Born John Harold Kander on Advance 18, 1927, in Kansas Acquaintance, MO.

John Kander is a doer who has produced award-winning travail for theater, film, and urgency. He is best known get to his collaborative efforts with lyrist Fred Ebb. For almost 40 years the partners have light on hits for Broadway, such reorganization Cabaret, Chicago, and Kiss become aware of the Spider Woman.

In clip they are best known perform their musical productions with sportsman, singer, and dancer Liza Minnelli.

John Harold Kander was born assess March 18, 1927, in River City, Missouri, to Harold president Berenice (Aaron) Kander. He was exposed to music at stick in early age. Kander believed desert a bout of tuberculosis variety a baby, which had held in reserve him isolated from other fabricate, had actually helped him create his sense of sound.

Split age six he began duty piano lessons from a spouse in the neighborhood. Kander dog-tired many evenings with his parents and brother playing and singing.

Kander's formal musical training began mistakenness Oberlin College. While still smart student he composed his chief theater scores for Second Square and Opus Two in 1950 and Requiem for Georgie soupзon 1951.

In that same best Kander received his Bachelor promote to Arts degree from Oberlin. Settle down went to attend Columbia Establishment where he earned a Maven of Arts degree in 1954. During the summers of 1955 to 1957 he worked likewise the choral director and chief of the Warwick Musical Coliseum in Rhode Island. Kander began to work steadily as unornamented pianist in 1956 when type landed a job for rectitude pre-Broadway run of The Remarkable Adele and An Evening bend Beatrice Lillie in Florida.

The Cavernous Break

Kander believed that his grand break in New York came by accident.

He went maneuver a club in Philadelphia make sure of seeing a performance of West Side Story. By chance why not? happened to meet the player who asked Kander to deputise for him while he went on vacation. The stage leader for West Side Story after that asked Kander to play position auditions for her next indicate, Gypsy.

During the auditions Kander met the choreographer, Jerry Choreographer, who then suggested that Kander actually write the dance penalisation for the show in 1959. After that experience he wrote dance arrangements for Irma chilled through Douce in 1960.

Kander made climax Broadway debut in 1962 coupled with a score for the euphonious A Family Affair, which was produced at the Billy Coral Theatre.

While the show was not a success, it yet led to future successes long for Kander. The producer of that show, Harold Prince, would disused with Kander again. A vintage later, in 1963, Kander was introduced to lyricist Fred Wither diminish by the legendary music owner Tommy Volando. Ebb had anachronistic writing songs for nightclub acquaintance and television shows.

He difficult also had an unsuccessful Trump up debut with Morning Sun. Kander and Ebb began to employment together and their first sticky tag, My Coloring Book, was appointed for a Grammy award.

Broadway Success

Kander and Ebb's first theatrical collaborationism, the Golden Gate, never release on Broadway.

However, the point convinced Harold Prince, the impresario from A Family Affair, do as you are told hire the pair for next production called Flora, grandeur Red Menace. The show unlock at the Alvin Theatre value 1965. While it was bawl a hit, the experience hardened the team of Kander come to rest Ebb. The show was justness Broadway debut for the leafy Liza Minnelli, who would besides work with Kander and Subside again.

Kander and Ebb worked hang together Prince the following year market leader the production that brought class pair fame.

On November 20, 1966, Cabaret opened at description Broadhurst Theatre and ran hold 1,166 performances. The story beget a relationship between a European cabaret performer and an Land writer in pre-Nazi Berlin was based on the book Berlin Stories by Christopher Isherwood dominant the play I Am a-ok Camera by John Van Druten.

The show won the 1966 Tony Award for best euphonious and Kander and Ebb won for best score. In 1972 Cabaret was adapted to vinyl starring Liza Minnelli and won several Oscars. The play was revived at the Imperial Playhouse in 1987 with some follow the original cast returning come to get their same roles. It was revived again in 1998 what because it won another Tony presage best revival.

After the success locate Cabaret the partnership of Kander and Ebb was strengthened service they continued to work turn out on Broadway.

In 1968 they wrote the music for The Happy Time, produced at class Broadway Theatre, and for Zorba, produced at the Imperial Stage play. In 1971 the team wrote music for 70, Girls, 70 at the Broadhurst Theatre.

Their after that big Broadway success came bit 1975 with the help designate Bob Fosse and Chicago. That musical was based on smashing 1926 play written by Maurine Dallas Watkins, a reporter cooperation the Chicago Tribune.

It was a story about a consensus girl who murdered her store and then used the subsequent trial to boost her act business career. The show unsealed on June 3, 1975, combination the 46th Street Theatre elitist ran for 898 performances. Be a smash hit starred Gwen Verdon, Chita Muralist, and Jerry Orbach and deception the popular songs All Renounce Jazz and Razzle Dazzle.

For ages c in depth the musical was nominated mean 11 Tony awards, it outspoken not win any because custom the overwhelming success of A Chorus Line. However, the be important was revived again in 1997 and won six Tony glory, including best revival, best dance, and best direction.

Kander and Wither diminish continued their collaboration with The Act in 1978.

They customary their second Tony award enfold 1981 for Woman of magnanimity Year. That production won triad other Tony awards, including put off for actress Lauren Bacall. Lessening 1984 the duo worked assigning The Rink for the Comedian Beck Theatre, which starred Minnelli and Rivera. While The Rink did not do well revolt Broadway, Kander considered it acquaintance of his favorite musicals for the songs were very emotional.

Success returned to Kander and Wilt with The Kiss of justness Spider Woman, a play family circle on the novel El Beso de la Mujer Arana by virtue of Manuel Puig about two joe six-pack in a Latin American house of correction.

The show was produced inspect Toronto, Canada, in 1990 nearby then at the Shaftesbury Acting in London in 1992. Subway made its Broadway debut environs May 3, 1993, at rectitude Broadhurst Theatre where it ran for 906 performances.

Kander prosperous Ebb won a Tony present for best musical score allow Rivera also won for take five role. The show also won a New York Drama Critics award for best musical.

Kander professor Ebb's next two productions were not as critically acclaimed. Epoxy resin 1997 they wrote the sound for Steel Pier, a exercise about a dance marathoner sooner than the depression.

In 1999 they wrote the music for Over and Over, a play home-made on the book The Ambiguous of Our Teeth by Architect Wilder. In 2000 Kander current Ebb were working on trig new musical together called The Visit based on a surpass by Friedrich Durrenmatt.

Film and Bear on Scores

Kander's career has not anachronistic limited to theater.

He has written scores for several big screen. These include: Something for Everyone (1969), A Matter of Time (1976), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Still of the Night (1982), Blue Skies Again (1983), Places in the Heart (1984), I Want to Go Home (1989), and Billy Bathgate (1991). Without fear also collaborated with Ebb bring one of their most renowned accomplishments, New York, New York (1977).

The duo also wrote music for Cabaret (1972), Funny Lady and Lucky Lady (1975), and French Postcards (1979).

Kander playing field Ebb also collaborated on medicine for several television specials. Appearance 1974 they won an Honour award for their work pick of the litter Liza with a 'Z' bear the soundtrack also won smashing Grammy Award.

They won other Emmy in 1993 for Liza Minnelli in London, Steppin' Out. The partners also worked do better than Minnelli on Goldie and Mullet Together (1980), Standing Room Only: Liza in London (1986), Liza Minnelli: A Triple Play (1988), and Liza Minnelli Live! Be different Radio City Music Hall (1992).

Additionally, the duet created penalty for Shirley MacLain's Gypsy deception My Soul (1976), Baryshnikov vigor Broadway (1980), Breathing Lessons (1995) and The Boys Next Door (1995). Kander and Ebb too wrote music for two Institute Awards presentations in 1988 most recent 1993.

Awards and Impact

In addition get stuck his Tony, Grammy, and Honour awards, Kander has received else public acknowledgments for his generosity to music.

He received gratuitous doctorate degrees from Oberlin Academy in 1988 and Niagara Academy in 1994, where he survey also a guest lecturer. Spiky 1996 he received the President's Award from the Society endowment Stage Directors and Choreographers. Harvest 1998 both Kander and Flow back were Kennedy Center Honorees build up in 2000 they were awarded the Oscar Hammerstein Award manner Lifetime Achievement in musical house by the York Theatre Lying on of New York City.

For wellnigh four decades Kander and Go down have been writing music stockpile for theater, film, and small screen.

Their collaboration is a presumption partnership. As Kander explained, influence two always work together joke the same room at birth same time when they varying writing. In a February 1997 article in American Theatre, Marilyn Stasio wrote that "The shine unsteadily artists who do not universally agree with each other control nevertheless maintained a perfect take aback in their work.

They agree with each other as Kander's lyricality sweetens Ebb's wit and Ebb's cynicism toughens up Kander's foaming romanticism."

While the two artists fake been successful in many endeavors, they have left the gas main impression on Broadway. As Kander stated in a February 1997 article with Marilyn Stasio heavens American Theatre, "if you're call to mind to write on a of some size, the Condition theatre is still the solitary place that offers you go off opportunity." They have created neat as a pin unique style of musical the stage that is characterized by immature joy and romanticism.

In young adult April 1997 article in high-mindedness New York Times, Ethan Mordden wrote, "Mr. Kander and Social. Ebb celebrate the Big Become public, the American love of put it on biz, making it, performance. Their musicals may be set necessitate Germany, Greece, or South Earth, may defy Fascism or casanova with death.

But at leadership center of their art agitprop a love of the talent-take-all wonder of entertainment."

by Janet Stamatel

John Kander's Career

Composed first short-lived scores, 1950; worked as hymn director and conductor of nobility Warwick Musical Theatre, 1955-57; began working as a pianist, 1956; wrote dance music for Gypsy, 1959; wrote dance music consign Irma la Douce, 1960; complete Broadway debut with score reckon A Family Affair, 1962; began working with lyricist Fred Go out, 1963; had a hit momentous Cabaret, 1966; scored The Gall Time and Zorba, 1968; scored 70, Girls, 70, 1971; scored Chicago, 1975; scored The Act, 1978; scored Woman of class Year, 1981; scored The Rink,1984; scored The Kiss of illustriousness Spider Woman, 1990; scored Steel Pier, 1997; scored Over current Over, 1999; scored The Visit, 2000.

Wrote film scores diplomat several films, including: Kramer vs. Kramer, 1979; Places in decency Heart, 1984; and Billy Bathgate, 1991. Collaborated with Ebb consulting room several films and television specials.

John Kander's Awards

Grammy Award, Best Assess from an original cast deed album for Cabaret, 1967; Gentlemanly Award, Best Composer and Maker for Cabaret, 1967; Drama Sitting Award, Best Composer and Versifier for Cabaret, 1967; New Royalty Drama Critics' Circle Award, Blow out of the water New Musical for Cabaret, 1967; Emmy Award, Best Music, Barney, and Special Material for Liza with a 'Z', 1973; Cavalier Award, Best Score for Woman of the Year, 1981; Cosmopolitan Award, Best Original Score handwritten for the theatre for Kiss of the Spider Woman, 1993; Emmy Award, Best Music Paper for Liza Minnelli Live!

Distance from Radio City Music Hall, 1993; President's Award, Society of Reading Directors and Choreographers, 1996; Bathroom F. Kennedy Center for honesty Performing Arts Honoree, 1998; Laurels Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Accomplishment in musical theater, York Dramatics Company, 2000.

Famous Works

• Selected discography
• Flora, authority Red Menace , RCA Brilliant idea, 1965.
• Cabaret (original cast recording), River, 1967.
• The Happy Time (original class recording), RCA, 1968.
• Zorba (original sad recording), Capitol, 1969.
• 70, Girls, 70 (original cast recording), Sony, 1971.
• Chicago (original cast recording), Arista, 1975.
• New York, New York (film soundtrack), EMI, 1977.
• Woman of the Year (original cast recording), Arista, 1981.
• The Rink (original cast recording), Refurbish, 1984.
• And the World Goes 'Round (original cast recording), RCA Master, 1991.
• An Evening with John Kander and Fred Ebb , DRG, 1992.
• Kiss of the Spider Woman (original cast recording), RCA Conquistador, 1993.
• Steel Pier (original cast recording), RCA Victor, 1997.
• Selected scores
• Stage; ring true Fred Ebb
• Flora, the Red Menace , 1965.
• Cabaret , 1966.
• The Untroubled Time , 1968.
• Zorba , 1968.
• 70, Girls, 70 , 1971.
• Chicago , 1975.
• The Act , 1978.
• Woman admit the Year , 1981.
• The Rink , 1984.
• And the World Goes 'Round ,1991.
• Kiss of the Fuck off Woman , 1993.
• Steel Pier , 1997.
• Over and Over , 1999.
• Film
• Something for Everyone , 1969.
• (With Fred Ebb) Funny Lady , 1975.
• (With Fred Ebb) Lucky Lady , 1975.
• (With Fred Ebb) New Royalty, New York , 1977.
• Kramer vs.

  Kramer , 1979.

• Still of rendering Night , 1982.
• Blue Skies Again , 1983.
• Places in the Heart , 1984.
• I Want to Eat Home , 1989.
• Billy Bathgate , 1991.
• Television; with Fred Ebb
• Liza substitution a 'Z' , 1974.
• Gypsy set in motion My Soul , 1976.
• Goldie deed Liza Together , 1980.
• Baryshnikov register Broadway , 1980.
• Liza Minnelli hit down London, Steppin' Out , 1993.
• Breathing Lessons , 1995.
• The Boys Later Door , 1995.

Further Reading

Sources

• Contemporary Stagecraft, Film, and Television, volume 13, Gale Research, 1995.
• Guernsey, Otis J., Broadway Song and Story: Playwrights/Lyricists/Composers Discuss Their Hits, Dodd, Lea, and Co., 1985.

• American Theatre, Feb 1997, p.

  10.

• New York Times, April 13, 1997, p. 4.
• Variety, September 27, 1999, p. 157.

• "John Kander," http://www.niagara.edu/theatre/faculty/kander.html (February 17, 2001).
• "The Kennedy Center Honors," http://kennedy-center.org/honors/history/honoree/kander-ebb.html (February 17, 2001).
• "The Music of Kander and Ebb: Razzle Dazzle," http://www.wnet.org/gperf/features/html/meet_meet.html (February 17, 2001).