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Stephen Flaherty

Birth Place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

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BIO

Stephen Flaherty writes music for theater, film, recordings and the concert stage. He is perhaps best known as the composer of the Broadway musicals Ragtime (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Awards, two Grammy nominations), Seussical (Grammy and Drama Desk nominations), Once on This Island (Tony nomination, Olivier Award for London's Best Musical), and also contributed music to Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (original songs) and Neil Simon's Proposals (incidental music). He has also written four musicals produced at Lincoln Center Theatre: The Glorious Ones (Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nominations), Dessa Rose (Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nominations), A Man of No Importanc (Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, Drama Desk nomination) and My Favorite Year. Other theater scores include Lucky Stiff and Loving Repeating: A Musical of Gertrude Stein (Chicago's Jefferson Award for Best New Musical). Film credits include Anastasia (Academy Award nominations for Best Score and Best Song, two Golden Globe nominations and a gold record for its soundtrack), Bartok the Magnificent (original score and songs) and the upcoming After The Storm. Concert work includes commissions from the Boston Pops, Carnegie Hall and the Guggenheim Museum. "The Ahrens and Flaherty Songbook," a print anthology, is available through Alfred Music. His songs have been recorded by Aaliyah, Johnny Mathis, Richard Marx and Donna Lewis, Renee Fleming and Bryn Terfel, Donny Osmond, Thalia and Deana Carter, among others. Mr. Flaherty serves on the Dramatists Guild Council, where he co-chairs the Dramatists Guild Fellows Program for emerging writers with Lynn Ahrens, his longtime writing partner.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Chef's Theater: A Musical Feast
[Off-Broadway]
2004
Performer

Productions

RagtimeRagtime
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Composer
A Journey to the PastA Journey to the Past
 
[West End, 2022]
MUSIC AND LYRICS
AnastasiaAnastasia
 
[US Tour, 2018] Cancelled [Replacement]
Music & Vocal Arrangements[Replacement]
AnastasiaAnastasia
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Vocal Arrangements
RockyRocky
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Composer
The Glorious Ones
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Vocal Music Arranger
Dessa Rose
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Vocal Music Arranger
Vocal Music Arranger
A Man of No Importance
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Vocal Music Arranger
Vocal Music Arranger
Once On This Island
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Dance/Vocal Arrangements
Seussical
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Vocal Music Arranger
Ragtime
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Vocal Music Arranger
Proposals
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Composer
Once On This Island
 
[Broadway, 1990]
Vocal Music Arranger
Dance Music Arranger
Dance/Vocal Arrangements
Dames at Sea
 
[Off-Broadway, 1985]
Piano

Writing

Knoxville
Composer
Anastasia
Composer
Dessa Rose
Composer
The Glorious Ones
Composer
Composer
Lucky Stiff
Composer
Composer
Once On This Island
Composer
Composer
Ragtime
Composer
Seussical
Bookwriter
Composer
Conceiver
Composer
Bookwriter
Conceiver

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Flaherty, Anastasia

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Stephen Flaherty, Anastasia

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Flaherty, The Glorious Ones

Olivier Awards - 2004 - Best New Musical

Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Flaherty, A Man of No Importance


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Flaherty, Seussical the Musical


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Musical

Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime


winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime


winner
Olivier Awards - 1995 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical

Stephen Flaherty, Once On This Island

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Flaherty, Once on this Island

Videos

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News


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Photos: Sara Bareilles, Jordan Fisher, & More at Maestra Music's AMPLIFY 2025
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 1, 2025

AMPLIFY 2025, Maestra Music’s annual benefit concert, was held on Monday, March 31 at Sony Hall. Featuring unforgettable performances by Sara Bareilles, Joy Huerta, Kecia Lewis, Jordan Fisher and more. Take a look at photos from the evening now!
ANASTASIA Musical to Premiere in Australia in 2025 Photo
ANASTASIA Musical to Premiere in Australia in 2025
by Joshua Wright - Apr 1, 2025

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Review: THE LEADING LADY CLUB CONCERT Is a Female-Focused Blast at 54 Below
by Rob Lester - Apr 1, 2025

THE LEADING LADY CONCERT at 54 Below on March 22 featured lots of talent and more than just bravura belting--with some surprises. An annual concert for Women's History Month is strong and stylish.
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A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE to be Presented at A Noise Within
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 1, 2025

A Noise Within will present A Man of No Importance, an evocative, intimate musical gem from the Tony Award-winning team behind Ragtime. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 31, 2025

Star of the Day has revealed the cast and creative team of the upcoming mainstage production SEUSSICAL: THE MUSICAL, by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 28, 2025

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The Fulton Theatre to Present ANASTASIA in April Photo
The Fulton Theatre to Present ANASTASIA in April
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 26, 2025

The Fulton Theatre will present a production of the Broadway musical Anastasia, bringing the captivating story of a lost princess to life on its historic stage. The show will run from April 11 to May 11, 2025 on the Fulton Theatre’s Mainstage.
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Oh, the things you can think when you see a musical that lingers in your mind for days after you've left! That's exactly what’s twirling in my head after visiting The Young Players at The Royal Theatre in Benton to see Seussical Jr., which I had the chance to catch on Sunday, March 23. I don’t usually like going on the last day, but thanks to the groundhog, the weather made it difficult to get there any sooner. 
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Review: ROCKY THE MUSICAL al TEATRO BRANCACCIO
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Stephen Flaherty written?

Stephen Flaherty has written 17 shows including Lucky Stiff (Composer), Once On This Island (Composer), My Favorite Year (Composer), Ragtime (Composer), Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart (Composer), Seussical (Conceiver), A Man of No Importance (Composer), Dessa Rose (Composer), Chef's Theater: A Musical Feast (Songs), Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Composer), Loving Repeating (Composer), The Glorious Ones (Composer), Rocky (Composer), In Your Arms (Music), Anastasia (Composer), Marie, Dancing Still (Composer), Knoxville (Composer).

What awards has Stephen Flaherty been nominated for?

Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Anastasia, Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Anastasia, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for The Glorious Ones, Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Ragtime, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for A Man of No Importance, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Seussical the Musical, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Ragtime, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Ragtime, The American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Once On This Island and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Once on this Island.

What awards has Stephen Flaherty won?

Stephen Flaherty has won the following awards: - Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for A Man of No Importance - Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Seussical the Musical - Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime - Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Ragtime - The American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Once On This Island

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