David Thompson (writer)
David Thompson is an American writer, playwright, and producer. His notable theater productions include Chicago, The Scottsboro Boys, The Prince of Broadway, and New York, New York.
Thompson was born in La Grange, IL, and attended Lyons Township High School. Thompson is a graduate from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Thompson is a resident of Millburn, New Jersey.
Early years
The son of two school teachers, Thompson was first introduced to theater through his family’s summer theater company, The Troupe in Grand Lake, Colorado. Started in the early 1960s by Thompson’s father, David L. Thompson, The Troupe presented musicals and straight shows in repertory. Thompson and his five siblings were involved in all aspects of production.After graduating from Northwestern University, Thompson lived in Chicago and worked at St. Nicholas Theatre and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. He then moved to New York, where he started his career at Circle Repertory Theater.
Career
BROADWAY AND WEST END: Librettos for: 1997: Chicago, Music and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, Directed by Walter Bobbie, Choreographed by Anne Reinking. Tony Award, Best Musical Revival, longest running American musical 1997: Steel Pier, Music and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, Directed by Scott Ellis, Choreographed by Susan Stroman. 11 Tony Nominations including “Best Book.” Richard Rodgers Theater2001: Thou Shalt Not, Music and Lyrics by Harry Connick, Jr., Directed and Choreographed by Susan Stroman, Lincoln Center2011: The Scottsboro Boys, 12 Tony nominations including “Best Book,” Drama Desk Nomination, Outer Critics and Lucille Lortel Awards for “Best Musical,” Hull-Warriner Award, Lyceum Theater and the Vineyard Theatre2014: The Scottsboro Boys, Music and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, Directed and Choreographed by Susan Stroman, winner of London’s Critic Circle Award, Evening Standard Award, Garrick Theatre and the Young Vic Theatre2017: Prince of Broadway, Directed by Hal Prince, Choreographed by Susan Stroman, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre 2020: Rags, Music by Charles Strousse, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, London’s Park Theatre 2023: New York, New York, Music and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, Additional Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Co-Written by Sharon Washington, Directed and Choreographed by Susan Stroman. St. James TheaterOFF-BROADWAY/ REGIONAL: Librettos for:1988: Flora, the Red Menace, Vineyard Theater, Drama Desk nomination, 1990: 70, Girls, 70, Chichester Festival, 1991 – 1992: And the World Goes ‘Round, Westside Theatre, Winner of New York Drama Desk Award, Lucille Lortel Award, Outer Critics Circle Award1991 – 2019: A Christmas Carol, McCarter Theater2018: The Beast in the Jungle, Vineyard Theatre, Music by John Kander, directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman. Outer Critics nomination
TELEVISION credits for PBS include:1992: Sondheim – A Celebration at Carnegie Hall 1998: Razzle Dazzle, The Music of Kander and Ebb 2018: Harold Prince – the Director’s Life
CONCERT credits at Carnegie Hall include:1999: My Favorite Broadway/The Leading Ladies 2011: ''James Taylor’s ‘Perspective Series’''