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John Kander

Birth Place: USA

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BIO

American composer John Kander (b. Kansas City, MO, March 18, 1927) is the musical partner of the songwriting team of Kander and Ebb, who together created at least sixteen Broadway shows, Flora the Red Menace (1965), Cabaret (1966), Chicago (1975), and Curtains (2007) among them. They also contributed material to fourteen films and television specials over their forty-year association. Independently John Kander supplied the scores to many films, including Something For Everyone (1970), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Places in the Heart (1984), and Billy Bathgate (1991).

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

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


Productions

 
[West End, 2021]
Music
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Music
 
[West End, 2014]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Williamstown, MA (Regional), 2014]
Music
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Dance Music Arranger
 
[West End, 2006] [Replacement]
Music[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Dance Music Arranger
 
[Broadway, 1993]
Musical Director
 
[Broadway, 1991]
Musical Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Dance Music Arranger
 
[Broadway, 1974]
Dance Music Arranger
 
[Broadway, 1962]
Composer
 
[US Tour, 1962]
Dance Music
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Dance Music
 
[Broadway, 1959]
Rehearsal Pianist
Dance Music Arranger
 
[West End, 1958]
Dance Music

Writing

Music, Story
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Composer
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Author
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer

Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding New Score

John Kander, New York, New York

Drama Desk Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Music

John Kander, The Visit

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

John Kander, The Visit

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

John Kander, The Scottsboro Boys

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Lyrics

John Kander, Curtains

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Music

John Kander, Curtains


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

John Kander

Olivier Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Musical Production

John Kander, Cabaret

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

John Kander, Curtains


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 1999 - The American Express Tribute

John Kander


winner
Olivier Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Musical Production

John Kander, Chicago

Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Music

John Kander, Steel Pier

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

John Kander, Steel Pier

Olivier Awards - 1994 - Best Musical Revival

John Kander, Cabaret

Drama Desk Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Music

John Kander , Kiss of the Spider Woman


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

John Kander, Kiss of the Spider Woman

Olivier Awards - 1993 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical

John Kander, Kiss Of The Spider Woman


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

John Kander, Kiss of the Spider Woman

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

John Kander, Kiss of the Spider Woman

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

John Kander, The Rink


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

John Kander, Woman of the Year

Olivier Awards - 1979 - Musical of the Year

John Kander, Chicago

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

John Kander, The Act

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

John Kander, Chicago

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

John Kander, The Happy Time


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

John Kander, Cabaret


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

John Kander, Cabaret

Videos

News


Billy Porter and Marisha Wallace to Join CABARET; Production to Close in October
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 18, 2025

Emmy Award, GRAMMY Award, and three-time Tony Award winner Billy Porter and two-time Olivier Award nominee Marisha Wallace will star as ‘Emcee’ and ‘Sally Bowles’ in the Tony Award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway.
Video: Jennifer Lopez Stars in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN Teaser Trailer
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 9, 2025

The first teaser trailer for the highly anticipated film adaptation of Broadway's Kiss of the Spider Woman, starring Jennifer Lopez, has just been released. Watch it now!
New Cast Members Join CHICAGO on Broadway This Month
by Stephi Wild - Jun 4, 2025

The Broadway cast of Chicago will welcome next cast members later this month! The new cast will begin on Monday, June 16 at the Ambassador Theatre. Learn more here!
Review: SING HAPPY! at 92NY Overflows with Kander & Ebb Treats
by Rob Lester - Jun 2, 2025

Lyrics & Lyricists celebrate and examine Kander & Ebb's work with one final performance June 2 at 7 pm. This production deserves to move. Its talent is full of that quality the team wrote about as in their score for Chicago: CLASS!
Video: Broadway Celebrates the Unveiling of Terrence McNally Way
by Joey Mervis - Jun 2, 2025

Just last week, East 9th street between Broadway and University Place was officially co-named Terrence McNally Way in honor of the late legendary playwright Terrence McNally, who proudly lived on East 9th Street for 24 years. Watch highlights from the special day in this video. 
Photos: East 9th Street is Officially Renamed Terrence McNally Way
by Emmy Rice - Jun 2, 2025

On Friday, May 30, East 9th street between Broadway and University Place was officially co-named Terrence McNally Way in honor of the late legendary playwright Terrence McNally, who proudly lived on East 9th Street for 24 years. See the photos here!
Interview: Aimee Doherty says HELLO, DOLLY! in Her First Jerry Herman Musical
by R. Scott Reedy - May 27, 2025

Classic American theater composers like Leonard Bernstein, John Kander, and Stephen Sondheim have been good to Aimee Doherty – giving her a wide range of characters to play and songs to sing. She has returned the favor by giving standout performances in their musicals that have made her one of the leading lights on greater Boston’s stages.
Cast Set for CABARET, Coming to Guthrie Theater in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 21, 2025

The Guthrie Theater has revealed the cast and creative team for Cabaret, featuring music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and directed by Joseph Haj. Learn more!
Who Are the Most Tony-Nominated People of All Time?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 18, 2025

This time, the reader question was: Who are the most Tony-nominated people of all time? Audra McDonald now holds the record for the most-nominated performer, but do you know who has the most ever?
Charlotte d’Amboise Will Return to CHICAGO; Sophie Carmen-Jones Extends
by Stephi Wild - May 15, 2025

Chicago will welcome back triple threat Charlotte d’Amboise in the role of Roxie Hart next week and Sophie Carmen-Jones extends in the role of Velma Kelly. Learn more here!
CHICAGO Comes to Circa '21
by Stephi Wild - May 9, 2025

Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse will present one of the most-requested titles in its history, the legendary Kander & Ebb musical, CHICAGO! Learn more about the show here!
CHICAGO Returns to the Arsht Center This Summer
by Stephi Wild - May 9, 2025

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Broadway Across America will conclude the 2024-2025 Broadway in Miami series with the return of CHICAGO, for a limited engagement this summer.
SHREK and More Set for StoryBook Theatre Upcoming 'Season To Be Brave'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 7, 2025

StoryBook Theatre has revealed its 49th Season of Shows, themed 'Season to be Brave.' Audiences of all ages are invited to experience these upcoming family-friendly productions including Shrek and more!
INTERVIEW: Hablamos con Abril Zamora, Amanda Digón y Pepe Nufrio sobre CABARET
by Juan-Jose Gonzalez - May 5, 2025

El musical, protagonizado por Abril Zamora, Amanda Digón y Pepe Nufrio, se estrena el próximo 24 de septiembre.
Video: Highlights of Eva Noblezada & Orville Peck in CABART AT THE KIT KAT CLUB
by Nicole Rosky - May 2, 2025

Watch in this video as country music star Orville Peck and two-time Tony Award nominee Eva Noblezada perform 'Money' and 'Mein Herr'. Peck and Noblezada will star in the Tony Award-winning production for a limited 16-week engagement through Sunday, July 20. 
CASTING CALL: Let's Go convoca audiciones para CABARET
by Lorena Pastor Romero - May 1, 2025

La productora Let’s Go ha abierto el proceso de audiciones para seleccionar el elenco de la próxima producción del musical CABARET.
Photos: Dramatists Guild Awards Honor David Henry Hwang, Shaina Taub and More
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 30, 2025

Last night, the Dramatists Guild of America honored the recipients of their 2025 Awards with a ceremony at Green Fig at which playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists celebrated their fellow theatre writers. Check out photos here!
Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff and More to Join SING HAPPY! at 92NY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 29, 2025

Music director David Loud is leading a celebration of Kander and Ebb's remarkable partnership and the music it gave us at 92NY. See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.
PHOTOS: Así fue la presentación de CABARET en el UMusic Hotel Teatro Albéniz
by Lorena Pastor Romero - Apr 29, 2025

A partir del 24 de septiembre, LetsGo, productora de EL FANTASMA DE LA ÓPERA, presentará en el UMusic Hotel Teatro Albéniz una versión inmersiva del musical CABARET, de Kander y Ebb.
Hannah Dodd and Rob Madge Will Lead CABARET at the Kit Kat Club in London
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2025

The West End production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB has announced new casting! From 29 May 2025, Bridgerton star Hannah Dodd will play Sally Bowles and Olivier nominee Rob Madge will play The Emcee. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has John Kander written?

John Kander has written 33 shows including A Family Affair (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Flora, the Red Menace (Composer), Go Fly a Kite (Composer), Cabaret (Composer), The Happy Time (Composer), Zorba (Composer), 70, Girls, 70 (Composer), An Evening with Fred Ebb and John Kander (Composer), Liza (Composer), Chicago (Composer), 2 by 5 (Composer), The Act (Composer), Joe Masiell Not at the Palace (Material), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Composer), Woman of the Year (Composer), The Rink (Composer), Diamonds (Composer), How Lucky Can You Get? (Composer), And the World Goes 'Round (Composer), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Composer), Steel Pier (Composer), Over and Over (Composer), Fosse (Composer), The Visit (Composer), Curtains (Lyricist), Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Composer), First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb (Composer), The Scottsboro Boys (Composer), Come Fly Away (Composer), The Landing (Composer), Kid Victory (Music, Story), The Beast in the Jungle (Composer), New York, New York (Music).

What awards has John Kander been nominated for?

Outstanding New Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for New York, New York, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for The Visit, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Visit, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Curtains, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Curtains, Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Outstanding Musical Production (Olivier Awards) for Cabaret, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Curtains, The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards) for , Outstanding Musical Production (Olivier Awards) for Chicago, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Steel Pier, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Steel Pier, Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Cabaret, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, The American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Kiss Of The Spider Woman, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Rink, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Woman of the Year, Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Chicago, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Act, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Chicago, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Happy Time, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Cabaret and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Cabaret.

What awards has John Kander won?

John Kander has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. He won the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards. He received The American Express Tribute from the Helen Hayes Awards. Kander earned the Outstanding Musical Production award at the Olivier Awards for Chicago. He was honored with Best Musical from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Kiss of the Spider Woman. Additionally, he won the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre twice: once for Kiss of the Spider Woman and again for Woman of the Year. Kander also received Best Musical from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Cabaret, along with the Tony Award for Best Original Score for Cabaret.

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Videos