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Richard Rodgers Headshot

Richard Rodgers

Also Credited As: Richard C. Rodgers

Date of Death: December 30, 1979 (77)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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BIO

Richard Rodgers was an American composer of 43 Broadway musicals, leaving a legacy as one of the most significant composers of 20th century American music. He is best known for his songwriting partnerships with the lyricists Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II. His compositions have had a significant impact on popular music.


Rodgers was the first person to win an EGOT. In addition, he was awarded a Pulitzer Prize, making him one of only two people to receive all five awards

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Productions

 
[US Tour, 2020]
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[US Tour, 2015]
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[Broadway, 2015]
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[West End, 2006]
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[Broadway, 1977]
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[Broadway, 1970]
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[Broadway, 1968]
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[Broadway, 1965]
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[US Tour, 1947]
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[Broadway, 1937]
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[Broadway, 1925]
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[Broadway, 1919]
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Writing

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Movies

Heads Up
[ 1930 ] music
The Hot Heiress
[ 1931 ] music & lyrics by
Love Me Tonight
[ 1932 ] music by
Evergreen
[ 1934 ] music & lyrics by
The Merry Widow
[ 1934 ] lyrics by
Hollywood Party
[ 1934 ] music & lyrics by
Mississippi
[ 1935 ] music by
On Your Toes
[ 1939 ] music and lyrics by
Too Many Girls
[ 1940 ] music by
The Boys from Syracuse
[ 1940 ] music by
They Met in Argentina
[ 1941 ] songs
State Fair
[ 1945 ] music by
Annie Get Your Gun
[ 1950 ] producer
Main Street to Broadway
[ 1953 ] Richard Rodgers
Oklahoma!
[ 1955 ] music by
The King and I
[ 1956 ] music by
Carousel
[ 1956 ] music by
Pal Joey
[ 1957 ] music by
South Pacific
[ 1958 ] music by
Billy Rose's Jumbo
[ 1962 ] music and lyrics by

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Musical Production

Richard Rodgers, The Sound Of Music

Olivier Awards - 2002 - The Hilton Award for Outstanding Musical Production

Richard Rodgers, South Pacific

Olivier Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Musical Production

Richard Rodgers, The King And I


winner
Olivier Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Musical Production

Richard Rodgers, Oklahoma!

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Richard Rodgers, State Fair


winner
Olivier Awards - 1992 - Best Musical Revival

Richard RodgersThe Boys From Syracuse

Olivier Awards - 1992 - Best Musical Revival

Richard RodgersThe Boys From Syracuse

Olivier Awards - 1988 - Musical of the Year

Richard RodgersBabes In Arms


winner
Tony Awards - 1979 - Lawrence Langner Memorial Award for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in the American Theatre

Richard Rodgers


winner
Tony Awards - 1972 - Special Tony Award

Richard Rodgers

Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Richard Rodgers , Do I Hear a Waltz?

Tony Awards - 1962 - Best Musical

Richard Rodgers, No Strings


winner
Tony Awards - 1962 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Richard Rodgers, No Strings


winner
Tony Awards - 1962 - Special Tony Award

Richard Rodgers

Tony Awards - 1959 - Best Musical

Richard Rodgers, Flower Drum Song

Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Musical

Richard Rodgers, Pipe Dream


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1952 - Best Musical

Richard Rodgers , Pal Joey


winner
Tony Awards - 1952 - Best Musical

Richard Rodgers, The King and I

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1951 - Best Musical

Richard Rodgers , The King and I


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1950 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Richard Rodgers, South Pacific


winner
Tony Awards - 1950 - Best Musical

Richard Rodgers, South Pacific


winner
Tony Awards - 1950 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Richard Rodgers, South Pacific


winner
Tony Awards - 1950 - Producer (Musical)

Richard Rodgers, South Pacific


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1949 - Best Musical

Richard Rodgers, South Pacific


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1946 - Best Musical

Richard Rodgers , Carousel

Videos

News


BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and More Set for North Charleston Performing Arts Center '25-26 Broadway Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 21, 2025

North Charleston Performing Arts Center's Best of Broadway series will welcome back by popular demand DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and more for its 2025-26 season. See the full lineup here!
Shaina Taub to be Honored at EdTA's Theatre Education Conference
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 17, 2025

Shaina Taub— two-time Tony Award winner, Grammy-nominated songwriter, and writer, composer, lyricist, and star of the revolutionary Broadway musical Suffs— will join the 2025 Theatre Education Conference. Learn more!
Julie Benko Will Lead Theatre Aspen's MY FAIR LADY
by Joshua Wright - Apr 16, 2025

The Aspen Music Festival and School and Theatre Aspen have announced their sixth annual co-production: the 6-time Tony Award®-winning Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady in Concert, for a one-night only performance directed by Maggie Burrows, starring Julie Benko as ‘Eliza Dolittle,’ and conducted by Andy Einhorn.
THE OUTSIDERS, STEREOPHONIC And More Set for Blumenthal Arts 2025-2026 Broadway Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2025

Blumenthal Arts has announced a lineup for the 2025–2026 season, featuring the best new shows direct from Broadway, including big winners from the 2024 Tony Awards.
TLC Musical CRAZYSEXYCOOL, New Adaptations of DAMN YANKEES and PAL JOEY Will Play Arena Stage in 2025/26 Season
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 14, 2025

Arena Stage Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie have just announced the company’s diamond anniversary season. The season includes the world premiere of CrazySexyCool, from TLC, written and directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah and choreographed by Chloe O. Davis; as well as a revival of Damn Yankees, in a new adaptation by Will Power and Doug Wright, additional lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and direction and choreography by Sergio Trujillo; the world premiere of Freemont Ave, by Reggie D. White; a new revival of Pal Joey, with a new book by Richard LaGravenese, co-directed by Tony Goldwyn and Savion Glover.
25 Best Restaurants in the Theatre District
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 13, 2025

Who knows better about where to eat in the theatre district than the people who hang out the most in the theatre district? We've asked the experts- BroadwayWorld readers/avid theatregoers to weigh in on which restaurants are their favorites to grab a bite before or after a Broadway show. The results are in...
THE SOUND OF MUSIC Begins At Berkeley Playhouse In May
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 12, 2025

Berkeley Playhouse closes out its 2024/25 MainStage Season with the timeless musical The Sound of Music, performing to June 29, 2025. Performances begin May 23, 2025.
See Marilyn Maye, Donna Vivino and More Next Week at 54 Below
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 11, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Donna Vivino, Marilyn Maye and more. See full programming here! 
HAMILTON and More Join DPAC's 2025/26 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 9, 2025

DPAC has announced the return of five great Broadway shows in the 2025 / 2026 season, including Hamilton and four more of Broadway’s biggest hits.  Tickets to each show will go on sale this spring and summer.  
Review Roundup: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Opens On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 9, 2025

It's a celebration of all things Steve as Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, celebrates its opening night on Broadway! See what the New York critics thought of this West End smash! Read the reviews!
NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET is Coming to The Fabulous Fox
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 8, 2025

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet, the Christmas classic, will visit The Fabulous Fox in St. Louis this upcoming holiday season. Lear more about the show and see when and how you can purchase tickets.
Troupe Will Bring Centenary Reimagining of THE RAT TRAP Noël Coward's at The Park Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 8, 2025

Following its critically acclaimed production of The Forsyte Saga Parts 1 and 2, Troupe returns to Park Theatre in 2026 with Bill Rosenfield's reimagining of Noël Coward's The Rat Trap.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC and More Set for Broadway in Chicago 2025 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 7, 2025

Broadway In Chicago has revealed that the upcoming season lineup will include Rodgers & Hammerstein’s critically acclaimed THE SOUND OF MUSIC and more. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Sneak Peek of Photos from Mark S. Kornbluth's DARK Series
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 7, 2025

Five years after the start of Broadway’s Great Intermission—the 18-month period when the Covid pandemic forced theaters to close—Mark S. Kornbluth has released new images in his historic portrait series DARK. Take a look at them here!
Photos: CAROUSEL at Music Theater Heritage
by Emmy Rice - Apr 4, 2025

Music Theater Heritage, the professional theater in residence at Crown Center, has released a first look at photos from its production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel.
Interview: Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton Talks Boston Lyric Opera's Production of CAROUSEL
by R. Scott Reedy - Apr 4, 2025

The legend of Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre stems in part from the many pre-Broadway tryouts that have and continue to take place there, including not one but two now-iconic Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musicals, 1943’s “Oklahoma!” – when it was still being called “Away We Go!” – and 1945’s “Carousel.”
Joseph Zellnik's Broadway Mystery Novel THE SOUND OF MURDER Now Available
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 3, 2025

The Sound of Murder, a new musical theater-themed mystery novel from composer Joseph Zellnik, is now available in paperback and eBook on major online book retailers.
Photos: Larry Owens and More at Jonathan Larson Grant Celebration Gala
by Robert Diamond - Apr 3, 2025

The American Theatre Wing, under the direction of President and CEO Heather Hitchens, held a special concert reception honoring the 2024 winners of the coveted Jonathan Larson Grant at Joe’s Pub. See photos here!
Troy Iwata, Storm Lever and More to Star in UNLOCK’D Industry Reading
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 2, 2025

Loseff Productions will present an industry presentation of the multi-award-winning musical romance UNLOCK’D, with book and lyrics by Sam Carner. See who is starring and learn more!
Photos: Mary Testa, Jordan Dobson and More in NIGHT SIDE SONGS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 31, 2025

The American Repertory Theater/Philadelphia Theatre Company’s world-premiere production of Night Side Songs is running at two venues in A.R.T.’s community. See photos here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Richard Rodgers written?

Richard Rodgers has written 66 shows including The Sound of Music (Composer), Cinderella (Composer), Fly with Me (Composer), Poor Little Ritz Girl (Composer), Dearest Enemy (Composer), The Girl Friend (Composer), Garrick Gaieties (Composer), Lido Lady (Composer), Peggy-Ann (Composer), Betsy (Composer), One Dam Thing After Another (Composer), She's My Baby (Composer), Present Arms (Composer), Chee-Chee (Composer), Spring is Here (Composer), A Yankee At The Court Of King Arthur (Composer), Heads Up (Composer), Simple Simon (Composer), Ever Green (Composer), America's Sweetheart (Composer), Jumbo (Composer), On Your Toes (Bookwriter), All Points West (Composer), The Show is On (Composer), Babes in Arms (Bookwriter), I'd Rather Be Right (Composer), I Married an Angel (Bookwriter), The Boys from Syracuse (Composer), Too Many Girls (Composer), Higher and Higher (Composer), Pal Joey (Composer), By Jupiter (Bookwriter), Oklahoma! (Composer), Carousel (Composer), Happy Birthday (Composer), Allegro (Composer), South Pacific (Composer), The King and I (Composer), Me And Juliet (Composer), Pipe Dream (Composer), Flower Drum Song (Composer), No Strings (Composer), Do I Hear a Waltz? (Composer), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (Composer), Two By Two (Composer), A Celebration of Richard Rodgers (Composer), Rodgers & Hart (Composer), Rex (Composer), Side by Side by Sondheim (Composer), I Remember Mama (Composer), With Love and Laughter (Material), Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre (Composer), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Composer), A Grand Night for Singing (Composer), Something Wonderful (Composer), State Fair (Composer), Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart (Composer), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Composer), Something Good (Composer), Barbara Cook's Broadway! (Composer), Manhattan Madcaps of 1924 (Composer), Stairway to Paradise (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), Come Fly Away (Composer), Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella (Composer), A Night With Janis Joplin (Composer), Ten Cents a Dance (Composer).

What awards has Richard Rodgers been nominated for?

Richard Rodgers has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of the notable nominations include Outstanding Musical Production at the Olivier Awards for "The Sound Of Music," "South Pacific," "The King And I," and "Oklahoma!" He was also nominated for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "State Fair," "Do I Hear a Waltz?," and "No Strings." Rodgers received nominations for Best Musical Revival at the Olivier Awards for "The Boys From Syracuse" and Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "No Strings," "Flower Drum Song," "Pipe Dream," "The King and I," and "South Pacific." Additionally, he was nominated for the Lawrence Langner Memorial Award for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in the American Theatre and received a Special Tony Award. Rodgers also received nominations for various other categories such as Musical of the Year, Producer (Musical), and Best Original Score. His work on "South Pacific" earned him the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

What awards has Richard Rodgers won?

Richard Rodgers has won several awards throughout his career in the Broadway industry. Some of his notable awards include the Outstanding Musical Production at the Olivier Awards for "Oklahoma!", the Best Musical Revival at the Olivier Awards for "The Boys From Syracuse", the Lawrence Langner Memorial Award for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in the American Theatre at the Tony Awards, and a Special Tony Award. Additionally, Rodgers received the Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "No Strings", another Special Tony Award, and the Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Pal Joey", "The King and I", "South Pacific", and "Carousel". Furthermore, Rodgers' musical "South Pacific" also won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama and received the Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre and Producer (Musical) awards at the Tony Awards. These accolades reflect the immense talent and success of Richard Rodgers in the Broadway world.

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