Stephen Flaherty
Birth Place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Review: ANASTASIA - THE MUSICAL Enchants at La Mirada Theatre (Jun 11, 2026)
RAGTIME Extends Additional Two Weeks on Broadway (Jun 9, 2026)
RAGTIME Will Come to the New Stage Theatre This Month (Jun 9, 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: Kai Harada Reacts to His Tony Win for Best Sound Design of a Musical for RAGTIME
by Talking Tonys - 2026-06-07 22:34:11
Dillon Klena Takes on Dmitry in ANASTASIA at La Mirada Theatre
by Robert Diamond - 2026-06-07 11:31:52
Video: Watch La Mirada Theatre's ANASTASIA Star Lena Ceja Perform 'Journey to the Past'
by Michael Major - 2026-05-21 14:31:08
Video: Joshua Henry & Nichelle Lewis Perform 'Sarah Brown Eyes' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2026-05-20 10:29:12
Photos/Video: Robert Downey, Jr. & Susan Downey Honored At Lincoln Center Theater Spring Gala
by A.A. Cristi - 2026-05-19 23:29:26
Video: Watch Caissie Levy Record 'Back to Before' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2026-04-28 11:23:11
Video: Watch Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, & More Perform From RAGTIME at WNYC Event
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-17 16:02:37
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
News
by Michael Quintos - Jun 11, 2026
I'll say this now: this Summer's most beguiling, most enchanting theatrical surprise is perhaps the brand new, gorgeously opulent regional production of ANASTASIA - THE MUSICAL, now on stage at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through June 20, 2026. A visual stunner punctuated by remarkable musicality and an impressive acting ensemble, this epically-staged, winningly triumphant local iteration is an impressive presentation, from its thrilling technical aspects and grandiose (yet still grounded) storytelling to its superb, talent-bursting cast led by a fierce star turn by Lena Ceja in the title role that audiences will remember for a long time.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 9, 2026
Lincoln Center Theater's four-time Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of RAGTIME announced a final two-week extension at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, with a new block of tickets now on sale.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 9, 2026
Ragtime is returning to the New Stage Theatre. Based on the novel by E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 8, 2026
Ragtime celebrated their Tony Award wins for Best Sound Design of a Musical, Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. See photos!
by Joshua Wright - Jun 8, 2026
La Mirada Theatre released a new video offering a look inside its upcoming production of ANASTASIA The Musical, which is scheduled to run for several weeks in summer 2026.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 8, 2026
On Saturday night, WME hosted a pre-Tonys party in celebration of the agency’s Tony nominated clients at Le Jardin sur Madison in New York. Check out photos here!
by Stephi Wild - Jun 8, 2026
Ahead of the Tony Awards, CBS Sunday Morning showcased the Broadway revival of Ragtime, with an interview with Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz, as well as lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty. Check out the videos here!
by Talking Tonys - Jun 8, 2026
Joshua Henry took home a Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Ragtime. After leaving the stage at Radio City Music Hall, he checked in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to share his initial reaction! Watch in this video.
by Talking Tonys - Jun 7, 2026
Caissie Levy took home a Tony Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Ragtime. After leaving the stage at Radio City Music Hall, she checked in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to share her initial reaction!
by Talking Tonys - Jun 7, 2026
At the 79th Annual Tony Awards, Kai Harada took home a Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Musical for Ragtime. After leaving the stage at Radio City Music Hall, he checked in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to share his initial reaction!
by Robert Diamond - Jun 7, 2026
Dillon Klena has been cast as Dmitry in La Mirada Theatre's upcoming production of ANASTASIA, the musical based on the beloved story of the Russian grand duchess.
by Marissa Faith Curley - Jun 6, 2026
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment started their preview performances of a gorgeous new production of ANASTASIA, book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Check out the photos!
by Luka Vonier - Jun 6, 2026
Watch as we talk to Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime), Kevin McCollum and Tim Johanson (Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)), Christ Jennings and Nicki Hunter (The Balusters), Daryl Roth and Rachel Sussman (Liberation), and Megan O'Keefe and Micah Frank (Schmigadoon!).
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 7, 2026
Yesterday they were just nominees, but now... they're winners! BroadwayWorld is backstage at Radio City Music Hall for the 79th Annual Tony Awards and we've got photos of all the evening's winners.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 4, 2026
You can now see photos and videos from The Entertainment Community Fund's Annual Gala on Monday, June 1, 2026 in New York City, which raised $1.8 million to support their programs and services.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 3, 2026
Sting and Shaggy performed on O&M’s rooftop to the Broadway community to celebrate their New York return of The Last Ship, beginning performances at the Met next week. See photos!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026
The 79th Annual Tony Awards have come and gone! As winners took the stage at the big event, BroadwayWorld brought you full text of all of the acceptance speeches; from the emotional to the humorous, and everything in between.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 1, 2026
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics kicked off Pride Month by bestowing Prince Faggot and Ragtime top honors in the group’s fourth annual Dorian Theater Awards.
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 1, 2026
Tony nominees Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis stopped by Good Morning America on Monday to perform 'Wheels of a Dream' from the hit Broadway revival of Ragtime. Watch the powerhouse duo perform the beloved musical number now.
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2026
Pittsburgh CLO will celebrate its 80th anniversary with a gala on June 12 at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. The event will honor Carol Hefren Tillotson and feature a special anniversary concert highlighting the organization's history.
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 received several prestigious awards for his work, including: - 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.
Videos
.jpg?format=auto&width=365)
