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Benny Andersson Headshot

Benny Andersson

Birth Place: Stockholm, SWEDEN

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BIO

Born 16 December 1946 in Stockholm.



1952 Received accordion lessons from his father and grandfather.

1964-68 Member of the Hep Stars, Sweden's most popular rock band in the 1960's. During this time, he began composing music. "Sunny Girl" and "Wedding" were huge hits for the Hep Stars.

1972 - 82 ABBA.

1982 - 84 Composed the music (together with Björn Ulvaeus) for the musical, Chess.

1987 Began collaborating with Orsa Spelmän. Recorded three albums deeply rooted in Swedish folk music: Klinga Mina Klockor, November 1989 and Fiolen Min. In 2001, this collaboration led to the formation of Benny Anderson's Orchestra, a 16-man constellation with vocalists, Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg. Thus far, this has resulted in three CD albums and several summer tours.

1990 - 95 Composed the music to Kristina from Duvemåla. (Björn Ulvaeus - Lars Rudolfsson/Jan Mark). Premiered in October 1995.

1995 Received the title of professor from the Swedish government. Inducted to in the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in 2007.

Appointed Honorary Doctor of the College of Humanities at Stockholm University in 2008.

Benny Andersson is married to former TV producer, Mona Nörklit. They have one child, Ludvig Andersson. Benny Andersson also has two children from a previous marriage, Peter Grönvall and Helene Odedal. He has five grandchildren: Charlie, Felix, Fabian, Malin and Viola.

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2025]
Composer
 
[US Tour, 2023]
Music & Lyrics
 
[West End, 2018]
Book Writer
 
[Las Vegas, 2014]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Orchestrator
 
[Toronto, 2000]
Orchestrator

Writing

Composer
Composer
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Orchestrations

Benny Andersson, Mamma Mia!

Olivier Awards - 2000 - Radisson Edwardian Award for Best New Musical

Benny Andersson, Mamma Mia!

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Music

Benny Andersson, Chess

Olivier Awards - 1986 - Musical of the Year

Benny Andersson, Chess

Videos

News


MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY Extends Booking to Summer 2026
by Stephi Wild - Jul 10, 2025

Björn Ulvaeus' Mamma Mia! The Party has released an additional 64,000 tickets, with booking now extended through to 10 May 2026. Learn more about the show here!
Video: Learn All About CHESS' Long Road to Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 25, 2025

Chess famously had an interesting road to Broadway in 1988 and has been through many changes since then. Learn about all of them, plus the historical context of the piece and the journey of its creators (Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus) in this documentary by Wait in the Wings. Watch in this video .
Lea Michele Is Returning to the Theatre She Made Her Broadway Debut in For CHESS
by Michael Major - Jun 25, 2025

For her next Broadway show, Lea Michele is going back to where it all began. For her sixth Broadway show, the Glee alum will be returning to the Imperial Theatre where she made her Broadway debut in Les Misérables.
CHESS Revival Will Play the Imperial Theatre; Tickets On Sale This Month
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 24, 2025

The first-ever Broadway revival of CHESS will begin performances Wednesday, October 15, 2025, and officially open Sunday, November 16, 2025 at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre.
MAMMA MIA! UK Tour Will Make Stops in Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds and More
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 20, 2025

Here we go again! MAMMA MIA! will embark on a new UK tour from 24 October 2025 and announced further additional dates and venues. We have all of the details here!
Benny Andersson y Björn Ulvaeus regresan a Broadway con Mamma Mia! y Chess
by Juan-Jose Gonzalez - Jun 16, 2025

Los nombres de Benny Andersson y Björn Ulvaeus quizá no sean conocidos por todos, pero su música forma parte de la banda sonora de millones de personas.
Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus Are Making a Broadway Comeback
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 14, 2025

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus have already made a major mark on Broadway, and 2025 is bound to be a milestone year as the biggest musicals that feature their work, Mamma Mia! and Chess, will be running at the same time. Let's learn more about both...
Video: Watch Highlights of the Broadway-Bound Cast of MAMMA MIA!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 13, 2025

With just 50 days to go until MAMMA MIA! returns home to Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre, the global smash hit musical has released a new video trailer featuring the Broadway-bound company. 
CHESS Returns to Broadway: Everything You Need to Know About the Iconic Musical
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 1, 2025

It's been over three decades since a fully performed production of Chess has been seen on a Broadway stage. While many of its songs have become beloved standards, the show's plot remains largely unknown to audiences. With months until performances begin, study up on everything you need to know about Chess. 
Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele und Nicholas Christopher werden CHESS am Broadway anführen " Promo-Video ansehen
by Joshua Wright - May 28, 2025

Tony-Award-Gewinner Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge), Emmy-Award-Nominierte Lea Michele (Funny Girl) und Nicholas Christopher (Sweeney Todd) werden die allererste Broadway-Wiederaufnahme von CHESS anführen. Hier findest du alle Details zur Produktion.
아론 í"이í, 레아 미셸 & 니콜라스 í리스íí가 브로"웨이 ®지컬 CHESS를 이끕니다 " í보 영상 보기
by Joshua Wright - May 28, 2025

토니상 수상자 아론 트바이트(Moulin Rouge), 에미상 후보 레아 미셸(Funny Girl) 그리고 니콜라스 크리스토퍼(Sweeney Todd)가 최초의 브로드웨이 리바이벌 CHESS를 이끕니다. 여기에서 제작에 관한 모든 세부 정보를 확인하세요!
Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele y Nicholas Christopher protagonizarán CHESS en Broadway: mira el video promocional
by Joshua Wright - May 28, 2025

El ganador del Tony Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge), la nominada al Emmy Lea Michele (Funny Girl) y Nicholas Christopher (Sweeney Todd) encabezarán el primer revival de Broadway de CHESS. Aquí encontrarás todos los detalles de la producción.
Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele & Nicholas Christopher Will Lead CHESS on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - May 28, 2025

Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge), Emmy Award nominee Lea Michele (Funny Girl) and Nicholas Christopher (Sweeney Todd) will lead the first-ever Broadway revival of CHESS. We have all of the details on the production here, plus watch a promo video!
Will Michael Mayer-Directed CHESS Open On Broadway In Fall 2025?
by A.A. Cristi - May 23, 2025

The long-rumored Broadway revival of Chess is officially moving forward. A series of newly released Equity casting notices confirm that the cult-favorite musical will return to Broadway in Fall 2025 in a production directed by Tony Award-winner, Michael Mayer (Funny Girl, Spring Awakening).
Review: MAMMA MIA! al Teatro Arcimboldi Milano
by Sara Altea Balestra - May 7, 2025

Uno dei musical più amati torna a Milano, questa volta in lingua originale, come tappa del tour internazionale che ha conquistato il mondo: il MAMMA MIA! International tour ha toccato 42 paesi negli ultimi 20 anni, con più di 3.750 repliche e oltre 7,3 milioni di spettatori.
HERE LIES LOVE, MAMMA MIA and More Set for Center Theatre Group 2025/2026 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 6, 2025

Center Theatre Group has revealed full slate of eleven productions for the 2025/26 Season, including Here Lies Love, Mamma Mia and more. See the full lineup here!
Tim Rice Will Write Songs For Upcoming Animated Film THE LAND OF SOMETIMES
by Stephi Wild - May 6, 2025

Tim Rice is working on three new songs for an upcoming animated film, titled The Land of Sometimes. The film is set to be released in late 2025. Learn more here!
MAMMA MIA! Broadway Return Finds its Full Cast
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2025

The 30-member company who will bring the global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA!, the ultimate feel-good show set to the timeless songs of ABBA, home to Broadway this summer has been announced.
Ann Morrison, Heathcliff Saunders and More Set for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR At Asolo Repertory Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 12, 2025

Asolo Repertory Theatre has announced complete casting for the epic closing of the 2024 – 2025 Season, Jesus Christ Superstar, which begins previews on May 14, 2025. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Tim Rice and directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Jesus Christ Superstar runs May 14 – June 15. 
The Hives Set First Australian Live Shows Since 2015
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 2, 2025

The Hives will kick off their upcoming world tour in Australia this July. They will be making the following state visits: four headline shows in Fremantle, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane – their first live dates down under since 2015. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Benny Andersson written?

Benny Andersson has written 5 shows including Kristina (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Abbacadabara (Composer), Chess (Composer), Muriel's Wedding (Composer), Mamma Mia! (Composer).

What awards has Benny Andersson been nominated for?

Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for Mamma Mia!, Radisson Edwardian Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Mamma Mia!, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Chess and Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Chess.

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