Pasek and Paul
Pasek and Paul | |
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Background information | |
Genres | Musical Theatre |
Members | Benj Pasek Justin Paul |
Website | pasekandpaul |
Benj Pasek | |
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Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | June 9, 1985
Occupation(s) |
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Justin Paul | |
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Born | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. | January 3, 1985
Occupation(s) |
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While Pasek usually writes lyrics and Paul usually writes music, they share credit for both elements.[6] Both are graduates of the University of Michigan[7] and winners of the American Theatre Wing's 2007 Jonathan Larson Grant,[8] which honors achievement by composers, lyricists and librettists.
History
Start at the University of Michigan
Pasek and Paul started working together as freshmen at the University of Michigan.[9] Both got "background" roles in the school's musical theater production, which inspired them to write Edges, a song cycle about the trials and tribulations of moving into adulthood and the search for meaning. Edges premiered in Ann Arbor, Michigan on April 3, 2005.[7]
On May 14, 2006, the duo made their New York City premiere: a benefit concert of original songs titled Become: The Music of Pasek & Paul. Presented by Jamie McGonnigal,[10] performers included Gavin Creel, Cheyenne Jackson, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Steven Pasquale.[11] They also contributed to the 2006 off-Broadway musical White Noise: A Cautionary Musical, which won Talkin' Broadway's 2006 Summer Theatre Festival Citation for Outstanding Original Score.[12]
In December 2006, they completed their BFA degrees in musical theatre.
Musical theatre
Early projects
Edges proved popular on social media[13] and within several years it had over 200 productions worldwide, with countries including Australia,[14] South Africa,[15] Denmark,[16][17] France,[18] South Korea, the United Kingdom,[19] Canada,[20] the Philippines,[21] and the United States.[22]
Pasek and Paul wrote the score to the musical adaptation of
Dear Evan Hansen (2015)
Pasek and Paul wrote the music and lyrics to their musical
The musical made its
Television
The duo have written original music for several television shows. In 2007 and 2008 Pasek and Paul wrote music for the Disney Channel show Johnny and the Sprites,[12] with songs used in six episodes and for one story in the season's premiere.
Their
Pasek and Paul also wrote the original song "Runnin' Home to You" performed by Grant Gustin for The Flash episode "Duet", a musical crossover between The Flash and Supergirl.[37] Melissa Benoist sang it in Supergirl's "Crisis on Earth-X" crossover episode.[38]
They also wrote original songs for an episode of the Hulu show Only Murders in the Building, including "Look for the Light", a duet sung by Meryl Streep and Ashley Park.[39] Another song, "Which of Pickwick Triplets Did It?" was written by Pasek and Paul working for the first time in collaboration with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman of Hairspray fame. The tongue-twisting patter song was performed primarily by Only Murders actor Steve Martin, and also by Matthew Broderick for one episode, followed by Martin Short.[40][41]
Films
Pasek and Paul wrote the 2016 song "Get Back Up Again" for the film
They wrote the lyrics for the musical romantic comedy-drama film
Pasek and Paul wrote the songs for the 2017 musical drama film
In collaboration with Alan Menken, Pasek and Paul wrote the lyrics for two new songs for Disney's 2019 live action film adaptation of Aladdin. The film also includes original 1992 song compositions written by Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice.[51]
Pasek and Paul also adapted Dear Evan Hansen as a feature film for Universal Pictures and director Stephen Chbosky. They wrote two new songs for the film, including "The Anonymous Ones," which was written in collaboration with Amandla Stenberg for the character of Alana Beck, whom Stenberg plays in the film. They also wrote "A Little Closer" for the character of Connor Murphy, played by Colton Ryan, who reprises the role in which he understudied in the Broadway production.[52] Paul also composed the film's underscore with Dan Romer.[53] It premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2021, followed by a release in theaters on September 24, 2021.[54][55][56]
The duo has also written original songs for
Personal lives
Pasek is the son of Temple University professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek.[62] His alma mater is the University of Michigan and Friends' Central School.[6] He is gay.[6]
Paul's alma mater is the University of Michigan and
Musicals
Year | Title | Notes |
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2005 | Edges |
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2010 | James and the Giant Peach | Book by Timothy Allen McDonald |
2012 | Dogfight | Book by Peter Duchan |
2012 | A Christmas Story: The Musical | Book by Joseph Robinette |
2016 | Dear Evan Hansen | Book by Steven Levenson |
Filmography
Year | Title | Notes |
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2016 | Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz
|
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Trolls | Writers of "Get Back Up Again" | |
La La Land |
| |
2017 | The Greatest Showman |
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2019 | Aladdin | Wrote the lyrics for two new songs in collaboration with Speechless "
|
2021 | Dear Evan Hansen[54] |
|
2022 | Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile[57] | Also executive producers |
Spirited | Also executive producers | |
2023 | Only Murders in the Building | Composed songs for Season 3's "Death Rattle Dazzle" musical |
2025 | Snow White[60] | New songs |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | Dramatists Guild Fellowship (2007–2008) | N/A | N/A | Honorees |
Jonathan Larson Grant† | Honorees | |||
2011 | American Academy of Arts and Letters | Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theater
|
Honorees | |
ASCAP Foundation Award | Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award | Honorees | ||
Songwriter's Fellowship Award | Honorees | |||
Sundance Institute Fellowship | N/A | Honorees | ||
2013 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Music | A Christmas Story: The Musical | Nominated |
Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Musical | Dogfight | Won | |
Outer Critics Circle Award
|
Outstanding New Score | Nominated | ||
Tony Award
|
Best Original Score | A Christmas Story: The Musical | Nominated | |
2016 | The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding Original New Play or Musical | Dear Evan Hansen | Nominated | |
Critics' Choice Movie Award | Best Song | "Audition" (from La La Land) | Nominated | |
"City of Stars" (from La La Land) | Won | |||
Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Lyrics | Dear Evan Hansen | Won | |
Golden Globe Award
|
Best Original Song | "City of Stars" (from La La Land) | Won | |
Hollywood Music in Media Award | Best Song in a Feature Film | Won | ||
Houston Film Critics Society Award | Best Original Song | "Audition" (from La La Land) | Nominated | |
"City of Stars" (from La La Land) | Won | |||
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award | Best Music | La La Land | Won | |
Obie Award | Musical Theater, Music and Lyrics | Dear Evan Hansen | Won | |
Outer Critics Circle Award
|
Outstanding New Score | Nominated | ||
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award | Best Song | "Audition" (from La La Land) | Won | |
"City of Stars" (from La La Land) | Nominated | |||
Satellite Award | Best Original Song | "Audition" (from La La Land) | Nominated | |
"City of Stars" (from La La Land) | Won | |||
2017 | Academy Award
|
Best Original Song | "Audition" (from La La Land) | Nominated |
"City of Stars" (from La La Land) | Won | |||
Tony Award | Best Original Score | Dear Evan Hansen | Won | |
Best Musical | Won | |||
2018 | Academy Award | Best Original Song | "This Is Me" (from The Greatest Showman) | Nominated |
Critics' Choice Movie Award | Best Song | Nominated | ||
Golden Globe Award | Best Original Song | Won | ||
Grammy Award
|
Best Musical Theater Album | Dear Evan Hansen | Won | |
Best Song Written for Visual Media | "City of Stars" (from La La Land) | Nominated | ||
Hollywood Music in Media Award | Best Song in a Feature Film | "This Is Me" (from The Greatest Showman) | Nominated | |
Primetime Emmy Award
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Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics | "In The Market for a Miracle" (from A Christmas Story Live!) | Nominated | |
2019 | Critics' Choice Movie Award | Best Song | "Speechless" (from Aladdin) | Nominated |
Hollywood Music in Media Award | Best Song in a Feature Film | Nominated | ||
2020 | Laurence Olivier Award
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Best Original Score or New Orchestrations
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Dear Evan Hansen | Won |
2022 | Grammy Award
|
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media | Dear Evan Hansen | Nominated |
Best Song Written for Visual Media | "All I Know So Far" (from Pink: All I Know So Far) | Nominated | ||
Tony Award
|
Best Musical | A Strange Loop | Won |
†: Pasek and Paul were the youngest winners of the Jonathan Larson Grant in history.
References
- ^ Philbrook, Erik (February 27, 2017). "Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Win Best Original Song Oscar for 'City of Stars' from La La Land". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ BWW News Desk (February 16, 2007). "Pasek and Paul Among Winners of Jonathan Larson Awards". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (February 1, 2013). "THE SCREENING ROOM: Pasek and Paul's New Song for "Smash," Sung by Katharine McPhee". Playbill. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- ^ a b Barone, Joshua, Golden Globe Winners 2017, The New York Times, January 8, 2017.
- ^ "Oscar Winners 2017". The New York Times. February 27, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Paulson, Michael (November 10, 2016). "What It's Like to Make It in Showbiz With Your Best Friend". The New York Times.
- ^ University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
- ^ "Recipient Benj Pasek and Justin Paul". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
- ^ "Biography of Benj Pasek". MTIshows.com. Retrieved July 27, 2012
- ^ "BECOME: The Music of Pasek & Paul at Joe's Pubs". New York Theatre Guide. May 3, 2006. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (May 2, 2006). "Benanti, Keenan-Bolger, Hilty, Jackson and More Set for Become Concert". Playbill. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- ^ a b Jones, Kenneth (October 16, 2007). "Pasek and Paul's Edges Gets Equity Bow in Albany with Hanlon and Alvin". Playbill.
- ^ "Edges – Show Details, October 20, 2008" Archived March 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. torontolivetheatre.com. Retrieved July 27, 2012
- ^ "Edges A Song Cycle – Sydney Production (OPENS MARCH 25)" Archived April 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine theatre.asn.au, March 16, 2010
- ^ Denette, Kelsey (October 5, 2011). "Pasek and Paul's EDGES Plays On Broadway, 10/12-15". BroadwayWorld.
- ^ "Music Theatre Professor Directs Production in Denmark" Archived August 1, 2012, at archive.today. elon.edu, July 11, 2011
- ^ Edges fredericiateater.dk [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Edges coming to Paris". AMT Live. April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
- ^ Tay, Rebecca. "Fringe Review. Edinburgh Fringe 2010. Edges – the Musical" Archived March 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. fringereview.co.uk, August 19, 2010
- ^ "Acting Up Stage Theatre Company to Present to Toronto Premiere of Edges". Broadwayworld.com, September 18, 2008
- ^ "Ateneo Blue Repertory Presents Musical Revue Edges". Broadwayworld.com, July 18, 2010
- ^ Gans, Andrew (February 15, 2008). "Pasek and Paul's Edges to Play Sondheim Center with Alvin, Bashor and Hanlon". Playbill. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. "'James and the Giant Peach, the Musical', Blossoms With the Help of Pilobolus, Oct. 21" Archived November 14, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Playbill, October 21, 2010
- ^ "Onstage. If You Give A Pig A Pancake, January 24, 2010" Archived April 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Penn State. Retrieved July 27, 2012
- ^ "One Night Stand Documentary Feat. Cheyenne Jackson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Mandy Gonzalez et al. Makes NewFest Premiere, 7/24". Broadwayworld.com, July 24, 2011
- ^ "Dogfight". pasekandpaul.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018.
- Tony Awards. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- ^ Rothstein, Mervyn. "Next to Normal's Michael Greif Stirs Up More Family Drama With Dear Evan Hansen" Playbill, July 6, 2015
- ^ Gioia, Michael. "Pasek and Paul's Dear Evan Hansen, About the High School Struggle to Fit In, Premieres in D.C." Playbill, July 30, 2015
- ^ Marks, Peter. "Dear Evan Hansen: Original story, high hopes for Benj Pasek and Justin Paul" The Washington Post, July 10, 2015
- ^ Clement, Olivia. "Pasek and Paul's Dear Evan Hansen Bows in New York", Playbill, March 26, 2016
- ^ "Grammys 2018 Winners: The Complete List (Live Updating)". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- ^ Obie Awards, 2016 Winners.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (August 1, 2022). "Broadway's Dear Evan Hansen Breaks Music Box Theatre Record". Playbill.
- ^ "Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard - Theatre's Biggest Night". Officiallondontheatre.com. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (February 1, 2013). "Pasek and Paul's New Song for "Smash," Sung by Katharine McPhee". Playbill.
- ^ Agard, Chancellor (January 31, 2017). "The Flash-Supergirl musical crossover to feature songs by Rachel Bloom, Dear Evan Hansen duo". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
- ^ "Benoist Sings in Supergirl Crisis on Earth-X Part 1 Crossover". November 27, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- ^ "The Story Behind 'Magnificent' Meryl Streep's Show-Saving 'Only Murders' Duet with Ashley Park (Exclusive)". People.
- ^ Madarang, Charisma (September 20, 2023). "Watch Steve Martin Belt Out 'Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It' for 'Only Murders in the Building'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ Scheps, Leigh (October 4, 2023). "How the Catchy Only Murders in the Building Song Was Written". Broadway Direct. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "Get Back Up Again". AllMusic. 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- ^ "Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz". IMDb. 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- ^ Gans, Andrew and Viagas, Robert. "La La Land Film, With Ryan Gosling, to Feature Songs by Pasek and Paul and Justin Hurwitz" Playbill, March 8, 2016
- ^ Gans, Andrew (August 31, 2016). "La La Land Movie Musical Debuts Tonight, Featuring Pasek & Paul Songs". Playbill. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ "Oscar Nominations 2017: See the Full List". Vanity Fair. January 24, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "Oscar Winners 2017". The New York Times. February 26, 2017.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (February 7, 2023). "'La La Land' to Become a Broadway Musical". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Cunard to Broadcast LIVE Red Carpet from 'The Greatest Showman' World Premiere on Flagship Queen Mary 2". Cision. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
- ^ Golden Globe Awards for "This Is Me", January 7, 2018
- ^ Robbins, Caryn (July 17, 2017). "VIDEO: Pasek & Paul to Team with Menken on Live-Action ALADDIN; Miranda Confirmed for LITTLE MERMAID". BroadwayWorld.
- ^ a b Wood, Alex (August 21, 2021). "Dear Evan Hansen movie to have two new numbers and rewritten ending, Ben Platt reveals". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
- ^ "Dan Romer & Justin Paul Scoring Stephen Chbosky's 'Dear Evan Hansen' | Film Music Reporter". Filmmusicreporter.com. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ a b Busch, Anita (November 29, 2018). "Tony Award-Winning Musical Dear Evan Hansen Will Be Universal Pictures, Marc Platt Film; Wonder's Stephen Chbosky May Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (August 17, 2020). "Universal's 'Dear Evan Hansen' Adaptation Adds 'The Hate U Give' Star Amandla Stenberg". Deadline.
- ^ "Universal's 'Dear Evan Hansen' Pic Gets Theatrical Release Date". January 29, 2021.
- ^ a b Milligan, Mercedes (July 9, 2021). "Javier Bardem to Star in Sony's Hybrid 'Lyle, Lyle Crocodile' Adaptation". Animationmagazine.net. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "WORK".
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (November 18, 2021). "Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell's Musical 'Spirited' Adds Three Songwriters Alongside Pasek and Paul (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
- ^ a b "Disney Developing Live-Action Snow White (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. October 31, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ^ "Marc Webb Eyed to Direct Disney's 'Snow White' Remake (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ "Home – The International Congress of Infant Studies". The International Congress of Infant Studies. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
External links
- Pasek and Paul website
- Benj Pasek at IMDb
- Justin Paul at IMDb