Laurence Olivier Award
for Best New Musical
Awarded forBest New Musical
Location England
Presented bySociety of London Theatre
First awarded1976
Currently held byStanding at the Sky's Edge (2023)
Websiteofficiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/ Edit this at Wikidata

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

Winners and nominees

1970s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
1976
A Chorus Line James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante Marvin Hamlisch Edward Kleban
Ipi Tombi Bertha Egnos Gail Lakier
Side by Side by Sondheim Ned Sherrin Various Artists Stephen Sondheim
Very Good Eddie Philip Bartholomae and Guy Bolton Jerome Kern Schuyler Green and Herbert Reynolds
1977
The Comedy of Errors Trevor Nunn Guy Woolfenden Trevor Nunn
Bubbling Brown Sugar Loften Mitchell Eubie Blake
I Love My Wife Michael Stewart Cy Coleman Michael Stewart
Something's Afoot James MacDonald, Davis Vos and Robert Gerlach
1978
Evita Tim Rice Andrew Lloyd Webber Tim Rice
Annie Thomas Meehan Charles Strouse Martin Charnin
Elvis Jack Good and Ray Cooney Various Artists
1979
Songbook Monty Norman and Julian More Monty Norman Monty Norman and Julian More
Ain't Misbehavin' Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Fats Waller Various Artists
Bar Mitzvah Boy Jack Rosenthal Jule Styne Don Black
Chicago Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse John Kander Fred Ebb

1980s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
1980
Sweeney Todd Hugh Wheeler Stephen Sondheim
They're Playing Our Song Neil Simon Marvin Hamlisch Carole Bayer Sager
Tom Foolery Cameron Mackintosh Tom Lehrer
On the Twentieth Century Betty Comden and Adolph Green Cy Coleman Betty Comden and Adolph Green
1981
Cats Trevor Nunn Andrew Lloyd Webber T. S. Eliot
Barnum Mark Bramble Cy Coleman Michael Stewart
One Mo' Time Vernel Bagneris Various Artists
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Larry L. King and Peter Masterson Carol Hall
1982
Poppy Peter Nichols Monty Norman Peter Nichols
Andy Capp Trevor Peacock Alan Price Trevor Peacock and Alan Price
Underneath the Arches Patrick Garland, Brian Glanville and Roy Hudd Various Artists
Windy City Dick Vosburgh Tony Macaulay Dick Vosburgh
1983
Blood Brothers Willy Russell
Bashville Benny Green and David William Denis King Benny Green
Little Shop of Horrors Howard Ashman Alan Menken Howard Ashman
Snoopy Warren Lockhart, Arthur Whitelaw and Michael Grace Larry Grossman Hal Hackady
1984
42nd Street Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble Harry Warren Al Dubin
The Hired Man Melvyn Bragg Howard Goodall
Pump Boys and Dinettes Various Artists
Starlight Express Trevor Nunn Andrew Lloyd Webber Richard Stilgoe
1985
Me and My Girl L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber Noel Gay L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber
Les Misérables Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg Claude-Michel Schönberg Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer
1986
The Phantom of the Opera Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe Andrew Lloyd Webber Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe
Chess Richard Nelson Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus Tim Rice and Björn Ulvaeus
H.M.S. Pinafore Bill Whelan Arthur Sullivan W. S. Gilbert
Wonderful Town Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov Leonard Bernstein Betty Comden and Adolph Green
1987
Follies James Goldman Stephen Sondheim
Blues in the Night Sheldon Epps Various Artists
Kiss Me, Kate Samuel and Bella Spewack Cole Porter
Up on the Roof Simon Moore and Jane Prowse Various Artists
1988
Candide Hugh Wheeler Leonard Bernstein Richard Wilbur and Stephen Sondheim
Babes in Arms Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart Richard Rodgers Lorenz Hart
Blood Brothers Willy Russell
The Wizard of Oz John Kane Harold Arlen and Herbert Stothart E. Y. Harburg
1989/90
Return to the Forbidden Planet Bob Carlton
The Baker's Wife Joseph Stein Stephen Schwartz
Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story Alan Janes Various Artists
Miss Saigon Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil Claude-Michel Schönberg Alain Boublil and Richard Maltby Jr.

1990s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
1991
Sunday in the Park with George James Lapine Stephen Sondheim
Into the Woods James Lapine Stephen Sondheim
1992
Carmen Jones Oscar Hammerstein II Bizet Oscar Hammerstein II
Phantom of the Opera Ken Hill
1993
Crazy for You Ken Ludwig George and Ira Gershwin
Assassins John Weidman Stephen Sondheim
Grand Hotel Luther Davis Robert Wright, George Forrest and Maury Yeston
Kiss of the Spider Woman Terrence McNally John Kander Fred Ebb
1994
City of Angels Larry Gelbart Cy Coleman David Zippel
Sunset Boulevard Don Black and Christopher Hampton Andrew Lloyd Webber Don Black and Christopher Hampton
1995
Once on This Island Lynn Ahrens Stephen Flaherty Lynn Ahrens
Copacabana Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman Barry Manilow Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman
Hot Shoe Shuffle Larry Buttrose and Kathryn Riding Various Artists
Only the Lonely, The Roy Orbison Story Shirlie Roden and Jon Miller Keith Strachan
1996
Jolson Francis Essex and Rob Bettinson
Fame José Fernandez Steve Margoshes Jacques Levy
Hot Mikado David H. Bell Rob Bowman David H. Bell
Mack & Mabel Michael Stewart Jerry Herman
1997
Martin Guerre Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil Claude-Michel Schönberg Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil
Nine Arthur Kopit Maury Yeston
Passion James Lapine Stephen Sondheim
1998
Beauty and the Beast Linda Woolverton Alan Menken Howard Ashman and Tim Rice
Enter the Guardsman Scott Wentworth Craig Bohmler Marion Adler
The Fix John Dempsey Dana P. Rowe John Dempsey
Lady in the Dark Moss Hart Kurt Weill Ira Gershwin
1999
Kat and the Kings David Kramer Taliep Petersen David Kramer
Rent Jonathan Larson
Saturday Night Fever Various Writers Bee Gees
Whistle Down the Wind Patricia Knop, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gale Edwards Andrew Lloyd Webber Jim Steinman

2000s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
2000
Honk! Anthony Drewe George Stiles Anthony Drewe
Mamma Mia! Catherine Johnson Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Spend Spend Spend Steve Brown and Justin Greene Steve Brown Steve Brown and Justin Greene
The Lion King Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi Elton John Tim Rice
2001
Merrily We Roll Along George Furth Stephen Sondheim
Fosse Richard Maltby Jr. and Ann Reinking Various Artists
The Beautiful Game Ben Elton Andrew Lloyd Webber Ben Elton
The Witches of Eastwick John Dempsey Dana P. Rowe John Dempsey
2003
Our House Tim Firth Madness
Bombay Dreams Meera Syal A. R. Rahman Don Black
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jeremy Sams Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Taboo Mark Davies Markham Boy George
2004
Jerry Springer Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas
Ragtime Terrence McNally Stephen Flaherty Lynn Ahrens
Thoroughly Modern Millie Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan Jeanine Tesori Dick Scanlan
2005
The Producers Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan Mel Brooks
Mary Poppins Julian Fellowes Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe
The Woman in White Charlotte Jones Andrew Lloyd Webber David Zippel
2006
Billy Elliot Lee Hall Elton John Lee Hall
Acorn Antiques Victoria Wood
The Big Life Paul Sirett Paul Joseph Paul Sirett
2007
Caroline, or Change Tony Kushner Jeanine Tesori Tony Kushner
Avenue Q Jeff Whitty Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Spamalot Eric Idle John Du Prez and Eric Idle Eric Idle
Porgy and Bess DuBose Heyward George Gershwin DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin
2008
Hairspray Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan Marc Shaiman Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
The Drowsy Chaperone Bob Martin and Don McKellar Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
The Lord of the Rings Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus A. R. Rahman, Värttinä and Christopher Nightingale Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus
Parade Alfred Uhry Jason Robert Brown
2009
Jersey Boys Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice Bob Gaudio Bob Crewe
Zorro Stephen Clark and Helen Edmundson Gipsy Kings and John Cameron Stephen Clark

2010s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
2010
Spring Awakening Steven Sater Duncan Sheik Steven Sater
Dreamboats and Petticoats Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran Various Artists
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott Various Artists
Sister Act Cheri and Bill Steinkellner Alan Menken Glenn Slater
2011
Legally Blonde Heather Hach Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin
Fela! Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis Fela Kuti
Love Never Dies Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton Andrew Lloyd Webber Glenn Slater
Love Story Stephen Clark Howard Goodall Stephen Clark and
Howard Goodall
2012
Matilda Dennis Kelly Tim Minchin
Betty Blue Eyes Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman George Stiles Anthony Drewe
Ghost Bruce Joel Rubin Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard Dave Stewart, Glen Ballard and Bruce Joel Rubin
London Road Alecky Blythe Adam Cork Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork
Shrek David Lindsay-Abaire Jeanine Tesori David Lindsay-Abaire
2013
Top Hat Matthew White and
Howard Jacques 		Irving Berlin
Loserville James Bourne and Elliot Davis
Soul Sister John Miller and Pete Brooks Various Artists
The Bodyguard Alexander Dinelaris Various Artists
2014
The Book of Mormon Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory David Greig Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Once Enda Walsh Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
The Scottsboro Boys David Thompson John Kander Fred Ebb
2015
Sunny Afternoon Joe Penhall Ray Davies
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Douglas McGrath Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil
Here Lies Love David Byrne David Byrne and Fatboy Slim David Byrne
Memphis Joe DiPietro David Bryan David Bryan and Joe DiPietro
2016
Kinky Boots Harvey Fierstein Cyndi Lauper
Bend It Like Beckham Gurinder Chadha and
Paul Mayeda Berges 		Howard Goodall Charles Hart
In the Heights Quiara Alegría Hudes Lin-Manuel Miranda
Mrs Henderson Presents Terry Johnson George Fenton and
Simon Chamberlin 		Don Black
2017
Groundhog Day Danny Rubin Tim Minchin
Dreamgirls Tom Eyen Henry Krieger Tom Eyen
The Girls Tim Firth and Gary Barlow
School of Rock Julian Fellowes Andrew Lloyd Webber Glenn Slater
2018
Hamilton Lin-Manuel Miranda
An American in Paris Craig Lucas George Gershwin Ira Gershwin
Everybody's Talking About Jamie Tom MacRae Dan Gillespie Sells Tom MacRae
Girl from the North Country Conor McPherson Bob Dylan
Young Frankenstein Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan Mel Brooks
2019
Come from Away David Hein and Irene Sankoff
Fun Home Lisa Kron Jeanine Tesori Lisa Kron
Six Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss
Tina Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins Tina Turner


2020s

Year Musical Book Music Lyrics
2020 Dear Evan Hansen Steven Levenson Justin Paul Benj Pasek
& Juliet David West Read Max Martin
Amélie Craig Lucas Daniel Messé Daniel Messé and Nathan Tysen
Waitress Jessie Nelson Sara Bareilles
2021 Not presented due to extended closing of theatre productions during COVID-19 pandemic[A]
2022[A] Back to the Future: The Musical Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis Alan Silvestri Glen Ballard
The Drifters Girl Ed Curtis and Tina Treadwell Various Artists
Frozen Jennifer Lee Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical Lee Hall Bob Marley
Moulin Rouge! The Musical John Logan Various Artists
2023 Standing at the Sky's Edge Chris Bush Richard Hawley
The Band's Visit Itamar Moses David Yazbek
Sylvia Kate Prince and Priya Parmer Kate Prince Josh Cohen and DJ Walde
Tammy Faye James Graham Elton John Jake Shears
  1. ^ a b Due to late March 2020[1] to late July 2021[2] closing of London theatre productions during the COVID-19 pandemic in England, the 2022 awards recognise productions that launched anytime from February 2020 to February 2022[3]

Multiple awards and nominations for Best New Musical

Awards

Five awards

Three awards

Two awards

See also

References

  1. ^ Johnson, The Rt Hon Boris, MP (23 March 2020). Prime Minister's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 23 March 2020 [transcript] (Speech). Prime Minister's Televised Speech to the United Kingdom. www.gov.uk. London, UK. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022. From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction — you must stay at home.((cite speech)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ McPhee, Ryan (14 June 2021). "U.K. Postpones Reopening Roadmap; West End Theatres Will No Longer Reopen in Full in June". Playbill. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022. Step 4 of the roadmap will allow productions to play without capacity restrictions. June 21 was the goal; now, the government is eyeing July 19.
  3. ^ Thomas, Sophie (8 March 2022). "Everything you need to know about the Olivier Awards". londontheatre.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022. Any new production that opened between 19 Feb. 2020 to 22 Feb. 2022 are eligible for categories in the 2022 Olivier Awards. With two years worth of shows set for honours in one year's ceremony, the 2022 Olivier Awards will prove tougher competition than before.

External links

Laurence Olivier Awards
Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical
Category