John Kander Headshot

John Kander

Birth Place: USA

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John Kander 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).

John Kander Photos

John Kander STAGE CREDITS

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

John Kander 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

John Kander 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

John Kander Videos

John Kander News


Interview: Chatting With John Riddle, Star of LES MISERABLES At The Muny

The Muny opens its 106th season next week with the epic musical sensation Les Misérables. John Riddle returns to play Jean Valjean following his award-winning performance as Anatoly in CHESS last season. Broadway World sat down with John Riddle during his rehearsal lunch break to talk about the upcoming production, how he got his start on The Muny stage, and his success performing on Broadway in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE VISIT, and Disney’s FROZEN.  
Video: Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin Talk CABARET Tony Nominations

Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin stopped by The Kelly Clarkson Show to discuss Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, now playing at the August Wilson Theatre. In Cabaret, Redmayne plays 'The Emcee', a role played by Joel Grey in the 1966 and 1987 Broadway productions. He performs alongside Gayle Rankin as Sally Bowles, replacing Jessie Buckley from the West End production. Watch the full interview!
Drama Book Shop Will Host Signing and Talkback Event For 'The Tony Awards: A Celebration of Excellence in Theatre'

The Drama Book Shop will host an event in conjunction with the release of the book, 'The Tony Awards: A Celebration of Excellence in Theatre'. The event will feature Eila Mell and Heather A. Hitchens, and will include a talkback, signing, and live podcast recording.
Review: THE BAKER'S WIFE Is Full of Flavor at Ridgefield Theater Barn

This thoroughly enchanting production, replete with two strong leads and a 14-piece orchestra, triumphs in its simplicity of story brought alive with an easy-on-the-ears, tuneful Schwartz score
Pacific Conservatory Theatre Reveals Summer Season 60

PCPA has announced the lineup for its Summer Season 60, from June 13th through September 8th, 2024, at Solvang Festival Theater and Marian Theatre in Santa Maria.
ArtsCentric to Present Area Premiere of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS Beginning This Month

ArtsCentric in Baltimore has announced the area premiere of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, a powerful musical running June 28 - July 21, 2024. The show tells the true story of nine African American teens falsely accused in 1930s Alabama.
Jennifer Lopez Cancels Summer Tour to 'Be With Her Children, Family and Close Friends'

Jennifer Lopez has announced that she will no longer be embarking on her summer tour, effectively canceling all 30 shows. This follows a previous cancellation of seven dates in March. In support of her new album, This is Me...Now, the tour would have been her first North American tour in five years.
CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB on Broadway- A Complete Guide

Looking for all the latest info on one of Broadway's hottest shows? BroadwayWorld has the full scoop on everything that you need to know about Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway.
Melissa Kelley's HOW DO WE GET THERE FROM HERE? Comes to The Avalon Theatre

Melissa Kelley explores who we are, who we want to be, and how we get there from here through an evening of song and story as a part of the Sounds of the Avalon Series at the Avalon Theatre.
CHICAGO Celebrates 35,000 Performances Worldwide

The record-breaking hit Chicago is celebrating 35,000 performances worldwide. The first tour of Chicago launched in 1997 and has continued in both North America and abroad ever since.
JOB, Starring Peter Friedman and Sydney Lemmon, Will Open on Broadway This Summer

Following two sold-out runs Off-Broadway, JOB, the smash hit play by Max Wolf Friedlich, will open on Broadway this summer starring acclaimed original cast members Peter Friedman and Sydney Lemmon. We have all of the details!
CABARET Understudies To Go On For Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin This Summer

Cabaret understudies are set to go on as the Emcee and Sally Bowles for dates in June and July! Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Video: Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin Discuss CABARET Tony Nominations on TODAY

Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin stopped by TODAY with Hoda & Jenna on Tuesday to discuss Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, now playing at the August Wilson Theatre. In Cabaret, Redmayne plays 'The Emcee', a role played by Joel Grey in the 1966 and 1987 Broadway productions. He performs alongside Gayle Rankin as Sally Bowles, replacing Jessie Buckley from the West End production. Both have been nominated for a Tony Award for their performance. Watch the interview!
Jennifer Lopez Says John Kander Was Involved in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN Movie

According to a new report, Jennifer Lopez, who recently finished filming the upcoming film Kiss of the Spider Woman, said working with composer John Kander on the film was 'a dream.' Kander wrote the score for the 1993 Broadway musical, winning a Tony alongside lyricist and frequent collaborator Fred Ebb. “John Kander, who is 97 years old, was in the studio with me,” Lopez said. “He is the most beautiful man.'
Video: Eddie Redmayne Teaches Jimmy Fallon 'Willkommen' From CABARET

Eddie Redmayne visited The Tonight Show on Monday to discuss his role in as the Emcee in Cabaret for which he was just nominated for a Tony. During the interview, Redmayne recalled his first Tony win in 2010 for Red and some of his Cabaret experiences, culminating in a moment where Redmayne taught Fallon how to perform the famous opening number 'Willkommen.' Watch the interview and performance now!
Eddie Redmayne to Appear on THE TONIGHT SHOW Next Week

Tune in to see Eddie Redmayne on The Tonight Show next week! On Monday, May 20, the Cabaret star will be on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon likely to discuss the new production, which is now running on Broadway. The program airs 11:35/10:35c on NBC.
Unpack the Tony Awards History of the 2024 Nominated Revivals

The results of this season's Tony races are still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been through awards season before. How did they fare? The past may not always be the best indicator of the future, but accolades of years past provide interesting insight nonetheless. Check out a complete list of who was nominated, in what categories, and most importantly... if they won!
Video: Jennifer Lopez Discusses 'Exhilarating' KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN Film

Last week, Jennifer Lopez stopped by Live with Kelly and Mark and briefly discussed the upcoming film adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman, based on the hit Kander and Ebb musical. “I just finished a movie called Kiss of the Spider Woman, where it was all singing and dancing, which was equal parts exhilarating and exhausting as well,' Lopez said. Watch the interview!
Review: Linda Kahn's Splendid WAIT TILL YOU SEE WHAT'S NEXT CD Release Show at Don't Tell Mama

There were so many beautiful songs and arrangements, that you’ll simply have to acquire the album or stream it (on Spotify and Apple Music) for yourself to hear the magic that is Linda Kahn!
Video: Nathan Lane Receives the Stephen Sondheim Award from Signature Theatre

On April 29, 2024, Virginia’s Signature Theatre honored star of stage and screen Nathan Lane with the company’s thirteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. Watch an excerpt from Lane's acceptance speech in this all-new video.

John Kander 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?

John Kander has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Outstanding New Score at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "New York, New York," Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Visit," Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "The Visit" and "The Scottsboro Boys," Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for "Curtains," Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre at the Drama League Awards, Outstanding Musical Production at the Olivier Awards for "Cabaret," Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "Curtains," Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for "Steel Pier," Best Musical Revival at the Olivier Awards for "Cabaret," and many more.

What awards has John Kander won?

John Kander has won several awards, including the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards, The American Express Tribute from the Helen Hayes Awards, and the Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production for Chicago. He also won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical for Kiss of the Spider Woman and Cabaret. Additionally, he received the Tony Award for Best Original Score for both Kiss of the Spider Woman and Woman of the Year, as well as for Cabaret.

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