Joel Paley was an American theatre director, lyricist and playwright. He was perhaps best known for co-creating the all-female musical Ruthless! with his creative partner and later husband Marvin Laird. In 1993, he won a Drama Desk Award and was nominated for one more in the categories Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Director of a Musical for the play Ruthless!.Joel Paley was an American theatre director, lyricist and playwright. He was perhaps best known for co-creating the all-female musical Ruthless! with his creative partner and later husband Marvin Laird. In 1993, he won a Drama Desk Award and was nominated for one more in the categories Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Director of a Musical for the play Ruthless!....more