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David Lindsay-Abaire

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BIO

David Lindsay-Abaire was most recently nominated for two Tony Awards for his work on Shrek The Musical: Best Book of a Musical and Best Score (with composer Jeanine Tesori). Prior to that he was awarded the 2008 Ed Kleban Award as America's most promising musical theatre lyricist and the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Rabbit Hole, which premiered on Broadway at MTC. Rabbit Hole also received five Tony Award nominations, including Best Play, and the Spirit of America Award. His other shows include Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo, Wonder of the World, High Fidelity and A Devil Inside, among others. In addition to his work in theatre, David's screen adaptation of Rabbit Hole is scheduled for release this month. It stars Nicole Kidman and is directed by John Cameron Mitchell. David is a proud New Dramatists alum, a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the Juilliard School, as well as a member of the WGA and the Dramatists Guild Council.

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2026]
Writer
 
[West End, 2024] [Replacement]
Book and Lyrics[Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2024]
Book
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Writer

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Author
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist

Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Book of a Musical

David Lindsay-Abaire, Kimberly Akimbo


winner
Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

David Lindsay-AbaireKimberly Akimbo

Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Lyrics

David Lindsay-Abaire, Kimberly Akimbo


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Best Musical

David Lindsay-AbaireKimberly Akimbo

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

David Lindsay-Abaire, Kimberly Akimbo

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Score

David Lindsay-AbaireKimberly Akimbo

Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Play

David Lindsay-Abaire, Good People

Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Play

David Lindsay-Abaire, Good People

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Book of a Musical

David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek The Musical

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek The Musical


winner
- 2008 - Most promising musical theatre lyricist

David Lindsay-Abaire

Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek the Musical

Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Lyrics

David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek the Musical


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 2007 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

David Lindsay-Abaire, Rabbit Hole

Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Play

David Lindsay-Abaire, Rabbit Hole

Helen Hayes Awards - 2001 - The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play

David Lindsay-AbaireWonder of the World

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2000 - John Gassner Playwriting Award

David Lindsay-Abaire, Fuddy Meers

Videos

News


KIMBERLY AKIMBO North American Tour Comes To Madison in February
by Stephi Wild - Jan 27, 2026

'Kimberly Akimbo,” winner of five 2023 Tony Awards including Best Musical and the most critically acclaimed musical of its season, will make its Madison premiere at Overture Center for the Arts.
Review: KIMBERLY AKIMBO at Kauffman Center
by Alan Portner - Jan 22, 2026

“Kimberly Akimbo” is a tiny, idiosyncratic musical with a cast of only nine actors that somehow manages to share the full Broadway experience with its opening night audience at Kansas City’s Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. 
Review: KIMBERLY AKIMBO is a Quirky Little Show with A Lot of Heart
by Lauren Gienow - Jan 20, 2026

Sunday night was the Toronto opening of the Canadian premiere of KIMBERLY AKIMBO – the 2023 Tony Award winner for Best Musical. Directed by Robert McQueen, this quirky musical boasts a fabulous cast and is chock full of heart. With an incredibly strong (and Tony Award Winning) book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, this musical weaves together comedy and drama in the same way that real life does. Offering performances that are both funny and heartbreaking, KIMBERLY AKIMBO is a very special show that is not to be missed.
COME FROM AWAY, 42ND STREET, and More Set For Sharon Playhouse 2026 Season
by Stephi Wild - Jan 20, 2026

Sharon Playhouse will present a diverse lineup for its 2026 season, including both mainstage and YouthStage productions, showcasing community talent and creativity.
Photos: SHREK THE MUSICAL at Shea's Smith Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 15, 2026

SHREK THE MUSICAL opens on January at the Shea’s Smith Theatre. Based on the DreamWorks animated film, this laugh-out-loud, heartwarming musical brings a fairy tale favorite to vibrant life on stage for audiences of all ages. Check out photos here!
KIMBERLY AKIMBO To Have East Lansing Premiere at Wharton Center
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 15, 2026

KIMBERLY AKIMBO, winner of five 2023 Tony Awards, including BEST MUSICAL and the most critically acclaimed musical of its season, will make its East Lansing premiere in Wharton Center's Cobb Great Hall from March 10-15, 2026.
Eric Price and Phillip Christian Smith Receive 2026 Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 13, 2026

The Kleban Foundation has announced the recipients of the 36th annual Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre. The winners are Eric Price and Phillip Christian Smith. Learn more here!
What's Coming to Broadway in 2026: Upcoming Hits and Star Performances
by Sidney Paterra - Jan 4, 2026

Check out a full list of what's to come on Broadway in 2026 including plays, musicals, revivals, new shows and of course - stars! Be sure to check back for updates. We have all of the details!
KIMBERLY AKIMBO Comes to Kansas City in January 2026
by Stephi Wild - Dec 30, 2025

The touring Broadway musical Kimberly Akimbo is scheduled to open in Kansas City in mid-January 2026 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, marking one of the first major performing arts events in the city’s new year.
SHREK THE MUSICAL Will Play Amsterdam With Happily Ever After Productions
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 30, 2025

Happily Ever After Productions will present SHREK THE MUSICAL in Amsterdam at Het Amsterdams Theaterhuis. The English-language production follows the company’s previous stagings of Broadway musicals including Heathers and Avenue Q. The engagement brings the Tony Award-winning musical to Dutch audiences in an intimate theatre setting.
SHREK THE MUSICAL Is Coming To the Shea's Smith Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 24, 2025

O'Connell & Company will present Shrek The Musical at the Shea's Smith Theatre. Shrek the Musical features book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori.
Review: SHREK is a Triumph of Filipino Artistry, Skill, and Theatrical Vision
by Gilbert Kim Sancha - Dec 13, 2025

Newport Performing Arts Theater has been transformed into a fantastical swamp teeming with color, laughter, and heart.
MSTW Reveals 2026 Summer Season
by Stephi Wild - Dec 9, 2025

Main Street Theatre Works has announced its 22nd Summer Season at the Kennedy Mine Amphitheatre in Jackson. Learn more about the two shows in the lineup here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has David Lindsay-Abaire written?

David Lindsay-Abaire has written 15 shows including Betty Boop Project (Bookwriter), My Man Godfrey (Bookwriter), Fuddy Meers (Playwright), Wonder of the World (Author), Kimberly Akimbo (Playwright), The 24 Hour Plays 2003 (Playwright), The 24 Hour Plays 2004 (Playwright), The 24 Hour Plays 2005 (Playwright), Rabbit Hole (Playwright), High Fidelity (Bookwriter), The 24 Hour Plays 2007 (Playwright), Good People (Playwright), Ripcord (Author), The Balusters (Writer), Shrek the Musical (Bookwriter).

What awards has David Lindsay-Abaire been nominated for?

Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Outstanding Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Kimberly Akimbo, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Good People, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Good People, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Shrek The Musical, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Shrek The Musical, Most promising musical theatre lyricist () for , Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Shrek the Musical , Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Shrek the Musical, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Rabbit Hole, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Rabbit Hole, The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play (Helen Hayes Awards) for Wonder of the World and John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Fuddy Meers .

What awards has David Lindsay-Abaire won?

David Lindsay-Abaire has won several prestigious awards, including the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Kimberly Akimbo and the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Kimberly Akimbo. He also received the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Kimberly Akimbo. Additionally, he was recognized as the Most Promising Musical Theatre Lyricist. Furthermore, Lindsay-Abaire was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Rabbit Hole.

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