Lynn Ahrens
Birth Place: New York, New York, USA
Photos: Go Inside RAGTIME's Tony Awards After Party (Jun 8, 2026)
Video: ANASTASIA at La Mirada Theatre First Look (Jun 8, 2026)
Videos: Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz Talk RAGTIME and the American Dream (Jun 8, 2026)
BIO
Lynn Ahrens' writing spans the Broadway stage, feature film and network television. She won the Tony Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards and received two Grammy nominations as lyricist of the
Broadway musical Ragtime; in the same year, she received two Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations and a Gold Record for Twentieth Century Fox's animated feature film Anastasia. She wrote book and lyrics for Seussical (Grammy nomination, one of the most performed shows in America); Once On This Island (London Olivier Award, Best Musical, Tony nominations for Best Book and Score); Lincoln Center Theater's The Glorious Ones (five Drama Desk nominations); Dessa Rose (Audelco Award, Best Musical, Outer Critics Circle nomination); A Christmas Carol (ten years at Madison Square Garden) and Lucky Stiff (Helen Hayes Award, Best Musical). She provided lyrics for My Favorite Year, A Man Of No Importance (Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Musical) and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, as well as lyrics for the feature film Camp. For television, she wrote the musical teleplay of A Christmas Carol (Hallmark Entertainment Special, NBC) and is a mainstay songwriter/ singer for the famed series Schoolhouse Rock (ABC-TV) and others. She has received the Emmy Award and four Emmy nominations. Her short stories
and essays have appeared nationally and have been nominated for the Best American Essays and Pushcart anthologies. She serves on the Dramatists Guild Council of America, co-chairs the Dramatists Guild Fellows Program, and is a member of AMPAS. 2008 marks her twenty-fifth year of collaboration with composer Stephen Flaherty.
Photos
STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Writing
Composer
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Conceiver
Bookwriter
Conceiver
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Awards and Nominations
Lynn AhrensAnastasia
Lynn Ahrens, The Glorious Ones
winner
Lynn Ahrens, A Man of No Importance
winner
Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime
winner
Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime
Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime
winner
Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime
Lynn Ahrens , Once on this Island
Lynn Ahrens , Once on this Island
Videos
Video: Kai Harada Reacts to His Tony Win for Best Sound Design of a Musical for RAGTIME
by Talking Tonys - 2026-06-07 22:34:11
Dillon Klena Takes on Dmitry in ANASTASIA at La Mirada Theatre
by Robert Diamond - 2026-06-07 11:31:52
Video: Watch La Mirada Theatre's ANASTASIA Star Lena Ceja Perform 'Journey to the Past'
by Michael Major - 2026-05-21 14:31:08
Video: Joshua Henry & Nichelle Lewis Perform 'Sarah Brown Eyes' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2026-05-20 10:29:12
Video: Watch Caissie Levy Record 'Back to Before' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2026-04-28 11:23:11
Video: Watch Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, & More Perform From RAGTIME at WNYC Event
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-17 16:02:37
Video: Brandon Uranowitz, Shaina Taub & More Record 'Success' From the RAGTIME Album
by Michael Major - 2026-04-15 12:18:26
Video: RAGTIME Stars Perform in the Union Square Subway Station
by Michael Major - 2026-04-10 17:00:04
Video: Watch the Cast of RAGTIME Record 'New Music' For Their Cast Album
by Michael Major - 2026-04-03 14:00:15
Video: Joshua Henry and RAGTIME Cast Perform 'Gettin' Ready Rag'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-03 11:33:52
Video: Joshua Henry Performs 'Make Them Hear You' From RAGTIME on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-02-16 14:10:05
Video: Joshua Henry, Shaina Taub, & Ben Levi Ross Record 'He Wanted to Say' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2026-02-06 12:30:02
Video: Jordan Donica Sings 'Goodbye, Old Girl' from DAMN YANKEES
by Joshua Wright - 2025-10-28 16:56:06
Exclusive: Rob McClure Sings 'Those Were The Good Old Days' from DAMN YANKEES
by Joshua Wright - 2025-10-28 14:18:06
Video: Cast of DAMN YANKEES Performs 'Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO'
by Joshua Wright - 2025-10-24 10:48:54
Video: SEUSSICAL Original Broadway Cast Reunites For 54 Below Concert Rehearsals
by Michael Major - 2025-10-20 13:35:45
Joshua Henry Receives Emotional Note From Brian Stokes Mitchell on RAGTIME Opening
by Michael Major - 2025-10-20 11:28:25
News
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 8, 2026
Ragtime celebrated their Tony Award wins for Best Sound Design of a Musical, Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. See photos!
by Joshua Wright - Jun 8, 2026
La Mirada Theatre released a new video offering a look inside its upcoming production of ANASTASIA The Musical, which is scheduled to run for several weeks in summer 2026.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 8, 2026
Ahead of the Tony Awards, CBS Sunday Morning showcased the Broadway revival of Ragtime, with an interview with Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz, as well as lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty. Check out the videos here!
by Talking Tonys - Jun 8, 2026
Joshua Henry took home a Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Ragtime. After leaving the stage at Radio City Music Hall, he checked in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to share his initial reaction!
by Talking Tonys - Jun 7, 2026
Caissie Levy took home a Tony Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Ragtime. After leaving the stage at Radio City Music Hall, she checked in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to share her initial reaction!
by Talking Tonys - Jun 7, 2026
At the 79th Annual Tony Awards, Kai Harada took home a Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Musical for Ragtime. After leaving the stage at Radio City Music Hall, he checked in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to share his initial reaction!
by Robert Diamond - Jun 7, 2026
Dillon Klena has been cast as Dmitry in La Mirada Theatre's upcoming production of ANASTASIA, the musical based on the beloved story of the Russian grand duchess.
by Luka Vonier - Jun 6, 2026
Watch as we talk to Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime), Kevin McCollum and Tim Johanson (Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)), Christ Jennings and Nicki Hunter (The Balusters), Daryl Roth and Rachel Sussman (Liberation), and Megan O'Keefe and Micah Frank (Schmigadoon!).
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 7, 2026
Yesterday they were just nominees, but now... they're winners! BroadwayWorld is backstage at Radio City Music Hall for the 79th Annual Tony Awards and we've got photos of all the evening's winners.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 4, 2026
You can now see photos and videos from The Entertainment Community Fund's Annual Gala on Monday, June 1, 2026 in New York City, which raised $1.8 million to support their programs and services.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 1, 2026
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics kicked off Pride Month by bestowing Prince Faggot and Ragtime top honors in the group’s fourth annual Dorian Theater Awards.
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 1, 2026
Tony nominees Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis stopped by Good Morning America on Monday to perform 'Wheels of a Dream' from the hit Broadway revival of Ragtime. Watch the powerhouse duo perform the beloved musical number now.
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2026
Pittsburgh CLO will celebrate its 80th anniversary with a gala on June 12 at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. The event will honor Carol Hefren Tillotson and feature a special anniversary concert highlighting the organization's history.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 7, 2026
Joshua Henry has won the 2026 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Ragtime.
by Stephi Wild - May 27, 2026
The Off Broadway Alliance has announced the winners of the 15th Annual Off-Broadway Alliance Awards, including Mexodus, Cold War Choir Practice, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and more. Checkout the full list here!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - May 27, 2026
The New Dramatists Annual Spring Luncheon, honoring multi-award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, was held in the Broadway Ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis. Check out photos here!
by Stephi Wild - May 26, 2026
The Stage Door Foundation's NEW NEXT NOW series announced directors for three industry readings of original musicals, with Schele Williams, Billie Aken-Tyers, and Jesca Prudencio each helming a new work.
by Michael Major - May 21, 2026
La Mirada Theatre has released new video footage of Lena Ceja rehearsing 'Journey to the Past' from their upcoming production of Anastasia. The production features Dillon Klena as Dmitry, a role first played on Broadway by his brother Derek Klena.
by Adela González Pérez - May 21, 2026
Las grandes producciones, regresos históricos y experiencias inmersivas que definen la cartelera estival en las tres capitales del teatro musical.
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2026
Pittsburgh Public Theater has terminated all of its staff as the merger with Pittsburgh CLO proceeds. Between 9 and 12 staff members were told that their positions have been eliminated and they were to prepare to leave the same day.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Lynn Ahrens has written 17 shows including Lucky Stiff (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Once On This Island (Bookwriter), My Favorite Year (Lyricist), A Christmas Carol (Lyricist), Ragtime (Lyricist), Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart (Lyricist), Seussical (Conceiver), A Man of No Importance (Lyricist), Dessa Rose (Lyricist), Chef's Theater: A Musical Feast (Songs), Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Lyricist), The Glorious Ones (Lyricist), Rocky (Lyricist), In Your Arms (Title Song Lyrics), Anastasia (Lyricist), Marie, Dancing Still (Bookwriter & Lyricist), Knoxville (Lyricist).
Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Anastasia, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Glorious Ones, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for A Man of No Importance, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Ragtime, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Ragtime, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Once on this Island and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Once on this Island.
Lynn Ahrens has won several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for A Man of No Importance and Ragtime. Additionally, she received the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Ragtime.
Videos
