Tom Eyen

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Tom Eyen (August 14, 1941 - May 26, 1991) was an American experimental playwright, lyricist, and theatre director.

Born in Cambridge, Ohio, Eyen was best known for two works at opposite ends of the theatrical spectrum. His classic camp women's prison drama, Women Behind Bars, was a major off-Broadway hit in 1976, first with Pat Ast and then Divine playing the lead role of the evil matron. Mainstream theatergoers became acquainted with him in 1981, when Dreamgirls, the Broadway musical for which he wrote the book and lyrics, proved to be equally successful and won him the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical.

Eyen's additional off-Broadway credits include writing and directing The Dirtiest Show in Town, Why Hanna's Skirt Won't Stay Down, and Neon Woman.

Eyen also wrote the book for and directed one of musical theater's most notorious flops, 1973's Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It), which closed after seven previews. He had better luck with the 1978 television special Ol' Red Hair is Back, starring Bette Midler, Dustin Hoffman, and Emmett Kelly.

Eyen died of AIDS-related complications in Palm Beach, Florida. A memorial service was held at the St. James Theatre in New York City on September 23, 1991.