Stephen Flaherty
Birth Place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Photos: Inside the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards (May 22, 2026)
Video: Watch La Mirada Theatre's ANASTASIA Star Lena Ceja Perform 'Journey to the Past' (May 21, 2026)
El 'Checklist' del Viajero Teatrero: Qué ver en Broadway, Madrid y el West End este verano 2026 (May 21, 2026)
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
Productions
Writing
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Conceiver
Composer
Bookwriter
Conceiver
Awards and Nominations
Stephen Flaherty, Anastasia
Stephen Flaherty, Anastasia
Stephen Flaherty, The Glorious Ones
Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime
winner
Stephen Flaherty, A Man of No Importance
winner
Stephen Flaherty, Seussical the Musical
winner
Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime
winner
Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime
Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime
winner
Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime
winner
Stephen Flaherty, Once On This Island
Stephen Flaherty, Once on this Island
Videos
Video: Brandon Uranowitz, Shaina Taub & More Record 'Success' From the RAGTIME Album
by Michael Major - 2026-04-15 12:18:26
Video: RAGTIME Stars Perform in the Union Square Subway Station
by Michael Major - 2026-04-10 17:00:04
Video: Watch the Cast of RAGTIME Record 'New Music' For Their Cast Album
by Michael Major - 2026-04-03 14:00:15
Video: Joshua Henry and RAGTIME Cast Perform 'Gettin' Ready Rag'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-03 11:33:52
Video: Joshua Henry Performs 'Make Them Hear You' From RAGTIME on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-02-16 14:10:05
Video: Joshua Henry, Shaina Taub, & Ben Levi Ross Record 'He Wanted to Say' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2026-02-06 12:30:02
Video: SEUSSICAL Original Broadway Cast Reunites For 54 Below Concert Rehearsals
by Michael Major - 2025-10-20 13:35:45
Joshua Henry Receives Emotional Note From Brian Stokes Mitchell on RAGTIME Opening
by Michael Major - 2025-10-20 11:28:25
Video: Watch Joshua Henry & Nichelle Lewis Perform 'Wheels of a Dream' From RAGTIME
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-09-30 10:08:13
Video: Go Inside the First Performance of RAGTIME on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2025-09-29 10:27:25
Video: Watch Caissie Levy & Brandon Uranowitz Rehearse 'Our Children' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2025-09-25 15:26:28
Video: Joshua Henry & RAGTIME Cast Rehearse 'Gettin’ Ready Rag'
by Michael Major - 2025-09-19 10:52:52
Video: Broadway Celebrates the Unveiling of Terrence McNally Way
by Joey Mervis - 2025-06-02 10:01:50
Video: Watch the RAGTIME Cast Perform the Title Song at Lincoln Center
by Michael Major - 2025-05-28 10:45:40
Video: Watch 'Your Daddy's Son' From RAGTIME At Goodspeed Opera House
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-05-16 22:49:10
Video: Watch Mamie Parris Sing 'Back to Before' in Goodspeed's RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2025-05-12 13:20:45
Video: Edward Watts, Mamie Parris & More in RAGTIME at Goodspeed
by Joshua Wright - 2025-05-02 16:11:29
Video: Edward Watts, Mamie Parris & More in Rehearsals for RAGTIME at Goodspeed
by Joshua Wright - 2025-04-25 12:27:04
News
by Bruce Glikas - May 22, 2026
The Outer Critics Circle announced the winners of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards, and celebrated the winners of the 2025-2026 Broadway and Off-Broadway season at a ceremony. Check out photos here!
by Michael Major - May 21, 2026
La Mirada Theatre has released new video footage of Lena Ceja rehearsing 'Journey to the Past' from their upcoming production of Anastasia. The production features Dillon Klena as Dmitry, a role first played on Broadway by his brother Derek Klena.
by Adela González Pérez - May 21, 2026
Las grandes producciones, regresos históricos y experiencias inmersivas que definen la cartelera estival en las tres capitales del teatro musical.
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2026
Pittsburgh Public Theater has terminated all of its staff as the merger with Pittsburgh CLO proceeds. Between 9 and 12 staff members were told that their positions have been eliminated and they were to prepare to leave the same day.
by Joshua Wright - May 20, 2026
San Diego Musical Theatre has released first look footage of SEUSSICAL, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's fantastical musical extravaganza, now playing through June 7, 2026 at SDMT Stage.
by Michael Major - May 20, 2026
Lincoln Center Theater and Concord Theatricals Recordings have released new video footage of Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis performing 'Sarah Brown Eyes' from the recently released Ragtime cast recording.
by A.A. Cristi - May 19, 2026
Last night, Lincoln Center Theater honored Emmy Award-winning Producer Susan Downey and Academy Award winner Robert Downey Jr. at their annual spring Gala at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Go inside the event in new photos and video.
by Jennifer Broski - May 19, 2026
The best of Broadway was on 65th Street for Lincoln Center Theater's staged concert performance of Man of La Mancha. Check out photos from the red carpet here!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - May 18, 2026
The best of the New York City theatre community gathered at Town Hall for the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards. Stars in attendance included John Lithgow, Norbert Leo Butz, Alex Brightman, Beth Leavel, Donna McKechnie, and more. Check out photos here!
by Jennifer Broski - May 16, 2026
Earlier this week, the Tony nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there to speak with all of them! Check out photos from behind the scenes with the nominees as they chatted with Richard Ridge and passed on our very own Tiny Tony.
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2026
The best of Broadway and off-Broadway were on hand at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to celebrate 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, hosted by Emmy Award winner Frank DiLella. Check out a full list of winners here.
by Tyler Hinton - May 14, 2026
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND in the Lindsay Legacy Theater at The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater is a joyous celebration of Caribbean culture, the bounties of the earth, and love in all its forms.
by Josh Sharpe - May 16, 2026
The nominations are here for the 2026 Tony Awards. This year, a high number of titles have onscreen counterparts, and we have rounded up how to watch these versions at home, from The Lost Boys to Schmigadoon!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2026
The Off Broadway Alliance has revealed the nominees for the 15th Annual Off-Broadway Alliance Awards, honoring commercial and not-for-profit productions that opened Off Broadway during the 2025-2026 season.
by Audrey Liebross - May 12, 2026
The Bent, the Coachella Valley’s LGBTQ+ theatre company, is presenting its first musical, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, written by Terrence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music), and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics). The writers and composer have put together a moving book, lyrics, and score that create a deeply affecting and emotional story, with just enough hilarity to soften the upsetting moments. The brilliant acting, singing, directing, and design make this show a must-see.
by A.A. Cristi - May 11, 2026
Head into the studio with Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz, two of the Tony-nominated stars of Ragtime, as they record their rendition of, 'Our Children.' Check out newly released video of the pair in the recording studio.
by Bruce Glikas - May 8, 2026
The New York Drama Critics' Circle celebrated the 2025-2026 season with honors for Little Bear Ridge Road, Ragtime, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and more. BroadwayWorld was inside the event for an exclusive look at the evening’s honorees and attendees. Check out the photos!
by Sidney Paterra - May 9, 2026
The results of the 2026 Tony races are very much still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been Tony-tested before. How did they fare? The past may not always be the best indicator of the future, but accolades of years past provide interesting insight nonetheless. Check out a complete list of who was nominated, in what categories, and most importantly... if they won!
by Josh Sharpe - May 6, 2026
Watch Ragtime cast members Joshua Henry, Brandon Uranowitz, Caissie Levy, Ben Levi Ross, Nichelle Lewis, and Colin Donnell perform a series of musical numbes for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series.
by Stephi Wild - May 4, 2026
The Royal Players will present ANASTASIA: THE MUSICAL at the historic Royal Theatre, featuring the Tony Award-winning score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, with tickets ranging from $10 to $22.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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).
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.
Stephen Flaherty has won several notable awards, including Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for A Man of No Importance, Outstanding Music for Seussical the Musical, and Outstanding Lyrics for Ragtime. He also received Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for Ragtime. Additionally, he won the Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for Ragtime, as well as The American Express Award for Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards for Once On This Island.
Videos
