The Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical is an annual award given to the author of the best book of a musical on Broadway or Off-Broadway, as determined by Outer Critics Circle. The award has been given out since the 2011–2012 season.

Since its inception, no author has been nominated more than twice. Robert Horn has won the award the most times, with two wins for Tootsie and Shucked.

Award winners 2010s

Year Production Author Ref. 2012 OnceEnda WalshNice Work If You Can Get ItJoe DiPietroQueen of the MistMichael John LaChiusa 2013 Matilda Dennis KellyKinky BootsHarvey FiersteinDogfightPeter DuchanChaplinChristopher Paul Curtis and Thomas MeehanRodgers and Hammerstein's CinderellaDouglas Carter Beane 2014 A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Robert L. FreedmanFun HomeLisa KronBeautiful: The Carol King MusicalDouglas McGrathDisney's AladdinChad Beguelin 2015 Hamilton Lin-Manuel MirandaIt Shoulda Been YouBrian HargroveSomething Rotten!Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'FarrellThe VisitTerrence McNallyThe Last ShipJohn Logan and Brian Yorkey 2016 Dear Evan Hansen Steven LevensonDaddy Long LegsJohn CairdBright StarSteve Martin and Edie BrickellLazarusEnda Walsh and David BowieOn Your Feet!Alexander Dinelaris 2017 Come From Away Irene Sankoff and David HeinAnastasiaTerrence McNallyThe Band's VisitItamar MosesA Bronx TaleChazz PalminteriGroundhog DayDanny Rubin 2018 Mean Girls Tina FeyMiss You Like HellQuiara Alegría HudesSpongeBob SquarePantsKyle JarrowDesperate MeasuresPeter Kellogg 2019 Tootsie Robert HornThe Hello GirlsPeter Mills and Cara ReichelHadestownAnaïs MitchellHead Over HeelsJeff Whitty and James MagruderGirl from the North CountryConor McPherson

2020s Year Production Author Ref. 2020 (Hon.)Jagged Little PillDiablo CodySoft PowerDavid Henry HwangA Strange LoopMichael R. JacksonThe Secret Life of BeesLynn NottageRomeo and BernadetteMark Saltzman 2021No awards held due to COVID-19 pandemic. 2022 Kimberly Akimbo David Lindsay-AbaireIntimate ApparelLynn NottageMrs. DoubtfireKarey Kirkpatrick and John O'FarrellMr. Saturday NightBilly Crystal, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo MandelHarmonyBruce Sussman 2023 Shucked Robert Horn& JulietDavid West ReadThe Harder They ComeSuzan-Lori ParksTitaniqueTye Blue, Marla Mindelle and Constantine RousouliSome Like It HotMatthew López and Amber Ruffin 2024 Suffs Shaina TaubIllinoiseJustin Peck and Jackie Sibblies DruryTeethAnna K. Jacobs and Michael R. JacksonDead OutlawItamar MosesThe ConnectorJonathan Marc Sherman 2025 Maybe Happy Ending Will Aronson and Hue ParkBoop! The MusicalBob MartinDeath Becomes HerMarco PennetteWe Live in CairoDaniel Lazour and Patrick LazourOperation MincemeatDavid Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoe Roberts2026Schmigadoon!Cinco PaulThe Lost BoysDavid Hornsby and Chris HochBeau the MusicalDouglas LyonsTwo Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)Jim Barne and Kit BuchanMexodusBrian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson

Multiple wins 2 wins Robert Horn

Multiple nominations 2 nominations Robert Horn Enda Walsh Karey Kirkpatrick John O'Farrell Terrence McNally Itamar Moses Michael R. Jackson Lynn Nottage

See also Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical

References