Stephen Flaherty
Birth Place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Latest News on Stephen Flaherty:
Video: RAGTIME Releases 2025 Broadway Cast Recording; Watch the Cast Perform 'Journey On' (Jan 9, 2026)
Video: Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis Sing 'Wheels of a Dream' From RAGTIME (Jan 8, 2026)
Photos: Inside the RAGTIME Cast Recording Listening Party (Jan 8, 2026)
Video: RAGTIME Releases 2025 Broadway Cast Recording; Watch the Cast Perform 'Journey On' (Jan 9, 2026)
Video: Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis Sing 'Wheels of a Dream' From RAGTIME (Jan 8, 2026)
Photos: Inside the RAGTIME Cast Recording Listening Party (Jan 8, 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.
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STAGE CREDITS
Productions
[Broadway, 1990]
Vocal Music Arranger
Dance Music Arranger
Dance/Vocal Arrangements
Writing
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Bookwriter
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Conceiver
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Awards and Nominations
Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Music
Stephen Flaherty, Anastasia
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Stephen Flaherty, Anastasia
Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Music
Stephen Flaherty, The Glorious Ones
Olivier Awards - 2004 - Best New Musical
Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Music
Stephen Flaherty, A Man of No Importance
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Music
Stephen Flaherty, Seussical the Musical
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Lyrics
Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Music
Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Musical
Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime
winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime
winner
Olivier Awards - 1995 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical
Stephen Flaherty, Once On This Island
Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Stephen Flaherty, Once on this Island
Videos
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
Video: Watch Caissie Levy & Brandon Uranowitz Rehearse 'Our Children' From RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2025-09-25 15:26:28
Video: Joshua Henry & RAGTIME Cast Rehearse 'Gettin’ Ready Rag'
by Michael Major - 2025-09-19 10:52:52
Video: Broadway Celebrates the Unveiling of Terrence McNally Way
by Joey Mervis - 2025-06-02 10:01:50
Video: Watch the RAGTIME Cast Perform the Title Song at Lincoln Center
by Michael Major - 2025-05-28 10:45:40
Video: Watch 'Your Daddy's Son' From RAGTIME At Goodspeed Opera House
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-05-16 22:49:10
Video: Watch Mamie Parris Sing 'Back to Before' in Goodspeed's RAGTIME
by Michael Major - 2025-05-12 13:20:45
Video: Edward Watts, Mamie Parris & More in RAGTIME at Goodspeed
by Joshua Wright - 2025-05-02 16:11:29
Video: Edward Watts, Mamie Parris & More in Rehearsals for RAGTIME at Goodspeed
by Joshua Wright - 2025-04-25 12:27:04
Video: Watch the Cast of Goodspeed's RAGTIME Perform 'New Music'
by Michael Major - 2025-04-15 09:21:47
Video: Christy Altomare, John Bolton, Alex Joseph Greyson & More Are Bringing Back ANASTASIA
by Joey Mervis - 2025-02-05 13:05:38
News
Video: RAGTIME Releases 2025 Broadway Cast Recording; Watch the Cast Perform 'Journey On'
by Stephi Wild - Jan 9, 2026
The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, is now available digitally! CD and vinyl releases will follow on February 6 and April 3, respectively. Listen to the album here!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 9, 2026
The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, is now available digitally! CD and vinyl releases will follow on February 6 and April 3, respectively. Listen to the album here!
Video: Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis Sing 'Wheels of a Dream' From RAGTIME
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 8, 2026
The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, will be released. Get a look inside the recording studio, with Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis singing 'Wheels of a Dream'!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 8, 2026
The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, will be released. Get a look inside the recording studio, with Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis singing 'Wheels of a Dream'!
Marisha Wallace Joins ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Concert in London
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 7, 2026
Marisha Wallace has joined the cast of the Once On This Island concert in London as Erzulie! The one-night-only concert production of Once On This Island will be performed at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 7, 2026
Marisha Wallace has joined the cast of the Once On This Island concert in London as Erzulie! The one-night-only concert production of Once On This Island will be performed at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
LUCKY STIFF to Kick Off Actors Theatre Of Indiana's 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 5, 2026
Actors Theatre of Indiana will kick off 2026 with Lucky Stiff, a wildly funny, fast-paced musical murder mystery packed with mistaken identities, six million dollars, and one unforgettable corpse in a wheelchair.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 5, 2026
Actors Theatre of Indiana will kick off 2026 with Lucky Stiff, a wildly funny, fast-paced musical murder mystery packed with mistaken identities, six million dollars, and one unforgettable corpse in a wheelchair.
StageTime Theatre School To Present SEUSSICAL JR.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 2, 2026
StageTime Theatre School will present SEUSSICAL JR., a musical set in the world of Dr. Seuss. The production is directed by Ella Voltz and produced by Janet McLaughlin. Seussical Jr. was co-conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle, with music by Flaherty and lyrics by Ahrens. The music was supervised, adapted, and produced by Bryan Louiselle.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 2, 2026
StageTime Theatre School will present SEUSSICAL JR., a musical set in the world of Dr. Seuss. The production is directed by Ella Voltz and produced by Janet McLaughlin. Seussical Jr. was co-conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle, with music by Flaherty and lyrics by Ahrens. The music was supervised, adapted, and produced by Bryan Louiselle.
LUCKY STIFF to Present Final Extension at Florida Studio Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 26, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's opening Winter Mainstage production, Lucky Stiff, has been extended for a final time. Lucky Stiff features Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Music by Stephen Flaherty.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 26, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's opening Winter Mainstage production, Lucky Stiff, has been extended for a final time. Lucky Stiff features Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Music by Stephen Flaherty.
Alex Newell, Cedric Neal, and More Will Lead ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Concert in London
by Stephi Wild - Dec 10, 2025
A one-night-only concert production of Once On This Island will be performed at Theatre Royal Drury Lane next year. The performance will be on Sunday, 8 February 2026. Learn more here!
by Stephi Wild - Dec 10, 2025
A one-night-only concert production of Once On This Island will be performed at Theatre Royal Drury Lane next year. The performance will be on Sunday, 8 February 2026. Learn more here!
New Performances on Sale For ANASTASIA in Sydney
by Stephi Wild - Dec 9, 2025
Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday for new performances of the highly-anticipated major musical ANASTASIA, which will open at Sydney's Lyric Theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 9, 2025
Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday for new performances of the highly-anticipated major musical ANASTASIA, which will open at Sydney's Lyric Theatre.
ANASTASIA to Run at Adelaide’s Festival Theatre from August 2026
by Gillian Blum - Dec 6, 2025
Producers John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia announced that Broadway musical Anastasia will premiere at Adelaide’s Festival Theatre from August 2026.
by Gillian Blum - Dec 6, 2025
Producers John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia announced that Broadway musical Anastasia will premiere at Adelaide’s Festival Theatre from August 2026.
Photos: Danny Burstein, Gray Coleman and Donna McKechnie Honored at Gingold Gala
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Dec 2, 2025
xGingold Theatrical Group celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a Gala, honoring Tony Award winner Danny Burstein, Gray Coleman, and Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie with the Golden Shamrock Award. See photos!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Dec 2, 2025
xGingold Theatrical Group celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a Gala, honoring Tony Award winner Danny Burstein, Gray Coleman, and Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie with the Golden Shamrock Award. See photos!
Mainstage Production LUCKY STIFF Extended at Florida Studio Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 1, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's opening Winter Mainstage production, Lucky Stiff, has been extended. The musical features book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Music by Stephen Flaherty.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 1, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's opening Winter Mainstage production, Lucky Stiff, has been extended. The musical features book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Music by Stephen Flaherty.
Review: Theatre Raleigh's ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
by Jeffrey Kare - Nov 13, 2025
Based on Rosa Guy’s 1985 novel, My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl, a Caribbean-set retelling of the original fairy tale of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen.
by Jeffrey Kare - Nov 13, 2025
Based on Rosa Guy’s 1985 novel, My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl, a Caribbean-set retelling of the original fairy tale of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Stephen Flaherty written?
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).
What awards has Stephen Flaherty been nominated for?
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.
What awards has Stephen Flaherty won?
Stephen Flaherty has won several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for A Man of No Importance, Seussical the Musical, and Ragtime. He also received Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Ragtime. Additionally, he won the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Ragtime. Furthermore, Flaherty earned The American Express Award for Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards for Once On This Island.
Videos