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Joseph Thalken

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Joseph Thalken BIO

Joseph Thalken is an award-winning composer, conductor and pianist whose theater and concert works have been performed internationally. His music has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Somerled Charitable Foundation and the Shen Family Foundation.



Thalken is the composer of the musicals Harold and Maude, Was, Borrowed Dust, Fall of ’94, and Inventions for Piano. His concert works encompass chamber, choral, orchestral, wind ensemble and vocal music. His chamber orchestra ballet, Chasing Home, commissioned by Bruce Wood Dance, is receiving a world-premiere recording by the Dallas Chamber Symphony, conducted by Richard McKay.



He has served as music director and/or arranger for luminaries of Broadway and classical music, including Julie Andrews, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Renée Fleming, Rebecca Luker, Marin Mazzie, Kristin Chenoweth, Liza Minnelli, Polly Bergen, Faith Prince, Elizabeth Futral, Catherine Malfitano, Denyce Graves, Joshua Bell, Michael Crawford, Howard McGillin, Michael Winther, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, Rodney Gilfry and Brian Stokes Mitchell, among many others. He performed with the New York Philharmonic for their 2019 Spring Gala, for which he also wrote several orchestrations.



After graduating from Northwestern University, he worked at the Zurich Opera Studio and spent several years at the Stadttheater Aachen (Germany) as a conductor, pianist and composer. A long-time New York City resident, he has taught music theater composition at Yale University.

Joseph Thalken Photos

Joseph Thalken Productions

 
[Broadway, 1995] [Replacement]
Conductor[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 1992]
Keyboard
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Musical Director

Writing


Joseph Thalken Awards and Nominations


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Director, Resident Production

Zelda FichandlerCrucible

Joseph Thalken Videos

Joseph Thalken News


Video: Go Inside First Day Of Rehearsal For BEACHES THE MUSICAL at Theatre Calgary


Go inside the first day of rehearsal for Theatre Calgary's upcoming International Premiere of Beaches the Musical in this all-new video.

Review: Patti LuPone's A LIFE IN NOTES at Carnegie Hall Was Transcendent


Seeing Patti LuPone’s A LIFE IN NOTES at Carnegie Hall was a transcendent experience. The iconic singer brought her solo show, in which she reflects back on her life through song, to the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 8 pm.

Patti LuPone & More Set for Bay Street Theater Music Mondays Season


Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts will present the return of MUSIC MONDAYS. See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.

Full Cast and Creative Team Set for BEACHES at Theatre Calgary


Theatre Calgary has revealed the creative team and full cast for the upcoming International Premiere of Beaches the Musical. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: Patti LuPone Splendidly Sings of A LIFE IN NOTES


In the past few years, Patti LuPone has resigned from Actor’s Equity Association and suspended her legendary Broadway career, but as she proved with her Celebrity Series of Boston performance at Symphony Hall on April 2, the three-time Tony Award winner can still command a concert stage.

Celebrity Series of Boston: Patti LuPone A LIFE IN NOTES


After two previous appearances with the Celebrity Series of Boston in 2003 and 2011, the long overdue return of Patti LuPone to the stage at Symphony Hall on Tuesday night was an epic performance worth the wait. Enthusiastic entrance applause greeted Joseph Thalken (music direction and arrangements) and Brad Phillips (strings), but rose to Richter scale magnitude when Patti strode out.

Kelli Barrett and Jessica Vosk Will Lead BEACHES Musical at Theatre Calgary


Kelli Barrett (FX TV's Fosse/Verdon, Broadway’s Dr. Zhivago) and Jessica Vosk (Wicked) will lead the International Premiere of Beaches the Musical at Theatre Calgary this spring.

Interview: Musical Director Joseph Thalken Playing A LIFE IN NOTES with Patti LuPone


Broadway legend Patti LuPone performs her first solo show A Life in Notes with the LA Opera April 20, 2024, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Patti’s long-time musical director Joseph Thalken took some time between their second and third tour stops (respectively, Morristown, New Jersey’s Mayo Performing Arts Center and Houston, Texas’ Hobby Center for the Performing Arts) to answer a few of my queries.

Photos: Hugh Panaro Headlines The Wick Theatre Gala


 In addition to cocktails in a glamorous setting, another beautiful gourmet dinner, live music, an auction, a raffle and other moments of merriment, there was heart, 'Miles And Miles and Miles of Heart.'

Photos: Hugh Panaro Kicks Off Easter Weekend at The Wick


Leave it to Marilynn Wick to utilize the talents of Hugh Panaro by booking him into her Museum Supper Club AND putting him into Saturday Night’s 10th Anniversary Gala of the popular theatre and venue, in Boca Raton, FL.

Broadway Legend Patti LuPone To Bring New Concert To Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Australia


Three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will bring her new concert A LIFE IN NOTES to Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Australia this winter, directly from Carnegie Hall.

Review: PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES at BEYOND BROADWAY at the Hobby Center


Patti Lupone has always known how to merge pop culture with her theatrical training, and she can craft a story around any song she chooses. And that is why we come, to hear the storyteller tell her tale.

PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES is Coming to LA Opera in April


LA Opera will present Broadway legend Patti LuPone in her first solo show with the company, performing her personal musical memoir entitled A Life in Notes. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: See highlights of Hugh Panaro's MAN WITHOUT A MASK at 54 Below


Hugh Panaro brought MAN WITHOUT A MASK to 54 Below. Check out photos from the evening!

Patti LuPone Brings A LIFE IN NOTES to the Bushnell in May


The Bushnell announced that three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will bring her new concert Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes to The Bushnell for one performance on Sunday, May 19 at 3 PM.

Patti LuPone to Launch A LIFE IN NOTES Multi-City Tour This Spring


This spring three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will perform her new concert Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes on a multi-city tour.

Hugh Panaro Returns to 54 Below Tonight for Album Release; MAN WITHOUT A MASK


Broadway leading man and BroadwayWorld favorite Hugh Panaro will hit the 54 Below stage tonight, March 6, at 7pm to celebrate his release of his first ever live CD, Hugh Panaro: Man Without A Mask.

Spotlight: Patti LuPone and Bernadette Peters at Mayo Performing Arts Center


See Patti LuPone and Bernadette Peters At MPAC This Spring!

Eisemann Center to Present PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES in March


Eisemann Center Presents will continue the 2023-2024 Season with Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes next month. Learn more about the concert featuring the legendary 3-time Tony Award winner here!

Joseph Thalken FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Joseph Thalken written?

Joseph Thalken has written 1 shows including Harold and Maude (Composer).

What awards has Joseph Thalken been nominated for?

Joseph Thalken has been nominated for the Outstanding Director, Resident Production award at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Crucible."

What awards has Joseph Thalken won?

Joseph Thalken has won the Outstanding Director, Resident Production award at the Helen Hayes Awards for the show Crucible.

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