Ed Kleban

Ed Kleban was an American composer and lyricist, best known for his work on the Tony Award-winning musical "A Chorus Line." Born on April 30, 1939, in the Bronx, New York, Kleban grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. He attended the High School of Music and Art in Manhattan and went on to study at the Columbia University School of General Studies.

Kleban's career in theater began in the 1960s, when he worked as a rehearsal pianist for various Broadway productions. He later transitioned to writing his own material, and in 1975, he began collaborating with composer Marvin Hamlisch on a new musical called "A Chorus Line." The show, which explored the lives of Broadway dancers auditioning for a spot in a chorus line, was a critical and commercial success and won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Kleban's work on "A Chorus Line" earned him a Tony Award for Best Original Score and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. He went on to write the music and lyrics for several other musicals, including "Gallery" and "The Madwoman of Central Park West." In 1987, he released a solo album called "A Class Act," which featured songs from his unproduced musicals.
Despite his success on Broadway, Kleban struggled with personal demons throughout his life. He was known for his sharp wit and acerbic personality, which often alienated those around him. He was also plagued by health problems, including a heart condition that required him to undergo multiple surgeries.
Kleban died on October 28, 1987, at the age of 48, due to complications from surgery. In 2001, his life and work were celebrated in the musical "A Class Act," which was co-written by Linda Kline and Lonny Price and featured music and lyrics by Kleban. The show received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical and was later adapted into a film.