 2025

Watch a video of Walnut Street Theatre's production of DREAMGIRLS as they close out their 216th season. First premiering on Broadway in 1981, DREAMGIRLS took the theatre world by storm.
Photos: DREAMGIRLS First Look at Walnut Street Theater Photo
Photos: DREAMGIRLS First Look at Walnut Street Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 1, 2025

Walnut Street Theatre is bringing DREAMGIRLS to life as they close their 216th season. Get a first look at photos here and learn how to purchase tickets!
San Pedro Playhouse And Classic Theatre Announce 2025/26 Season Photo
San Pedro Playhouse And Classic Theatre Announce 2025/26 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 28, 2025

San Pedro Playhouse and Classic Theatre will present 'The Rest is HERstory,' a season spotlighting powerful, women-centered stories that captivate, inspire, and entertain.
Video: Meet the Dreams of DREAMGIRLS at Walnut Street Theatre Photo
Video: Meet the Dreams of DREAMGIRLS at Walnut Street Theatre
by Michael Major - Mar 26, 2025

Watch a video of the Dreams from Dreamgirls at Walnut Street Theatre. Leading the cast as The Dreams are Aveena Sawyer as Effie White, Gabrielle Beckford as Deena Jones, and Khalifa White Lorrell Robinson. Chali Cooke joins as Michelle.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Tom Eyen written?

Tom Eyen has written 10 shows including Kicks (Lyricist), Tour de Four (Conceiver), The Dirtiest Show in Town (Playwright), Rachael Lily Rosenbloom and Don't You Ever Forget It (Bookwriter), Why Hanna's Skirt Won't Stay Down (Playwright), Tom Eyen's Dirtiest Musical (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Women Behind Bars (Playwright), The Neon Woman (Playwright), Dreamgirls (Bookwriter), Dangerous Music (Bookwriter/Lyricist).

What awards has Tom Eyen been nominated for?

Tom Eyen has been nominated for several prestigious awards in his career. He received a nomination for Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for his work on the musical "Dreamgirls." Additionally, Eyen was nominated for Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Dreamgirls." He also received a nomination for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for his contributions to "Dreamgirls." These nominations highlight Eyen's talent and recognition in the Broadway industry.

What awards has Tom Eyen won?

Tom Eyen has won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for his work on Dreamgirls.

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