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Michael R. Jackson Headshot

Michael R. Jackson

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BIO

The 2020 Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics’ Circle–winning A Strange Loop (which had its 2019 world premiere at Playwrights Horizons in association with Page 73 Productions) was called “a full-on laparoscopy of the heart, soul, and loins” and a “gutsy, jubilantly anguished musical with infectious melodies” by Ben Brantley for The New York Times. In The New Yorker, Vinson Cunningham wrote, “To watch this show is to enter, by some urgent, bawdy magic, an ecstatic and infinitely more colorful version of the famous surreal lithograph by M. C. Escher: the hand that lifts from the page, becoming almost real, then draws another hand, which returns the favor.” In addition to A Strange Loop, he wrote book, music, and lyrics for White Girl in Danger. Awards and associations include a New Professional Theatre Festival Award, a Jonathan Larson Grant, a Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award, an ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Award, a Whiting Award, the Helen Merrill Award for Playwriting, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk Award, an Obie Award, an Antonyo Award, a Fred Ebb Award, a Windham-Campbell Prize, and a Dramatists Guild Fellowship. He is an alum of Page 73’s Interstate 73 Writers Group.

Photos

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Book
Lyrics
 
[West End, 2023]
Book, Music & Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 2022] [Replacement]
Writer[Replacement]
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Vocal Arranger

Writing

Book
Music
Lyrics
Book & Lyrics

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Michael R. Jackson, Teeth

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Lyrics

Michael R. Jackson, Teeth

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Michael R. JacksonTeeth

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lyrics

Michael R. Jackson, White Girl in Danger

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Music

Michael R. Jackson, White Girl in Danger


winner
Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Book of a Musical

Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Lyrics

Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop

Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Music

Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Best Musical

Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop


winner
Obie Awards - 2020 - Playwriting Award

Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop


winner
Obie Awards - 2020 - Special Citation

Michael R. JacksonA Strange Loop


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding New Score

Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 2020 - Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop

Videos

News


PORTRAITS IN SONG At Rhode Island College's Sapinsley Hall Ticket Registration Open
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 27, 2026

Join GRAMMY-winning baritone Will Liverman, soprano Kiera Duffy, and pianist Judith Lynn Stillman for 'Portraits in Song,' a free recital at Rhode Island College on March 1.
Spotlight: COMPLICATIONS IN SUE at Academy of Music
by BWW Special Offer - Jan 27, 2026

Don’t miss Michael R. Jackson’s Operatic Debut! Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop) makes his operatic debut with Opera Philadelphia this February at the Academy of Music, bringing his “provocative mix of high-mindedness and low satire” (The New York Times) to a new scale.
Dunaway Gardens Foundation Launches Inaugural Playwright Lab In Georgia
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 22, 2026

Dunaway Gardens in Newnan, GA, will present its first-ever Playwright Lab in 2026, aiming to support new theatrical works and emerging playwrights.
Angie Schworer, Lauren Lopez, And Marcus M. Martin To Star In Industry Reading of New Mockumentary Play PRAIRIE PARK
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 6, 2026

Prairie Park, a new mockumentary play by T.J. Pieffer, will be presented in  an invitation-only industry reading on Friday, January 9, 2026, produced by Pipe Dream in  association with Davenport Theatrical Enterprises. 
Feature: Ilana Lucas Picks the Top Toronto Theatre 2025
by Ilana Lucas - Jan 5, 2026

In a world where AI increasingly tries to consume and simulate real human experiences, theatre sometimes feels like one of the last gasps of being in a room together. When we watch a show with others, respiration synchronizes, empathy increases, and information retention improves. It’s one of my favourite feelings.
Works & Process to Present Opera Philadelphia COMPLICATIONS IN SUE by Michael R. Jackson
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 18, 2025

Works & Process will present Opera Philadelphia for a preview performance of Complications in Sue by Michael R. Jackson. This preview of Complications in Sue shows how one librettist, one actor, four singers, and ten composers joined forces.
TEETH The Musical Will Make New Jersey Premiere in 2026
by Stephi Wild - Dec 15, 2025

 Asbury Park Theater Company has announced their full lineup of 7 productions for the 2026 season. Under the Producing Artistic Direction of Anthony D’Amato, the company will present the New Jersey premiere of TEETH the musical.
Opera Philadelphia Will Premiere COMPLICATIONS IN SUE With Music By Ten Composers In February 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 11, 2025

Opera Philadelphia will unveil COMPLICATIONS IN SUE, a new opera by Pulitzer and Tony winner Michael R. Jackson, at the Academy of Music in February 2026. Inspired by an idea from Justin Vivian Bond and scored by ten composers.
Anna K Jacobs to Offer Master Class Through Theatre Now's Industry Nights Series
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 9, 2025

Award-winning composer, lyricist and librettist Anna K. Jacobs (Teeth, POP!) will offer a Master Class on Monday, December 15th at 6:30pm as part of Theatre Now New York's Industry Nights.
Photos: Inside the 2025 Fred Ebb Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 4, 2025

The Fred Ebb Foundation presented the 21st annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to the team of Sophie Boyce and Veronica Mansour. Go inside the event in new photos.
Theatre Communications Group To Publish TEETH, The Musical Satire By Michael R. Jackson And Anna K. Jacobs
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2025

Theatre Communications Group has announced the forthcoming publication of Teeth, the darkly hilarious and incisive musical by Michael R. Jackson (Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner for A Strange Loop) and Anna K. Jacobs (Jonathan Larson and Billie Burke Ziegfeld Award–winning composer, lyricist, and book writer).
Photos: MTC's QUEENS Opening Night Curtain Call and Party
by Bruce Glikas - Nov 6, 2025

Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting the Off-Broadway production of Queens, by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, and directed by Trip Cullman. See photos of Julia Lester, Marin Ireland, Anna Chlumsky and more at the opening night curtain call and after party!
Laila Drew, Allyson Tucker and More Join Theatre Now's ASTONISHING! GALA 2025
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 5, 2025

Laila Drew and Allyson Tucker are among the names added to the list of performers for Theatre Now's 'Astonishing! Gala 2025', which will honor Mindi Dickstein, Anna K. Jacobs and Lisa Lambert.
Photos: Drew Droege's MESSY WHITE GAYS Opens Off-Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 3, 2025

Messy White Gays, the brutal new satire from the mind of Drew Droege, celebrated its opening night at The Duke on 42nd Street, followed by a party at the West Bank Café. See photos here!
Sophie Boyce and Veronica Mansour to Receive the 21st Annual Fred Ebb Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 3, 2025

The Fred Ebb Foundation will present the 21st annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to the team of Sophie Boyce & Veronica Mansour.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Michael R. Jackson been nominated for?

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Teeth, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Teeth, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Teeth, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for White Girl in Danger, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for White Girl in Danger, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for A Strange Loop, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for A Strange Loop, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for A Strange Loop, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for A Strange Loop, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for A Strange Loop, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for A Strange Loop, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for A Strange Loop, Playwriting Award (Obie Awards) for A Strange Loop, Special Citation (Obie Awards) for A Strange Loop, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Strange Loop, Outstanding New Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Strange Loop and Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for A Strange Loop.

What awards has Michael R. Jackson won?

Michael R. Jackson has received numerous prestigious awards for A Strange Loop. These include the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical, the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Book of a Musical and Outstanding Lyrics, and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. He has also won the Obie Awards' Playwriting Award and a Special Citation. Additionally, Jackson earned the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Book of a Musical and Outstanding New Score. Most notably, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for A Strange Loop.

How many shows has Michael R. Jackson written?

Michael R. Jackson has written 2 shows including White Girl in Danger (Book), Teeth (Book & Lyrics).

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Videos