Awards & Winners

Tony Award for Best Original Score

Tony Award

The Tony Award for Best Original Score is the Tony Award given to the composers and lyricists of the best original score written for a musical in that year. The score consists of music and lyrics. To be eligible, a score must be written specifically for the theatre and must be original; compilations of non-theatrical music or compilations of earlier theatrical music are not eligible for consideration. The award has undergone a number of minor changes. In 1947, 1950, 1951, and 1962, the award went to the composer only. Otherwise, the award has gone to the composer and lyricist for their combined contributions, except for 1971 when the two awards were split. In only five years have non-musical plays been nominated for Tony Awards in this category: Much Ado About Nothing in 1973, The Song of Jacob Zulu in 1993,Twelfth Night nominated in 1999, in 2010, Enron and Fences and in 2012, Peter and the Starcatcher and One Man, Two Guvnors. In 2013, Cyndi Lauper became the first woman to win the award solo for Kinky Boots

Check all the winners of Tony Award for Best Original Score presented under Tony Award since 1947 .


Jason Robert Brown

Honored for : The Bridges of Madison County

Nominations 2014 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Alan Menken Aladdin
Howard Ashman Aladdin
Tim Rice Aladdin
Chad Beguelin Aladdin
Jason Robert Brown The Bridges of Madison County
Steven Lutvak A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder
Robert L. Freedman A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder
Tom Kitt If/Then
Brian Yorkey If/Then

Cyndi Lauper

Honored for : Kinky Boots

Nominations 2013 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Cyndi Lauper Kinky Boots
Benj Pasek A Christmas Story: The Musical
Justin Paul A Christmas Story: The Musical
Trey Anastasio Hands on a Hardbody
Amanda Green Hands on a Hardbody
Tim Minchin Matilda the Musical

Alan Menken, Jack Feldman

Honored for : Newsies

Nominations 2012 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Frank Wildhorn Bonnie & Clyde
Don Black Bonnie & Clyde
Grant Olding One Man, Two Guvnors
Wayne Barker Peter and the Starcatcher
Rick Elice Peter and the Starcatcher
Jack Feldman Newsies
Alan Menken Newsies

Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone

Honored for : The Book of Mormon

Nominations 2011 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Matt Stone The Book of Mormon
Robert Lopez The Book of Mormon
Trey Parker The Book of Mormon
John Kander The Scottsboro Boys
Fred Ebb The Scottsboro Boys
David Yazbek Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Glenn Slater Sister Act the Musical
Alan Menken Sister Act the Musical

Joe DiPietro, David Bryan

Honored for : Memphis

Nominations 2010 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Lucy Prebble Enron
Adam Cork Enron
Joe DiPietro Memphis
David Bryan Memphis
Branford Marsalis Fences
Andrew Lippa The Addams Family

Brian Yorkey, Tom Kitt

Honored for : Next to Normal

Nominations 2009 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Tom Kitt Next to Normal
Brian Yorkey Next to Normal
Dolly Parton 9 to 5
Lee Hall Billy Elliot: The Musical
Elton John Billy Elliot: The Musical
Jeanine Tesori Shrek the Musical
David Lindsay-Abaire Shrek the Musical

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Honored for : In the Heights

Nominations 2008 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Lin-Manuel Miranda In the Heights
David Javerbaum Cry-Baby
Adam Schlesinger Cry-Baby
Heidi Rodewald Passing Strange
Stew Passing Strange
Howard Ashman The Little Mermaid
Alan Menken The Little Mermaid
Glenn Slater The Little Mermaid

Duncan Sheik, Steven Sater

Honored for : Spring Awakening

Nominations 2007 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Duncan Sheik Spring Awakening
Steven Sater Spring Awakening
John Kander Curtains
Fred Ebb Curtains
Rupert Holmes Curtains
Michael Korie Grey Gardens
Scott Frankel Grey Gardens
Laurence O'Keefe Legally Blonde: The Musical
Nell Benjamin Legally Blonde: The Musical

Lisa Lambert, Greg Morrison

Honored for : The Drowsy Chaperone

Nominations 2006 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Lisa Lambert The Drowsy Chaperone
Greg Morrison The Drowsy Chaperone
Allee Willis The Color Purple
Stephen Bray The Color Purple
Brenda Russell The Color Purple
Chad Beguelin The Wedding Singer
Matthew Sklar The Wedding Singer
David Zippel The Woman in White
Andrew Lloyd Webber The Woman in White

Adam Guettel

Honored for : The Light in the Piazza

Nominations 2005 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Adam Guettel The Light in the Piazza
David Yazbek Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Eric Idle Spamalot
John Du Prez Spamalot
William Finn The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Jeff Marx, Robert Lopez

Honored for : Avenue Q

Nominations 2004 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Jeff Marx Avenue Q
Robert Lopez Avenue Q
Boy George Taboo
Jeanine Tesori Caroline, or Change
Tony Kushner Caroline, or Change
Stephen Schwartz Wicked

Scott Wittman, Marc Shaiman

Honored for : Hairspray

Nominations 2003 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Michel Legrand Amour
Didier Van Cauwelaert Amour
Jeremy Sams Amour
Robert Reale A Year with Frog and Toad
Willie Reale A Year with Frog and Toad
Marc Shaiman Hairspray
Scott Wittman Hairspray
Luke Reed Urban Cowboy
Jerry Chesnut Urban Cowboy
Roger Brown Urban Cowboy
Tom Crain Urban Cowboy
Pevin Byrd-Munoz Urban Cowboy
Sarah Light Urban Cowboy
Jerry Silverstein Urban Cowboy
Jeff Blumenkrantz Urban Cowboy
Ronnie Dunn Urban Cowboy
Bob Stillman Urban Cowboy
Jason Robert Brown Urban Cowboy
Clint Black Urban Cowboy
Martie Maguire Urban Cowboy
Jim Marshall Urban Cowboy
Skip Ewing Urban Cowboy
Carl L. Byrd Urban Cowboy
Charlie Daniels Urban Cowboy
Wayland Holyfield Urban Cowboy
Lauren Lucas Urban Cowboy
Patti Ryan Urban Cowboy
Fred Edwards Urban Cowboy
Charlie Hayward Urban Cowboy
Danny Arena Urban Cowboy
Hayden Nicholas Urban Cowboy
Marcus Hummon Urban Cowboy
Bob Lee House Urban Cowboy
Tommy Conners Urban Cowboy
Wanda Mallette Urban Cowboy
Bob Morrison Urban Cowboy

Mark Hollmann, Greg Kotis

Honored for : Urinetown

Nominations 2002 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Dick Scanlan Thoroughly Modern Millie
Jeanine Tesori Thoroughly Modern Millie
Marvin Hamlisch Sweet Smell of Success
Craig Carnelia Sweet Smell of Success
Harry Connick, Jr. Thou Shalt Not
Greg Kotis Urinetown
Mark Hollmann Urinetown

Mel Brooks

Honored for : The Producers

Nominations 2001 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Edward Kleban A Class Act
David Yazbek The Full Monty
Mel Brooks The Producers
John Caird Jane Eyre
Paul Gordon Jane Eyre

Elton John, Tim Rice

Honored for : Aida

Nominations 2000 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Elton John Aida
Tim Rice Aida
Michael John LaChiusa Marie Christine
Shaun Davey James Joyce's The Dead
Richard Nelson James Joyce's The Dead
Michael John LaChiusa The Wild Party

Jason Robert Brown

Honored for : Parade

Nominations 1999 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Jason Robert Brown Parade
Jeanine Tesori Twelfth Night
Jack Murphy The Civil War
Frank Wildhorn The Civil War
Dean Pitchford Footloose
Kenny Loggins Footloose
Tom Snow Footloose
Eric Carmen Footloose
Sammy Hagar Footloose
Jim Steinman Footloose

Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty

Honored for : Ragtime

Nominations 1998 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Henry Krieger Side Show
Bill Russell Side Show
Elton John The Lion King
Lebo M The Lion King
Julie Taymor The Lion King
Mark Mancina The Lion King
Hans Zimmer The Lion King
Jay Rifkin The Lion King
Tim Rice The Lion King
Derek Walcott The Capeman
Paul Simon The Capeman
Lynn Ahrens Ragtime
Stephen Flaherty Ragtime

Maury Yeston

Honored for : Titanic

Nominations 1997 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Cy Coleman The Life
Ira Gasman The Life
Elliot Goldenthal Juan Darien
Maury Yeston Titanic
John Kander Steel Pier
Fred Ebb Steel Pier

Jonathan Larson

Honored for : Rent

Nominations 1996 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Jonathan Larson Rent
George C. Wolfe Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk
Daryl Waters Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk
Ann Duquesnay Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk
Reg E. Gaines Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk
Zane Mark Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk
Richard Rodgers State Fair
Oscar Hammerstein II State Fair
David Shire Big: the musical
Richard Maltby, Jr. Big: the musical

Don Black, Christopher Hampton, Andrew Lloyd Webber

Honored for : Sunset Boulevard

Nominations 1995 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Christopher Hampton Sunset Boulevard
Andrew Lloyd Webber Sunset Boulevard
Don Black Sunset Boulevard

Stephen Sondheim

Honored for : Passion

Nominations 1994 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Stephen Sondheim Passion
Howard Ashman Beauty and the Beast
Tim Rice Beauty and the Beast
Alan Menken Beauty and the Beast
Ad van Dijk Cyrano: The Musical
Peter Reeves Cyrano: The Musical
Sheldon Harnick Cyrano: The Musical
Koen van Dijk Cyrano: The Musical

Fred Ebb, John Kander

Honored for : Kiss of the Spider Woman

Nominations 1993 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Pete Townshend The Who's Tommy
Fred Ebb Kiss of the Spider Woman
John Kander Kiss of the Spider Woman
Ladysmith Black Mambazo The Song of Jacob Zulu
Tug Yourgrau The Song of Jacob Zulu
Daniel Levine Anna Karenina
Peter Kellogg Anna Karenina

Pete Townshend

Honored for : The Who's Tommy

Nominations 1993 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Pete Townshend The Who's Tommy
Fred Ebb Kiss of the Spider Woman
John Kander Kiss of the Spider Woman
Ladysmith Black Mambazo The Song of Jacob Zulu
Tug Yourgrau The Song of Jacob Zulu
Daniel Levine Anna Karenina
Peter Kellogg Anna Karenina

William Finn

Honored for : Falsettos

Nominations 1992 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Richard Maltby, Jr. Nick & Nora
Charles Strouse Nick & Nora
Agata Miklaszewska Metro
Janusz Stoklosa Metro
Mary Bracken Phillips Metro
Maryna Miklaszewska Metro
William Finn Falsettos
Susan Birkenhead Jelly's Last Jam
Jelly Roll Morton Jelly's Last Jam
Luther Henderson Jelly's Last Jam

Cy Coleman, Betty Comden, Adolph Green

Honored for : Will Rogers Follies

Nominations 1991 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Lynn Ahrens Once On This Island
Stephen Flaherty Once On This Island
Lucy Simon The Secret Garden
Marsha Norman The Secret Garden
Alain Boublil Miss Saigon
Richard Maltby, Jr. Miss Saigon
Claude-Michel Schönberg Miss Saigon
Betty Comden Will Rogers Follies
Cy Coleman Will Rogers Follies
Adolph Green Will Rogers Follies

David Zippel, Cy Coleman

Honored for : City of Angels

Nominations 1990 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Maury Yeston Grand Hotel
Robert Wright Grand Hotel
George Forrest Grand Hotel
Charles Hart Aspects of Love
Andrew Lloyd Webber Aspects of Love
Don Black Aspects of Love
Hugh Martin Meet Me in St. Louis
Ralph Blane Meet Me in St. Louis
David Zippel City of Angels
Cy Coleman City of Angels

Stephen Sondheim

Honored for : Into the Woods

Nominations 1988 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Hugh Masekela Sarafina!
Mbongeni Ngema Sarafina!
Keith Herrmann Romance/Romance
Barry Michael Harman Romance/Romance
Charles Hart The Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Lloyd Webber The Phantom of the Opera
Richard Stilgoe The Phantom of the Opera
Stephen Sondheim Into the Woods

Herbert Kretzmer, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil

Honored for : Les Misérables

Nominations 1987 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Charles Strouse Rags
Stephen Schwartz Rags
Andrew Lloyd Webber Starlight Express
Richard Stilgoe Starlight Express
Claude-Michel Schönberg Les Misérables
Herbert Kretzmer Les Misérables
Alain Boublil Les Misérables
Noel Gay Me and My Girl
Douglas Furber Me and My Girl
L. Arthur Rose Me and My Girl

Rupert Holmes

Honored for : The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Nominations 1986 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Roger McGough Wind in the Willows
William P. Perry Wind in the Willows
Richard Maltby, Jr. Song and Dance
Andrew Lloyd Webber Song and Dance
Don Black Song and Dance
Rupert Holmes The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Paul Schierhorn The News

Roger Miller

Honored for : Big River

Nominations 1985 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Larry Grossman Grind
Ellen Fitzhugh Grind
Barbara Damashek Quilters
Roger Miller Big River

Jerry Herman

Honored for : La Cage aux Folles

Nominations 1984 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Jerry Herman La Cage aux Folles
Stephen Sondheim Sunday in the Park with George
David Shire Baby
Richard Maltby, Jr. Baby
John Kander The Rink
Fred Ebb The Rink

Andrew Lloyd Webber, T. S. Eliot

Honored for : Cats

Nominations 1983 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Elmer Bernstein Merlin
Don Black Merlin
Andrew Lloyd Webber Cats
T. S. Eliot Cats
Johnny Mercer Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Gene Vincent de Paul Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Joel Hirschhorn Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Al Kasha Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Betty Comden A Doll's Life
Adolph Green A Doll's Life
Larry Grossman A Doll's Life

Maury Yeston

Honored for : Nine

Nominations 1982 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Maury Yeston Nine
Tom Eyen Dreamgirls
Henry Krieger Dreamgirls
Andrew Lloyd Webber Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Tim Rice Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Stephen Sondheim Merrily We Roll Along

Fred Ebb, John Kander

Honored for : Woman of the Year

Nominations 1981 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Joel Hirschhorn Copperfield
Al Kasha Copperfield
Fred Ebb Woman of the Year
John Kander Woman of the Year
David Rogers Charlie and Algernon
Charles Strouse Charlie and Algernon
Lance Mulcahy Shakespeare's Cabaret

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice

Honored for : Evita

Nominations 1980 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Michael Stewart Barnum
Cy Coleman Barnum
Andrew Lloyd Webber Evita
Tim Rice Evita
Artie Malvin Sugar Babies
Dick Vosburgh A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine
Frank Lazarus A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine

Stephen Sondheim

Honored for : Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Nominations 1979 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Johnny Brandon Eubie!
Eubie Blake Eubie!
Andy Razaf Eubie!
Noble Sissle Eubie!
James Reese Europe Eubie!
F.E. Miller Eubie!
Stephen Sondheim Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Alan Jay Lerner Carmelina
Burton Lane Carmelina
Jerry Herman The Grand Tour

Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Cy Coleman

Honored for : On the Twentieth Century

Nominations 1978 »

Nominee Nominated Work
John Kander The Act
Fred Ebb The Act
Micki Grant Working
Craig Carnelia Working
James Taylor Working
Mary Rodgers Working
Stephen Schwartz Working
Susan Birkenhead Working
Adolph Green On the Twentieth Century
Cy Coleman On the Twentieth Century
Betty Comden On the Twentieth Century
Elizabeth Swados Runaways

Martin Charnin, Charles Strouse

Honored for : Annie

Nominations 1977 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Kurt Weill Happy End
Bertolt Brecht Happy End
Michael Feingold Happy End
Martin Charnin Annie
Charles Strouse Annie
Michael Stewart I Love My Wife
Cy Coleman I Love My Wife
Stephen Schwartz Godspell

Marvin Hamlisch, Edward Kleban

Honored for : A Chorus Line

Nominations 1976 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Stephen Sondheim Pacific Overtures
Scott Joplin Treemonisha
Edward Kleban A Chorus Line
Marvin Hamlisch A Chorus Line
John Kander Chicago
Fred Ebb Chicago

Charlie Smalls

Honored for : The Wiz

Nominations 1975 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Alan Lloyd A Letter for Queen Victoria
Gary Geld Shenandoah
Peter Udell Shenandoah
Nitra Scharfman The Lieutenant
Chuck Strand The Lieutenant
Gene Curty The Lieutenant
Charlie Smalls The Wiz

Alan Jay Lerner, Frederic Loewe

Honored for : Gigi

Nominations 1974 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Frederic Loewe Gigi
Alan Jay Lerner Gigi
Dorothy Fields Seesaw
Cy Coleman Seesaw
Robert Brittan Raisin
Judd Woldin Raisin
Neil Simon The Good Doctor
Peter Link The Good Doctor

Stephen Sondheim

Honored for : A Little Night Music

Nominations 1973 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Micki Grant Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope
Peter Link Much Ado About Nothing
Stephen Sondheim A Little Night Music
Stephen Schwartz Pippin

Stephen Sondheim

Honored for : Follies

Nominations 1972 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Stephen Sondheim Follies
Melvin Van Peebles Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death
John Guare Two Gentlemen of Verona
Galt MacDermot Two Gentlemen of Verona
Andrew Lloyd Webber Jesus Christ Superstar
Tim Rice Jesus Christ Superstar

Stephen Sondheim

Honored for : Company

Nominations 1971 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Jerry Bock The Rothschilds
Sheldon Harnick The Rothschilds
Gary William Friedman The Me Nobody Knows
Will Holt The Me Nobody Knows
Stephen Sondheim Company

Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Jule Styne

Honored for : Hallelujah, Baby!

Nominations 1968 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Manos Hadjidakis Illya Darling
Joe Darion Illya Darling
Elmer Bernstein How Now, Dow Jones
Carolyn Leigh How Now, Dow Jones
John Kander The Happy Time
Fred Ebb The Happy Time
Jule Styne Hallelujah, Baby!
Adolph Green Hallelujah, Baby!
Betty Comden Hallelujah, Baby!

John Kander, Fred Ebb

Honored for : Cabaret

Nominations 1967 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Tom Jones I Do! I Do!
Harvey Schmidt I Do! I Do!
Sammy Cahn Walking Happy
Jimmy Van Heusen Walking Happy
Jerry Bock The Apple Tree
Sheldon Harnick The Apple Tree
Fred Ebb Cabaret
John Kander Cabaret

Joe Darion, Mitch Leigh

Honored for : Man of La Mancha

Nominations 1966 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Dorothy Fields Sweet Charity
Cy Coleman Sweet Charity
Jerry Herman Mame
Alan Jay Lerner On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Burton Lane On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Joe Darion Man of La Mancha
Mitch Leigh Man of La Mancha

Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick

Honored for : Fiddler on the Roof

Nominations 1965 »

Nominee Nominated Work
David Heneker Half a Sixpence
Sheldon Harnick Fiddler on the Roof
Jerry Bock Fiddler on the Roof
Stephen Sondheim Do I Hear a Waltz?
Richard Rodgers Do I Hear a Waltz?
Anthony Newley The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd
Leslie Bricusse The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd

Jerry Herman

Honored for : Hello, Dolly!

Nominations 1964 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Hugh Martin High Spirits
Timothy Gray High Spirits
Harvey Schmidt 110 in the Shade
Tom Jones 110 in the Shade
Jule Styne Funny Girl
Bob Merrill Funny Girl
Jerry Herman Hello, Dolly!

Lionel Bart

Honored for : Oliver!

Nominations 1963 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Leslie Bricusse Stop the World - I Want to Get Off
Anthony Newley Stop the World - I Want to Get Off
Ronny Graham Bravo Giovanni
Milton Schafer Bravo Giovanni
Lionel Bart Oliver!
Carolyn Leigh Little Me
Cy Coleman Little Me

Richard Rodgers

Honored for : No Strings

Nominations 1962 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Frank Loesser How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Richard Rodgers No Strings
Richard Adler Kwamina
Jerry Herman Milk and Honey

Irving Berlin

Honored for : Call Me Madam

Nominations 1951 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Irving Berlin Call Me Madam

Richard Rodgers

Honored for : South Pacific

Nominations 1950 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Richard Rodgers South Pacific

Cole Porter

Honored for : Kiss Me, Kate

Nominations 1949 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Cole Porter Kiss Me, Kate

Kurt Weill

Honored for : Street Scene

Nominations 1947 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Kurt Weill Street Scene