Bill Russell

Bill Russell received Tony Award nominations for the book and lyrics of the original Broadway production of Side Show (1997). The critically praised revised version played the La Jolla Playhouse and the Kennedy Center and received an acclaimed Broadway revival in 2014 and a London premiere at the Southwark Playhouse in 2016.

Mr. Russell co-wrote the book and lyrics for off-Broadway’s long-running musical Pageant and directed it in the Fringe and West End in London and at theaters around America. He authored the book and lyrics for Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (music by Janet Hood), directing it in London’s Fringe and West End, among many others. At the end of 2020, he co-directed a streamed version featuring 51 stars of theater, TV and film, including Nathan Lane, Cynthia Nixon, Cherry Jones, Fran Drescher, JK Simmons, Seth Rudetsky, Varla Jean Merman and Norm Lewis, as a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Other musicals for which he authored book and lyrics include Up in the Air (Kennedy Center) and the off-Broadway musicals The Last Smoker in America, Lucky Duck, Fourtune and The Texas Chainsaw Musical. Brave New World (lyrics) premiered in Asheville, NC in 2016. Unexpected Joy premiered in New York and London in 2018. He has honorary doctorates from the Boston Conservatory and Morningside College and was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2016. More at www.billrussell.net.