The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical is presented by the Drama Desk, a committee which comprises New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors. It honors the book writers of musicals produced on Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway, and for legitimate not-for-profit theaters.
It was not until the 15th Annual Drama Desk Awards in 1969 that a specific category for Outstanding Lyrics was created. The first recipent was Peter Stone for 1776. With three each, Hugh Wheeler, James Lapine, and Thomas Meehan are tied for the most wins in this category.
For two years, in addition to the award for Outstanding Book, an award was presented to the writers of the Most Promising Book. Recipents of this honor were Melvin Van Peebles for Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death in 1972 and Ron House and Diz White for El Grande de Coco-Cola in 1973.
Additional winners
- 1970: George Furth for Company
- 1971: Burt Shevelove for No, No, Nanette
- 1972: John Guare and Mel Shapiro for Two Gentlemen of Verona
- 1973: Hugh Wheeler for A Little Night Music
- 1974: Hugh Wheeler for Candide
- 1976: James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante for A Chorus Line
- 1977: Thomas Meehan for Annie
- 1979: Hugh Wheeler for Sweeney Todd
- 1984: James Lapine for Sunday in the Park with George
- 1985: Jerry Colker for Three Guys Naked from the Waist Down
- 1986: Rupert Holmes for The Mystery of Edwin Drood
- 1987: L. Arthur Rose for Me and My Girl
- 1988: James Lapine for Into the Woods
- 1990: Larry Gelbart for City of Angels
- 1991: Marsha Norman for The Secret Garden
- 1992: George C. Wolfe for Jelly's Last Jam
- 1994: James Lapine for Passion
- 1996: Jonathan Larson for Rent
- 2001: Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan for The Producers
- 2003: Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan for Hairspray
- 2004: Winnie Holzman for Wicked
- 2005: Rachel Sheinkin for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- 2006: Bob Martin and Don McKellar for The Drowsy Chaperone
- 2007: Rupert Holmes and Peter Stone for Curtains
- 2008: Douglas Carter Beane for Xanadu
- 2009: Lee Hall for Billy Elliot The Musical
External links
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