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David Yazbek

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BIO

David Yazbek has become one of Broadway's preeminent composer/lyricists. Three of his shows, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown have been nominated for Best Score Tony Awards. He is a Tony Award winner for his most recent musical, The Band's Visit, which opened on Broadway to rave reviews and has been named to every Best of the Year list for 2017. The show also received 10 Tony Awards, as well as the Lucille Lortel Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical. He's also received three Grammy nominations and a Drama Desk Award. Yazbek won an Outstanding Writing Emmy Award for his stint on "Late Night with David Letterman." He scored the last season of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," wrote the theme song to "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego," and has written hundreds of songs, scripts, scores and jingles for adult and children's TV. As a recording artist, Yazbek is responsible for five albums—The Laughing Man, Tock, Damascus, Tape Recorder, and Evil Monkey Man. He has written and/or produced for such acts as XTC, Ruben Blades, The Persuasions, Joe Jackson, Tito Puente and many others. As a performer, he and his band are engaged in an ongoing series of monthly shows at NYC's 54 Below club.

Photos

Productions

Dead OutlawDead Outlaw
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Orchestrator
Lyricist
Composer
Buena Vista Social ClubBuena Vista Social Club
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Music Team Leader
The RoommateThe Roommate
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Original Music
Dead OutlawDead Outlaw
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Orchestration
Buena Vista Social ClubBuena Vista Social Club
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Creative Consultant
The Band's VisitThe Band's Visit
 
[US Tour, 2021] [Replacement]
Music & Lyrics[Replacement]
Fish In the DarkFish In the Dark
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Original Music
Much Ado About NothingMuch Ado About Nothing
 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Original Music
Dirty Rotten ScoundrelsDirty Rotten Scoundrels
 
[West End, 2014]
Music and Lyrics
Women On The Verge Of A Nervous BreakdownWomen On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Orchestrator
Burleigh Grime$
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Composer
Dirty Rotten ScoundrelsDirty Rotten Scoundrels
 
[Broadway, 2005]
Vocal Music Arranger
Bombay DreamsBombay Dreams
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Lyrics
Sea of Tranquility
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Composer
Boys' Life
 
[Off-Broadway, 1988]
Composer

Writing

Mojo
Music
Dead Outlaw
Music & Lyrics
The Band's Visit
Music and Lyrics
Tootsie
Composer & Lyricist
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Composer
Lyricist
The Full Monty
Composer
Lyricist

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2025 - BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (Music and/or Lyrics)

David Yazbek, Dead Outlaw


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Lyrics

David Yazbek, Dead Outlaw

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Music

David Yazbek, Dead Outlaw

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Orchestrations

David YazbekDead Outlaw


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Best Musical

David YazbekDead Outlaw

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

David YazbekDead Outlaw

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

David Yazbek, Dead Outlaw


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Lyrics

David Yazbek, Tootsie


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Music

David Yazbek, Tootsie


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2019 - Best Musical

David Yazbek, Tootsie

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2019 - Outstanding New Score

David Yazbek, Tootsie

Tony Awards - 2019 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

David Yazbek, Tootsie


winner
Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

David Yazbek, The Band's Visit


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

David Yazbek, The Band's Visit

Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Music

David Yazbek, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Orchestrations

David Yazbek, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

David Yazbek, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

David Yazbek, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Tony Awards - 2001 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

David Yazbek, The Full Monty


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Lyrics

David Yazbek, The Full Monty


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Music

David Yazbek, The Full Monty

Videos

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News


BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB to Launch North American Tour in September 2026 Photo
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB to Launch North American Tour in September 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 6, 2025

Buena Vista Social Club will launch a North American tour in 2026! Learn more about the Broadway production and upcoming tour and see how to purchase tickets.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 5, 2025 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 5, 2025
by - May 5, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 5, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend!
Photos: DEAD OUTLAW Celebrates Tony Award Nominations Photo
Photos: DEAD OUTLAW Celebrates Tony Award Nominations
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 2, 2025

Dead Outlaw held a Tony Award Nomination Celebration pre-show yesterday evening after their 7 nominations! See photos here! Learn how to purchase tickets to the production.
Listen: First Seven Songs Released From DEAD OUTLAW Photo
Listen: First Seven Songs Released From DEAD OUTLAW
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2025

The first seven songs have been released from the seven-time Tony Award-nominated new musical Dead Outlaw, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna. Listen here!
2025 Tony Awards- The Nominees React Photo
2025 Tony Awards- The Nominees React
by Robert Diamond - May 1, 2025

Tonys time is here at last! The nominations for the 78th Annual Tony Awards were announced this morning by Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce. Follow us throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions, exclusive reports, surprises, behind the scenes coverage and oh, so much more!
2025 Tony Award Nominations- The Full List Photo
2025 Tony Award Nominations- The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - May 1, 2025

The 78th Annual Tony Awards nominations were announced by Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce and here they are... celebrating the best of the 2024-25 theatre season. Check out the full list of nominees here.
Video: Inside Opening Night of DEAD OUTLAW on Broadway Photo
Video: Inside Opening Night of DEAD OUTLAW on Broadway
by Joey Mervis - Apr 30, 2025

Dead Outlaw has finally come to life on Broadway! Earlier this week, the new musical officially opened at the Longacre Theatre and the best of Broadway came out to celebrate. Watch in this video as we take you inside the big night with the cast and creative team!
Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet on Opening Night of DEAD OUTLAW Photo
Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet on Opening Night of DEAD OUTLAW
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 29, 2025

Earlier this week, Dead Outlaw officially opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre! BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos from the red carpet arrivals here.
DEAD OUTLAW Releases New Block of Tickets Photo
DEAD OUTLAW Releases New Block of Tickets
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2025

A new block of tickets for Dead Outlaw is now on sale. Written by Itamar Moses, featuring music and lyrics from David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, and directed by David Cromer, Dead Outlaw opened at the Longacre Theatre on Sunday, April 27.
THE PRINCESS BRIDE Musical to Have 'Substantial Workshop' Later This Year Photo
THE PRINCESS BRIDE Musical to Have 'Substantial Workshop' Later This Year
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 28, 2025

Bob Martin and Rick Elice, book writers for the new musical adaptation of NBC's Smash, have given an update on the long-awaited musical of The Princess Bride.
Photos: DEAD OUTLAW Cast Takes Opening Night Bows Photo
Photos: DEAD OUTLAW Cast Takes Opening Night Bows
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 28, 2025

Dead Outlaw officially opened on Broadway on April 27 at the Longacre Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos of the cast taking their bows here!
Review Roundup: DEAD OUTLAW Opens on Broadway Photo
Review Roundup: DEAD OUTLAW Opens on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 27, 2025

Dead Outlaw has offically opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre! The new musical features a book by Itamar Moses, music and lyrics from David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, and is directed by David Cromer. Let's see what the critics are saying about the new musical...
Photos: First Look at DEAD OUTLAW on Broadway Photo
Photos: First Look at DEAD OUTLAW on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 27, 2025

Ahead of its opening at the Longacre Theatre, Dead Outlaw has just released new production images. Check out new photos here!
Pittsburgh CLO Unveils CAMELOT, BACK TO THE FUTURE, And FROZEN Creative Teams Photo
Pittsburgh CLO Unveils CAMELOT, BACK TO THE FUTURE, And FROZEN Creative Teams
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 25, 2025

Pittsburgh CLO has unveiled the Creative Teams for the highly anticipated 2025 PNC Summer of Musicals. This esteemed group of creative visionaries will bring the magic of Broadway to life throughout the summer season.
Interview: Jeb Brown’s Not Dead Photo
Interview: Jeb Brown’s Not Dead
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 25, 2025

Jeb Brown is very much alive, as audiences at the Longacre Theatre can attest. This spring he returns to the stage (in his 10th Broadway show) in Dead Outlaw, the weird and wonderful new musical that is shaking up this theatre season. Ahead of opening night Brown checked in with BroadwayWorld to discuss the show’s journey to Broadway, why why feels so at home with this company, and so much more.
TOOTSIE, LA SITCOM MUSICAL llega a Barcelona en octubre Photo
TOOTSIE, LA SITCOM MUSICAL llega a Barcelona en octubre
by Lorena Pastor Romero - Apr 25, 2025

El próximo 10 de octubre, el Teatro Apolo de Barcelona acogerá el estreno en España de TOOTSIE, LA SITCOM MUSICAL, una versión teatral del clásico de 1982 protagonizado por Dustin Hoffman.
Artifacts From DEAD OUTLAW Will be Added to Library of Congress Photo
Artifacts From DEAD OUTLAW Will be Added to Library of Congress
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 24, 2025

BroadwayWorld has just learned that the award-winning Dead Outlaw will be formally enshrined into the Library of Congress collections in Washington, D.C. on Monday, May 12, 2025. We have all of the details here.
Photos: Elvis Costello Visits DEAD OUTLAW on Broadway Photo
Photos: Elvis Costello Visits DEAD OUTLAW on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 23, 2025

Music legend Elvis Costello visited the company of Dead Outlaw backstage after seeing the Broadway Musical. See photos here and learn more about the production.
DEAD OUTLAW Will Give Free Performance at the Library of Congress Photo
DEAD OUTLAW Will Give Free Performance at the Library of Congress
by Stephi Wild - Apr 23, 2025

The Library of Congress will welcome Tony Award-winning composer David Yazbek and company members from Broadway’s 'Dead Outlaw' to the Coolidge Auditorium for an exclusive performance of selections from the show.
Video: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS at Austin Playhouse Photo
Video: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS at Austin Playhouse
by Joshua Wright - Apr 22, 2025

Get a first look at Austin Playhouse's production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Jeffrey Lane. Directed by Austin Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Lara Toner Haddock with music direction by Lyn Koenning and choreography by Laura Walberg. 
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has David Yazbek written?

David Yazbek has written 7 shows including Mojo (Music), The Full Monty (Composer), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Composer), Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (Lyricist), The Band's Visit (Music and Lyrics), Tootsie (Composer & Lyricist), Dead Outlaw (Music & Lyrics).

What awards has David Yazbek been nominated for?

Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Outstanding Orchestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Dead Outlaw, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Tootsie, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Tootsie, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Tootsie, Outstanding New Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Tootsie, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Tootsie, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Band's Visit, Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Band's Visit, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Outstanding Orchestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Full Monty, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Full Monty and Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for The Full Monty.

What awards has David Yazbek won?

David Yazbek has won several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Dead Outlaw, and Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Dead Outlaw. He received Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for Tootsie, as well as Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Tootsie. He won the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for The Band's Visit, and received the Outstanding New Score award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Band's Visit. Additionally, he was recognized with Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for The Full Monty.

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