Andrew Lippa

Andrew Lippa was born on December 22, 1964, in Leeds, England. His family relocated to the United States in 1967, and he was raised in Oak Park, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. Lippa attended Oak Park High School and later studied vocal performance at the University of Michigan before switching to music education, in which he earned his bachelor’s degree. His classical training and early exposure to music education laid a strong foundation for his future in musical theatre.

After moving to New York City in 1987, Lippa worked as a middle school music teacher and eventually became dean of students at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School. During this time, he joined the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, which proved instrumental in developing his skills as a composer and lyricist. Through the workshop, he began building important relationships within the theater world, including a key collaboration with writer Tom Greenwald.

Lippa’s first major theatrical work was john & jen, a chamber musical co-written with Greenwald, which premiered in 1993 and had an Off-Broadway run in 1995. His breakthrough came in 2000 with The Wild Party, for which he wrote the book, music, and lyrics. The show earned him several awards and critical acclaim. Its bold, jazzy score and emotionally raw storytelling firmly established Lippa as a major talent in contemporary musical theatre.

He went on to write music and lyrics for The Addams Family, which premiered on Broadway in 2010 and toured nationally and internationally. In 2013, Lippa debuted Big Fish on Broadway, adapted from the novel and film of the same name. That same year, he composed I Am Harvey Milk, a theatrical oratorio that blended classical and Broadway styles. Throughout his career, Lippa has collaborated with renowned performers such as Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, and Vanessa Williams.

Andrew Lippa is widely recognized as a multi-talented artist: a composer, lyricist, arranger, producer, conductor, and singer. He has been honored with numerous awards and nominations, including the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. Lippa also serves as President of the Dramatists Guild Foundation, supporting playwrights and composers. Residing in Columbus, Ohio, he continues to create, perform, and champion new voices in the arts.