Fred Ebb Headshot

Fred Ebb

Date of Death: September 11, 2004 (71)

Birth Place: USA

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Fred Ebb BIO

As a writer, lyricist, composer and director, Fred Ebb made incalculable contributions to the New York theatrical community. Mr. Ebb is a Tony, Grammy, Emmy, Olivier and Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award winning recipient. Fred Ebb's first professional songwriting assignment came in 1953 when he and Phil Springer were hired by Columbia Records to write a song for Judy Garland called "Heartbroken." Mr. Ebb was introduced to composer John Kander in 1964 by music publisher Tommy Valando and became one of the most legendary songwriting teams in American history. The first successful collaboration was on the song "My Coloring Book," recorded by Barbra Streisand. Their second theatrical collaboration, Flora, the Red Menace, created a star out of Liza Minnelli in her Tony Award-winning Broadway debut. In 1966, their collaboration Cabaret, opened and received seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Score. A 1972 movie version of Cabaret starring Liza Minnelli was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won eight awards and was nominated for nine Golden Globe Awards and won three including Best Picture, Musical or Comedy. The same year, the songwriting team wrote a number of songs for Minnelli's television special "Liza With a Z," which received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Program - Variety or Popular Music. In 1975, the two wrote the Broadway musical Chicago, directed by Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera and Jerry Orbach. The musical was successfully revived 20 years later at City Center ENCORES! and subsequently transferred to Broadway where it is currently the longest running revival in Broadway history. In 1977, the team collaborated with Martin Scorsese on the movie New York, New York; the title song was introduced by Minnelli and later recorded by Frank Sinatra becoming the unofficial theme song of New York City. The Minnelli Broadway vehicle The Act also opened that year. After a four-year absence, Mr. Ebb and Mr. Kander returned with Woman of the Year (1981), The Rink (1984), Kiss of the Spiderwoman (1985) and Steel Pier (1997). They were honored by the Kennedy Center with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. Miramax's 2002 feature film Chicago was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won six, including Best Picture and was nominated for eight Golden Globe Awards and won three, including Best Picture, Musical or Comedy.

Fred Ebb STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Concert [Off-Off-Broadway], 1973
Performer

Fred Ebb Productions

 
[West End, 2021]
Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Lyrics
 
[West End, 2014]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Williamstown, MA (Regional), 2014]
Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Music and Lyrics
 
[West End, 2006] [Replacement]
Lyrics[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1967]
Additional Material

Writing

Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Additional Material
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Author
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist

Fred Ebb Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Lyrics

Fred Ebb, The Visit

Tony Awards - 2015 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fred Ebb, The Visit

Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fred Ebb, The Scottsboro Boys


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Lyrics

Fred Ebb, The Scottsboro Boys

Drama Desk Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Music

Fred Ebb, The Scottsboro Boys

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Lyrics

Fred Ebb, Curtains


winner
Drama League Awards - 2007 - Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre

Fred Ebb

Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fred Ebb, Curtains


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 1999 - The American Express Tribute

Fred Ebb

Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fred Ebb, Steel Pier


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1993 - Best Musical

Fred Ebb, Kiss of the Spider Woman


winner
Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fred Ebb, Kiss of the Spider Woman

Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fred Ebb, The Rink


winner
Tony Awards - 1981 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fred Ebb, Woman of the Year

Olivier Awards - 1979 - Musical of the Year

Fred Ebb, Chicago

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fred Ebb, The Act

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Book of a Musical

Fred Ebb , Chicago

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fred Ebb, Chicago


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1969 - Outstanding Lyrics

Fred Ebb, Zorba

Tony Awards - 1968 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fred Ebb, The Happy Time


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1967 - Best Musical

Fred Ebb, Cabaret


winner
Tony Awards - 1967 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fred Ebb, Cabaret

Fred Ebb Videos

Fred Ebb News


CABARET Comes to Center REP in May


Willkommen, bienvenue, and welcome to Center Repertory Company's 2023-24 season finale, the Tony Award-winning musical Cabaret.

CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB Cancels Today's Matinee Due to Cast Illness


Today's April 24th matinee performance of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club has been cancelled due to cast illness. 

CHICAGO THE MUSICAL Will Make Shanghai Debut in June


Chicago: The Musical will make its Shanghai debut this June! Performances will run from June 20 - June 23 at 2pm and 7.30pm at AIA Grand Theatre, 889 Dongdaming Lu, near Gongping Lu.

Pittsburgh Playhouse Unveils 24 �" 25 Season Featuring Theatre, Dance & More


Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University has revealed the lineup for the 2024-2025 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: CABARET Cast Serves Double the Red Carpet Looks on Opening Weekend


Rebecca Frecknall's production of Cabaret celebrated not one, but two opening nights at the August Wilson Theatre and you can check out photos of all of the best fashions from both nights here.

Video: Bebe Neuwirth Talks Returning to Broadway with CABARET on CBS MORNINGS


Bebe Neuwirth, who is currently playing the role of Fraulein Schneider in the Broadway revival of Cabaret, visited CBS Mornings on Tuesday. She discussed her return to Broadway after ten years away, and what she loves about the show and this production in particular. Watch the interview here!

SUFFS Will Release Original Broadway Cast Recording in June


Suffs will release its Original Broadway Cast Recording on June 14th. The album is now available for pre-order.

Florida Studio Theatre Announces CABARET And More for 2024 Summer Season


Florida Studio Theatre has announced the lineup for its 2024 Summer Season, featuring a three-show Mainstage Series and a three-show Cabaret Series.

Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin to Talk CABARET on TODAY WITH HODA & JENNA This Friday


Tune in to see Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin on TODAY with Hoda and Jenna this week! On Friday April 26, the Cabaret stars will be on TODAY to talk the new production, which is currently running at the August Wilson Theatre. The program airs 10:00-11:00 a.m. EDT on NBC.

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, CABARET & More Lead in Nominations for 2024 Drama League Awards


Read the full list of 2024 Drama League Nominations! Nominations include Cabaret, Merrily We Roll Along and more.

Review Roundup: CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB Opens on Broadway


Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club opened tonight at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway. Check out what the critics had to say here!

Video: Watch Highlights from CABARET on Broadway


Watch highlights from Cabaret on Broadway here!

Review: CABARET at Titusville Playhouse


In times of turmoil, oppression, and uncertainty, how do people cope? How do they find joy, hope, and freedom when all seems hopeless? In the early 1930’s many of the citizens of Berlin found ways to escape the realities of life and the rise of the Nazi party by visiting one of the many cabarets in the city where they could leave their troubles at the door and partake in the debauchery of the latest avant garde entertainment. Today, however, in 2024, a visit to the Kit Kat Klub of CABARET, the latest offering from Titusville Playhouse, provides such an escape but with an important cautionary tale about the dangers of extremism and the real consequences of not taking them seriously. 

Video: Redmayne, Rankin, Neuwirth, and More Talk CABARET on CBS SUNDAY MORNING


Watch Eddie Redmayne, Gayle Rankin, Bebe Neuwirth, and more discuss starring in the immersive production of Cabaret to Broadway in the video here!

CABARET Star Eddie Redmayne to Appear on GOOD MORNING AMERICA Next Week


Tune in to see Eddie Redmayne on Good Morning America next week! On Thursday April 25, the Cabaret star will be on GMA to talk the new production, which is currently in previews. In Cabaret, he plays 'The Emcee', a role played by Joel Grey in the 1966 and 1987 Broadway productions. At this time, it is unknown if he will be performing a number from the show.

Photos: First Look at Eddie Redmayne, Gayle Rankin & More in CABARET


Get a first look at photos of Eddie Redmayne, Gayle Rankin and more in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway.

Adam Guettel, Austin Pendleton and More Will Be Honored with Dramatists Guild Awards


The Dramatists Guild previously announced that playwright Christopher Durang will receive a Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s ceremony. He will be joined by two additional recipients, George C. Wolfe and Emily Mann.

CHICAGO Comes to Canberra in September


The acclaimed production of one of Australia’s favourite musicals,CHICAGO, will open in Canberra in September this year, the first time a professional production of this Broadway favourite has played in Australia’s capital city. Presales begin today and general public tickets are on sale from Friday 19 April.

Broadway Buying Guide: April 15, 2024- Last Chance to See DOUBT on Broadway


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, April 15, 2024.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 15, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 15, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Fred Ebb FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Fred Ebb written?

Fred Ebb has written 34 shows including By Jupiter (Additional Material), Put It in Writing (Material), Morning Sun (Bookwriter), Flora, the Red Menace (Lyricist), Go Fly a Kite (Lyricist), Cabaret (Lyricist), The Happy Time (Lyricist), Zorba (Lyricist), 70, Girls, 70 (Bookwriter), An Evening with Fred Ebb and John Kander (Lyricist), Liza (Bookwriter), Chicago (Bookwriter), Shirley MacLaine (Bookwriter), 2 by 5 (Lyricist), The Act (Lyricist), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Lyricist), Woman of the Year (Lyricist), The Rink (Lyricist), Diamonds (Lyricist), How Lucky Can You Get? (Lyricist), And the World Goes 'Round (Lyricist), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Lyricist), Steel Pier (Lyricist), Over and Over (Lyricist), Fosse (Lyricist), Minnelli on Minnelli (Bookwriter), The Visit (Lyricist), Barbara Cook's Broadway! (Lyricist), Curtains (Lyricist), Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Lyricist), First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb (Lyricist), The Scottsboro Boys (Lyricist), Come Fly Away (Lyricist), New York, New York (Lyrics).

What awards has Fred Ebb been nominated for?

Fred Ebb has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Visit," Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "The Visit" and "The Scottsboro Boys," Outstanding Music and Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Scottsboro Boys," Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "Curtains," Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre at the Drama League Awards, Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "Curtains," The American Express Tribute at the Helen Hayes Awards, Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "Steel Pier," Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Kiss of the Spider Woman," Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "Kiss of the Spider Woman," Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "The Rink," Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "Woman of the Year," Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Chicago," Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "The Act," Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Chicago," Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "Chicago," Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "Zorba," Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "The Happy Time," Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Cabaret," and Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "Cabaret."

What awards has Fred Ebb won?

Fred Ebb has won several awards throughout his career. He received the Outstanding Lyrics award at the Drama Desk Awards for his work on The Scottsboro Boys. He was also honored with the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre award at the Drama League Awards. The Helen Hayes Awards presented him with The American Express Tribute. Ebb's musical Kiss of the Spider Woman won the Best Musical award at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, and he was also recognized with the Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre award at the Tony Awards for this production. Additionally, Ebb won the Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre award at the Tony Awards for Woman of the Year. He received the Outstanding Lyrics award at the Drama Desk Awards for Zorba. Lastly, Ebb's musical Cabaret won the Best Musical award at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, and he was honored with the Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre award at the Tony Awards for this production as well.

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