Oscar Hammerstein II Headshot

Oscar Hammerstein II

Date of Death: August 23, 1960 (65)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Oscar Hammerstein II BIO

Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) director in musical theater for nearly 40 years. He won eight Tony Awards and two Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Many of his songs are standard repertoire for vocalists and jazz musicians. He co-wrote 850 songs.

He is best known for his collaborations with composer Richard Rodgers, as the duo Rodgers and Hammerstein, whose musicals include Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. Described by Stephen Sondheim as an "experimental playwright", Hammerstein helped bring the American musical to new maturity by popularizing musicals that focused on stories and character rather than the lighthearted entertainment that the musical had been known for beforehand.

He also collaborated with Jerome Kern (with whom he wrote Show Boat), Vincent Youmans, Rudolf Friml, Richard A. Whiting, and Sigmund Romberg.

Oscar Hammerstein II Productions

 
[US Tour, 2020]
Book and Lyrics
 
[US Tour, 2015]
Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Book and Lyrics
 
[US Tour, 2014]
Original Book
Lyrics
 
[US Tour, 1962]
Producer
 
[West End, 1961]
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[US Tour, 1961]
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[West End, 1960]
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[Broadway, 1959]
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[Broadway, 1955]
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[Broadway, 1953]
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[Broadway, 1953]
Producer
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[West End, 1951]
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[Broadway, 1951]
Director
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Book Revisions
 
[Broadway, 1951]
Producer
 
[US Tour, 1950]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1950]
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[Broadway, 1950]
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[Broadway, 1949]
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[Broadway, 1948]
Producer
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[US Tour, 1947]
Producer
 
[West End, 1947]
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[Broadway, 1947]
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[Broadway, 1946]
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[Broadway, 1946]
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[Broadway, 1946]
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Book Revisions
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[Broadway, 1944]
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[Broadway, 1941]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1939]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1938]
Director
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1938]
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Director
 
[Broadway, 1932]
Director
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[Broadway, 1932]
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[Broadway, 1931]
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[Broadway, 1931]
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[Broadway, 1931]
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[Broadway, 1928]
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[West End, 1928]
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[Broadway, 1927]
Director
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Writing

Bookwriter
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Lyricist
Lyricist
Playwright
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Bookwriter
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Source Material
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Composer/Lyricist
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Oscar Hammerstein II Movies

[1925]New Toys writer

[1929]The Desert Song writer

[1930]New Moon lyrics

[1930]Song of the West writer

[1930]Viennese Nights lyrics

[1930]Sunny lyrics by

[1930]The Song of the Flame writer

[1934]Music in the Air lyrics by

[1935]The Night Is Young librettist

[1936]Show Boat lyrics by

[1936]Give Us This Night lyrics by

[1937]Swing High, Swing Low writer

[1938]The Great Waltz lyrics by

[1944]Broadway Rhythm writer

[1946]Centennial Summer lyricist

[1950]Annie Get Your Gun producer

[1953]Main Street to Broadway Oscar Hammerstein

[1954]Rose Marie writer

[1954]Carmen Jones lyrics

[1954]The Last Time I Saw Paris lyrics

[1955]Oklahoma! book

[1956]The King and I lyrics by

[1956]Carousel lyrics by

[1961]Flower Drum Song lyricist

[1962]State Fair lyricist

Oscar Hammerstein II Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Musical

Oscar Hammerstein II, Pipe Dream

Tony Awards - 1952 - Best Musical

Oscar Hammerstein II, The King and I

The Pulitzer Prize - 1950 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Oscar Hammerstein II , South Pacific

Tony Awards - 1950 - Best Musical

Oscar Hammerstein II, South Pacific

Tony Awards - 1950 - Producer (Musical)

Oscar Hammerstein II, South Pacific

Oscar Hammerstein II Videos

Oscar Hammerstein II News


THE SOUND OF MUSIC & More Set for Redhouse 2024-25 Season

Redhouse Arts Center has revealed its 24/25 season and new ticket packages with special pricing (available through March 29, 2024). See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: CHRISTINE ANDREAS Brings Paris to 54 Below

This reviewer was overwhelmed by Christine Andreas’s magical and bewitching voice. C’est magnifique!!

Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert MY FAVORITE THINGS Will Be Available to Stream in the US

My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert will be available to stream on-demand in North America from Sunday, March 24 through Sunday, March 31, 2024. We have all of the details on how you can watch from home!

MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Will Screen in Cinemas in Australia and New Zealand

The star-studded My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert, filmed last December, will be screened in more than 100 cinemas across Australia and New Zealand from 21st March 2024.

CAROUSEL to be Presented at The Wick Theatre Beginning This Month

The classic musical Carousel is set to ope at The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton. See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC Comes to the Citadel Theatre Next Month

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music opens in early March on the Shoctor Theatre stage.

Video: CINDERELLA Director Chris Stewart Talks Children's Theatre Company's New Production

Break out the glass slippers! The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati's RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA: YOUTH EDITION opens at the Taft Theatre February 17 - 26, 2024. See director Chris Stewart discuss the production in the video below!

Rodgers and Hammerstein's A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING to Open Valentine's Day At Bridgetown Black Box

Rodgers and Hammerstein's A Grand Night for Singing will open on Valentine's Day at the Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre's Black Box.

PURLIE VICTORIOUS Stage Film to Premiere on PBS This May; Great Performances Sets New 'Broadway's Best' Lineup

The live capture of the recent Broadway revival of Purlie Victorious is premiering on PBS this May. Starring Leslie Odom Jr., the Kenny Leon-directed production was filmed before it closed on Broadway earlier this year. The lineup also includes the Audra McDonald concert, Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary, Hamlet, and more!

GREAT PERFORMANCES to Air Audra McDonald Concert, Public Theatre's HAMLET & More This Spring

Audra McDonald's London Palladium Concert, The Public Theater’s production of Hamlet, Elton John And Bernie Taupin: The Library Of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song concert special and a star-studded Rogers & Hammerstein celebration are coming to PBS. The specials will feature Ato Blankson-Wood, Aaron Tveit, Marisha Wallace, and more.

Nicholas Rodriguez Brings SINCERELY SONDHEIM to Aventura

The City of Aventura presents Sincerely, Sondheim: A Musical Love Letter to Stephen Sondheim on Sunday, February 4 at 7 p.m. featuring Nicholas Rodriguez, direct from his performance in the Tony Award-winning revival of Sondheim’s Company. 

Single Tickets On Sale Tomorrow For Music Theater Works 2024 Season

Music Theater Works has announced single tickets for its 2024 season of productions at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd. go on sale Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 12 p.m.

OKLAHOMA! Showing On the Main Stage of The Lake Worth Playhouse

Lake Worth Playhouse announces the production of Oklahoma! on the Main Stage as part of our 71st Season.

Bridgetown Conservatory Presents Rodgers And Hammerstein's A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING

Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre will present Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'A Grand Night for Singing' in February as the first production of their 2024 roster of small musicals.

Nikki Crawford, Claybourne Elder & More to Star in FALLING FOR MAKE BELIEVE Developmental Readings

Amas Musical Theatre and the Amas Musical Theatre Lab, will present developmental lab readings of Falling For Make Believe: The Life and Songs of Lorenz Hart, with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart.

Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center to Close On Purchase of Hammerstein Home

The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center is set to close following the purchase of the Hammerstein Home. Join the celebration at Highland Farm to commemorate this milestone in theater history.

Review: RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL

The new production at Drury Lane Theatre is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.  It is an updated version of the 1957 and 1965 TV films starring Julie Andrews and then Lesley Ann Warren. The original book was written by Oscar Hammerstein II.

Review: STANDARD TIME WITH MICHAEL FEINSTEIN Enriches A Night At Carnegie Hall

This reviewer was thrilled to be able to get a glimpse into the amazing world of Michael Feinstein.

Michael Ball and Lucy St. Louis Join Lineup For MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization announced that two-time Olivier Award winner Michael Ball and West End sensation Lucy St. Louis will also headline the previously announced My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert. Tickets are available now.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC Returns to ABC This Holiday Season

Starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, the heartwarming film features fan-favorite songs including “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev'ry Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” “The Lonely Goatherd” and “The Sound of Music.”

Oscar Hammerstein II FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Oscar Hammerstein II has written 61 shows including Cinderella (Bookwriter), The Sound of Music (Lyricist), Always You (Bookwriter), Fly with Me (Lyricist), Tickle Me (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Jimmie (Lyricist), Daffy Dill (Lyricist), Queen O' Hearts (Lyricist), Wildflower (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Mary Jane McKane (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Gypsy Jim (Playwright), New Toys (Playwright), Rose-Marie (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Sunny (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Song of the Flame (Bookwriter/Lyricist), The Wild Rose (Bookwriter), Golden Dawn (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Show Boat (Bookwriter), Good Boy (Bookwriter), Rainbow (Lyricist), Sweet Adeline (Bookwriter/Lyricist), The Gang's All Here (Bookwriter), Free For All (Bookwriter), East Wind (Bookwriter), East Wind (Lyricist), Music in the Air (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Three Sisters (Bookwriter/Lyricist), May Wine (Lyricist), Gentlemen Unafraid (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Hellzapoppin (Lyricist), Very Warm for May (Bookwriter/Lyricist), American Jubilee (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Sunny River (Bookwriter/Lyricist), The New Moon (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Oklahoma! (Bookwriter), Carmen Jones (Bookwriter), Carousel (Bookwriter), The Desert Song (Lyricist), Happy Birthday (Lyricist), Allegro (Bookwriter), South Pacific (Bookwriter), The King and I (Bookwriter), Me And Juliet (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Pipe Dream (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Flower Drum Song (Bookwriter), A Celebration of Richard Rodgers (Lyricist), Dancin' (Lyricist), With Love and Laughter (Material), Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre (Lyricist), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Bookwriter), A Grand Night for Singing (Lyricist), Something Wonderful (Lyricist), State Fair (Source Material), Swing! (Composer/Lyricist), Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart (Lyricist), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Lyricist), Something Good (Lyricist), Never Gonna Dance (Lyricist), Barbara Cook's Broadway! (Lyricist), LoveMusik (Lyricist), Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella (Lyricist).

Oscar Hammerstein II has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "State Fair," Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "Pipe Dream," "The King and I," and "South Pacific," Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The King and I" and "Carousel," The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "South Pacific," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "South Pacific," Producer (Musical) at the Tony Awards for "South Pacific," and Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Carousel."

Oscar Hammerstein II has won several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable achievements include winning the Tony Award for Best Musical for "The King and I" and "South Pacific." He also received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "South Pacific." In addition, Hammerstein won the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for "South Pacific." He was recognized as a producer for the musical "South Pacific" at the Tony Awards. Furthermore, "Carousel," another musical by Hammerstein, was awarded the Best Musical title by the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards.

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