Joel Paley

Joel Paley is the author and lyricist of the award-winning Off Broadway musical "Ruthless!" for which he won the Drama Desk Award as best Lyricist, and was nominated for Best Director for both Drama Desk and Outer Critics Awards.  He has directed productions in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles (including Brittany Spears, Natalie Portman and Bernadette Peters).  He has worked extensively in theatre and television, has directed and choreographed an award-winning musical theater program for young performers, and has taught acting technique and performance classes in Los Angeles.