John Kander

Birth Place: USA

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John Kander BIO

American composer John Kander (b. Kansas City, MO, March 18, 1927) is the musical partner of the songwriting team of Kander and Ebb, who together created at least sixteen Broadway shows, Flora the Red Menace (1965), Cabaret (1966), Chicago (1975), and Curtains (2007) among them. They also contributed material to fourteen films and television specials over their forty-year association. Independently John Kander supplied the scores to many films, including Something For Everyone (1970), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Places in the Heart (1984), and Billy Bathgate (1991).

John Kander Photos

John Kander STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Concert [Off-Off-Broadway], 1973
Performer

John Kander Productions

 
[West End, 2021]
Music
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Music
 
[West End, 2014]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Williamstown, MA (Regional), 2014]
Music
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Dance Music Arranger
 
[West End, 2006] [Replacement]
Music[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Dance Music Arranger
 
[Broadway, 1993]
Musical Director
 
[Broadway, 1991]
Musical Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Dance Music Arranger
 
[Broadway, 1974]
Dance Music Arranger
 
[Broadway, 1962]
Composer
 
[US Tour, 1962]
Dance Music
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Dance Music
 
[Broadway, 1959]
Rehearsal Pianist
Dance Music Arranger
 
[West End, 1958]
Dance Music

Writing

Music, Story
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Composer
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Author
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer

John Kander Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding New Score

John Kander, New York, New York

Drama Desk Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Music

John Kander, The Visit

Tony Awards - 2015 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, The Visit

Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, The Scottsboro Boys

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Lyrics

John Kander, Curtains

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Music

John Kander, Curtains


winner
Drama League Awards - 2007 - Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre

John Kander

Olivier Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Musical Production

John Kander, Cabaret

Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, Curtains


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 1999 - The American Express Tribute

John Kander


winner
Olivier Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Musical Production

John Kander, Chicago

Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Music

John Kander, Steel Pier

Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, Steel Pier

Olivier Awards - 1994 - Best Musical Revival

John Kander, Cabaret

Drama Desk Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Music

John Kander , Kiss of the Spider Woman


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1993 - Best Musical

John Kander, Kiss of the Spider Woman

Olivier Awards - 1993 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical

John Kander, Kiss Of The Spider Woman


winner
Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, Kiss of the Spider Woman

Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, Kiss of the Spider Woman

Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, The Rink


winner
Tony Awards - 1981 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, Woman of the Year

Olivier Awards - 1979 - Musical of the Year

John Kander, Chicago

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, The Act

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, Chicago

Tony Awards - 1968 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, The Happy Time


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1967 - Best Musical

John Kander, Cabaret


winner
Tony Awards - 1967 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John Kander, Cabaret

John Kander Videos

John Kander News


Review Roundup: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Opens On Broadway- See What the Critics Are Saying!

Come one, come all to the new big-top Broadway musical WATER FOR ELEPHANTS opening at Broadway's Imperial Theatre tonight! See what the critics had to say about their trip to the circus! Read the reviews!

Interview: Andrew Lippa on Being One of The Heroes of The Story for his Musical BIG FISH

Composer Andrew Lippa is probably best known for his musical The Addams Family but his work spans far beyond that one show. He wrote additional songs for the Broadway production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and wrote the off-Broadway version of The Wild Party.

Photos: Go Inside NYTW's 2024 Gala Honoring Liesl Tommy

New York Theatre Workshop hosted its 2024 Gala, honoring theater and film visionary Liesl Tommy. The evening’s program was hosted by Nicole Ari Parker, directed by Kevin Cahoon, and feature musical direction by Rick Hip-Flores.

Dee Roscioli to Join TÍTANIQUE as Céline Dion in April

Dee Roscioli will board the ship of dreams as Céline Dion in Titanique. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Broadway Buying Guide: March 18, 2024- THE WHO'S TOMMY Tops the Week

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, March 18, 2024.

New Tickets On Sale For Sydney Season Of CHICAGO

Due to huge demand, additional performances have been released today for the upcoming Sydney season of CHICAGO. Tickets up to 21 July are on pre-sale from today, with General Public sales from Friday 22 March.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 18, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 18, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

CHICAGO se despide de Madrid

El próximo 28 de abril la temporada limitada de CHICAGO bajará el telón una última vez en Madrid antes de embarcarse en una gira por España que culminará en julio de 2025.

Naples' TheatreZone Reveals 20th Season Lineup

TheatreZone, Naples' premier professional theatre company, has announced its 2024-2025 musical productions.

Broadway Buying Guide: March 11, 2024- DOUBT is Back on Broadway

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, March 11, 2024.

Robyn Hurder to Return to CHICAGO as Velma This Month

Tony Award nominee Robyn Hurder will return to Chicago on Broadway in the role of “Velma Kelly” beginning Tuesday, March 26 through Sunday, June 16.

CABARET, THE LEHMAN TRILOGY & More Set for Guthrie Theater 2024-25 Season

The Guthrie Theater will present eight productions for its 2024–2025 Season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Interview: Red Concepcion Looks on 'Mr. Cellophane's' Bright Side

Red Concepcion, who just made his Broadway debut in “Chicago,” sprinkles a little sunshine in his character, Amos Hart, who’s often depicted as Roxie’s “scummy, crummy, dummy hubby.” In the show’s first few minutes, it’s made clear Roxie has been cheating on Amos, clinging to men who have promised her a shot at being a local celebrity.

Review: CHICAGO at The McCallum Theatre

What did our critic think of CHICAGO at The McCallum Theatre? There’s never been a better time to experience CHICAGO, Broadway’s razzle-dazzle smash. This triumphant hit musical is the recipient of six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy®, thousands of standing ovations, and now the #1 longest-running American Musical in Broadway history.

Broadway Buying Guide: March 4, 2024- See the New Musicals of the Spring Season

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, March 4, 2024.

Christopher Durang to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2024 Dramatists Guild Awards

Playwright Christopher Durang is the recipient of The Dramatists Guild's 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more about Durang and about the award!

March BIRTHDAY Feature and a QUIZ: Honoring Those Born in March

Let's march into March with a quiz about the music notables born in that month. Check out this BroadwayWorld quiz to see how much you know about them. A March Multiple Choice Quiz about our multiple birthday honorees.

Northern Stage Announces WAITRESS, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST And More for 2024/25 Season

Discover the exciting 2024/25 season announced by Northern Stage, featuring five main stage productions including SISTERS, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, KING JAMES, THE VERMONT FARM PROJECT, and WAITRESS. The season also promises new works and musical events.

Ariana Madix Out of CHICAGO February 27 Performance

TV personality, actress and author Ariana Madix will miss tonight's performance of Chicago.

Video: Red Concepción Performs 'Mister Cellophane' in CHICAGO on Broadway

You can see right through him, walk right by him, and never know he's there! Here's an exclusive video sneak peek of Red Concepción performing 'Mister Cellophane' in CHICAGO on Broadway.

John Kander FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has John Kander written?

John Kander has written 33 shows including A Family Affair (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Flora, the Red Menace (Composer), Go Fly a Kite (Composer), Cabaret (Composer), The Happy Time (Composer), Zorba (Composer), 70, Girls, 70 (Composer), An Evening with Fred Ebb and John Kander (Composer), Liza (Composer), Chicago (Composer), 2 by 5 (Composer), The Act (Composer), Joe Masiell Not at the Palace (Material), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Composer), Woman of the Year (Composer), The Rink (Composer), Diamonds (Composer), How Lucky Can You Get? (Composer), And the World Goes 'Round (Composer), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Composer), Steel Pier (Composer), Over and Over (Composer), Fosse (Composer), The Visit (Composer), Curtains (Lyricist), Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Composer), First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb (Composer), The Scottsboro Boys (Composer), Come Fly Away (Composer), The Landing (Composer), Kid Victory (Music, Story), The Beast in the Jungle (Composer), New York, New York (Music).

What awards has John Kander been nominated for?

John Kander has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Outstanding New Score at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "New York, New York," Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Visit," and Best Original Score for "The Visit" and "The Scottsboro Boys" at the Tony Awards. He also received nominations for Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music for "Curtains," Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre at the Drama League Awards, and Outstanding Musical Production for "Cabaret" and "Chicago" at the Olivier Awards. Additionally, Kander was nominated for various Best Original Score awards for productions such as "Steel Pier," "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "The Rink," "Woman of the Year," "The Act," and "The Happy Time." He also won awards like Best Musical Revival for "Cabaret" at the Olivier Awards and Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and "Cabaret."

What awards has John Kander won?

John Kander has won several awards throughout his career, including the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards, The American Express Tribute from the Helen Hayes Awards, and the Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production for Chicago. He also won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical for Kiss of the Spider Woman and Cabaret. Additionally, he received the Tony Award for Best Original Score for Kiss of the Spider Woman and Woman of the Year, as well as for Best Original Score for Cabaret.

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