Rick Elice
Latest News on Rick Elice:
Listen: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Releases 'The Road Don't Make You Young' (May 10, 2024)
Roger Rees Awards Reveals Student Nominees for Outstanding Performer In Greater NY (May 8, 2024)
JERSEY BOYS, THE WIZARD OF OZ, and More Set For ZACH Theatre's 2024-25 Season (May 8, 2024)
Listen: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Releases 'The Road Don't Make You Young' (May 10, 2024)
Roger Rees Awards Reveals Student Nominees for Outstanding Performer In Greater NY (May 8, 2024)
JERSEY BOYS, THE WIZARD OF OZ, and More Set For ZACH Theatre's 2024-25 Season (May 8, 2024)
Rick Elice BIO
Elice with Marshall Brickman wrote the book for the Broadway musical Jersey Boys, which received a Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk nomination for best book for a musical in 2006. With Roger Rees, he wrote the popular thriller Double Double, which has been translated into 16 languages.
He wrote Leonardo’s Ring (London Fringe, 2003) and Dog and Pony (New York Stage and Film, 2003). Elice was creative director at Serino Coyne, Inc. (1982–2000), where he produced advertising campaigns for more than 300 Broadway shows including A Chorus Line and The Lion King. He was a creative consultant for Walt Disney Studios from 1999–2009.
In 2008, he co-wrote Turn of the Century with Marshall Brickman. The show was directed by Tommy Tune and premiered at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago in September 2008.
Elice collaborated with Brickman once again, this time writing the book for the musical, The Addams Family. After a successful run at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre in Chicago, The Addams Family opened on Broadway on April 8, 2010, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth as Gomez and Morticia Addams.
He wrote Peter and the Starcatcher, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, which opened in California in 2009 and played off-Broadway in 2011. The play moved to Broadway, opening at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on April 15, 2012. Peter and the Starcatcher received nine Tony Award nominations, more than any new American play in the history of the Tony Awards. On June 11, 2012, the play won five Tony Awards. The play enjoyed a successful tour throughout North America in 2013–14.
His most recent collaboration with Brickman was for the film of Jersey Boys, directed by Clint Eastwood and released by Warner Brothers in June 2014. Brickman and Elice wrote the screenplay, adapted from their book for the stage musical.
A new musical, Dog and Pony, with book by Elice and music and lyrics by Michael Patrick Walker, had its world premiere at The Old Globe in San Diego in June 2014, starring Nicole Parker, Jon Patrick Walker, Heidi Blickenstaff, Beth Leavel and Eric William Morris, directed by Rees.
Elice wrote the book for a new musical based on the early life and career of Cher, titled The Cher Show, which opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway in December 2018, starring Stephanie J. Block, Teal Wicks, Micaela Diamond and Jarrod Spector, directed by Jason Moore. The show received two 2019 Tony Awards, for Best Costume Design (Bob Mackie), and Best Actress in a Musical (Stephanie J. Block).
Jerry Mitchell directed and choreographed Elice's next musical, My Very Own British Invasion, based on the teenage years of Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits fame. The show premiered on February 10, 2019 at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ.
In 2019, Disney Theatrical Productions announced that Elice and Tony winner Bob Martin would write the book, and Tony winner David Yazbek would write the score, for a musical adaptation of William Goldman's revered novel and cult film, The Princess Bride, for Broadway.
Rick Elice Photos
Photo: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER; written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker; direction of Amanda Connors; music direction by Andrew Bourgoin;
Cast features Raji Ahsan (Black Stache), Spencer Bang (Boy, Peter Pan), Katrina Michaels (Molly Aster), A
Date:
09/14/2018
From: Photo Flash: Sail the High Seas with Argyle Theatre's PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
Photo: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER; written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker; direction of Amanda Connors; music direction by Andrew Bourgoin;
Cast features Raji Ahsan (Black Stache), Spencer Bang (Boy, Peter Pan), Katrina Michaels (Molly Aster), A
Date:
09/14/2018
From: Photo Flash: Sail the High Seas with Argyle Theatre's PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
Photo: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER; written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker; direction of Amanda Connors; music direction by Andrew Bourgoin;
Cast features Raji Ahsan (Black Stache), Spencer Bang (Boy, Peter Pan), Katrina Michaels (Molly Aster), A
Date:
09/14/2018
From: Photo Flash: Sail the High Seas with Argyle Theatre's PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
Photo: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER; written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker; direction of Amanda Connors; music direction by Andrew Bourgoin;
Cast features Raji Ahsan (Black Stache), Spencer Bang (Boy, Peter Pan), Katrina Michaels (Molly Aster), A
Date:
09/14/2018
From: Photo Flash: Sail the High Seas with Argyle Theatre's PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
Photo: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER; written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker; direction of Amanda Connors; music direction by Andrew Bourgoin;
Cast features Raji Ahsan (Black Stache), Spencer Bang (Boy, Peter Pan), Katrina Michaels (Molly Aster), A
Date:
09/14/2018
From: Photo Flash: Sail the High Seas with Argyle Theatre's PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
Photo: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER; written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker; direction of Amanda Connors; music direction by Andrew Bourgoin;
Cast features Raji Ahsan (Black Stache), Spencer Bang (Boy, Peter Pan), Katrina Michaels (Molly Aster), A
Date:
09/14/2018
From: Photo Flash: Sail the High Seas with Argyle Theatre's PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
Photo: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER; written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker; direction of Amanda Connors; music direction by Andrew Bourgoin;
Cast features Raji Ahsan (Black Stache), Spencer Bang (Boy, Peter Pan), Katrina Michaels (Molly Aster), A
Date:
09/14/2018
From: Photo Flash: Sail the High Seas with Argyle Theatre's PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
Rick Elice Attending the Opening Night Celebration for the New Broadway Musical JERSEY BOYS at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City. The Evening is inspired by the the Lives and Musical Journey of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. November 6, 200
Date:
05/06/2012
From: Photo Blast From The Past: The 2012 Tony Nominees - The Men
Rick Elice Productions
Writing
Co-Bookwriter
Playwright
Book
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Rick Elice TV Shows
Submissions Only
Don Martin
Don Martin
Rick Elice Awards and Nominations
Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Book of a Musical
Rick Elice, Water for Elephants
Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Rick Elice, Peter and the Starcatcher
Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Play
Rick Elice, Peter and the Starcatcher
The Lortels - 2011 - Outstanding Play
Rick Elice, Peter and the Starcatcher
Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Book of a Musical
Rick Elice, Jersey Boys
Rick Elice Videos
Video: Watch the Cast of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Perform 'The Lion Has Got No Teeth'
by Blair Ingenthron - May 4, 2024
Video: Music Director & Conductor Alan Everman on La Mirada's JERSEY BOYS
by Joshua Wright - Apr 18, 2024
Video: Watch the WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Opening Night Curtain Call from the Wings
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 24, 2024
Video: Watch Grant Gustin & Isabelle McCalla Perform 'Wild' From WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
by Michael Major - Mar 13, 2024
Video: Watch WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Perform 'The Lion Has Got No Teeth' on GMA
by Michael Major - Mar 12, 2024
Video: What is PigPen Theatre Co.? Meet the Creators of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 2, 2024
Photos & Video: Inside WATER FOR ELEPHANTS' First Preview Curtain Call
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 26, 2024
Video: Songwriting Team For Broadway's WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Performs 'Anywhere'
by Stephi Wild - Oct 27, 2023
VIDEO: First Look at the Regional Premiere of THE CHER SHOW at Ogunquit Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Jun 7, 2022
VIDEO: Go Behind the Scenes With JERSEY BOYS' Return to Live Performances
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2022
Rick Elice News
Listen: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Releases 'The Road Don't Make You Young'
Water for Elephants: Original Broadway Cast Recording has released its third single – “The Road Don’t Make You Young'. Listen here!
Roger Rees Awards Reveals Student Nominees for Outstanding Performer In Greater NY
Broadway Education Alliance has revealed the student nominees for the Roger Rees Awards for Outstanding Performer in Greater NY. See the list!
JERSEY BOYS, THE WIZARD OF OZ, and More Set For ZACH Theatre's 2024-25 Season
ZACH Theatre has announced its 2024- 25 Season with five Mainstage and three Family Series productions along with Austin’s holiday tradition A Christmas Carol as a season add on. Learn more about the full lineup here!
Nominees Announced for the 14th Annual Roger Rees Awards
The Broadway Education Alliance has just announced the 50 Roger Rees Awards nominees for Outstanding Performer. Check out the full list!
Video: Watch the Cast of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Perform 'The Lion Has Got No Teeth'
Watch Paul Alexander Nolan and the cast of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS perform 'The Lion Has Got No Teeth' in the video here.
Photos: Behind the Scenes with the 2024 Tony Nominees
The nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York on Thursday to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there for the special day. Check out behind the scenes photos of the 2024 nominees below and check out even more of the acting nominees and creative nominees.
Photos: Meet the 2024 Creative Tony Nominees
The nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York yesterday to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there for the special day. Check out photos of the 2024 creative nominees here.
Video: Get a First Look at WATER FOR ELEPHANTS on Broadway
Get a first look at footage of Water for Elephants on Broadway!
2024 Tony Awards Nominations- Live Reactions
The nominations for the 77th Annual Tony Awards were announced this morning by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Renée Elise Goldsberry. Follow us throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions!
2024 Tony Awards Nominations - Show by Show
The nominations are in! Check out how each show fared individually in a full list of nominations by show.
2024 Tony Award Nominations- HELL'S KITCHEN and STEREOPHONIC Lead the Pack!
The 77th Annual Tony Awards nominations were announced this morning by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Renee Elise Goldsberry and here they are, celebrating the best of the 2023-24 theatre season. Check out the full list of nominees here!
Review: A Triumphant JERSEY BOYS Debuts at the La Mirada Theatre
A brand-new, reimagined regional iteration of the Tony-winning 2005 musical JERSEY BOYS now at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is exceeding all expectations. Featuring a superb ensemble cast performing The Four Seasons' greatest hits, this spectacular, high-energy, crowd-pleasing production continues through May 12, 2024.
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Will Release Original Broadway Cast Recording; Listen to the First Two Songs!
The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Water for Elephants will be released on Friday, May 17. The first two singles, “Wild” and “Silver Stars,” are available today, Friday, April 26.
PigPen Theatre CO. to Embark on Residency 'Trunk Songs' at City Winery In NYC
Following a critically acclaimed Broadway debut on March 21, the composers of Water for Elephants will celebrate their achievement with a two-date residency in New York City. PigPen Theatre Co. will debut “Trunk Songs: PigPen Theatre Co.” at City Winery on May 17, 2024 with a second performance on June 4, 2024. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 26th, 2024 at 12pm ET. “Trunk Songs: PigPen Theatre Co.” will feature deep cuts from their two-decade long catalog and debut brand new music.
Bonnie Milligan Will Host The 14th Annual Roger Rees Awards in May
Tony Award-winner Bonnie Milligan will host the 2023-24 Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at The Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College.
Duluth Playhouse Opens PETER AND THE STARCATCHER This May
Duluth Playhouse fifth Main Stage play of the season is Peter and the Starcatcher, a hilarious and wildly theatrical prequel to Peter Pan.
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Releases New Block of Tickets Through February 2025
A new block of tickets is now on sale for the new Broadway musical WATER FOR ELEPHANTS. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, CABARET & More Lead in Nominations for 2024 Drama League Awards
Read the full list of 2024 Drama League Nominations! Nominations include Cabaret, Merrily We Roll Along and more.
Photos: First Look at JERSEY BOYS at La Mirada Theatre
Check out production photos from Jersey Boys at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts here!
Lighthouse Repertory Theatre Company To Present The Tony-Award Winning Play, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
Lighthouse Repertory Theatre Company to present the Tony-Award winning play, Peter and the Starcatcher, at Manes Studio Theatre in Lindenhurst, as its first fully-staged production, to raise money and awareness for Long Island nonprofit charity, Kids Need More.
Rick Elice FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Rick Elice written?
Rick Elice has written 8 shows including Jersey Boys (Bookwriter), The Addams Family (Bookwriter), Peter and the Starcatcher (Playwright), The Cher Show (Book), This Ain't No Disco (Book), My Very Own British Invasion (Bookwriter), Water for Elephants (Book), Smash (Co-Bookwriter).
What awards has Rick Elice been nominated for?
Rick Elice has been nominated for several prestigious awards. These include Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Peter and the Starcatcher," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Peter and the Starcatcher," Outstanding Play at The Lortels for "Peter and the Starcatcher," and Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Jersey Boys."
Videos
