Benny Andersson Headshot

Benny Andersson

Birth Place: Stockholm, SWEDEN

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Benny Andersson 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.

Benny Andersson Productions

 
[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

Benny Andersson 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

Benny Andersson Videos

Benny Andersson News


Review: MAMMA MIA! at Shea's Buffalo Theatre


Guilty as charged. I openly admit I really enjoy the ABBA musical, MAMMA MIA! There is a time and place for all kinds of entertainment, and the birth of the jukebox musical can almost certainly be attributed to kind of show MAMMA MIA has become. Now 25 years after it's opening, the national tour that is playing at Shea's Buffalo this week has audiences happily enraptured with a musical comedy that serves solely to entertain. And it most certainly succeeds.

MAMMA MIA! Extends Booking Period To March 2025


As part of the celebrations for MAMMA MIA! turning 25 on Saturday 6 April 2024, the hit musical has extended its booking period at London's Novello Theatre to Saturday 29 March 2025, with tickets now on sale.

MAMMA MIA! Producer Judy Craymer 'Would Love' Greta Gerwig To Helm Third Film


Mamma Mia! producer Judy Craymer has her eye on Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig to helm a third film in the record-breaking movie musical franchise.

MAMMA MIA! Comes To Fort Worth's Bass Performance Hall This July


Get ready for a musical extravaganza as MAMMA MIA! tickets go on sale this Friday. The show is set to hit Fort Worth from July 16-21.

Review: MAMA MIA at Overture Center


What did our From the opening overture to the curtain call, Mama Mia is a fun and entertaining romp. Upbeat and rollercoaster-esque, the show takes you through a mired of situations and emotions as Sophie attempts to discover her father, while her mother, Donna fights off old feeling for a love thought long dead, all while dealing with the stress of of an upcoming large wedding.critic think of MAMA MIA at Overture Center?

Peter Jöback to Release New Album ATLAS


Recording artist, actor and musical theatre star Peter Jöback will release his upcoming studio album, ATLAS.

MAMMA MIA! to Celebrate 25th Anniversary in the West End


In a month's time, on Saturday 6 April 2024, the original production of MAMMA MIA! will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Learn more about the history of MAMMA MIA! and see how to purchase tickets.

Review: MAMMA MIA! at Kansas City Music Hall


Plain old feel-good musicals are rare. The “Dancing Queen” of this limited genre is “Mamma Mia!” The 25th Anniversary tour of this truly enjoyable evening out at the theatre plays through Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Kansas City Music Hall in downtown Kansas City.

The 25th Anniversary Tour of MAMMA MIA! is Coming to Madison This Month


The 25th Anniversary Tour of MAMMA MIA! makes its way to Overture Center as a part of the 2023/24 season. With a limited engagement of eight performances, MAMMA MIA! will run Tuesday, March 19 through Sunday, March 24.

MAMMA MIA! 25th Anniversary Tour Recoups After 13 Weeks


MAMMA MIA!, has just announced that the 25th Anniversary North American Tour has recouped its $4.25 million investment after just 13 weeks on the road.

Gretna Theatre Reveals Summer 2024 Season


Single tickets and subscriptions are on sale now for Gretna Theatre's 97th season, including five mainstage productions and four Family Series presentations, most of which will take place this summer at the historic Mt. Gretna Playhouse.

Feature: MAMMA MIA at Kansas City Music Hall


Opening March 5 at the Music Hall in downtown Kansas City is the 25th Anniversary tour of “Mamma Mia.” This touring production is presented by Broadway Across America, Kansas City based largest presenter of Broadway tours across the nation.

Developmental Readings of BORDELLO THE MUSICAL Set For This Week


 The York Theatre Company will present developmental readings of Bordello, The Musical, with book by Barbara Bellman and Joan Ross Sorkin, music by Emiliano Messiez, lyrics by Barbara Bellman, music direction by Steven Gross and directed by Will Pomerantz.

BORDELLO, THE MUSICAL To Have York Theatre Company Developmental Readings


Bordello, The Musical is set to have developmental readings at York Theatre Company on February 29 and March 1.

MAMMA MIA! Comes to the Benedum Center Next Month


MAMMA MIA! comes to Pittsburgh as part of the 2023-2024 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series, Tuesday, March 26 to Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the Benedum Center.

Review: Land O Lakes High School Presents MAMMA MIA! at the Wesley Chapel Performing Arts Center


What did our critic think of MAMMA MIA! at the Wesley Chapel Performing Arts Center?

Video: How Christine Sherrill Went From Middle School To Starring In MAMMA MIA!


Christine Sherrill, a former 5th-grade teacher at St. Joseph Catholic Academy in Kenosha, Wisconsin, will return to her home state as one of the stars in the hit musical Mamma Mia when the national touring production opens in Milwaukee next week. Watch in this video!

ABBA to Reissue 'Waterloo' For 50th Anniversary


In celebration of ABBA's 50th anniversary of 'Waterloo', marking the iconic pop culture moment from 1974. When Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad entered the already colourful stage at The Dome in Brighton, England on 6 April 1974, dressed in shiny glam-rock costumes typical of the era.

Mirvish Theatre 2024/25 Season Includes MOULIN ROUGE!, BACK TO THE FUTURE, and More


Mirvish has revealed its 2024-25 Main Subscription Season, which is comprised of seven productions.   Learn more about the full lineup here!

Interview: Judy McLane of COMPANY at Ohio Theater


For most of her life, Judy McLane has tried to break out of the metaphorical boxes Broadway tries to put people into. In her most recent show, COMPANY, McLane has learned to act in a physical box.

Benny Andersson 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?

Benny Andersson has been nominated for several awards, including Best Orchestrations at the Tony Awards for Mamma Mia!, the Radisson Edwardian Award for Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards for Mamma Mia!, Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for Chess, and Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for Chess.

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