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William Finn

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BIO

William Finn is a celebrated American composer and lyricist, best known for his heartfelt, character-driven musicals and his groundbreaking contributions to contemporary musical theatre. Born on February 28, 1952, in Natick, Massachusetts, Finn studied at Williams College, where he began developing his distinctive voice as a songwriter. He is most widely recognized for creating the semi-autobiographical Marvin Trilogy, which includes In Trousers (1979), March of the Falsettos (1981), and Falsettoland (1990). These shows were later combined and revised into Falsettos (1992), which won Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Book.


Finn’s work often explores themes of identity, family, illness, and Jewish and LGBTQ+ experiences, with a unique blend of wit, warmth, and emotional complexity. In 1998, he wrote A New Brain, a musical inspired by his near-death experience with a brain condition, which was praised for its vulnerability and originality. His later musicals include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005), co-created with Rachel Sheinkin, which was a major commercial and critical success, earning him another Tony Award for Best Book.
Finn is also the composer of Little Miss Sunshine, Elegies: A Song Cycle, and Make Me a Song, and continues to write and mentor new talent through his long-standing affiliation with Barrington Stage Company and the Musical Theatre Lab. Known for his quirky melodies and emotionally resonant lyrics, William Finn remains a distinctive and influential voice in American musical theatre.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

In Trousers
[Off-Broadway]
1979
Performer

Productions

The Royal Family of BroadwayThe Royal Family of Broadway
 
[Regional (US), 2018]
Music
Lyricist
A New BrainA New Brain
 
[New York, 2015]
Music, Lyrics, Co-Librettist
As You Like It
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Composer (Original Music)
Love's Fire: Fresh Numbers by Seven American Playwrights
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Composer (Original Music)
The Winter's Tale
 
[Off-Broadway, 1989]
Composer (Original Music)
In Trousers
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
Director
In Trousers
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
Director

Writing

Little Miss Sunshine
Lyricist
Composer
Elegies
Composer
Lyricist
Falsettoland
Lyricist
Music
Bookwriter
Falsettos
Lyricist
Composer
Bookwriter
In Trousers
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Make Me a Song
Lyricist
Composer
March of the Falsettos
Lyricist
Composer
Bookwriter
Muscle
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter
A New Brain
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Romance in Hard Times
Lyricist
Composer
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

William Finn, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee


winner
Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Book of a Musical

William Finn, Falsettos


winner
Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

William Finn, Falsettos


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Lyrics

William Finn, Falsettoland

Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Music

William Finn, Falsettoland

Videos

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News


Theatre South Playhouse To Present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Photo
Theatre South Playhouse To Present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 22, 2025

Theatre South Playhouse will present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the Tony Award–winning musical comedy by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin. Tickets will be available through Theatre South Playhouse.
Cabaret Roundup: November 17-23- Melissa Errico, Mandy Gonzales & More Photo
Cabaret Roundup: November 17-23- Melissa Errico, Mandy Gonzales & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Nov 17, 2025

Here are a few top picks to consider in NYC this week including Melissa Errico, a new work by William Finn, Mandy Gonzales singing Lin-Manuel Miranda, and more.
Photos: The Final Work of William Finn Performed at 54 Below Last Night Photo
Photos: The Final Work of William Finn Performed at 54 Below Last Night
by Stephen Sorokoff - Nov 17, 2025

William Finn seemed to be talking directly to the overflowing audience in 54 Below with his poignant, mischievous and truthful words in a concert performance of his final work. It has one final performance on 11/17. See photos from 11/16.
Creede Repertory Theatre Hires Mallory Piece as Director Photo
Creede Repertory Theatre Hires Mallory Piece as Director
by Stephi Wild - Nov 17, 2025

Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) has announced Mallory Pierce as the theatre’s new Director of Development. She is a seasoned nonprofit leader with more than 30 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, and audience development.
Melissa Errico, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED: THE FINAL SEASON and More Set for 54 Below Next W Photo
Melissa Errico, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED: THE FINAL SEASON and More Set for 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2025

Next week, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Melissa Errico, Sondheim Unplugged: The Final Season and more. 
Creede Repertory Theatre Reveals 2026 Season Lineup Photo
Creede Repertory Theatre Reveals 2026 Season Lineup
by Stephi Wild - Nov 12, 2025

Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) will open its 61st season in late May and will include two musicals, a new Sherlock Holmes mystery from the mind of Ken Ludwig; and a hilarious one-person show.
Cabaret Roundup: November 10-16- Marilu Henner, Margaret Cho & More Photo
Cabaret Roundup: November 10-16- Marilu Henner, Margaret Cho & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Nov 10, 2025

Here are a few top picks in NYC to consider this week including a new work by the late Broadway songwriter William Finn, Taxi star Marilu Henner in a new solo show, New York Comedy Festival performances and more.
THE JOE ICONIS CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA to Return for 15th Annual Engagement at 54 Belo Photo
THE JOE ICONIS CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA to Return for 15th Annual Engagement at 54 Below
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 10, 2025

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, will present a New York City twisted holiday tradition celebrating its fifteenth year of putting the “extra” in “extravaganza!”
See David Yazbek and More Perform at 54 Below Next Week Photo
See David Yazbek and More Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 7, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including David Yazbek, Mary Porter, Maggie Solimine and more.
Video: 'The I Love You Song' from THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Theat Photo
Video: 'The I Love You Song' from THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Theatre Under The Stars
by Joshua Wright - Oct 31, 2025

Get a first look at 'The I Love You Song' from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theatre Under The Stars. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fast-paced musical comedy following six quirky kids as they compete for glory in a cutthroat spelling showdown.
Video: Watch 'I Speak Six Languages' from SPELLING BEE at Theatre Under The Stars Photo
Video: Watch 'I Speak Six Languages' from SPELLING BEE at Theatre Under The Stars
by Michael Major - Oct 29, 2025

Watch a video of I Speak Six Languages from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theatre Under The Stars Perfection takes practice — and Marcy Park (Gemini Quintos) makes it look easy.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has William Finn written?

William Finn has written 15 shows including Muscle (Bookwriter), In Trousers (Bookwriter), March of the Falsettos (Bookwriter), America Kicks Up Its Heels (Composer), Romance in Hard Times (Bookwriter), Dangerous Games (Lyricist), Falsettoland (Bookwriter), Falsettos (Bookwriter), A New Brain (Bookwriter), Love's Fire: Fresh Numbers by Seven American Playwrights (Playwright), Elegies (Composer), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Composer), Make Me a Song (Composer), Little Miss Sunshine (Composer), You're Standing in My Way: A New Song Cycle (Lyrics).

What awards has William Finn been nominated for?

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Falsettos, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Falsettos, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Falsettoland and Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Falsettoland.

What awards has William Finn won?

William Finn has won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Falsettos, as well as the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Falsettos. Additionally, he received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics for Falsettos.

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