Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical

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Awarded forOutstanding Production of a Musical
LocationNew York City
CountryUnited States
Presented byDrama League
Drama League Award
for Outstanding Production of a Musical
Awarded forOutstanding Production of a Musical
LocationNew York City
CountryUnited States
Presented byDrama League
First award1996
Currently held byMaybe Happy Ending (2025)
Websitedramaleague.org

The Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical is a theater award presented annually since 1996 by The Drama League for the most outstanding new musical of the theater season.[1]

Stephen Sondheim is the writer/composer with the most wins, winning three, followed closely by David Yazbek, Scott Wittman, Marc Shaiman and Harvey Fierstein with two each. Jeanine Tesori holds the record for most nominations (and most nominations without a win) with eight.

Several shows have been nominated multiple times in consecutive years, including Hamilton, Fun Home, A Strange Loop, Six and Dear Evan Hansen.

1990s

Year Production Bookwriter Composer Ref.
1996 Rent Jonathan Larson [2][3]
Bed and Sofa Laurence Klavan Polly Pen and Laurence Klavan
Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk Reg E. Gaines Reg E. Gaines, George C. Wolfe, Ann Duquesnay and Daryl Waters
Chronicle of a Death Foretold Graciela Daniele, Jim Lewis and Michael John LaChiusa Bob Telson, Graciela Daniele, Jim Lewis and Michael John LaChiusa
State Fair Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Victor/Victoria Blake Edwards Henry Mancini, Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse
1997 The Life David Newman, Ira Gasman and Cy Coleman Ira Gasman and Cy Coleman [4][5]
Play On! Cheryl L. West Duke Ellington and Various
Steel Pier David Thompson John Kander and Fred Ebb
Titanic Peter Stone Maury Yeston
Violet Brian Crawley Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley
1998 Ragtime Terrence McNally Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens [6][7]
The Scarlet Pimpernel Nan Knighton Nan Knighton and Frank Wildhorn
Side Show Bill Russell Bill Russell and Henry Krieger
The Lion King Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi Elton John and Tim Rice
Triumph of Love James Magruder Susan Birkenhead and Jeffrey Stock
The Last Session Jim Brochu Steve Schalchlin, John Bettis and Marie Cain
Hedwig and the Angry Inch John Cameron Mitchell Stephen Trask
1999 Fosse Various [8]

2000s

Year Production Bookwriter Composer Ref.
2000 Contact John Weidman Various [9][10]
Aida Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls and David Henry Hwang Elton John and Tim Rice
James Joyce's The Dead Richard Nelson Shaun Davey and Richard Nelson
Kat and the Kings David Kramer Taliep Petersen and David Kramer
Swing! Paul Kelly Various
The Wild Party George C. Wolfe and Michael John LaChiusa Michael John LaChiusa
The Wild Party Andrew Lippa
2001 The Producers Mel Brooks [11][12]
Bat Boy Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming Laurence O'Keefe
Seussical Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens
Suburb David Javerbaum and Robert Cohen
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Ken Ludwig Don Schlitz
The Full Monty Terrence McNally David Yazbek
2002 Urinetown Greg Kotis Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis [13][14]
Thoroughly Modern Millie Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan Dick Scanlan and Jeanine Tesori
Sweet Smell of Success John Guare Marvin Hamlisch and Craig Carnelia
Mamma Mia! Catherine Johnson Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
The Spitfire Grill James Valcq and Fred Alley
The Streets of New York Barry Alan Grael Barry Alan Grael and Richard B. Chodosh
Swimming with Watermelons Diane Paulus, Randy Weiner and Project 40
2003 Hairspray Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman [15][16]
Movin' Out Various Billy Joel
A Year With Frog and Toad Willie Reale Willie Reale and Robert Reale
My Life with Albertine Richard Nelson Ricky Ian Gordon and Richard Nelson
Cookin' at the Cookery Marion J. Caffey
Amour Jeremy Sams Michel Legrand and Jeremy Sams
Avenue Q Jeff Whitty Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
2004 Wicked Winnie Holzman Stephen Schwartz [17][18]
Caroline, or Change Tony Kushner Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori
Johnny Guitar Nicholas van Hoogstraten Martin Silvestri and Joel Higgins
Never Gonna Dance Jeffrey Hatcher Jerome Kern and Various[19]
Taboo Mark Davies Markham and Charles Busch Boy George, Kevan Frost, John Themis and Richie Stevens
Bombay Dreams Meera Syal and Thomas Meehan A. R. Rahman and Don Black
2005 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Jeffrey Lane David Yazbek [20][21]
Altar Boyz Kevin del Aguila Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker
The Frogs Burt Shevelove and Nathan Lane Stephen Sondheim
Ghetto Superstar Billy Porter
The Light in the Piazza Craig Lucas Adam Guettel
The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) Joanne Bogart and Eric Rockwell
Spamalot Eric Idle John Du Prez and Eric Idle
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Rachel Sheinkin William Finn
2006 Jersey Boys Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice Various [22][23]
The Color Purple Marsha Norman Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray
The Drowsy Chaperone Bob Martin and Don McKellar Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
Grey Gardens Doug Wright Scott Frankel and Michael Korie
title of show Hunter Bell Jeff Bowen
See What I Wanna See Michael John LaChiusa
The Wedding Singer Tim Herlihy and Chad Beguelin Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar
2007 Spring Awakening Steven Sater Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik [24][25]
In the Heights Quiara Alegría Hudes Lin-Manuel Miranda
Legally Blonde Heather Hach Nell Benjamin and Laurence O'Keefe
Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me Martin Short
Mary Poppins Julian Fellowes Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe
Curtains Rupert Holmes John Kander, Fred Ebb and Rupert Holmes
2008 A Catered Affair Steven Sater Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik [26][27]
The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island (or the Friends of Dr. Rushower) Ben Katchor Ben Katchor and Mark Mulcahy
Xanadu Douglas Carter Beane Jeff Lynne and John Farrar
Adding Machine Jason Loewith and Joshua Schmidt
Young Frankenstein Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan Mel Brooks
Cry-Baby Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan David Javerbaum and Adam Schlesinger
Next to Normal Brian Yorkey Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt
Passing Strange Stew Stew and Heidi Rodewald
2009 Billy Elliot Lee Hall Lee Hall and Elton John [28][29]
9 to 5 Patricia Resnick Dolly Parton
This Beautiful City Steve Cosson and Jim Lewis Michael Friedman
Road Show John Weidman Stephen Sondheim
Fela! Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis Fela Kuti
Liza's at The Palace.... Liza Minnelli John Kander, Fred Ebb and Various
The Marvelous Wonderettes Roger Bean Various
Rock of Ages Chris D'Arienzo Various
Shrek the Musical David Lindsay-Abaire David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori
The Toxic Avenger Joe DiPietro Joe DiPietro and David Bryan

2010s

Year Production Bookwriter Composer Ref.
2010 Sondheim on Sondheim Various Stephen Sondheim [30][31]
Brief Encounter John Caird André Previn
Come Fly Away Twyla Tharp Various
Memphis Joe DiPietro David Bryan and Joe DiPietro
Million Dollar Quartet Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux Various
The Scottsboro Boys David Thompson John Kander and Fred Ebb
The Addams Family Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice Andrew Lippa
American Idiot Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer Green Day and Billie Joe Armstrong
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Alex Timbers Michael Friedman
2011 The Book of Mormon Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone [32][33]
The People in the Picture Iris Rainer Dart Iris Rainer Dart, Mike Stoller and Artie Butler
Priscilla Queen of the Desert Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott Various
Sister Act Cheri Steinkellner and Bill Steinkellner Alan Menken and Glenn Slater
In Transit Kristen Anderson-Lopez, James-Allen Ford, Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth
Elf Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin
Catch Me If You Can Terrence McNally Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
2012 Once Various Stephen Sondheim [34][35]
Newsies Harvey Fierstein Alan Menken and Jack Feldman
Leap of Faith Janus Cercone and Warren Leight Alan Menken and Glenn Slater
Queen of the Mist Michael John LaChiusa
Ghost Bruce Joel Rubin Dave Stewart, Glen Ballard and Bruce Joel Rubin
Nice Work If You Can Get It Joe DiPietro George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin
Mission Drift TEAM, Heather Christian and Sarah Gancher Heather Christian
2013 Kinky Boots Harvey Fierstein Cyndi Lauper [36][37]
Murder Ballad Julia Jordan Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 Dave Malloy
Dogfight Peter Duchan Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Here Lies Love David Byrne and Fatboy Slim
Matilda Dennis Kelly Tim Minchin
Motown Berry Gordy Various
2014 A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Robert L. Freedman Steven Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman [38][39]
The Bridges of Madison County Marsha Norman Jason Robert Brown
Aladdin Chad Beguelin Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Douglas McGrath Various
Bullets Over Broadway Woody Allen Various
Fun Home Lisa Kron Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori
Murder for Two Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian
Rocky Thomas Meehan and Sylvester Stallone Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens
After Midnight Various
2015 An American in Paris Craig Lucas George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin [40][41]
Something Rotten! Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick
The Visit Terrence McNally John Kander and Fred Ebb
Fun Home Lisa Kron Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori
Ghost Quartet Dave Malloy
Hamilton Lin-Manuel Miranda
Finding Neverland Allan Knee and James Graham Scott Frankel, Gary Barlow, Eliot Kennedy and Michael Korie
It Shoulda Been You Brian Hargrove Barbara Anselmi and Brian Hargrove
2016 Hamilton Lin-Manuel Miranda [42][43]
On Your Feet! Alexander Dinelaris Jr. Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine
American Psycho Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa Duncan Sheik
Iowa Jenny Schwartz and Todd Almond
Bright Star Steve Martin Steve Martin and Edie Brickell
Dear Evan Hansen Steven Levenson Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Futurity César Alvarez and Molly Rice César Alvarez
Tuck Everlasting Claudia Shear and Tim Federle Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen
Waitress Jessie Nelson Sara Bareilles
School of Rock Julian Fellowes Andrew Lloyd Webber and Glenn Slater
2017 Dear Evan Hansen Steven Levenson Benj Pasek and Justin Paul [44][45]
Groundhog Day Danny Rubin Tim Minchin
Come from Away Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Anastasia Terrence McNally Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens
Amélie Craig Lucas Daniel Messé and Nathan Tysen
War Paint Doug Wright Scott Frankel and Michael Korie
Bandstand Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor
Hadestown Anaïs Mitchell
Ride the Cyclone Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 Dave Malloy
2018 The Band's Visit Itamar Moses David Yazbek [46][47]
Bella: An American Tall Tale Kirsten Childs
Frozen Jennifer Lee Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
Hundred Days The Bengsons and Sarah Gancher The Bengsons
Woody Sez Woody Guthrie
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Colman Domingo, Robert Cary and Des McAnuff Various
Mean Girls Tina Fey Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin
KPOP Jason Kim Helen Park and Max Vernon
SpongeBob SquarePants Kyle Jarrow Various
2019 Hadestown Anaïs Mitchell [48][49]
Beetlejuice Scott Brown and Anthony King Eddie Perfect
Be More Chill Joe Tracz Joe Iconis
The Cher Show Rick Elice Various
Ain't Too Proud Dominique Morisseau The Legendary Motown Catalog
The Hello Girls Peter C. Mills and Cara Reichel Peter C. Mills
Tootsie Robert Horn David Yazbek
Head Over Heels Jeff Whitty and James Magruder The Go-Go's
King Kong Jack Thorne Marius de Vries and Eddie Perfect
The Prom Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin
Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future Andrew R. Butler

2020s

Year Production Bookwriter Composer Ref.
2020 Moulin Rouge! Various Stephen Sondheim [50][51]
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins Tina Turner
Six Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss
Girl from the North Country Conor McPherson Bob Dylan
Jagged Little Pill Diablo Cody Alanis Morissette, Glen Ballard, Michael Farrell and Guy Sigsworth
Octet Dave Malloy
The Secret Life of Bees Lynn Nottage Duncan Sheik and Susan Birkenhead
Sing Street Enda Walsh Gary Clark and John Carney
Soft Power David Henry Hwang David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori
A Strange Loop Michael R. Jackson
2021 No awards: New York theatres shuttered, March 2020 to September 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City [52]
2022 A Strange Loop Michael R. Jackson [53][54]
Mr. Saturday Night Billy Crystal, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel Jason Robert Brown and Amanda Green
Oratorio for Living Things Heather Christian
Six Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss
American Utopia David Byrne
Suffs Shaina Taub
The Hang Taylor Mac Various
Mrs. Doubtfire Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick
Kimberly Akimbo David Lindsay-Abaire David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori
MJ Lynn Nottage Various
2023 Some Like It Hot Matthew López and Amber Ruffin Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman [55][56]
& Juliet David West Read Max Martin and Various
Titanique Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli Various
White Girl in Danger Michael R. Jackson
Dreaming Zenzile Somi Kakoma
Shucked Robert Horn Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally
A Beautiful Noise Anthony McCarten Neil Diamond and Various
Wuthering Heights Bernard J. Taylor
New York, New York David Thompson and Sharon Washington John Kander, Fred Ebb and Lin-Manuel Miranda
2024 Hell's Kitchen Kristoffer Diaz Alicia Keys and Others [57][58]
Lempicka Matt Gould and Carson Kreitzer
The Heart of Rock and Roll Jonathan Abrams and Tyler Mitchell Huey Lewis and the News
Harmony Bruce Sussman Bruce Sussman and Barry Manilow
Dead Outlaw Itamar Moses David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna
Buena Vista Social Club Marco Ramirez Various
Teeth Anna K. Jacobs and Michael R. Jackson
Suffs Shaina Taub
The Outsiders Adam Rapp and Justin Levine Jonathan Clay, Zach Chance and Justin Levine
The Notebook Bekah Brunstetter Ingrid Michaelson
Illinoise Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury Sufjan Stevens
Water for Elephants Rick Elice PigPen Theatre Co.
2025 Maybe Happy Ending Hue Park and Will Aronson [59][60]
[61]
Operation Mincemeat David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts
Macbeth in Stride Whitney White
Just in Time Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver Various
Drag: The Musical Tomas Costanza, Justin Andrew Honard and Ash Gordon
Death Becomes Her Marco Pennette Julia Mattison and Noel Carey
Dead Outlaw Itamar Moses David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna
Buena Vista Social Club Marco Ramirez Various
Boop! The Musical Bob Martin David Foster and Susan Birkenhead
Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne and Mary Rodgers
Real Women Have Curves Lisa Loomer and Nell Benjamin Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez
Smash Rick Elice and Bob Martin Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
2026 Beaches Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas Mike Stoller and Iris Rainer Dart [62]
Beau the Musical Douglas Lyons Douglas Lyons and Ethan D. Pakchar
Bigfoot! Amber Ruffin and Kevin Sciretta David Schmoll and Amber Ruffin
The Lost Boys David Hornsby and Chris Hoch The Rescues
Mexodus Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson
My Joy is Heavy The Bengsons
Night Side Songs The Lazours and Taibi Magar
Saturday Church Damon Cardasis and James Ijames Sia and Honey Dijon
Schmigadoon! Cinco Paul
The Seat of Our Pants Ethan Lipton
Titanique Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli Various
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) Kit Buchan Jim Barne and Kit Buchan

Artists with multiple wins

Artists with multiple nominations

References

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