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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


Derby Dinner Playhouse to Present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Photo
Derby Dinner Playhouse to Present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 17, 2026

Derby Dinner Playhouse will present the Broadway musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Winner of the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was written by Rachel Sheinkin.
Industry Pro Newsletter: Broadway Cares Distributes $3.2 Million, Lortel Awards Dates Photo
Industry Pro Newsletter: Broadway Cares Distributes $3.2 Million, Lortel Awards Dates Announced
by Alex Freeman - Feb 16, 2026

From Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS distributing $3.2 million to food programs nationwide to financial updates and future plans at 54 Below, the theater community continues to navigate challenges while supporting artists and audiences alike. We also look ahead to key dates for the Lucille Lortel Awards, explore a Stage Mag spotlight on THE SOUND INSIDE at Capital Stage, and share a moving PBS feature on Ukrainian theater uplifting children during wartime.
Review: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Theatre South Photo
Review: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Theatre South
by Julie Gardieff - Feb 16, 2026

What did our critic think of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Theatre South?
Middletown Arts Center Will Present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Photo
Middletown Arts Center Will Present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 10, 2026

Middletown Arts Center will stage THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE from February 27 to March 8, featuring local talent in a compelling musical comedy.
Dates Set for 41st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards Photo
Dates Set for 41st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 10, 2026

The Annual Lucille Lortel Awards – the only New York theatre award to exclusively honor Off-Broadway – announced the 41st Annual ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 7:00PM at NYU Skirball.
TheaterWorks Hartford Unveils 25/26 Living Room Concert Series Featuring YELLER TOOTH Photo
TheaterWorks Hartford Unveils 25/26 Living Room Concert Series Featuring YELLER TOOTH
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 10, 2026

TheaterWorks Hartford has announced the 25/26 Living Room Concert Series, a lobby-based concert program curated by Erica Tracy Sullivan that brings musicians and audiences together in an informal, living room–style setting.
Complete Guide to the 2026 Broadway Awards Season Photo
Complete Guide to the 2026 Broadway Awards Season
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 7, 2026

The 2026 theatre awards season is here and keeping track of all of the important dates for the many ceremonies and their corresponding nomination announcements is no easy feat. Stay up to date on all the need-to-know facts with BroadwayWorld's full Awards Season Calendar below!
Justis Bolding, Tim DeKay, and Erika Rolfsrud Will Lead THE COUNTER at Theatre Works Photo
Justis Bolding, Tim DeKay, and Erika Rolfsrud Will Lead THE COUNTER at Theatre Works Hartford
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 6, 2026

TheaterWorks Hartford, under the direction of Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero and Managing Director Jeff Griffin, just announced details for its 25/26 production of The Counter by Meghan Kennedy.
Review: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Silvermoon Children's Theatre i Photo
Review: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Silvermoon Children's Theatre in Texarkana
by Theresa Bertram - Feb 5, 2026

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is one of my favorite musicals, so it didn’t take much to convince me to take a nice Sunday drive to Texarkana to see my friends at the Silvermoon Theatre.
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Extends Off-Broadway Photo
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Extends Off-Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 3, 2026

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has been extended for a second time, Off-Broadway at New World Stages.
COME FROM AWAY and More Set for Citadel Theatre 2026/27 Season Photo
COME FROM AWAY and More Set for Citadel Theatre 2026/27 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 3, 2026

The Citadel Theatre has revealed its 2026/27 season, a wide-ranging and adventurous lineup that celebrates stories from across Canada and around the world, while marking a major milestone in the theatre's history.
Photos: See Highlights of Sean McDermott's THE BEST OF ME at 54 Below Photo
Photos: See Highlights of Sean McDermott's THE BEST OF ME at 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - Feb 2, 2026

The Broadway veteran (Miss Saigon, Falsettos, Starlight Express, and Grease) returned to 54 on January 18 and 20. See photos snapped by Maryann Lopinto
John Tartaglia, Karla Puno Garcia and More Set for The Muny Season 108 Productions Photo
John Tartaglia, Karla Puno Garcia and More Set for The Muny Season 108 Productions
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 30, 2026

The Muny has selected the seven teams of directors, choreographers, music directors and lead designers whose creative visions will shape the Tony Award-winning theatre’s 2026 season in Forest Park.
Lillias White and Karen Akers to be Honored at 40th Annual MAC Awards Photo
Lillias White and Karen Akers to be Honored at 40th Annual MAC Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 27, 2026

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets will present the upcoming 40th Annual MAC Awards. At the event, MAC will present Lifetime Achievement Awards to two stars of Broadway, television, film and cabaret: Lillias White and Karen Akers. 
Feature: GMU'S HEART AND MUSIC: THE SONGS OF WILLIAM FINN Has It's Cast Learning from Photo
Feature: GMU'S HEART AND MUSIC: THE SONGS OF WILLIAM FINN Has It's Cast Learning from The Best
by Elliot Lanes - Jan 27, 2026

George Mason University (GMU) in Fairfax VA has one of the fastest growing Musical Theater programs in the area. Over the last eight years, the program has grown in leaps and bounds from being a certificate-based program to a degree-based one. One of the biggest reasons for the program’s success is definitely the faculty, including the two who are the subjects of this interview.
The History of Musicals Starting Off-OFF-Broadway Photo
The History of Musicals Starting Off-OFF-Broadway
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jan 25, 2026

The history of shows that have transferred from off-Broadway to Broadway is well documented. Hundreds of Broadway plays and musicals started out off-Broadway before making the leap to a Broadway house. But much more rare is the circumstance of a show starting out off-off-Broadway (that’s right, two ‘off’s!) and traveling all the way to the main stem. One of these shows is playing right now, and is a major theatre success story with off-off-Broadway roots!
HAIRSPRAY, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE And More Set for Cape Playhouse Photo
HAIRSPRAY, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE And More Set for Cape Playhouse Ser for 2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 22, 2026

The Cape Playhouse will present its 2026 summer season from June 3 through September 19 at the historic Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts. The season, unveiled by Artistic Director Eric Rosen, will include five musical theater productions as the organization approaches its centennial in 2027.
Claybourne Elder-Directed SPELLING BEE and More Set For Cape Playhouse 2026 Season Photo
Claybourne Elder-Directed SPELLING BEE and More Set For Cape Playhouse 2026 Season
by Stephi Wild - Jan 21, 2026

The Cape Playhouse has announced its 2026 summer line-up, in advance of its centennial on July 4, 2027. The lineup will include a production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Claybourne Elder. Learn more about the full season!
Video: Lin-Manuel Miranda Joins the Competition at THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPEL Photo
Video: Lin-Manuel Miranda Joins the Competition at THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 14, 2026

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Off-Broadway revival recently welcomed a very special guest speller to the competiton, Broadway icon, Lin-Manuel Miranda. Check out video below as Lin takes his turn in the contest.
Chromolume Theatre at The Zephyr Unveils 2026 Season Lineup Photo
Chromolume Theatre at The Zephyr Unveils 2026 Season Lineup
by Stephi Wild - Jan 12, 2026

The Chromolume Theatre has announced its 2026 season of musicals at The Zephyr on Melrose in Los Angeles. Themed as a season of identify and expression, it will kick off in March with The Color Purple
More News

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 several prestigious awards, including the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Falsettos and the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, also for Falsettos. Additionally, he received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics for Falsettos.

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