Wikipedia

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical

The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical is an annual award presented by Drama Desk in recognition of achievements in theatre across collective Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions in New York City. It was first presented at the 1969 ceremony, under the shorter name Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book, changing to its current name as of the 1988 ceremony.

Drama Desk Award
for Outstanding Book of a Musical
Awarded forOutstanding Book of a Musical
LocationNew York City
CountryUnited States
Presented byDrama Desk
First award1969
Currently held byWill Aronson and Hue Park for Maybe Happy Ending (2025)
Websitedramadesk.org (defunct)

For two years, in addition to the award for Outstanding Book, an award was presented to the writers of the Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Book. In 1972, that award went to Melvin Van Peebles for Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death, while the 1973 award went to Ron House and Diz White for El Grande de Coco-Cola.

Winners and nominees

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Key
  and bold indicates the winner.

1960s

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Year Writer Production Ref.
1969
Peter Stone 1776 [1]

1970s

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Year Writer Production Ref.
1970
George Furth Company [2]
1971
Burt Shevelove No, No, Nanette [3]
1972
John Guare and Mel Shapiro Two Gentlemen of Verona [4]
1973
Hugh Wheeler A Little Night Music [5]
1974
Hugh Wheeler Candide [6]
1975 —
1976
James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante A Chorus Line [7]
Alfred Uhry The Robber Bridegroom
John Weidman Pacific Overtures
1977
Thomas Meehan Annie [8]
1978 —
1979
Hugh Wheeler Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street [9][10]

1980s

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Year Writer Production Ref.
1980–1983 —
1984
James Lapine Sunday in the Park with George [11]
Harvey Fierstein La Cage aux Folles
Garry Trudeau Doonesbury
1985
Jerry Colker Three Guys Naked from the Waist Down [12]
1986
Rupert Holmes The Mystery of Edwin Drood [13]
Marta Kauffman, Seth Friedman and David Crane Personals
Warren Leight Mayor
1987
L. Arthur Rose, Douglas Furber, Stephen Fry and Mike Ockrent Me and My Girl [14]
Barry Harman Olympus on My Mind
1988
James Lapine Into the Woods [15][16]
1989 —

1990s

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Year Writer Production Ref.
1990
Larry Gelbart City of Angels [17][18]
1991
Marsha Norman The Secret Garden [19][20]
John Weidman Assassins
1992
George C. Wolfe Jelly's Last Jam [21]
1993 —
1994
James Lapine Passion [22]
Michael John LaChiusa Hello Again
1995 —
1996
Jonathan Larson Rent [23][24]
Graciela Daniele and Jim Lewis Chronicle of a Death Foretold
Laurence Klavan Bed and Sofa
Tina Landau Floyd Collins
John Weidman Big: the musical
1997 —
1998
Terrence McNally Ragtime [25][26]
1999
Alfred Uhry Parade [27][28]
[29]
William Finn and James Lapine A New Brain

2000s

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Year Writer Production Ref.
2000 —
2001
Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan The Producers [30][31]
Kirsten Childs The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming Bat Boy: The Musical
Greg Kotis Urinetown
Terrence McNally The Full Monty
2002
John Lahr and Elaine Stritch Elaine Stritch at Liberty [32][33]
John Guare Sweet Smell of Success
Jonathan Larson and David Auburn Tick, Tick... BOOM!
Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan Thoroughly Modern Millie
2003
Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan Hairspray [34][35]
[36]
Tim Acito and Alexander Dinelaris Zanna, Don't!
Terrence McNally A Man of No Importance
Jeremy Sams and Didier Van Cauwelaert Amour
Jeff Whitty Avenue Q
2004
Winnie Holzman Wicked [37][38]
[39]
Tony Kushner Caroline, or Change
2005
Rachel Sheinkin The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee [40][41]
Nell Benjamin and Laurence O'Keefe Cam Jansen
Kevin Del Aguila Altar Boyz
Mark Harelik The Immigrant
Eric Idle Monty Python's Spamalot
Jeffrey Lane Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
2006
Bob Martin and Don McKellar The Drowsy Chaperone [42][43]
Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman Jersey Boys
Doug Wright Grey Gardens
2007
Rupert Holmes and Peter Stone Curtains [44][45]
[46]
Scott Brown and Anthony King Gutenberg! The Musical!
Julian Fellowes Mary Poppins
Heather Hach Legally Blonde
Steven Sater Spring Awakening
Alfred Uhry LoveMusik
2008
Douglas Carter Beane Xanadu [47][48]
[49]
Harvey Fierstein A Catered Affair
Ben Katchor The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Jason Loewith and Joshua Schmidt Adding Machine
Stew Passing Strange
Eric H. Weinberger Wanda's World
2009
Lee Hall Billy Elliot the Musical [50][51]
[52]
Steven Cosson and Jim Lewis This Beautiful City
Joe DiPietro The Toxic Avenger
Brian Hill The Story of My Life
David Lindsay-Abaire Shrek the Musical
Patricia Resnick 9 to 5

2010s

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Year Writer Production Ref.
2010
Alex Timbers Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson [53]
Joe DiPietro Memphis
Joe Iconis Bloodsong of Love
Dick Scanlan and Sherie Rene Scott Everyday Rapture
David Thompson The Scottsboro Boys
David Zellnik Yank!
2011
Adam Mathias See Rock City and Other Destinations [54][55]
[56]
Kristen Anderson-Lopez, James-Allen Ford, Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth In Transit
Iris Rainer Dart The People in the Picture
Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone The Book of Mormon
Michael Zam The Kid
2012
Joe DiPietro Nice Work If You Can Get It [57][58]
[59]


Douglas Carter Beane Lysistrata Jones
Janus Cercone and Warren Leight Leap of Faith
Joy Gregory The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World
Michael John LaChiusa Queen of the Mist
Thomas Meehan and Peter Stone Death Takes a Holiday
2013
Dennis Kelly Matilda the Musical [60][61]
Sybille Pearson Giant
Joseph Robinette A Christmas Story: The Musical
David Rossmer and Steve Rosen The Other Josh Cohen
Jeff Whitty Bring It On: The Musical
Doug Wright Hands on a Hardbody
2014
Robert L. Freedman A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder [62][63]
[64]


Chad Beguelin Aladdin
Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair Murder for Two
Lisa Kron Fun Home
Douglas McGrath Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Marsha Norman The Bridges of Madison County
2015
Lin-Manuel Miranda Hamilton [65][66]
Hunter Bell and Lee Overtree Found
Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell Something Rotten!
Craig Lucas An American in Paris
Terrence McNally The Visit
Kim Rosenstock, Will Connolly, and Michael Mitnick Fly by Night
2016
John Caird Daddy Long Legs [67][68]
Michael John LaChiusa First Daughter Suite
Jessie Nelson Waitress
2017
Irene Sankoff and David Hein Come from Away [69][70]
Terrence McNally Anastasia
Itamar Moses The Band's Visit
Richard Oberacker and Rob Taylor Bandstand
Joe Tracz The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
2018
Tina Fey Mean Girls [71][72]
Kyle Jarrow SpongeBob SquarePants
Peter Kellogg Desperate Measures
Hannah Moscovitch Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story
2019
Robert Horn Tootsie [73][74]
Scott Brown and Anthony King Beetlejuice
Andrew R. Butler Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future
Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin The Prom
Dominique Morisseau Ain't Too Proud

2020s

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Year Writer Production Ref.
2020
Michael R. Jackson A Strange Loop [75][76]
David Henry Hwang Soft Power
Dave Malloy Octet
Lynn Nottage The Secret Life of Bees
Mark Saltzman Romeo & Bernadette
Dick Scanlan The Unsinkable Molly Brown
2021 No awards: New York theatres shuttered, March 2020 to September 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City[77]
2022
Bruce Sussman Harmony: A New Musical [78][79][80]
Billy Crystal, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel Mr. Saturday Night
Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss Six
Lynn Nottage Intimate Apparel
2023
Matthew López and Amber Ruffin Some Like It Hot [81][82]
Jonathan Hogue Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical
Robert Horn Shucked
Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, and Tye Blue Titanique
David West Read & Juliet
2024[83] Itamar Moses Dead Outlaw [84][85]
Justin Huertas Lizard Boy: The Musical
Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacobs Teeth
Michael John LaChiusa The Gardens of Anuncia
Rebekah Green Melocik How to Dance in Ohio
2025[86]
Will Aronson and Hue Park Maybe Happy Ending [87][88]
David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts Operation Mincemeat
Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver Just in Time
Bob Martin Boop! The Musical
Marla Mindelle and Jonathan Parks-Ramage The Big Gay Jamboree
Marco Pennette Death Becomes Her

Multiple wins

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Multiple nominations

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "1969 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  2. ^ "1970 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  3. ^ "1971 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  4. ^ "1972 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  5. ^ "1973 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  6. ^ "1974 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  7. ^ "1976 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  8. ^ "1977 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  9. ^ "Sweeney and Elephant Man Win Top Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. June 2, 1979. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  10. ^ "1979 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  11. ^ "1984 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  12. ^ "1985 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  13. ^ "1986 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  14. ^ "1987 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  15. ^ "1988 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  16. ^ "Into the Woods Wins Award". The New York Times. May 25, 1988. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  17. ^ "1990 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  18. ^ "Drama Desk Awards to Angels and Lesson". The New York Times. May 17, 1990. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  19. ^ "1991 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  20. ^ "'Will Rogers' and 'Yonkers' Win Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. 13 May 1991.
  21. ^ "1992 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  22. ^ "1994 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  23. ^ "1996 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  24. ^ Robert Viagas (May 20, 1996). "Drama Desk Awards to Rent, Master Class". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  25. ^ "1998 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  26. ^ "Ragtime, Beauty Queen Win Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. May 17, 1998. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  27. ^ "1999 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  28. ^ "List of 1999 Drama Desk Winners". Playbill. May 9, 1999. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  29. ^ "1999 Drama Desk Winners: Not About Nightingales Design Trio". Playbill. May 9, 1999. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  30. ^ "2001 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  31. ^ Kenneth Jones, Robert Simonson (May 20, 2001). "2001 Drama Desk Winners Include Producers, Proof and Mnemonic". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  32. ^ "2002 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  33. ^ Robert Simonson (May 20, 2002). "Drama Desk Awards Announced; Goat, Metamorphoses Tie for Best Play, Millie Scores". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  34. ^ "2003 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  35. ^ Robert Simonson (May 1, 2003). "Hairspray Leads 2003 Drama Desk Award Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  36. ^ "Hairspray Wins 10 Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. May 19, 2003. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  37. ^ "2004 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  38. ^ "Wicked Leads Drama Desk Nominations". The New York Times. April 29, 2004. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  39. ^ Andrew Gans, Robert Simonson (May 16, 2004). "Wicked, Assassins, Henry IV, Wife Win Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  40. ^ "2005 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  41. ^ "2005 Drama Desk Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. May 23, 2005. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  42. ^ "2006 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  43. ^ Andrew Gans (May 22, 2006). "Drowsy Chaperone and History Boys Big Winners at the 2006 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  44. ^ "2007 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  45. ^ New York Theatre Guide Staff (May 20, 2007). "Drama Desk Awards 2006–2007 Winners Announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  46. ^ Andrew Gans (May 20, 2007). "52nd Annual Drama Desk Awards Presented May 20". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  47. ^ "2008 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  48. ^ "Arts: Drama Desk's Awards". The New York Times. May 19, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  49. ^ New York Theatre Guide Staff (October 19, 2017). "Drama Desk Awards 2008 Winners Announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  50. ^ "2009 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  51. ^ "Drama Desk Awards Announced". The New York Times. May 17, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  52. ^ Andrew Gans (May 18, 2009). "Ruined and Billy Elliot Win Top Honors at Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  53. ^ "2010 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  54. ^ "2011 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  55. ^ Kenneth Jones (May 24, 2011). "Drama Desk Awards Go to Book of Mormon, Normal Heart, War Horse, Sutton Foster, Norbert Leo Butz". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  56. ^ David Rooney (May 23, 2011). "Book of Mormon, Anything Goes Top Drama Desk Awards". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  57. ^ "2012 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  58. ^ "Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. June 4, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  59. ^ New York Theatre Guide Staff (June 3, 2012). "The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  60. ^ "2013 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  61. ^ Michael Paulson (May 20, 2013). "Matilda Wins Big at Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  62. ^ "2014 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  63. ^ New York Theatre Guide Staff (June 1, 2014). "The 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  64. ^ Jesse Green (June 1, 2014). "Drama Desk Embraces a Gentleman's Guide". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  65. ^ "2015 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  66. ^ Gordon Cox (May 31, 2015). "2015 Drama Desk Awards Winners (FULL LIST): 'Hamilton' Takes 7". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  67. ^ "2016 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  68. ^ Gordon Cox (June 5, 2016). "2016 Drama Desk Awards (FULL LIST): 'Shuffle Along,' 'The Humans'". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  69. ^ "2017 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  70. ^ Variety Staff (June 5, 2017). "Drama Desk Awards 2017: Full List of Winners". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  71. ^ "2018 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  72. ^ Playbill Staff (June 3, 2018). "SpongeBob SquarePants Leads 2018 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  73. ^ "2019 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  74. ^ Ruthie Fierberg (June 2, 2019). "Tootsie, Hadestown, and The Ferryman Lead 2019 Drama Desk Award Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  75. ^ "2020 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  76. ^ Dan Meyer (June 13, 2020). "A Strange Loop, The Inheritance, Moulin Rouge! Win Big at 2020 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  77. ^ Evans, Greg (2021-05-05). "Broadway To Reopen Sept. 14, Says Gov. Andrew Cuomo; Broadway League "Cautiously Optimistic"". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  78. ^ "2022 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  79. ^ Chloe Rabinowitz (June 8, 2022). "COMPANY, SIX & More Win 2022 Drama Desk Awards – See the Full List!". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  80. ^ Gillian Russo (June 8, 2022). "2022 Drama Desk Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  81. ^ "2023 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  82. ^ Logan Culwell-Block (May 31, 2023). "Some Like It Hot Dominates 2023 Drama Desk Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  83. ^ "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Drama Desk Awards with 7 Wins Including Outstanding Play - Playbill.com". 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
  84. ^ "2024 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  85. ^ Logan Culwell-Block (June 10, 2024). "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Drama Desk Awards With 7 Wins Including Outstanding Play". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  86. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 30, 2025). "Boop! Leads 2025 Drama Desk Award Nominations With 11 Nods Including Outstanding Musical; Read the Full List Here". Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  87. ^ "2025 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  88. ^ Logan Culwell-Block (June 1, 2025). "Drama Desk Award Winners 2025: The Full List". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
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