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John Kander Headshot

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 (Incidental Music)
 
[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


CHICAGO to Host Post-Show Talkback with Whitney Leavitt and Dylan Mulvaney
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 27, 2026

CHICAGO will present a special post-show talkback featuring Whitney Leavitt and Dylan Mulvaney, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with the stars.
Video: First Look at Whitney Leavitt in Costume as Roxie Hart
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 21, 2026

The name on everybody's lips is gonna be Whitney! As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the Broadway company of Chicago will welcome “Dancing with the Stars” semi-finalist and actress/breakout star of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” Whitney Leavitt. Check out a video of Leavitt in costume here.
Carolee Carmello, Kecia Lewis and Kate Baldwin To Perform At The New York City Gay Men's Chorus Annual Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 21, 2026

The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus has announced the first performers and honorees for Harmony, its annual gala benefit at the Edison Ballroom. The event will feature Broadway performers including Carolee Carmello, Kate Baldwin, and Kecia Lewis.
Photos: DWTS and SECRET LIVES OF MORMON WIVES Star Whitney Leavitt Gets Ready for Her Broadway Debut in CHICAGO
by Bruce Glikas - Jan 7, 2026

The name on everybody's lips is gonna be Whitney! As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the Broadway company of Chicago will welcome “Dancing with the Stars” semi-finalist and actress/breakout star of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” Whitney Leavitt. She just met the press and you can check out photos here!
Stephen Sondheim's Friends and Family Share Untold Stories in New Podcast
by Stephi Wild - Jan 5, 2026

In personal celebration of Stephen Sondheim, an all new tribute podcast will be released by Martin Milnes and Peter E. Jones, on all streaming platforms. Learn more here!
Review: CHICAGO at Casino De Paris
by Patrick Honoré - Dec 16, 2025

The Paris revival remains polished and efficient, but once again raises a familiar question: has Chicago become more concert than theatre?
Tituss Burgess to be Honored at New York City Gay Men's Chorus Annual Gala HARMONY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 9, 2025

Harmony, the New York City Gay Men's Chorus's annual gala benefit has added Tituss Burgess as a nominee! The event will take place at the Edison Ballroom at Hotel Edison.
Photos: Dawn Derow Presents SING HAPPY Show At The Triad
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 4, 2025

Award-winning vocalist Dawn Derow performed The Triad Theater with SING HAPPY—her self-produced, one-woman tribute to Broadway’s boldest, most unforgettable women. See photos!
Víctor Palmero se convierte en el nuevo Maestro de Ceremonias del KIT KAT KLUB
by Juan-Jose Gonzalez - Dec 2, 2025

El actor se incorpora a la superproducción inmersiva de LETSGO en el UMusic Hotel Madrid, donde interpretará el emblemático rol todos los viernes y sábados a las 17:00 h hasta el 10 de enero.

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 won several prestigious awards throughout his career. These include the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards, the American Express Tribute from the Helen Hayes Awards, and the Outstanding Musical Production award from the Olivier Awards for Chicago. He received the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Kiss of the Spider Woman, as well as the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for the same show. Kander also won the Tony Award for Best Original Score for Woman of the Year. Additionally, he earned the Best Musical award 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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