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


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!

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.

Video: Willkommen to Opening Night of CABARET on Broadway


Willkommen back to the Kit Kat Club on Broadway! Cabaret just celebrated an epic two-day opening weekend and BroadwayWorld was on hand to chat with the cast and creative team. In this video, watch as they hit the red carpet!

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.

Photos: Joel Grey Celebrates 92nd Birthday at CABARET


On Thursday, April 11, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club celebrated Broadway legend Joel Grey’s 92nd birthday on stage at the August Wilson Theatre. See photos here!

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.

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," and Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for both "The Visit" and "The Scottsboro Boys." He has also received nominations for Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for "Curtains," Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre at the Drama League Awards, and Outstanding Musical Production at the Olivier Awards for "Cabaret" and "Chicago." Additionally, Kander has been nominated for Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for various productions such as "Steel Pier," "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "The Rink," "Woman of the Year," "The Act," and "The Happy Time." His work on "Cabaret" has earned him nominations for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and Best Original Score at the Tony Awards.

What awards has John Kander won?

John Kander has won several awards throughout his career, 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 received the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical for Kiss of the Spider Woman and Cabaret, as well as the Tony Award for Best Original Score for both Kiss of the Spider Woman and Woman of the Year.

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