James Lapine is an American stage director, playwright, screenwriter, and librettist. He has won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical three times, for Into the Woods, Falsettos, and Passion. He has frequently collaborated with Stephen Sondheim and William Finn. Lapine has also directed dramas, including Dirty Blonde, which ran Off-Broadway and on Broadway in 2000. Lapine was nominated for the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award, for Best Direction of a Play. Lapine directed the 2012 Broadway revival of Annie. In 1991 he directed his first film, Impromptu, which has a screenplay by his wife, Sarah Kernochan. The story revolves around the romance of George Sand and Chopin. He followed with Life With Mikey with Michael J. Fox for Disney. He wrote the screenplay for Disney's film version of Into the Woods (2014), directed by Rob Marshall.

Listen in to today’s Podcast to hear this Master Theater Artist talk about everything from:

How not worrying about whether his first show would “make or break” his career is what led to its success.

Why Sunday in the Park with George made be the best evidence we have for the legalization of marijuana.

Why he doesn’t do outlines.

The difference between collaborating with Stephen Sondheim and William Finn . . . and which one he prefers.

How he comes up with ideas for shows.


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