The 11 Iconic Pulitzer Prize-Winning Musicals
While many plays have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize throughout history, only a few musicals have earned this title. To date, only 11 musicals have received the coveted prize. Here’s a full list of Pulitzer Prize-winning musicals, sorted from most recent to oldest.
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Pulitzer Prize Winning Musicals
Music/Lyrics/Book: Michael R. Jackson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
Pulitzer Prize Year: 2020
Music/Lyrics/Book: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Pulitzer Prize Year: 2016
Music: Tom Kitt Lyrics/Book: Brian Yorkey
Musical Type: Contemporary (2008)
Pulitzer Prize Year: 2010
Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics/Book: Oscar Hammerstein II
Musical Type: Golden Age (1943)
Pulitzer Prize Year: 1944
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jonathan Larson
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1996)
Pulitzer Prize Year: 1996
Sunday in the Park with George
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: James Lapine
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)
Pulitzer Prize Year: 1985
Music: Marvin Hamlisch Lyrics: Edward Kleban Book: James Kirkwood, Nicholas Dante
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1975)
Pulitzer Prize Year: 1976
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Music/Lyrics: Frank Loesser Book: Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, Willie Gilbert
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1961)
Pulitzer Prize Year: 1962
Music: Jerry Bock Lyrics: Sheldon Harnick Book: Jerome Weidman, George Abbott
Musical Type: Golden Age (1959)
Pulitzer Prize Year: 1960
Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics/Book: Oscar Hammerstein II Book: Joshua Logan
Musical Type: Golden Age (1949)
Pulitzer Prize Year: 1950
Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Book: George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1931)
Pulitzer Prize Year: 1932
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Which of these Pulitzer Prize winning musicals is your favorite?
Or have you ever played a role in any of the above Pulitzer Prize musicals? Feel free to share in the comments below! And if you enjoy exploring these lists, check out the musical database, where you can discover musicals organized by composer, theme, setting, and much more!
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.