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Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical

American Broadway theatre award


Summary

American Broadway theatre award

FieldValue
nameTony Award for
Best Book of a Musical
awarded_forBest Book of a Musical
presenterAmerican Theatre Wing The Broadway League
locationUnited States New York City
holderWill Aronson and Hue Park for Maybe Happy Ending (2025)
websiteTonyAwards.com

Best Book of a Musical The Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical is awarded to librettists of the spoken, non-sung dialogue, and storyline of a musical play. Eligibility is restricted to works with original narrative framework; plotless revues and revivals are ineligible. This award was originally called the Tony Award for Best Author, until musicals were split off from dramas.

Winners and nominees

1940s

YearProductionAuthor
1949
(3rd)
Kiss Me, KateBella and Samuel Spewack

1950s

YearProductionAuthor
1950
(4th)
South PacificOscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan

1960s

YearProductionAuthor
1962
(16th)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingAbe Burrows, Willie Gilbert and Jack Weinstock
Carnival!Helen Deutsch and Michael Stewart
1963
(17th)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumLarry Gelbart and Burt Shevelove
Little MeNeil Simon
Oliver!Lionel Bart
Stop the World – I Want to Get OffLeslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
1964
(18th)
Hello, Dolly!Michael Stewart
The Girl Who Came to SupperNoël Coward and Harry Kurnitz
High SpiritsTimothy Gray and Hugh Martin
She Loves MeJoe Masteroff
1965
(19th)
Fiddler on the RoofJoseph Stein
Baker StreetJerome Coopersmith
Ben Franklin in ParisSidney Michaels
Half a SixpenceBeverley Cross

1970s

YearProductionAuthor
1971
(25th)
CompanyGeorge Furth
The Me Nobody KnowsRobert H. Livingston and Herb Schapiro
The RothschildsSherman Yellen
1972
(26th)
Two Gentlemen of VeronaJohn Guare and Mel Shapiro
Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural DeathMelvin Van Peebles
FolliesJames Goldman
GreaseWarren Casey and Jim Jacobs
1973
(27th)
A Little Night MusicHugh Wheeler
Don't Bother Me, I Can't CopeMicki Grant
Don't Play Us CheapMelvin Van Peebles
PippinRoger O. Hirson
1974
(28th)
CandideHugh Wheeler
RaisinRobert Nemiroff and Charlotte Zaltzberg
SeesawMichael Bennett
1975
(29th)
ShenandoahJames Lee Barrett, Philip Rose and Peter Udell
The LieutenantGene Curty, Nitra Scharfman and Chuck Strand
Mack and MabelMichael Stewart
The WizWilliam F. Brown
1976
(30th)
A Chorus LineNicholas Dante and James Kirkwood Jr.
ChicagoFred Ebb and Bob Fosse
Pacific OverturesJohn Weidman
The Robber BridegroomAlfred Uhry
1977
(31st)
AnnieThomas Meehan
Happy EndMichael Feingold and Elisabeth Hauptmann
I Love My WifeMichael Stewart
Your Arms Too Short to Box with GodVinnette Justine Carroll
1978
(32nd)
On the Twentieth CenturyBetty Comden and Adolph Green
A History of the American FilmChristopher Durang
RunawaysElizabeth Swados
WorkingStephen Schwartz
1979
(33rd)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetHugh Wheeler
BallroomJerome Kass
The Best Little Whorehouse in TexasLarry L. King and Peter Masterson
They're Playing Our SongNeil Simon

1980s

YearProductionAuthor
1980
(34th)
EvitaTim Rice
BarnumMark Bramble
A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the UkraineDick Vosburgh
Sugar BabiesRalph G. Allen and Harry Rigby
1981
(35th)
Woman of the YearPeter Stone
42nd StreetMark Bramble and Michael Stewart
TintypesMary Kyte
The Moony Shapiro SongbookJulian More and Monty Norman
1982
(36th)
DreamgirlsTom Eyen
The FirstMartin Charnin and Joel Siegel
NineArthur Kopit
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatTim Rice
1983
(37th)
CatsT. S. Eliot
A Doll's LifeBetty Comden and Adolph Green
MerlinRichard Levinson and William Link
My One and OnlyTimothy S. Mayer and Peter Stone
1984
(38th)
La Cage aux FollesHarvey Fierstein
BabySybille Pearson
Sunday in the Park with GeorgeJames Lapine
The Tap Dance KidCharles Blackwell
1985
(39th)
Big RiverWilliam Hauptman
GrindFay Kanin
Harrigan 'N HartMichael Stewart
QuiltersBarbara Damashek and Molly Newman
1986
(40th)
The Mystery of Edwin DroodRupert Holmes
Big DealBob Fosse
Singin' in the RainBetty Comden and Adolph Green
Wind in the WillowsJane Iredale
1987
(41st)
Les MisérablesAlain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg
Me and My GirlStephen Fry, Douglas Furber, Mike Ockrent and L. Arthur Rose
RagsJoseph Stein
SmileHoward Ashman
1988
(42nd)
Into the WoodsJames Lapine
The Gospel at ColonusLee Breuer
The Phantom of the OperaRichard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Romance/RomanceBarry Harman

1990s

YearProductionAuthor
1990
(44th)
City of AngelsLarry Gelbart
Aspects of LoveAndrew Lloyd Webber
Grand HotelLuther Davis
Meet Me in St. LouisHugh Wheeler
1991
(45th)
The Secret GardenMarsha Norman
Miss SaigonAlain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg
Once on This IslandLynn Ahrens
The Will Rogers FolliesPeter Stone
1992
(46th)
FalsettosWilliam Finn and James Lapine
Crazy for YouKen Ludwig
Five Guys Named MoeClarke Peters
Jelly's Last JamGeorge C. Wolfe
1993
(47th)
Kiss of the Spider WomanTerrence McNally
Anna KareninaPeter Kellogg
Blood BrothersWilly Russell
The Who's TommyDes McAnuff and Pete Townshend
1994
(48th)
PassionJames Lapine
Beauty and the BeastLinda Woolverton
Cyrano: The MusicalKoen van Dijk
A Grand Night for SingingWalter Bobbie
1995
(49th)
Sunset BoulevardDon Black and Christopher Hampton
1996
(50th)
RentJonathan Larson
BigJohn Weidman
Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da FunkReg E. Gaines
Chronicle of a Death ForetoldGraciela Daniele, Michael John LaChiusa and Jim Lewis
1997
(51st)
TitanicPeter Stone
Jekyll & HydeLeslie Bricusse
The LifeCy Coleman, Ira Gasman and David Newman
Steel PierDavid Thompson
1998
(52nd)
RagtimeTerrence McNally
The Lion KingRoger Allers and Irene Mecchi
The Scarlet PimpernelNan Knighton
Side ShowBill Russell
1999
(53rd)
ParadeAlfred Uhry
FootlooseWalter Bobbie and Dean Pitchford
It Ain't Nothin' but the BluesCharles Bevel, Lita Gaithers, Randal Myler, Ron Taylor and Dan Wheetman
MarlenePam Gems

2000s

YearProductionAuthor
2000
(54th)
James Joyce's The DeadRichard Nelson
ContactJohn Weidman
Marie ChristineMichael John LaChiusa
The Wild PartyMichael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe
2001
(55th)
The ProducersMel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
A Class ActLinda Kline and Lonny Price
The Full MontyTerrence McNally
Jane EyreJohn Caird
2002
(56th)
UrinetownGreg Kotis
Mamma Mia!Catherine Johnson
Sweet Smell of SuccessJohn Guare
Thoroughly Modern MillieRichard Morris and Dick Scanlan
2003
(57th)
HairsprayThomas Meehan and Mark O'Donnell
AmourJeremy Sams and Didier Van Cauwelaert
Flower Drum SongDavid Henry Hwang
A Year with Frog and ToadWillie Reale
2004
(58th)
Avenue QJeff Whitty
The Boy from OzNick Enright and Martin Sherman
Caroline, or ChangeTony Kushner
WickedWinnie Holzman
2005
(59th)
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling BeeRachel Sheinkin
Dirty Rotten ScoundrelsJeffrey Lane
The Light in the PiazzaCraig Lucas
Monty Python's SpamalotEric Idle
2006
(60th)
The Drowsy ChaperoneBob Martin and Don McKellar
The Color PurpleMarsha Norman
Jersey BoysMarshall Brickman and Rick Elice
The Wedding SingerChad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy
2007
(61st)
Spring AwakeningSteven Sater
CurtainsRupert Holmes and Peter Stone
Grey GardensDoug Wright
Legally BlondeHeather Hach
2008
(62nd)
Passing StrangeStew
Cry-BabyMark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan
In the HeightsQuiara Alegría Hudes
XanaduDouglas Carter Beane
2009
(63rd)
Billy Elliot the MusicalLee Hall
Next to NormalBrian Yorkey
Shrek the MusicalDavid Lindsay-Abaire
[title of show]Hunter Bell

2010s

YearProductionAuthor
2010
(64th)
MemphisJoe DiPietro
Everyday RaptureDick Scanlan and Sherie Rene Scott
Fela!Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis
Million Dollar QuartetColin Escott and Floyd Mutrux
2011
(65th)
The Book of MormonTrey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone
Bloody Bloody Andrew JacksonAlex Timbers
The Scottsboro BoysDavid Thompson
Sister ActDouglas Carter Beane, Bill and Cheri Steinkellner
2012
(66th)
OnceEnda Walsh
Lysistrata JonesDouglas Carter Beane
NewsiesHarvey Fierstein
Nice Work If You Can Get ItJoe DiPietro
2013
(67th)
Matilda the MusicalDennis Kelly
A Christmas Story: The MusicalJoseph Robinette
Kinky BootsHarvey Fierstein
Rodgers + Hammerstein's CinderellaDouglas Carter Beane
2014
(68th)
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and MurderRobert L. Freedman
AladdinChad Beguelin
Beautiful: The Carole King MusicalDouglas McGrath
Bullets Over BroadwayWoody Allen
2015
(69th)
Fun HomeLisa Kron
An American in ParisCraig Lucas
Something Rotten!Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell
The VisitTerrence McNally
2016
(70th)
HamiltonLin-Manuel Miranda
Bright StarSteve Martin
School of RockJulian Fellowes
Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That FollowedGeorge C. Wolfe
2017
(71st)
Dear Evan HansenSteven Levenson
Come from AwayDavid Hein and Irene Sankoff
Groundhog DayDanny Rubin
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812Dave Malloy
2018
(72nd)
The Band's VisitItamar Moses
FrozenJennifer Lee
Mean GirlsTina Fey
SpongeBob SquarePantsKyle Jarrow
2019
(73rd)
TootsieRobert Horn
Ain’t Too ProudDominique Morisseau
BeetlejuiceScott Brown and Anthony King
HadestownAnaïs Mitchell
The PromChad Beguelin and Bob Martin

2020s

YearProductionAuthor
2020
(74th)
Jagged Little PillDiablo Cody
Moulin Rouge! The MusicalJohn Logan
Tina: The Tina Turner MusicalKatori Hall, Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins
2022
(75th)
A Strange LoopMichael R. Jackson
Girl from the North CountryConor McPherson
MJLynn Nottage
Mr. Saturday NightBilly Crystal, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel
Paradise SquareChristina Anderson, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan
2023
(76th)
Kimberly AkimboDavid Lindsay-Abaire
& JulietDavid West Read
New York, New YorkDavid Thompson and Sharon Washington
ShuckedRobert Horn
Some Like It HotMatthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin
2024
(77th)
SuffsShaina Taub
Hell's KitchenKristoffer Diaz
The NotebookBekah Brunstetter
The OutsidersJustin Levine and Adam Rapp
Water for ElephantsRick Elice
2025
(78th)
Maybe Happy EndingWill Aronson and Hue Park
Buena Vista Social ClubMarco Ramirez
Dead OutlawItamar Moses
Death Becomes HerMarco Pennette
Operation Mincemeat: A New MusicalDavid Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts

Award records

;3 Wins

  • Hugh Wheeler (2 consecutive)
  • Thomas Meehan
  • James Lapine

;2 Wins

  • Terrence McNally
  • Larry Gelbart
  • Peter Stone

Nomination records

;5 Nominations

  • Michael Stewart
  • Peter Stone

;4 Nominations

  • Douglas Carter Beane
  • James Lapine
  • Terrence McNally
  • Hugh Wheeler
  • Thomas Meehan

;3 Nominations

  • Chad Beguelin
  • Harvey Fierstein
  • Michael John LaChiusa
  • David Thompson
  • George C. Wolfe
  • Betty Comden
  • Adolph Green
  • Craig Lucas
  • John Weidman

;2 Nominations

  • Walter Bobbie
  • Alain Boublil
  • Mark Bramble
  • Leslie Bricusse
  • Alfred Uhry
  • Joe DiPietro
  • Rick Elice
  • Bob Fosse
  • Larry Gelbart
  • John Guare
  • Rupert Holmes
  • Robert Horn
  • Jim Lewis
  • David Lindsay-Abaire
  • Bob Martin
  • Itamar Moses
  • Marsha Norman
  • Tim Rice
  • Dick Scanlan
  • Claude-Michel Schönberg
  • Neil Simon
  • Joseph Stein
  • Melvin Van Peebles
  • Andrew Lloyd Webber
  • Mark O'Donnell

References

References

  1. . ["1962 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1962/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  2. . ["1963 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1963/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  3. . ["1964 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1964/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  4. . ["1965 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1965/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  5. . ["1971 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1971/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  6. . ["1972 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1972/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  7. . ["1973 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1973/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  8. . ["1974 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1974/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  9. . ["1975 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1975/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  10. . ["1976 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1976/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  11. . ["1977 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1977/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  12. . ["1978 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1978/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  13. . ["1979 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1979/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  14. . ["1980 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1980/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  15. . ["1981 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1981/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  16. . ["1982 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1982/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  17. . ["1983 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1983/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  18. . ["1984 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1984/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  19. . ["1986 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1986/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  20. . ["1987 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1987/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  21. . ["1988 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1988/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  22. . ["1990 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1990/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  23. . ["1991 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1991/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  24. . ["1992 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1992/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  25. . ["1993 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1993/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  26. . ["1994 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1994/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  27. . ["1996 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1996/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  28. . ["1997 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1997/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  29. . ["1998 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1998/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  30. . ["1999 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1999/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  31. . ["2000 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2000/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  32. . ["2001 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2001/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  33. . ["2002 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2002/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  34. . ["2003 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2003/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  35. . ["2004 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2004/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  36. . ["2005 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2005/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  37. . ["2006 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2006/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  38. . ["2007 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2007/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  39. . ["2008 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2008/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  40. . ["2009 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2009/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  41. . ["2010 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2010/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  42. . ["2011 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2011/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  43. . ["2012 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2012/category/any/show/any/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  44. . ["2013 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/press/2013-tony-award-nominations/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  45. . ["2014 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/press/the-2014-tony-award-nominations/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  46. . (April 28, 2015). ["Tony Nominations 2015: Full List"](https://variety.com/2015/legit/awards/tony-nominations-2015-full-list-tony-award-nominees-1201480979/).
  47. . ["2016 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/press/2016-tony-award-nominations/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  48. . ["2017 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/press/2017-tony-award-nominations/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  49. . ["2018 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/press/2018-tony-award-nominations/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  50. . ["2019 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/press/2019-tony-award-nominations/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  51. . ["2022 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/news/2022-tony-awards-nominations/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  52. . (May 2, 2023). ["2023 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.tonyawards.com/news/2023-tony-awards-nominees/). *[[American Theatre Wing]]*.
  53. . (April 30, 2024). ["2024 Tony Awards Nominees"](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/theater/tony-awards-nominations.html). *[[New York Times]]*.
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